Ranking the top five Mitch Marner free-agent destinations

Our very own Nick Alberga followed this report up with an additional one on Sunday, suggesting the most likely outcome is that Marner becomes a free agent and signs in Vegas.

Roy has two more years at $3 million annually, which would certainly help things if the Leafs and Golden Knights were to work something out before July 1, but it’s still very much a fluid situation with the Golden Knights still believed to be the frontrunners, with or without a sign and trade.

2. Los Angeles Kings

The Kings have a lot to offer Marner. They have the cap space to make a deal work without having to move anyone off their roster, as new general manager Ken Holland currently stands with a whopping $21.7 million in cap space. Consider the beautiful year-round weather, sandy beaches, a competitive win-now team, and a system that fits his game, the Kings are going to be a serious contender to get a long-term contract completed. Marner would join a big market team, in a small market type of media space, which is likely music to his ears having toughing it out in Toronto for close to a decade.

3. Anaheim Ducks

Just down the road in California are the Ducks, and they may not necessarily be ‘win-now’, but they are setting up to be win-later. The Ducks have been aggressive already this offseason, moving Trevor Zegras, while adding Chris Kreider, so it’s obvious that general manager Pat Verbeek is trying to improve his roster, and give the Ducks a different look heading into next season. They have boatloads of cap space, they have a quiet market close to several beautiful beaches, golf courses, and a winning tradition. The Ducks are a serious threat to sign Marner and will be in the mix, it’s going to come down to if Marner can wait to win. Anaheim has a great young core and has started to sprinkle in some serious veteran talent, so adding a player of Marner’s caliber could push them over the hump and into playoff contention in the western conference as soon as next season.

4. Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes are bold, they make blockbuster trades, and recently it hasn’t worked out for them, that doesn’t mean for a second they won’t be offering Marner a massive contract on July 1st. There’s been reports that it could be upwards of $14 million AAV, and if Marner wants to contend for a Stanley Cup as soon as next season, he heads to Carolina this summer. The Canes have $26.7 million in cap space, they have an aggressive general manager in Eric Tulsky, who will be pushing to get a deal done, and they have a strong core, a respected coach, and a very quiet market for superstars. There’s a lot to like about the Hurricanes being a contender to the end of the Marner sweepstakes.

5. Columbus Blue Jackets

The first true ‘long-shot’, the Blue Jackets have over $40 million in cap space, they have a good young core that continues to develop, and adding Marner gives them a legitimate top-line winger, who can essentially become the face of the franchise. The Blue Jackets were the feel-good story last season in the NHL, after dealing with absolute heartbreak last summer, and while they almost snuck into the playoffs, next season they could take a massive step forward with Marner in the mix. Playing in Columbus doesn’t quite have the same ring as Carolina or for one of the California teams, but if Marner is looking to make the most amount of money on this next deal, he could wind up with the Blue Jackets.

One other wild-card team that is worth mentioning – the San Jose Sharks. They have an amazing young core led by Macklin Celebrini, and they have a wealth of cap space to give Marner what he wants financially. Don’t forget that Marner is very close to Patrick Marleau and Joe Thornton, so there’s a good chance they can sell Marner on playing in San Jose long term and telling him all about what it’s like to win there. While they shouldn’t be considered a favourite at this point, the Sharks should be mentioned as a serious possibility.