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Surprising Team Emerges as Mitch Marner's Preferred Destinations

Originally posted on Blade of Steel | By Tom Banks | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 3:56 PM ET

Mitch Marner's free agency decision has already taken on a life of its own, and it now appears that a top Western team is quickly becoming his preferred destination.

The NHL off-season is still officially a few weeks away, yet every day it appears as though we have a new report on Toronto Maple Leafs star Mitch Marner and what his future in the NHL holds.

Marner remains the NHL's premier free agent this off-season, and as such, it's no surprise that almost every team with the cap space to land him is expect to show some level of interest in the 100-point forward.

After many years playing in Toronto, it appears as though the criticism and all the attention that he has garnered now has him looking for an under the radar team to join in free agency, with many expected to offer him north of $12 million per season.

One team that has reportedly been of major interest to Marner is the Vegas Golden Knights, but in the past few days, reports have noted that the interest is highly overblown, with David Pagnotta revealing that the Los Angeles Kings are higher on his list than Vegas.

In LA, Marner would get relative fame and attention, but nothing compared to Toronto, and with a talented team that simply lacked a scoring winger on their top line, he's the perfect fit for this team.

The Florida Panthers, Utah Mammoth and the Maple Leafs are all still in play for Marner on the back of a career best 102 point season in 2024/25, but as of right now, all signs point to him finally escaping his home town team, and if he wants a chance to win and play a significant role, the Kings are shaping up as perhaps the ideal location for No. 16.

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

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