Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds: Golden Knights, Blackhawks emerge as front-runners

Few free agents as talented and as young as Mitch Marner hit the open market, so you can be sure there will be a long list of suitors for the 28-year-old.

Marner is a blend of elite offensive talent and defensive responsibility. He hasn’t found playoff success in Toronto, but his performance at the Four Nations Face-Off shows that he can thrive in the right environment.

Let’s take a look at the top contenders to sign Marner this off-season.

Vegas Golden Knights (+475)

Since Vegas came into the league, no team has proven to be more ruthless or more creative with the salary cap. The Golden Knights would need to move contracts out to sign Marner, but they’ve never had any trouble in that area before.

There was reportedly a three-team trade between Vegas, Carolina and Toronto that would have sent Marner to the Golden Knights at the trade deadline, which fell apart because the Hurricanes couldn’t find the right assets. That leads me to believe Marner knew about the trade and agreed to it. If that’s true, why wouldn’t Vegas and Marner circle back in the off-season?

Toronto Maple Leafs (+500)

Personally, I think Toronto should be a lot further down this list. The team clearly doesn’t work in the playoffs as it’s currently assembled and they could use Marner’s cap space to add multiple impact players. Add in the fact that Marner was talking in the past tense about being a Leafs player at his season-ending media availability and you can see it might be better for both him and Toronto if they part ways.

Chicago Blackhawks (+500)

Chicago makes a lot of sense for Marner. They have among the most cap space available of any team, they’re looking to take a step forward next season and most importantly, they have a future superstar in Connor Bedard who needs a talented winger to play with.

Anaheim Ducks (+550)

The Ducks have a ton of young talent and they’ll be looking to take a step forward next season with new head coach Joel Quenneville. Projected to have the third-most cap space in the NHL, Anaheim can offer Marner, money, great weather and a low-pressure market.

Carolina Hurricanes (+550)

Marner reportedly turned down a deal that would have sent him to Carolina for Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline, so I’m not convinced he’s changed his mind about the Hurricanes a few months later. The team is certainly interested, but it doesn’t appear mutual from Marner’s end.

Los Angeles Kings (+600)

L.A. is in a great position to sign Marner. They have the cap space to offer him the kind of money he wants and they are in a position to be a contender right now. The Kings check off all the boxes when it comes to money, contender status and a great standard of living in terms of weather and a lower-pressure market. Oddsmakers don’t agree, but L.A. is the best fit for Marner in my mind.

Utah Mammoth (+1000)

The reports suggest Utah is planning to make a major move this off-season and adding the league’s premier free agent would certainly count as a big move. The Mammoth can offer Marner the money he wants and he would be the face of the NHL’s newest team while also getting a major break from the media compared to his time in Toronto.

Florida Panthers (+2800)

If you can’t be em’, join em’. That would be the headline if Marner signed with division-rival Florida. While the Panthers aren’t a top contender for Marner, he could be a solid backup option if they let Sam Bennett walk in free agency.

Pittsburgh Penguins (+2800)

Kyle Dubas has proven to be loyal to players and staff he knows, so a reunion with Marner in Pittsburgh is a real possibility. Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin are nearing the end of their careers, but they still want to win and the addition of Marner could be enough to get the Pens in the playoffs for one last Cup run.

Columbus Blue Jackets (+2800)

Columbus is projected to have the second-most cap space in the league and they’re in need of a veteran forward to take the next step. While it isn’t the sexiest market, the Blue Jackets play in a great location for someone like Marner who has a young family.