Mitch Marner: Only one Canadian team on his radar?

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Mitch Marner stuns Maple Leafs fans: Only one Canadian team on his radar

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 2, 2025 9:01 AM ET

Mitch Marner's future in Toronto is up in the air, and while many believe he's leaving Canada, he's left the door open to signing with one team north of the border.

After another disappointing exit from the Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Toronto Maple Leafs are expecting to make some big changes this offseason, and it starts with the free-agency decision on Mitch Marner.

For the past few weeks, the expectation has been that No. 16 is on the way out of Toronto, with some reports even revealing that he doesn't want to remain in Canada for a number of reasons (most likely due to the media scrutiny he's dealt with constantly since arriving in Toronto).

However, the latest report has revealed that there's still one Canadian team that has a chance at landing the star forward, with David Pagnotta revealing that the door is still open to a return to Toronto.

After the way he was treated over the last few months, it's safe to say that the chances of Marner returning to Toronto as a free agent are very, very slim. However, given his desire to help his hometown team achieve Stanley Cup glory, if there's anything that can keep him in Canada, it's the chances of that happening.

Also on Marner's reported list of potential landing spots are the Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and Anaheim Ducks, and while there may be others, it's clear that if he leaves Canada, he's looking to get somewhere with some very nice weather.

Ultimately though, while many believe there's no chance he returns, this report suggests otherwise. So, until Marner puts pen to paper, don't discount the idea of a return to Toronto.

This article first appeared on Blade of Steel and was syndicated with permission.

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