NHL Teams Reportedly Aware of Mitch Marner’s Free Agency ‘Option’ originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner is expected to headline the 2025 free agent class, but his contract approach may not follow the standard star-player playbook.
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According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, two teams with knowledge of the situation believe Marner might opt against a long-term deal in favor of a shorter contract that gives him a chance to re-test the market when NHL revenues climb.
Marner just completed a six-year, $65 million deal with the Maple Leafs, averaging over a point per game in each season. While his regular-season production remains elite, his playoff shortcomings and Toronto’s postseason failures have always been in the background.
Those issues are considered one of the strongest cases Toronto might use for a breakup as the franchise aims for a roster retool.
“The rumor du jour — and it is very much that, as I’ve not confirmed it but have heard it now from two teams — is that one option Mitch Marner is considering is a two-year deal at around $12 million to $13 million per year,” LeBrun wrote.
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LeBrun said this approach would “position him to hit the market again when the salary cap skyrockets to $113 million or higher in a couple of years.”
Of course, betting on himself that way comes with the potential negative of suffering an injury that lowers his value in the future, limiting his supposed bigger earnings.
“The risk is injury, of course,” LeBrun wrote. “But at 28 now, he would be 30 when he is a UFA again if he went that route.”
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitchell Marner (16) looks towards his net during a break in the action against the Boston Bruins during the second period at Scotiabank Arena. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images
LeBrun finished his report by listing a few potential landing spots, including the Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and, surprisingly, the Dallas Stars. It’s worth noting that the latter franchise hasn’t been mentioned in the Marner sweepstakes recently.
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That said, LeBrun added that Dallas’ cap situation—particularly with Mikko Rantanen signed to his own mammoth extension—makes them a long shot to land Marner this summer.
Related: Matthew Knies and Maple Leafs ‘Primary Discrepancy’ in Contract Talks Revealed
Related: Brad Marchand’s Seven-Word Comment on Maple Leafs Speculation
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 22, 2025, where it first appeared.