Another Eastern Conference Team Enters the Mitch Marner Sweepstakes in Free Agency

The Toronto Maple Leafs are once again shaping up to be a genuine threat in the Stanley Cup Playoffs this season, and with some big changes expected over the summer, this may be their last shot to make a deep run with this core.

The reason for that is the pending free agency of star winger Mitch Marner, who is on pace for a career year in 2024/25, posting an impressive 21 goals and 80 points in 65 games played thus far.

That leap in play comes with perfect timing for Marner, who will be the top free agent available in the summer of 2025, and while Toronto want to bring him back, there's plenty of interest in him around the league.

Now, TSN's Pierre LeBrun is reporting that the Carolina Hurricanes, the team who just traded Mikko Rantanen are expected to heavily pursue No. 16 as they look to add to their already deep and talented roster, with the team already pursuing (unsuccessfully) the Maple Leafs star at the trade deadline.

The Hurricanes are expected to have around $37 million of salary cap space in the summer before any other moves are made, and if they can offer Marner a competitive salary and the chance to push deep into the post-season, it's likely that they could be a genuine landing spot.

Ultimately, the Maple Leafs success or lack thereof in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs are likely to play a role in his decision along with salary, and given that there are many teams in the league that could pay him as much if not more than Toronto, it's safe to say that Marner remaining a Maple Leaf isn't a guarantee, and right now, there's potentially a bigger chance he leaves than stays.