Serious New Bidder Emerges For Maple Leafs Star and Pending UFA Mitch Marner

As the Toronto Maple Leafs' season came to another disappointing end, once again failing to advance past the second round, speculation surrounding major changes within the organization has reached an all-time high.

Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has hinted that changes are on the horizon, acknowledging that the team's current DNA is in need of a fresh perspective.

One player who appears all but certain to move on is superstar winger Mitch Marner, a pending unrestricted free agent. Now, a new, serious bidder for his services may be emerging.

According to Frank Seravalli, via Sportsnet 590 and shared by NHL Rumour Report on X:

The Anaheim Ducks could indeed be an ideal destination for Marner. They're a young, rebuilding team with significant cap space.

Marner would instantly become their top player and could serve as a leader for their emerging core of future stars. Anaheim has been linked to Marner in trade speculation multiple times in recent months.

For Leafs fans, however, the situation remains frustrating. Despite growing interest from around the league, Marner has shown little indication of cooperating with a sign-and-trade to allow his new team to get the 8th year and to allow his former team to recoup some assets on his way out.

With a full no-movement clause, he holds the power to walk in free agency, leaving Toronto empty-handed. The possibility of trading his negotiating rights for a draft pick remains a possibility.

Treliving also noted that he will not guarantee that Marner and Tavares will even receive a formal offer, though Tavares has publicly stated his desire to remain a Maple Leaf.

Regardless of the specific moves to come, one thing is clear; there's widespread agreement across the organization that meaningful change is necessary if the Maple Leafs are going to find postseason success.