The Frontrunners for Maple Leafs' Pending UFA Mitch Marner's Services Have Emerged

We still have some time before the opening of NHL Free Agency on July 1, but many analysts are already talking as though pending Toronto Maple Leafs free agent Mitch Marner won't be returning to the team.

TSN's Darren Dreger believes Marner may help preserve his legacy in Toronto by agreeing to a sign-and-trade before free agency hits, but others aren't so sure.

Regardless, Sportsnet writer Ryan Dixon has revealed what he believes are the top potential landing spots for Marner, if he doesn't re-sign with the Maple Leafs, and it looks like he has plenty of options.

The first two teams listed by Dixon are the LA Kings and the Anaheim Ducks.

The Kings are in a similar spot to the Maple Leafs, having been eliminated from the playoffs in the first round the past four years, all at the hands of the Edmonton Oilers.

They've since gone out and hired former Oilers GM Ken Holland, who seems determined to make a splash over the summer. Anaheim is still in the middle of a rebuild, but is poised to make some big improvements if the team can land the right names in free agency.

Next on the list is the newly-named Utah Mammoth, followed by the Vegas Golden Knights and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Joining the Golden Knights would make an already Stanley Cup-contending team that much better, while going to the Penguins would result in a reunion with Marner's former GM Kyle Dubas.

Perhaps the most intriguing team of those listed is the New York Islanders. The Maple Leafs will not renew President Brendan Shanahan, who may be headed to the Islanders in their search for a new President and GM, and signing Marner as his first act would send shockwaves throughout the league.

Rounding out the list are the Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Washington Capitals, and the Carolina Hurricanes.

While the other three are looking to add to rosters that can already compete in the playoffs, the Blackhawks remain firmly in rebuild mode and, barring a miracle, will be there for a few years yet.