One Team Reportedly Prepared to Pay Leafs Star and Pending UFA Mitch Marner a Ridiculous Salary

Per an official report, one Western Conference club is fully prepared to back up the Brinks truck to Leafs star Mitch Marner's doorstep if he makes it to free agency.

As the Leafs prepare for a matchup against the Calgary Flames with Mitch Marner labeled as a game-time decision, fans continue to ponder what might happen this summer if/when Marner becomes an unrestricted free agent.

Marner is on pace for a career year in 2024-25, with his first career 100-point season clearly in sight. That is, of course, if his mysterious ailment isn't a long-term issue.

On Tuesday, David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reported that, should Marner make it to free agency on July 1st, the Utah Hockey Club could weaponize their cap space to make a significant pitch for his services.

'Word on the street suggests Utah wants to add and plans on spending big going into the 2025-26 campaign. Armstrong may try to get some groundwork done over the next four-to-five weeks before the March 7 trade deadline and that could translate into bigger moves made over the summer, perhaps around the NHL Draft... The belief is that Utah is willing to spend to lure top-tier free agents and that could result in them being players in the Mikko Rantanen and/or Mitch Marner sweepstakes - with the hopes of signing one of them - should they hit the open market on July 1.'

Marner has gone on the record a number of times having stated that he'd like to remain a Maple Leaf, but money does talk, and if the Leafs are unwilling to commit the significant salary he's sure to demand, we can be sure that Utah will following this report.