Where will Mitch Marner sign? Looking at the top teams

In the aftermath of another heartbreaking playoff loss for the Toronto Maple Leafs, the focus now shifts to the offseason. Even though the playoffs aren’t over yet, a lot of people in the hockey world are curious about what’s next for Leafs star forward Mitch Marner.

Contrary to what some Leafs fans will tell you, all 32 teams could be buying in for Marner’s talents this summer. It will remain a topic of interest throughout the league until he officially signs his new contract.

Marner entered the league as a 19-year-old just in time for the start of the 2016–17 season. Since then, only seven players have more points than the Toronto-born forward. Those players are Sidney Crosby, Connor McDavid, Nikita Kucherov, Nathan Mackinnon, Leon Draisaitl, Artemi Panarin, and David Pastrnak.

Throughout Marner’s time in Toronto, the Leafs have never missed the playoffs. Additionally, despite being more offensively gifted, he was a Frank J. Selke Trophy finalist in the 2022–23 season. The Selke is awarded annually to the NHL’s best defensive forward.

Now, he’s just over a month away from being able to sign with any team in the league.

Even though Leafs coach Craig Berube said he “100%” wants Marner back, many fans are quick to close the door on Marner returning to Toronto next season. Or even Canada as a whole.

There is only one man who knows what will happen, and Marner reportedly wants $14 M. Fans and reporters continue to speculate on where Marner will take his talents in the future.

Here are possible landing spots:

Anaheim Ducks

The Ducks hired Joel Quenneville as the new head coach, with a young core of Mason McTavish, Leo Carlsson, Olen Zellweger, Trevor Zegras, and Cutter Gauthier. This team has the potential to be a Stanley Cup contender in the near future.

The Ducks haven’t made the playoffs since 2018, and everybody in the organization is getting to be impatient. Hence, why coach Greg Cronin was fired. According to Spotrac, the Ducks have the third most cap space in the NHL entering this offseason. So, they could potentially be looking to empty their pockets.

If Marner does join the Ducks, he would bring a veteran presence to an otherwise young core.

Los Angeles Kings

Marner played in the biggest sports market in Canada for nine years. So, a place like L.A. may feel a little bit more like home.

If anyone can relate to what the Leafs go through, it’s the Kings. They’ve lost four consecutive first-round series to the Edmonton Oilers. An offensive superstar could be just what they need to get them to that next level.

In 2012, the club made a trade with Columbus to acquire Jeff Carter; two years later, L.A. went back to Columbus to snag Marian Gaborik, who would ultimately lead the playoffs in goals in 2014 as L.A. won its second title in three years.

Carter and Gabrorik proved that the Kings are a team that isn’t afraid to take risks if it could help them win.

This year, they probably should’ve beaten the Oilers in Round 1 and look how far they’ve gone. Marner could be a significant asset to an already strong team, as soon as next year.

Detroit Red Wings

Many Leafs fans believe that a team will “take his bait” and overpay to get him. One of those teams that could make that a reality is the Red Wings.

The Detroit Red Wings last made the NHL playoffs in the 2015–2016 season. They have missed the playoffs for the ninth consecutive season. As a result, they’re getting impatient when it comes to returning to their glory of the early 2000s.

This pressure could persuade the front office to take a risk and sign Marner.

The front office could potentially have their jobs on the line during the 2025–26 season. If they fail to make a splash this offseason and miss the playoffs again next season, it could be the end of an era in Hockeytown.

Vegas Golden Knights

Anytime a high-profile free agent is talked about, the Vegas Golden Knights are consistently part of the conversation. Mitch Marner is no exception.

When you think about Vegas’ need for help on the wing, you start to wonder. According to Spotrac, the Knights only have $10.5M in cap space for next season. However, if anyone has the ability to make trades for cap space to sign Marner, it’s Vegas.

We know anything is possible when Vegas gets hungry for a cup, as we saw during their pursuit of Jack Eichel.

Even if it means moving on from one of the original “misfits” to make it happen, the Golden Knights added Mark Stone, Noah Hanifin, and Alex Pietrangelo by making trades to free up cap space. Never count Vegas out when it comes to getting a star player.

The fact that Vegas has only won one playoff series since their Stanley Cup victory in 2023 could mean a similar situation to Anaheim or Detroit in pursuit of another championship.

Utah Mammoth

In 2018, the Leafs signed John Tavares to help develop the Leafs’ young blossoming stars, including Marner. Utah could potentially do something similar and build its own core four.

Surround Marner with guys like Dylan Guenther, Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Mikael Sergachev. They also have the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft.

In Toronto, Auston Matthews is the poster child, even though some fans would argue that William Nylander is better than Matthews. Nonetheless, Marner has always been a secondary focus for the Leafs. Having played in Canada as long as Marner has, it’s clear he’s not opposed to the attention.

If he goes to Utah, he’ll have the opportunity to be their first true superstar.

Canadian Dark Horse Picks

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Leafs have their work cut out for them this offseason with John Tavares and Marner both being unrestricted free agents. Also, Matthew Knies is a restricted free agent, all starting on July 1st.

Even though some fans have written off the possibility of Marner returning to Toronto next season, it’s still in play.

Growing up in Toronto, Marner always dreamed of playing for the Leafs. If he chooses to re-sign, he could go down as one of the greatest Leafs players of all time. Not to mention it’s been home for him for the last nine seasons.

He may want to stick with what he knows and become a Leaf for life

Edmonton Oilers

Different players are motivated by different things. Some are motivated by the desire to earn money and provide for their family. Others are motivated by winning. If that’s the case for Marner, Edmonton could be a great fit.

Getting the opportunity to play with the best player in the world and compete on a team that was within one goal of the Stanley Cup last year, and are back in the final four this season. Marner and McDavid have played together before, at the 4 Nations tournament in February.

One way this is possible is through a short-term, high-paying contract, allowing the Oilers to go all in on the next two to three years before Marner signs another big contract.

Admittedly, this one is a long shot for several reasons, including cap space, climate, contract length, and being the star, among others.

As fans, we can speculate and predict all we want, but it won’t matter. Only one person knows what the next chapter of Mitch Marner’s career will look like, and that’s Mitch Marner. Several factors will contribute to this decision. We will have to wait and see what happens in July.