Mitch Marner is set to become a free agent in July as his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs nears its end. In the middle of a period of uncertainty, the team led by Auston Matthews seems on track to lose one of its key offensive weapons. Meanwhile, interest from other franchises is growing, and Sidney Crosby’s name has started to emerge on the horizon for the 2025-26 NHL season.
In recent days, it was revealed that Marner is looking for a fresh start and reportedly has no interest in signing with another Canadian franchise. If it comes down to personal preferences, the 28-year-old forward could potentially find a connection with Crosby, a longtime reference point in his career.
For Matthews and the Maple Leafs, a rebuilding phase appears to be on the way. The Toronto franchise is exploring the possibility of trading Marner before July, but contract conditions and his no-movement clause seem to complicate that plan. The future remains wide open.
Could Marner play alongside Crosby?
According to NHL insider Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet, the Pittsburgh Penguins could be a realistic landing spot for Marner. One key factor is the connection with Sidney Crosby, whom Marner has openly praised, saying it was “a dream come true” to play alongside “Sid the Kid” during the Four Nations Face-Off.
The idea of playing with Crosby next season could be a major incentive in shaping Marner’s future. If Pittsburgh is truly looking to fast-track its rebuild after a disappointing season, adding the Maple Leafs forward could be a big-time move to shift the direction of the Penguins.
Kyle Dubas could play a key role
The possibility of seeing Marner and Crosby together in Pittsburgh could be driven by the existing connection between the Toronto forward and Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, who previously worked with the Maple Leafs and overlapped with the 28-year-old. Their prior relationship could be the link that brings Marner to Pittsburgh. Everything is still up in the air.