Mitch Marner is one of the main storylines of the NHL offseason, with his imminent departure from the Toronto Maple Leafs. His elite level makes him one of the most coveted forwards in the league, as is the case with the Los Angeles Kings, who have been among his strongest suitors. However, the Pacific Division franchise is now reportedly shifting its focus to a star from the Vancouver Canucks.
Marner is seeking a salary in line with the 102 points he contributed last season, where he was one of Toronto’s top performers despite their playoff loss to the Florida Panthers. His future is full of possibilities that could fluctuate depending on his market value and interest.
The Kings are one of the franchises, along with the Vegas Golden Knights, that have been closely monitoring the situation of the 28-year-old forward who played alongside Auston Matthews for the Maple Leafs and whose six-year contract expires on June 30. However, a new name in the same position has now emerged on their radar.
Who is the player drawing interest from the Kings?
According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts podcast, the Canucks player being targeted by the Kings is none other than right wing Brock Boeser. “I’ve heard LA is interested in Brock Boeser,” Friedman said.
Veteran forward Brock Boeser faces a pivotal offseason, with ongoing talks and multiple possibilities shaping his NHL future.
Boeser and Marner both play right wing and impact the offensive third of the ice, but Marner has a higher playmaking ability (75 assists in 2024–25). Signing one could complicate the acquisition of the other due to salary cap reasons: both are reportedly seeking contracts worth over $8 million per year. Thus, choosing between the two would be a strategic decision that could define the course of the free agency market this summer.
see also
Mitch Marner has reportedly shut down narrative about his future after imminent exit from Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs
The impact of Boeser in the NHL
Brock Boeser tallied an impressive 19 goals and 31 assists during the 2024–25 season, establishing himself as a right wing with vision, speed, and the ability to score in crucial moments. His contract is set to expire soon, making him a highly attractive asset for teams looking to strengthen their offensive line
