Dark Horse Division Rival Could Stun Leafs Fans with Mitch Marner Move

Marner could snub his hometown Toronto Maple Leafs and potentially make a surprise move to the Leafs regional rival, Ottawa.

Insider Jeff Marek reported that the Senators would "love to make a splash" and get a major asset this offseason, with Marner being the #1 free agent in this year's class, targeted by more than half the teams across the league, including Toronto who have not ruled out bringing Marner back.

The Leafs are a still a team that could end up with Marner and bring him back, although the scenario appears to be growing increasingly unlikely unless a compromise can come from both sides.

At the very least, Marner appears poised to hit free agency on July 1st, with multiple suitors ready to throw out their best offer at the 28-year-old.

Mitch Marner fits what is the biggest need for the Ottaw Senators front office, a major name, but does he fit the identity and culture that the Sens have crafted, and does he fit in their top-six?

Marner is one of the top defensive wingers in the league, a responsible shutdown defender who can play on the penalty kill, but his physical game is a bit lacking, something that is a must-have in Ottawa, having made their identity on being agitators.

Key players such as Brady Tkachuk, Drake Batherson, & Tim Stutzle all play with a level of intensity that gets on the nerves of opponents, and are largely successful at providing a role of pests against the other team, where as Marner is more of a laid-back, sensitive player who at times let's his emotions get the better of him, not a player who fits the role of a pest.

But with that, Marner could excel as the flashy offensive catalyst to some physically engaging linemates, and perhaps even learn a bit about how to be more of a villain to opponents could bring out a much more intense version of Marner, especially in a quieter setting than Toronto in Ottawa where there is less pressure from the media.

The Sens are already a team that has shown their young roster is playoff capable, taking the Toronto Maple Leafs to seven games in Round One, and as they mature will only look to get deeper in the postseason.

The addition of Marner would bring a top-six offensive talent to a roster beginning to come into it's own, and provide an experienced playoff performer in it's roster.

Despite some Leafs fans questions about Marner's playoff capabilities, Marner has 63 points in 70 games played, the type of playoff offense the Senators don't have.

The potential price tag of Marner at approximately $13M+ annually may drive the Senators away as an expensive choice, making his demands a lot more appealing to a team needing Marner as a top-option more than a secondary top-six asset.

Toronto Maple Leafs fans, for all the criticism of Marner throughout the years, would still be shocked to see their longtime star go to their local provincial rival, and would kick off a new villain role that perfectly blends with the Senators role as one of the league's most "love-to-hate" teams.