NHL free company begins subsequent week, and the largest participant available on the market is Mitch Marner. The longtime Maple Leaf may be on the transfer, and there shall be no scarcity of suitors at his door, however which groups can be the very best match for Marner.

Over the past 4 seasons, Marner has totaled 383 factors. Solely seven gamers have extra in that span, however Marner is not only a one-way participant. His defensive acumen is phenomenal, and he is able to holding his personal in powerful matchups in addition to killing penalties.

There could also be a knock on Marner’s postseason resume, however that may be the case for all of the Maple Leafs. Marner continues to be a game-changer who can elevate the workforce round him. Gamers of his caliber not often hit the open market.

That is why there shall be loads of gives on the desk for Marner on July 1. He can have many selections, however some groups can supply him higher matches than others. Cash will definitely play an enormous issue, however Marner can receives a commission and go to a workforce that may compete for Stanley Cups sooner or later.

Earlier than Marner does hit free company, let us take a look at the 5 finest potential touchdown spots.

The Hurricanes have loads of superb to nice forwards. What they lack is an elite participant who will be counted on to generate offense night time in and night time out. Marner would match the position because the go-to man in Carolina, and the Hurricanes have just a little cash with which to work. If there was ever a time for this workforce to again up the Brinks truck in free company, now can be it.

Over the previous few years, Carolina has hit considerably of a ceiling within the playoffs. The workforce can win a spherical or two earlier than the offense goes chilly and dashes all hope of the franchise’s second Stanley Cup. Marner would definitely ease these issues as a playmaker who can create a harmful scoring likelihood each time his skates hit the ice. His ability and imaginative and prescient mixed with the Canes’ aggressive and efficient forecheck may very well be a successful recipe.

4. Toronto Maple Leafs

This is not the sexiest possibility on the market, and a few Maple Leafs followers might even roll their eyes at this suggestion. Sure, the present core of gamers has failed huge to win within the playoffs, and maintaining Marner makes it a lot more durable to deal with different wants down the lineup. That mentioned, Marner is a terrific participant, and there is a good likelihood Toronto is worse with out him subsequent season.

All Marner has carried out in Toronto is produce at a 100-point tempo in every of the final 4 seasons whereas additionally sustaining an excellent sense of defensive accountability. Gamers like which are very laborious to seek out, which is why Leafs GM Brad Treliving must suppose twice about chopping bait. Making the cash work shall be troublesome, however making an attempt to compete for a Cup with out Marner may be much more troublesome.

The Mammoth are an up-and-coming workforce that desires to make a splash this offseason. Touchdown Marner in free company would definitely qualify. Utah might not be thought of a Stanley Cup favourite in 2025-26, however including Marner would definitely put that workforce within the dialog. With a lot younger expertise up and down the lineup, Marner may very well be the star veteran tasked with taking the Mammoth to the subsequent degree.

It isn’t laborious to think about Marner slotting subsequent to younger heart Logan Cooley or reverse fellow winger Dylan Guenther. Utah was already one of the vital enjoyable groups to look at final season, and getting Marner within the combine would solely deliver extra consideration to a workforce making an attempt to get a foothold in a brand new market.

At any time when an enormous title hits the market, the Golden Knights at all times appear to be concerned. To signal Marner, Vegas must transfer some cash out, however that has by no means confirmed to be a problem up to now. As Mark Stone will get older, the Golden Knights want one other high-end winger to select up the slack, and Marner is a perfect candidate.

Like Stone, Marner has the fame of being a superb defensive winger, tallying some Selke Trophy votes in every of the final seven seasons. Marner additionally brings extra offensive pop than Stone, and Vegas is in want of that after averaging lower than three objectives per recreation within the postseason. Put Marner subsequent to Jack Eichel and watch these two give opposing defensemen matches.

The Kings are coming off a fourth consecutive first-round playoff loss to the Edmonton Oilers. The most important motive for these failures? An absence of dynamic offensive weapons on the high of the lineup. Marner would remedy that in a rush. He is able to being a 30-goal scorer and a 100-point participant, which is one thing Los Angeles hasn’t had in a very long time. Maybe extra importantly, he additionally gels with the Kings’ dedication to protection as a powerful two-way ahead who can kill penalties.

Personally, I believe it will be loads of enjoyable to see Marner on a line with Quinton Byfield and Adrian Kempe. Byfield may get in on the forecheck and retrieve pucks, Marner may very well be the distributor and Kempe can be the set off man. That line has the potential to do loads of injury.