Given the repeated failures of the Toronto Maple Leafs in the playoffs, star forward Mitch Marner is likely headed for free agency and will be one of the most sought-after players this summer.
After Toronto was eliminated in embarrassing fashion by the Florida Panthers, it would appear that the Leafs executives could make a departure from Marner and allow him to test the market. He's expected to garner upwards of $12 million on his next contract.
Following the loss, Marner reflected on his time as a Maple Leaf with comments bordering on cryptic.
"Took maybe a risky pick on a small kid from Toronto and been forever grateful to be able to wear this Maple Leaf and be a part of some of the great legends here," Marner told the media. "So, never taken a day for granted and always loved it."
If the Maple Leafs and Marner do choose to part ways as many are predicting, there are a number of teams that could use his talents to elevate their roster to the next level -- as long as they have the cap space.
Carolina Hurricanes
Marner almost became a member of the Hurricanes at the Trade Deadline as Carolina sought to deal Mikko Rantanen to Toronto in a one-for-one trade. Marner ultimately decided not to waive his no-movement clause, according to TSN's Pierre LeBrun.
However, reports show that the Hurricanes are still interested in pursuing Marner in the offseason. In a separate interview with LeBrun for The Athletic, GM Eric Tulsky said he is prepared to be aggressive in free agency, which could include targeting Marner.
He could fit into the spot that the Hurricanes hoped Rantanen would fill, as a reliable source of offense who can also elevate the play of his linemates. Marner could be the type of guy to help someone like Sebastian Aho become a bona fide 40-goal scorer with his playmaking abilities.
The club is projected to have $29.3 million in cap space for next season with seven pending UFAs, but Carolina isn't expected to bring every one of those guys back, so there's quite a bit of cash to play around with.
As a team already in contention for the Stanley Cup, the Hurricanes will be looking for someone who can help them remain perennial contenders. Marner hasn't lived up to expectations in the playoffs, but it's hard to blame him alone for the Leafs' lack of success.
Marner finished with the third-most assists in the regular season (75) and ranked fifth overall in points (102). With that type of offensive output, the Hurricanes continue to be a threat next year and beyond.
Utah Mammoth
In the team's first season in Salt Lake City, the newly-named Mammoth were real contenders in the race for a playoff spot, only being eliminated one week before the season ended. Utah showed promise as a young club looking to establish themselves, and Marner would be a seamless addition to shape the roster around.
Clayton Keller is a fantastic option to play alongside Marner. Keller has a pretty similar style of play in that he has the vision to accurately dish out the puck, while also being able to convert on scoring chances.
Keller finished just outside of the NHL's top 10 in points this season with 30 goals and 60 assists. Adding a 100-point scorer like Marner to his line would no doubt uplift both of those players. With 21-year-old Logan Cooley centering them, that trio could become an offensive powerhouse.
Marner would take on an important role for the Mammoth in all situations. He was top 10 in power play points this season, which would boost Utah's already-efficient play on the man advantage, and he also plays big minutes on the penalty kill -- something the team is still trying to fine-tune.
Not to mention, the Mammoth could benefit from a splashy signing to be solidified as a team that stars want to play for. It would be a win-win both on and off the ice for Utah.
Pittsburgh Penguins
The core that has carried the Penguins for two decades is starting to fall apart. With Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby approaching retirement in the next couple of seasons, it's time for Pittsburgh to put the pieces in place to both send the pair out with a bang and prepare for life without the future Hall of Famers.
Marner would be the perfect choice to keep the Penguins competitive both short- and long-term. At age 28, he's right in the midst of his prime and will remain a game-changer for several years to come.
Pittsburgh has seen a consistent decline in goal scoring over the past five years. After being the second-highest scoring team in 2020-21 with 3.45 goals per game, that number has fallen every single season since then, hitting just 2.95 goals per game in 2024-25.
Marner has produced at a point-per-game rate in each of the last seven seasons and could be a solid choice to play on the top line alongside Crosby. That would not only immediately improve the Pens offense, but offer someone who can anchor the team if and when Crosby and Malkin do hang up the skates.
It's worth noting, though, that GM Kyle Dubas expressed he doesn't plan on targeting big name UFAs this summer in favor of going after younger skaters. But the team's cap space is projected to double from $23 million next year to $57 million in 2026-27, giving them plenty of wiggle room in the near future.
In 2020, when Dubas was still GM in Toronto, he went to bat defending Marner to the press following another premature playoff exit. Dubas thinks highly of Marner as a player, and as a notoriously loyal guy, it's not out of the realm of possibility that he would bring in someone he's worked with extensively in the past.
All things considered, Marner is going to be fielding numerous offers come July 1 and each of these three teams has a genuine shot at landing the biggest name of this offseason.