Mitch Marner appears set to leave the Toronto Maple Leafs ahead of the 2025–26 NHL season, after spending nearly a decade with the team led by superstar Auston Matthews. With the news of his potential departure, several franchises are already lining up to pursue the 28-year-old forward.
Marner is reportedly determined to test the free-agent market, seeking a deal worth around $13 million per year. Any team interested in signing him will need to meet that price point, especially if the goal is to make a deep playoff run and compete for the Stanley Cup with a player who scored 27 goals last season. Matthews, meanwhile, will have to lead his team while losing a key teammate.
Among the growing list of potential suitors are the Los Angeles Kings and the Vegas Golden Knights. Even the Maple Leafs have considered the possibility of trading Marner, though that option seems increasingly unlikely. Within this scenario, one Metropolitan Division team appears to be leading the race.
The top contender to land Marner
According to NHL insider Jeff Marek from The Sheet, the team in the best position to sign Marner is none other than the Carolina Hurricanes. “Carolina makes the most sense to land Mitch Marner this summer,” Marek reported.
Mitch Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs poses for his portrait prior to the 2024 Honda NHL All-Star Game on February 03, 2024 in Toronto, Ontario.
This interest from the Hurricanes isn’t new. They’ve been in the mix for Marner from the start, and just last week, reports surfaced that they’re prepared to make a significant offer, bolstered by roughly $28 million in cap space following a strong season.
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Previous attempts
This isn’t the first time the Hurricanes have been linked to Marner. A few months ago, a potential trade involving Mikko Rantanen was reportedly on the table, but the deal fell through and the Maple Leafs couldn’t finalize the move.
