Three Potential Free-Agency Landing Spots For Mitch Marner
In the wake of Toronto’s second-round playoffloss to Florida, Mitch Marner’s name has been all over the headlines. Thegifted right winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1and will undoubtedly command even more than the $10.9 million per year he wasmaking on his expiring deal. The possibility that Marner re-signs in Toronto is veryreal, but where could he land if he chooses to go elsewhere? Here are threepotential landing spots. Chicago Blackhawks The Hawks are rebuilding and will add another high-end asset with thethird-overall pick in the 2025 draft, but the team also needs some forwardmomentum. Marner would be an excellent linemate for center Connor Bedard andtake a lot of pressure off the young Hawks star. Bedard has a famously goodshot, and Marner is a pinpoint passer. Chicago was a bottom-10 offense in2024-25, so Marner and his 100-point range would certainly help. Detroit Red Wings The Red Wings had the worst penalty kill in the NHL this season, andMarner would immediately help in that category. He would also bolster amediocre offense and potentially help Detroit get over that hump to finallymake the post-season during the ‘Yzerplan’ era. Now, would Marner want to playin the same division as the Maple Leafs? A fair question, but also a possiblemotivation for the winger. Pittsburgh Penguins I assumed the Penguins wouldn’t have the cap space to pull this off,but they actually do – a benefit of having your all-time great captain on abargain of an $8.7-million cap hit. Marner would jump-start Pittsburgh’smoribund offense and its so-so penalty kill, while also giving Sidney Crosby anelite winger to play off as Sid continues to dazzle in his late thirties. And,of course, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas knows Marner all too well from his time inToronto. Get thelatest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and bysubscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting belowthe article on THN.com. Copyright 2025 The Hockey News, Roustan Media Ltd. This story was originally published May 24, 2025 at 10:52 AM.
The Toronto Maple Leafs did take some action at the Trade Deadline, but as ever, were working around cap constraints and put a greater focus on depth acquisitions to the roster, essentially buying into having capable high-end talents already, namely William Nylander, Mitch Marner, John Tavares and Auston Matthews.
At the deadline, the Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly did attempt a swing for the fences, at least asking the question of Mitch Marner as to whether he’d waive his no-trade clause, in order to allow for an approach for Mikko Rantanen. Ultimately, the team settled for Scott Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers and Brandon Carlo from the Boston Bruins – each meeting a positional depth need and at very sensible prices.
Bringing Brandon Carlo in gave a reliable defense partner for Morgan Rielly and solidified one of the better Leafs defensive groups in recent times, while Scott Laughton was the ideal option as a third-line center; a role he initially struggled with but eventually grew into once he built some chemistry with consistent linemates.
Contrasting this with teams remaining in the playoffs and the Leafs certainly adopted a slightly conservative approach. The Florida Panthers swung for the fences, adding Seth Jones and Brad Marchand to a group, already loaded with talent from their 2024 Stanley Cup win. Likewise, the Dallas Stars went big adding Mikko Rantanen.
Despite targeting depth rather than big-name additions, the Toronto Maple Leafs did give up a decent number of future assets, albeit with both additions at least not being single-season rentals and coming in at lowered cap costs. Roster players Conor Dewar and Connor Timmins, conditional 2026 and 2027 first-round picks, a 2025 fourth-round pick, and prospects Fraser Minten and Nikita Grebenkin went out the door. While the Leafs were able to bring back some draft picks in return, they’ll be looking for diamonds in the rough outside the first round the next few years.
