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Mitch Marner is the biggest profile pending free agent this season, and it seems that he has made a decision for next season. At the start of this past season, Marner and the team agreed to leave negotiations to the end of the year. However, the playoffs ended on a sour note for the Toronto Maple Leafs and Marner. Because of that, it doesn’t seem like the star player wants to return.
It’s been reported that Marner has decided not to stay with the Maple Leafs after this season. Andy Strickland, reporter for FanDuel Sports Network in St. Louis, had the rumour this time. He reported on X, “Can confirm Mitch Marner will not be returning to Toronto,” Strickland said. “(He) will be playing for a new team come next season,” he added. Strickland isn’t a premium source like Pierre LeBrun or Elliotte Friedman. However, it’s a mighty rumour that Marner might’ve already decided on his future with the team.
Despite an incredible season with Toronto and setting a career-high 102 points, it seems that Marner is ready to move on. The 28-year-old has received plenty of negative attention from Leafs fans and media, for that matter. It crossed the line in the late stages of Game 7 against the Florida Panthers. As Toronto were down 6-1, the fans began to turn on their team at Scotiabank Arena. So much so that they started booing Marner every time he would touch the puck.
It was an ugly sight toward the final horn with beers and jerseys thrown onto the ice, even during play. This scene might not be the most attractive for a player like Marner, who is consistently the centrepiece of the abuse. Even Panthers forward Brad Marchand and head coach Paul Maurice defended the Maple Leafs for how they were treated. Whether the report from Strickland is true or not, it doesn’t help Marner’s case for staying.
Any team in the NHL would love to have a player like Marner. Therefore, there is an expectation for there to be plenty of clubs in the mix for Toronto’s right winger. Some teams that stand out are the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights and the Panthers. James Mirtle of The Athletic reported that Marner could fetch an AAV north of $14 million with the Ducks. The Hurricanes are another team that could make him the highest-paid player in the NHL, per David Pagnotta.
As for Vegas and Florida, there are a couple of connections that make this signing possible. First, the Leafs and Golden Knights nearly pulled off a trade that included Marner and Mikko Rantanen from the Hurricanes. Furthermore, the Knights and the Panthers are high on Marner’s list, according to Mirtle.
There is a strong possibility that Marner will surpass Leon Draisaitl to become the highest-paid player in the NHL by AAV. The Marner sweepstakes will be an intriguing race this summer, and it could get really expensive.
Main Photo Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Andre is a massive hockey fan who’s followed the Toronto Maple Leafs all his life. He provides in depth analysis and intriguing content related to the Maple Leafs for LWOS. Andre is also known for his work for The Hockey News. He earned his advanced diploma in journalism at Humber College.
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