Toronto's Leafs General Manager suggests Mitch Marner is probable to enter the market as a free agent
The Toronto Maple Leafs are taking a bold step this offseason, with GM Brad Treliving hinting that star winger Mitch Marner is expected to hit the free agency market next week. "NHL.com"
The Leafs, who have relied on Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares for a decade, are looking to revamp their core, particularly after a playoff exit against the Florida Panthers. "NHL.com"
Marner, who has been under heavy scrutiny for his perceived lack of effort during playoffs, may be seeking a change of scenery. "The Athletic"
Could a smaller market team on the rise, like the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, or Los Angeles Kings, offer him a fresh start? "The Athletic" These teams have the cap space and competitive aspirations necessary to lure Marner.
Meanwhile, Marner, age 28 and coming off a career-best 102-point season, "NHL.com" might be looking at a significant raise, with offers potentially exceeding $12 million annually. "Toronto Sun"
However, the alleged "Utah Mammoth" team mentioned in some sources doesn't seem to exist in the NHL, casting doubt on their potential involvement with Marner. "Versus Hub" The focus remains on NHL teams with viable cap space for 2025. "Versus Hub"
The Toronto Maple Leafs' decision to let Mitch Marner explore free agency could potentially see him move to a smaller market team on the rise, such as the Vegas Golden Knights, San Jose Sharks, or Los Angeles Kings, who have shown an interest and have the financial capacity to accommodate his expected salary increase that may surpass $12 million annually. Thus far, it appears that the Utah Mammoth team mentioned in some sources is a non-existent NHL team, making their potential involvement with Marner questionable.
