Once-Frontrunner Team Reportedly No Longer Interested in Signing Superstar Mitch Marner

There has been wild speculation over Mitch Marner's future, with anticipation of the Utah Mammoth making a huge push to sign the All-Star winger as soon as free agency opens up on July 1.

NHL insider Chris Johnston reports, however, that Utah is backing off from offering a massive contract.

- Chris Johnston

Instead, it has been the Anaheim Ducks that have been at the top of the list. Sitting with plenty of cap room and an ownership mandate to make the playoffs next season, Anaheim is willing to offer Marner a seven-year blockbuster deal, according to James Mirtle of 'The Athletic'.

The Ducks are considering an offer with an average annual value (AAV) above $14 million, perhaps making Marner the highest-paid player in the league, something that the Mammoth have no interest in being a part of.

It is uncertain whether Marner would be willing to sign with a club that's continuing to work towards playoff relevance.

Apart from the Columbus Blue Jackets, who possess more than $40 million in available cap space, few teams could feasibly match or surpass that figure.

Even to equal Leon Draisaitl's league-high $14 million AAV would be more than Marner's estimated market value of slightly less than $13 million, according to AFP Analytics. Johnston is saying Utah doesn't plan on paying anywhere near that in free agency.

The 8.5% rise of the salary cap this offseason, from $88 million to $95.5 million, is creating a bloated market. Draisaitl's deal, which will take 14.66% of the cap next season, would have been $12.9 million under last season's cap.

Any club that pays Marner the same will be able to compare to Draisaitl, something that would most likely create controversy regarding the contract's value.

Nevertheless, for Anaheim or any other suitor, the prize in Marner may be the missing component for long-term relevance.