Pierre LeBrun: Two Contenders Emerge as Frontrunners to Land Mitch Marner in Free Agency
Photo credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, Mitch Marner has two top choices for where he wants to play next season, with one of them a very surprising selection.
As the Maple Leafs look to move on from Mitch Marner, the superstar forward is going to have a bevy of suitors when he himself moves on and hits free agency on July 1.
While there are certainly rumblings about certain teams like Chicago and Utah making big waves to try and sign Marner, it seems that he has two chosen places with one making him all but assuredly an enemy going forward.
Mitch Marner Wants To Play For Vegas...Or Florida: Pierre LeBrun
According to NHL Insider Pierre LeBrun, Marner has two particular teams he wants to join, that being the Vegas Golden Knights and shockingly the Florida Panthers.
While it's not too shocking to see Marner be interested in destinations that would help out his bank account, hearing that he's looking at Florida could make him a villain in Toronto.
After failing so much, watching Marner sign on to help the Panthers potentially head to another Finals appearance is frustrating at best, and infuriating at worst.
It gives Kevin Durant vibes; putting the 'If you can't beat 'em, join 'em' motto to good use.
Granted, Marner is going to a team who might lose both Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand, so their powerful core gets a little less potent, but replacing it with Marner arguably makes them more dangerous.
A great defender on top of his immense scoring ability, putting Marner on the top line potentially with Aleksander Barkov would make one of the scariest combinations in hockey.
Not to mention the help financially, as Marner will no doubt be looking to secure as much of that potential $14-15M salary as he can.
A Move West Could Make Marner's Departure Easier To Stomach
Which is why it's also not too shocking to see him look at Vegas, who has one of the loosest tax rates for players in the league. It takes him out of the spotlight, it puts him in a lineup with Jack Eichel; making another potential 1-2 punch up front.
Plus given how much space they'll have, and as interesting of a roster they can put together with Marner, it feels like a better spot (Vegas is still going to be uber-competitive).
Toronto fans certainly would like to see him head to Sin City, where they would not have to deal with him on a consistent basis, and they can be a lot further away from all the chatter that will inevitably follow.
If he plays in Florida, the Leafs are going to be thinking about him and his successes/failures even subconsciously, and a lack of focus on the now could cost them.
Heading to the Western Conference would make things a lot easier to physically and mentally stomach, and for Maple Leafs fans looking for any sign of relief:
They're gambling on Marner choosing Vegas in the end.
| POLL | ||
MAI 25 | 679 ANSWERS Pierre LeBrun: Two Contenders Emerge as Frontrunners to Land Mitch Marner in Free Agency Who will Mitch Marner sign with? | ||
| Florida | 103 | 15.2 % |
| Vegas | 236 | 34.8 % |
| Chicago | 175 | 25.8 % |
| Toronto | 165 | 24.3 % |
| List of polls | ||
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