{"id":276746,"date":"2025-05-19T04:46:29","date_gmt":"2025-05-19T04:46:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/19\/top-5-potential-landing-spots-for-star-forward-after-leafs-playoff-elimination\/"},"modified":"2025-06-25T17:08:24","modified_gmt":"2025-06-25T17:08:24","slug":"top-5-potential-landing-spots-for-star-forward-after-leafs-playoff-elimination","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/2025\/05\/19\/top-5-potential-landing-spots-for-star-forward-after-leafs-playoff-elimination\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 5 potential landing spots for star forward after Leafs&#8217; playoff elimination"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> [ad_1]<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"4922529\" data-slug-id=\"2523731\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Maple Leafs elimination on Sunday night has now blown the doors off speculation regarding <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/mitch-marner\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Mitch Marner\u2019s<\/a> future in Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>Marner, who refused to discuss his contract status during the regular season and playoffs, now faces free agency with a dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over his head and the organization. That is why fans will be holding their collective breath to learn the outcome of Marner\u2019s contract status.<\/p>\n<p>Given the way the Maple Leafs\u2019 season ended, it\u2019s quite possible that Mitch Marner will not be back in Toronto next season.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>So, here\u2019s a look at the top five landing spots for Mitch Marner as he heads into free agency this summer.<\/p>\n<h2>Top 5 landing spots for Mitch Marner in free agency<\/h2>\n<h3>#5 Colorado Avalanche<\/h3>\n<p>Last summer, Mitch Marner reportedly worked out with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/colorado-avalanche\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Colorado Avalanche<\/a> superstar Nathan MacKinnon and Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby.<\/p>\n<p>That connection fueled speculation that Marner might be interested in joining the Avalanche following this season. While the Avalanche could certainly use another high-octane player in their lineup, cap constraints could get in the way.<\/p>\n<p>If the Avalanche can figure out a way to slide Marner\u2019s contract under the cap, the Avalanche could be enticed to make a pitch for the playmaking winger.<\/p>\n<h3>#4 New York Rangers<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/new-york-rangers\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">New York Rangers<\/a> will be compelled to make a splash this summer after a disappointing season. The Rangers would have to clear cap space to fit Marner\u2019s contract under the cap, but it would be worth it.<\/p>\n<p>The Rangers\u2019 core is aging and could use an infusion of high-end playmaking talent. The Blue Shirts wouldn\u2019t rely solely on Marner as their main setup man. Marner could join other elite forwards like Artemi Panarin and J.T. Miller, bolstering an already talented lineup.<\/p>\n<h3>#3 Los Angeles Kings<\/h3>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/los-angeles-kings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Los Angeles Kings<\/a> could be in the market for Mitch Marner this summer. The Kings faced yet another first-round elimination at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers and would likely be in the market for a player who could put them over the top.<\/p>\n<p>Mitch Marner could certainly be that player.<\/p>\n<p>The Kings don\u2019t have much cap space, but with some creative accounting, they could make the numbers work. If Marner isn\u2019t set on his reported $14 million AAV asking price, the Kings could bring him to Tinsel Town.<\/p>\n<h3>#2 Utah Mammoth<\/h3>\n<p>Earlier this season, strange rumors circulated about a trade between the Leafs and Utah. The rumors proved unsubstantiated. But they did leave some room for suspicions.<\/p>\n<p>Why Utah of all teams?<\/p>\n<p>Had the speculation been about Vancouver or Detroit, it could have been written off as clickbait.<\/p>\n<p>But Utah? The Mammoth won\u2019t have to pull a rabbit out of a hat to make the cap numbers work for Marner as they have cap space to play with. The Mammoth are also a young, up-and-coming team in need of a veteran star to lead the way.<\/p>\n<h3>#1 Pittsburgh Penguins<\/h3>\n<p>The could <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/pittsburgh-penguins\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Pittsburgh Penguins<\/a> emerge as a big-time player for Mitch Marner this summer. The Penguins are rebuilding and looking to shed contracts. Evgeni Malkin has already announced his retirement.<\/p>\n<p>Sidney Crosby may hang up his skates in 2027.<\/p>\n<p>The Penguins might also look to move a disgruntled Erik Karlsson this year. Even if they don\u2019t, he\u2019s only under contract for two more seasons.<\/p>\n<p>All of that means the Penguins will have the cap space and the need for star power moving forward. Then there&#8217;s the connection between Penguins GM Kyle Dubas and Marner could lure the free-agent winger to Steel Town.<\/p>\n<p>If there\u2019s anyone who can make the cap voodoo work, it\u2019s Dubas. Fans shouldn\u2019t be surprised to hear rumblings about Marner and the Penguins this summer.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-action-container\">\n<div class=\"like-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-like-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"like\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"like selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"dislike-container\">\n<button class=\"post-rating-dislike-button post-rating-button\" data-action=\"dislike\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"post-dis-like-image post-rating-image\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/like-articles\/upvote-icon-grey.svg\" height=\"20\" width=\"20\" alt=\"avatar selected\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"post-author-info-parent\">\n<span class=\"about-the-author\">About the author<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"author-info-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-pic-holder\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"author-pic\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;charset=utf-8,&lt;svg width=\" height=\"100\"\/><rect width=\"100\" height=\"100\" style=\"fill:rgb(128, 128, 128);\"\/>&#8221; data-lazy=&#8221;https:\/\/keedag.sportskeeda.com\/user-pic\/2981390-1716632323-200.jpg?w=200&#8243;<br \/>\nalt=&#8221;Nestor Quixtan&#8221; height=&#8221;72&#8243; width=&#8221;72&#8243;&gt;\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"author-bio-detail-holder\">\n<div class=\"author-bio\">\n<p class=\"author-bio\" id=\"author-bio-text\">\nNestor is an NHL and MLB writer at Sportskeeda with over 10 years of experience. Growing up in Toronto, he became an avid Maple Leafs and Blue Jays fan, but also admires the New York Islanders and Los Angeles Dodgers for their dominance in the 80s. Holding an Economics and Education major, Nestor\u2019s passion for writing and sporting events led him to take up reporting about the sport professionally.<\/p>\n<p>Nestor credits the Leafs\u2019 playoff runs in the early &#8217;90s as having a lasting impact on him. His favorite players are Doug Gilmour and Mike Bossy, as he feels they were tough, talented leaders, while Pat Burns is his favorite coach of all time for always preaching a fast-paced game.<\/p>\n<p>Growing up in Canada, it was natural for Nestor to become interested in ice hockey and he played Minor Hockey as a teenager, which has given him a unique perspective on the sport. Nestor has mastered the art of how to best present facts and he also has a knack for knowing which sources can be trusted, and which can&#8217;t for stories.<\/p>\n<p>When he is not writing about Canada\u2019s national passion, Nestor enjoys running and hiking.\n<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"author-know-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/author\/nestor-quixta\" aria-label=\"Author know more\">Know More<\/a>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img decoding=\"async\" style=\"background: none;\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Nestor Quixtan<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>[ad_2]<br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/us\/nhl\/mitch-marner-free-agency-destinations-top-5-potential-landing-spots-star-forward-leafs-playoff-elimination\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[ad_1] The Maple Leafs elimination on Sunday night has now blown the doors off speculation regarding Mitch Marner\u2019s future in Toronto. Marner, who refused to<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":276747,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[180],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276746"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=276746"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/276746\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/276747"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=276746"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=276746"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/michigandigitalnews.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=276746"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}