Surprise Team May Make Enticing Pitch to Leafs Star Mitch Marner to Keep Him in the East

The LA Kings and Anaheim Ducks are expected to make major pitches to Mitch Marner should he reach free agency on July 1st, as expected.

A premiere winger, Marner has had his opportunities to sign an extension with the Leafs, but has declined to put pen to paper, looking to cash in and become the highest-paid winger in NHL history. While he hasn't closed the door completely on a return to Toronto, it is appearing less and less likely he will wear 16 for the Maple Leafs again.

While it's uncertain which way Marner is leaning at this point, the Columbus Blue Jackets are once again targeting the star winger with over $40M in cap space.

It wouldn't be the first time the Blue Jackets made an offer to Marner on July 1st, as they presented him with an offer-sheet in 2019 before he signed his expiring 6-year deal with the Maple Leafs.

With the Stanley Cup soon to be awarded, rumours will only continue to swirl around Marner and the Maple Leafs, and where he lands in free agency.

No one knows exactly what his plans are, but it is expected that he will land the largest contract in NHL history in three weeks, some time after 12PM on July 1st when free agency officially opens.