Potential Landing Spots for Mitch Marner
After being eliminated from the playoffs in round two, Mitch Marner is expected to have played his last game as a Toronto Maple Leaf. The six-foot forward is entering free agency this summer, and people are speculating that he will not be re-signing with the Leafs. Marner is a fan favorite player, not just among fans of Toronto, but for several fans across the league as well. The fourth overall pick in the 2015 draft was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2017 and the NHL First All-Star Team in 2021 and 2022. Marner has a total of 741 points across 657 games played at 28 years old. While he has dedicated several years to the Leafs, it’s unlikely that he will be extending his contract with the team. With that in mind, let’s take a look at some of the potential teams that could be signing the skilled playmaker this summer.
Vegas Golden Knights
The Vegas Golden Knights have been performing well in the regular season, winning 50 games last season; however, they have struggled in the playoffs. The 2025 playoffs marked the third time in four years that the team failed to advance past the first round of the playoffs. Vegas isn’t one to be shy about making big moves, and we already know that they are looking at Marner, who would certainly bring a change to the team. The Golden Knights were close to a deal before the trade deadline that would’ve had Marner becoming a Golden Knight months ago, but the prospect of seeing Marner in gold isn’t far out of the picture for this upcoming season.
Pittsburgh Penguins
It’s no secret that the Penguins need some more power. Lucky for them, they have stored up a lot of cap space by picking up mostly draft picks rather than signing new players, giving them plenty of room to negotiate contracts this summer. However, the Penguins may have a tough time getting Marner to sign on with them, considering they have failed to make it to the playoffs for the last few years in a row. In good news for Pittsburgh, what NHL player wouldn’t love the chance to play with Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang? With that in mind, Pittsburgh remains a possible landing spot for the current Maple Leaf.
Utah Mammoth
Being the newest team in the league, Utah is surely still in the market for some veteran players with plenty of experience. While some may find it hard to see Marner playing for Utah, it’s not incredibly far-fetched. Utah is also probably looking for a big fan-favorite name to draw in a crowd, and Marner would fit that description. With over $20 million in cap space, the Mammoth could offer the forward the pay he’s hoping for, and give him a chance to shine on the ice. On a line with Clayton Keller, Marner could help the Mammoth go way farther this upcoming season.
These are only a few of the possibilities for Marner as he enters free agency. While many are sad to see Marner leave the Maple Leafs, he is sure to get plenty of amazing offers this summer. He is a big target for several teams as they look to fill in gaps on their roster and bulk up their lines. Keep an eye out for news on where Marner will sign before the 2025-2026 season.
