Mitch Marner Eyeing 7-8 Teams as Multiple Teams Prepare Massive Offers, per Insider
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NHL Insider David Pagnotta believes that Mitch Marner has nailed down a few more team he would be open to signing with this free agency.
It seems that while the Maple Leafs still hold out some hope for Mitch Marner doing a turnabout face and re-signing with the team this summer, NHL Insider David Pagnotta revealed that Marner has his eyes set on a few teams this summer, with some others making big time proposals.
Los Angeles, Vegas among Mitch Marner's ideal signing spots
Pagnotta explains that while Marner could re-sign in Toronto, or even have his rights dealt somewhere; he's got two places in mind no question:
It has been widely reported which teams will come knocking on Marner's door if/when he becomes available.
I don't subscribe to the sign-and-trade theory - it just won't play out that way. Now, could the Leafs trade his rights for a draft pick to give a team a headstart in contract negotiations? That seems more plausible.
Just about every team will poke around, but I believe Marner has a list of seven or eight teams he prefers to go to if the offers are in place. Los Angeles and Vegas are two of those clubs.
Teams with a boatload of cap space may be willing to go above and beyond financially, like Anaheim, Columbus and San Jose, but would Marner prefer to sign with a club closer to contention? - David Pagnotta
I don't subscribe to the sign-and-trade theory - it just won't play out that way. Now, could the Leafs trade his rights for a draft pick to give a team a headstart in contract negotiations? That seems more plausible.
Just about every team will poke around, but I believe Marner has a list of seven or eight teams he prefers to go to if the offers are in place. Los Angeles and Vegas are two of those clubs.
Teams with a boatload of cap space may be willing to go above and beyond financially, like Anaheim, Columbus and San Jose, but would Marner prefer to sign with a club closer to contention? - David Pagnotta
Things are getting a little bit clearer now, and while Marner certainly has his favorites: Is there a chance any of the other teams could sway him?
San Jose, Anaheim offer intriguing destinations for Mitch Marner
While it seems clear that Marner wants to go to a contender or at least one close to contending, he could still make a huge impact on both San Jose and Anaheim's young rosters.
He immediately becomes either team's best player off the rip, and his ability to run the offense on his own (which he's shown he can do) could lead way to something special.
San Jose has rookies like Macklin Celebrini, and Will Smith as well as very young promising players like William Eklund, Fabian Zetterlund, and Colin Graf.
It also reunites him with former teammate Timothy Liljegren, and could make his transition a bit easier into the team.
Switching gears to another Californian destination, the Ducks are also a very young, promising team with some serious firepower.
Leo Carlsson, Cutter Gauthier, Mason McTavish, Trevor Zegras, and Jackson LaCombe are all very young but very skilled players, and giving them an offensive catalyst like Marner could pay huge dividends for a Ducks team that seriously needs help in scoring.
The issue is that both Anaheim and San Jose are both a) not close to contending and b) are in some of the higher taxed states in the US (as is every team in Calirfonia).
Marner wants to be paid, and he might not want to risk losing more money regardless of the number at the end of the day.
So if he's dead set on making as much money as possible, there seems to only be a few places available, and on the outside looking in:
Vegas might be the one to end up winning the jackpot this summer.
| POLL | ||
JUIN 1 | 572 ANSWERS Mitch Marner Eyeing 7-8 Teams as Multiple Teams Prepare Massive Offers, per Insider Who do you think Mitch Marner will sign with in free agency? | ||
| Chicago | 185 | 32.3 % |
| San Jose | 123 | 21.5 % |
| Columbus | 57 | 10 % |
| Toronto | 207 | 36.2 % |
| List of polls | ||
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