With Maple Leafs’ exit impending, Mitch Marner runs into roadblock as frontrunner is reportedly unwilling to foot the bill

After 10 years with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mitch Marner is most probably setting off for new horizons in the NHL. Toronto is no longer Marner’s nest, and he has reportedly made it clear he wishes to play somewhere else next season. However, his aspirations might be heading head-first into a roadblock. One of the teams leading the race for the soon-to-be UFA, is apparently having second-thoughts on Marner’s contract.

It wasn’t always pretty, but Marner and the Maple Leafs starred a ten-year story that won’t be easily forgotten. Not in Toronto, nor around the league. The Leafs rolled the dice when selecting Marner with the fourth overall pick in the 2015 NHL entry Draft. It paid off—it didn’t lead to a Stanley Cup, but still.

However, those memories seem distant on the rearview mirror now. Marner has been marked—like everybody on the Leafs’ organization—by their postseason collapses. It’s impossible for the fans in The Six to look at anything other than that. The ultimate goal, all they ask for going into every season—their team couldn’t provide. And now heads are set to roll.

Marner is shaping up to be the first core member to move on from Toronto. Perhaps he’ll pave the way for others to follow suit. Perhaps not, and his exit might finally provide the change of scenery the organization has long sought but struggled to find.

Mitchell Marner #16 of the Toronto Maple Leafs waits for play to resume against the Montreal Canadiens during an NHL game at Scotiabank Arena on October 13, 2021 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Unwillingness

Regardless, Toronto and Marner have seemingly accepted their future. The Leafs are not expecting Marner to be in town for the start of the 2025-26 NHL season. Instead, he will probably be molding into a new locker room when that time comes. While enjoying a top-dollar contract in the league. On that note, however, Marner might be in for an ice-cold reality bath.

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With Mitch Marner on the way out, Auston Matthews’ Maple Leafs reportedly switch attention to Rangers star’s turn of events

The Anaheim Ducks have shown interest in Mitch Marner, but there is a catch. The franchise in Anaheim is not looking to offer him a $14M, seven-year contract, as stated by insider Frank Seravalli on the DFO Rundown.

Summertime announcement

While Marner’s future keeps the entire NHL on edge, recent reports indicate fans around the league shouldn’t hold their breath awaiting the decision. Marner would become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, unless the Leafs and their star winger magically reach an agreement.

However, his next team in the league is reportedly not going to be announced as soon as he hits the market.

“I really don’t expect Mitch Marner to sign with a team on July 1st,” insider Darren Dreger said in dialogue with TSN Toronto 1050. “Decision might wait until the middle of July.”