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The NFL offseason is upon us. Soon, we will have a fresh class of rookies after the 2025 NHL Draft, all while players are re-arranged around the league via trades and new free agency deals.
Mitch Marner will be the most sought-after player in the 2025 free agency class. The 28-year-old is in his prime and hitting free agency for the first time in his career. He was drafted by the Maple Leafs with the fourth overall pick in the 20215 NHL Entry Draft. After playing out his rookie deal, Marner signed a massive six-year, $65.418 million extension that ran through the 2024-2025 season.
Marner has played in 657 career games, all with Toronto. He has 221 goals and 520 assists so far in his career. Marner played in 81 games last season and finished with 27 goals and 75 assists for a total of 102 points, which ranked as the fifth-most points in the league. His 75 assists were the third-most in the NHL. Marner is expected to be a difference-maker wherever he lands in free agency, and he should have his choice of teams.
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Here are the best landing spots for Marner.
Mitch Marner landing spots
Los Angeles Kings
Do you think that the Kings are tired of the Oilers yet? Edmonton has eliminated Los Angeles in the first round of the NHL playoffs four years in a row. While the Kings are a solid team, their lack of offensive firepower is exposed in the playoffs. Marner would help solve that issue, while also playing well into Los Angeles' mindset of having a strong defense to stifle opponents.
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Vegas Golden Knights
The Golden Knights have followed the perfect path of being an expansion team. Vegas made the Stanley Cup Finals in its first season of existence in 2017-2018 and won the Stanley Cup a few years later in 2023. The Golden Knights haven't made it past the second round of the playoffs in the last two seasons, and with another free agency class hitting the market, they are expected to be major players once again.
The idea of Marner playing with Jack Eichel and Mark Stone is tough not to get excited about. Marner and Stone are similar, just with the fact that the former has a higher ceiling on offense, and is younger.
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Carolina Hurricanes
The Hurricanes desperately need a move to go their way. Carolina acquired Mikko Rantanen to be the star player they have longed for. He ended up playing only 13 games for the Canes, scoring two goals. Once it became clear he wasn't willing to sign a long-term extension, Carolina cut its losses and traded him to Dallas, where he was a star - pun intended- scoring nine goals in the postseason.
The Hurricanes have had above-average teams that head coach Rod Brind'Amour has elevated. Carolina continues to make the playoffs and have deep runs, but is missing the final piece that could get them back to the Stanley Cup Finals for the first time since they won it in 2006. Marner declined a trade to Carolina in early March ahead of the trade deadline, per Yahoo Sports. Now, the Hurricanes have the time and talent to sit down with Marner and offer him the contract that will get the deal done to have him opposite Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov on the first line.
Anaheim Ducks
The Ducks have already been busy this offseason. Anaheim acquired winger Chris Kreider and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Rangers for a 2025 third-round pick and center prospect Carey Terrance. This acquisition is what could help entice Marner to come to town. The Ducks have the cap space to offer him a competitive contract, and he could join an offense featuring Kreider, Cutter Gauthier, Troy Terry, Mason McTavish and Leo Carlsson.
Marner may not be drawn to the fact that Anaheim hasn't made the playoffs since 2018, but he also gets the chance to continue being the star and focal point of the team as the rebuild nears completion.
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Utah Mammoth
Speaking of needing a star, the Mammoth have entered the chat. The former Utah Hockey Club has decided on its new identity and have gone with the Mammoth. Now that that has been established, it's time for the franchise to make some splash moves to try and get back to relevance in the NHL.
Utah's efforts recently have been targeted toward getting younger and developing talent. While that is needed in a rebuild, the Mammoth could also use a veteran presence to help round out the team. Pairing Marner with center Logan Cooley or opposite Dylan Guenther could pay early dividends and have Utah back into the playoffs for the first time as a franchise since 2012, when it was still the Arizona Coyotes.
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Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago had its fingers crossed when the NHL draft lottery was happening, hoping for the top lottery pick. That didn't come to fruition as the Blackhawks now pick No. 3 overall. While still great draft capital, it likely takes them out of the sweepstakes for Michael Misa, an all-around playmaker who is expected to be off the board with the first two picks.
Unless Misa falls, Chicago now needs to focus on improving around Connor Bedard. Signing Marner gives them one of the best one-two punches on a first line in the NHL. The Blackhawks haven't won a playoff game since 2016, and that season's 12-game win streak feels now like a thing of fairy tales for the franchise. Chicago is going to have to back up the Brinks truck to get him, but the short and long-term prospects of having Bedard and Marner in tow are likely well worth it.
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