Maple Leafs Star Linked With Red Wings Heading Into Free Agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs fell short of reaching the Eastern Conference Final, dropping Game 7 at home to the Florida Panthers. Toronto now enters a crucial offseason that could see multiple key players depart the team.

One of those is star Mitch Marner, who is expected to command a lot of suitors on the open market. Due to this, many people are the NHL don't expect Marner to return to Toronto next season.

One team that could be interested in his services is the Detroit Red Wings. Detroit has been in a downward spiral for years, and adding a player like Marner could be very helpful.

NHL writer Adam Herman of Bleacher Report listed the Red Wings as a potential landing spot for Marner. 

"Eight straight seasons of missing the playoffs are taking their toll and tensions have reached a boiling point. Captain Dylan Larkin voiced frustrations in his end-of-season talk with the media, questioning the lack of his team's additions ahead of the trade deadline. For his part, Yzerman indicated that the Red Wings are "ready to go big" for the right player this summer. There probably won't be anyone bigger than Marner available."

Detroit needs a player like Marner, and they could be in line to make a big splash this summer. Marner would take on the challenge of helping to turn around one of the more historic teams in the NHL, and that could be exciting for him.

The star has spent his entire career playing in the busy city of Toronto, so he may enjoy a quieter environment. It remains to be seen what he will do, but the Red Wings could give him a solid landing spot this summer.