NHL Insider Links Panthers to Mitch Marner in Bold Pre-Free Agency Move

NHL Insider Links Panthers to Mitch Marner in Bold Pre-Free Agency Move originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Speculation continues to swirl around the future of Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner and an unexpected report has brought a new possible destination to the table.

The 28-year-old winger is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and multiple sources have indicated that Toronto is weighing scenarios to recoup value before his departure.

Among the options being discussed is a sign-and-trade arrangement, in which the Maple Leafs would sign Marner to an eight-year contract and immediately flip him to a team of his choosing.

According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, this outcome is unlikely but not off the table. A “plausible” scenario, in Pagnotta’s words, would involve Toronto trading Marner’s negotiating rights before July 1 to give another team a head start in talks.

On Saturday, Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects fueled Pagnotta’s beliefs with a report confirming there’s “real smoke” about the Florida Panthers’ interest in Marner.

Robinson reported that Florida is “gearing up to make a run” at Marner, even before he reaches free agency.

“There’s real smoke that the Florida Panthers could be gearing up to make a run at Marner,” Robinson wrote. “Word is that Toronto has opened the door to a sign-and-trade scenario, where they ink Marner to a max-term extension (eight years) and then flip him to recoup some level of value.”

Toronto, having Marner’s negotiating rights, is the only franchise that can add an extra year to the winger’s extension, making it eight years long instead of the seven-year deal all other 31 franchises can offer him.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner (16) and Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) exchange words after a 2023 Stanley Cup Playoff game.Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Marner, who posted a career-high 102 points this past season, is expected to reach the market to evaluate all options on the table, and he’s not publicly committed to either leaving or returning to Toronto.

Pagnotta noted that an extension is far less likely than with fellow veteran forward and pending free agent John Tavares.

Robinson seemed to confirm that belief in his report.

“The Leafs know that Marner is all but assured to leave,” Robinson wrote. “For the acquiring team, moving a draft pick to avoid a bidding war is a very palatable cost. Whether Marner is keen for that route is another thing.”

Regarding other potential offers, Robinson quoted one source close to the matter, saying, “That Marner to LA report is pure rubbish,” with regards to the Los Angeles Kings being one of the most-linked teams to the Maple Leafs star.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.

NHL Insider Links Panthers to Mitch Marner in Bold Pre-Free Agency Move

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