Mitch Marner Prepares to Leave Toronto: Star Winger Eyes Eight U.S. Teams Amid Uncertain Future
Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner may have played his final game in blue and white.
Following yet another disappointing postseason for the Maple Leafs, the 27-year-old star has reportedly begun preparing for a potential departure from Toronto — and possibly from Canada altogether. According to NHL insider David Pagnotta, Marner has drawn up a list of eight NHL teams he’d be willing to join, signaling a major shift in the career trajectory of one of the franchise’s cornerstone players.
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A Changing Mindset for Marner
Marner, who has spent his entire NHL career with Toronto since being drafted fourth overall in 2015, has long been seen as a loyal and essential piece of the team’s core. But with the Leafs falling short once again in the 2025 Stanley Cup Playoffs, change appears inevitable — both for the franchise and the player.
According to The Fourth Period, Marner’s list of preferred destinations does not include any Canadian teams, a telling move that suggests he may be seeking not just a change in scenery, but a complete departure from the intense media scrutiny and pressure that comes with playing hockey in Canada.
This decision also raises the stakes for the Maple Leafs’ front office, which is now under pressure to either find a trade partner or prepare for a scenario where Marner walks away in free agency next summer — assuming he doesn’t waive his no-movement clause sooner.
U.S. Teams on His Radar
Though the full list hasn’t been made public, several teams have already been named as potential landing spots for the star winger, including:
- Los Angeles Kings
- Vegas Golden Knights
- Anaheim Ducks
- Florida Panthers
All four teams are based in warm-weather U.S. markets, potentially pointing to Marner’s desire for a fresh lifestyle as much as a fresh hockey opportunity. The Kings and Golden Knights, in particular, are playoff-caliber clubs that could benefit from a dynamic playmaker like Marner. Both franchises exited early in the 2025 postseason and are looking to bolster their rosters for another deep run.
Anaheim and Florida, meanwhile, offer different opportunities — with the Ducks in the midst of a rebuild and the Panthers continuing to build off recent playoff success. Either way, Marner’s talent would make him a centerpiece on nearly any roster.
What’s Next for Toronto?
For the Maple Leafs, this development adds another layer of complexity to an offseason already marked by questions about leadership, roster balance, and long-term direction. Marner’s $10.9 million cap hit and no-movement clause complicate trade discussions, but if he’s open to a deal, Toronto may have to act quickly to avoid losing him for nothing.
Fans in Toronto are now bracing for what could be the end of an era — one defined by regular-season success and playoff heartbreak. Marner has been a beloved figure in the city, praised for his creativity, community involvement, and chemistry with Auston Matthews. But in a results-driven league, sentiment can only go so far.
The Bottom Line
Mitch Marner’s reported list of preferred teams signals more than just a potential move — it marks a turning point in his career and perhaps for the Maple Leafs as a whole. Whether a trade materializes this summer or not, one thing is clear: the future for both Marner and the Maple Leafs will look very different in the months to come.
As speculation intensifies, all eyes will remain on Toronto — and on Marner — as one of the NHL’s biggest offseason storylines begins to unfold.
