TORONTO, ON - May 18: Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner (16) is seen before game 7 of the Eastern Conference Playoffs between the Florida Panthers and Toronto Maple Leafs on May 18, 2025, at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, ON.
(Photo by Mathew Tsang/Icon Sportswire)

HIGHLIGHTS

  • Mitch Marner unlikely to return to Toronto
  • Golden Knights among potential landing spots for Marner
  • Read below for Marner’s possible landing spots

Mitch Marner is set to test the open market this summer as the top free agent available. The winger has reportedly made it known that he will not return to Toronto.

Marner was the fourth overall selection in the 2015 NHL Draft and has played nine seasons in the NHL for the Maple Leafs. He has 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 regular-season games for an 82-game average of 28 goals and 65 assists for 92 points.

The winger hit the 100-point mark for the first time this past season, thanks in large part to a career-high 75 assists to go along with 27 goals.

Marner is expected to be one of the highest-paid players in the league with the salary cap going up, so where might he land?

Vegas Golden Knights

MONTREAL, QC - NOVEMBER 05: View of a Las Vegas Golden Knights logo on a jersey worn by a member of the team at warm-up before the Las Vegas Golden Knights versus the Montreal Canadiens game on November 05, 2022, at Bell Centre in Montreal, QC
(Photo by David Kirouac/Icon Sportswire)

The Vegas Golden Knights have been the model of consistency since joining the league. They took advantage of the expansion draft and have been going for it every year since.

Vegas is projected to have less than $10 million in cap space this summer, but there are a few contracts that could be moved to land a big fish like Marner.

The Golden Knights’ scoring dried up in the playoffs, leading to a second-round exit against the Edmonton Oilers. Jack Eichel is entering the final year of his contract, and getting someone like Marner could either entice the centerman to stay or possibly replace him if Eichel tests free agency next summer.

The Vegas oddsmakers give the Golden Knights a good chance to land Marner, and for good reason. They could shed some salary and add a dynamic winger to their top line.

Utah Mammoth

via Utah Mammoth/NHL

The NHL franchise in Utah will be entering its second season, but its first as the Utah Mammoth. What better way to recognize that than with a Mammoth signing of Mitch Marner?

Utah has over $20 million in cap space and should be looking to take a step forward in the coming years. The Mammoth have a good young core of Clayton Keller, Logan Cooley, and Dylan Guenther, and adding a winger like Marner could put them firmly into the playoff conversation — if not more.

The Mammoth have plenty of money to spend, so it might just come down to whether Marner wants to play in Utah. If not Marner, expect Utah to be active around other players this summer.

Carolina Hurricanes

RALEIGH, NC - NOVEMBER 03: A general view of the Carolina Hurricanes jersey logo during the NHL game between the Washington Capitals and the Carolina Hurricanes on November 3, 2024 at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.
(Photo by Katherine Gawlik/Icon Sportswire)

The Carolina Hurricanes just can’t seem to get over the hump. They’re consistently one of the best teams in the regular season, and even in the early rounds of the playoffs, but they’ve yet to reach the Stanley Cup Final despite that.

The Hurricanes made a big swing before the trade deadline to land Mikko Rantanen, but flipped him to the Dallas Stars for Logan Stankoven and draft picks. Carolina has over $31 million in cap space (granted, there are a few roster spots to fill), so the Hurricanes could pony up the $14 or $15 million that Marner may be asking.

Carolina has been looking for a superstar to play on its top line for a while now. Adding Marner could really make the Hurricanes the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.