One NHL Team Appears to be Out of Contention for Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner

When the Maple Leafs let him walk this summer, almost all of the other 31 teams are going to have some level of interest in Mitch Marner, but only a handful actually stand a chance to sign the star winger.

From Vegas to Carolina, plenty of contenders will put forth competitive offers. However, based on recent reports, it sounds like we can narrow the list ever so slightly with one club in particular not expected to make the cut.

According to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston, the San Jose Sharks are still going to try everything in their power to try and lure Marner to California, but it sounds like it will probably be a fruitless endeavour, as Marner prefers to sign with a contending team or a team on an immediate upswing.

While the Sharks are an exciting team on the rise with youngsters Macklin Celebrini, William Eklund, and Will Smith expected to lead the charge, as well as the 2nd overall pick this year, they're still a ways away from contending and Marner isn't in the position right now to be joining a rebuilding team.

With teams like Vegas and Carolina circling around like vultures, they would provide Marner with the wide open window of contention he's looking for, as well as the long-term security, high AAV, and stars to surround him so he doesn't have to shoulder the load.

Still, money talks in this league, and with $44 million in cap space to work with this summer, don't fully count out the Sharks quite yet. They might not be the most sensical destination for Marner, but they can offer him the moon and the stars on his next deal if that's what he's looking for.