Will Mitch Marner Still Be Available On July 1st?
Photo credit: Yard Barker
Depending on the analyst you ask, the teams that are interested in signing Mitch Marner when free agency opens July 1st varies, from those whose rosters are mostly established, to those in a full-on rebuild.
One of Toronto's priorities this off-season is to make a decision regarding Mitch Marner: Sign the winger to a new contract and keep him, or sign and then trade him for a return on investment.
TSN analyst Darren Dreger believes Toronto's Treliving will sign and trade Marner.
The superstar signed a six-year contract with Leafs in 2016, then a fresh-faced, newly acquired 4th overall pick. His contract, worth $65,418,000, with a cap hit of $10,903,000, expires effectively as of July 1, 2025.
Mitch Marner available for trade?
A player of Marner's talent and ability will receive no shortage of looks from GMs across the NHL. According to Sportsnet writer Ryan Dixon, Kings and Mighty Ducks are the two front-runners.
The Los Angeles Kings, like the Leafs, are not satisfied with their recent history of playoff ineptitude, having been eliminated in the first round of the playoffs the past four years, all at the hands of the Oilers.
Anaheim, on the other hand, is in a rebuild and would benefit greatly from Marner's experience and talent. The productive superstar is only 28 years old, and would fit in nicely with the Ducks' young core.
Other teams Dixon listed are Utah, Colorado, Vegas, Pittsburgh, New York Islanders, Chicago, Washington and Carolina.
Chicago Blackhawks is another team rebuilding their roster, and have plenty of young talent. Paired with Connor Bedard, the two superstars would be an imposing duo for opposing teams to worry about.
Since being drafted 4th overall, only seven players have scored more points than Marner's 741: McDavid, Draisaital, McKinnon, Kucherov, Panarin, Pastrnak, and Sidney Crosby.
Leafs head coach Craig Berube has made it known that he would like for Mitch Marner to play for the Leafs next season.
In truth, all 32 teams will be giving some amount of thought to signing Marner. And only one can. Which team will it be?
| POLL | ||
MAI 24 | 58 ANSWERS Will Mitch Marner Still Be Available On July 1st? Would you like for Marner to play in a Capitals jersey next season? | ||
| Yes | 34 | 58.6 % |
| No | 24 | 41.4 % |
| List of polls | ||
