Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner is the top free agent available and has several teams interested in him.
Marner will be a free agent on July 1, and already there have been plenty of reports of teams interested in the star winger. However, NHL insider Jeff Marek of DailyFaceoff named the Ottawa Senators a dark horse for Marner.
“Ottawa is a dark horse for Mitch Marner; ownership would love to make a splash,” Marek reported.
The Senators are division rivals of the Maple Leafs, and it would be a surprise if Marner went to Ottawa. But, the Senators are a young, improving team, and Marner could help them push them over the top.
Marner completed his six-year, $65.41 million deal and will be in line for a raise as he could become the highest-paid player in the NHL.
Marner would be a first-line forward for the Senators and add some much-needed offense to the lineup. Ottawa has just over $15 million in cap space, so the Sens do have the money to make a play at Marner.
Marner recorded 27 goals and 75 assists for 102 points in 81 games, as it was the first time in his career he had 100+ points.
Senators Looking to Add Offense in Free Agency
Ottawa made the playoffs but were eliminated in six games by the Maple Leafs.
After the successful season, the Senators are looking to improve on that. One way the Senators are looking to improve is on offense, according to NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period.
“With more than $15 million in salary cap space going into the 2025-26 season, the Ottawa Senators will be looking to add at least one impact forward to their roster this off-season,” Pagnotta wrote.
However, the insider didn’t link them to Marner, and instead, Ottawa will show interest in other forwards.
“With Giroux and Zetterlund signed to new deals, and RFA defenceman Tyler Kleven inked to a new deal, as well, the Senators will still have plenty of cap space to add a top-six winger. Which GM Steve Staios will try to add either via trade or through free agency,” Pagnotta added. “Forwards Brock Boeser, Nikolaj Ehlers and Mikael Granlund are among the wingers eligible to become UFAs in July. And could be on Ottawa’s radar if the team goes the free agent route.”
The Senators averaged 2.95 goals per game last season, which ranked 18th in the NHL.
Maple Leafs GM Uncertain if Marner Will be Back
Marner is the top free agent available, but there is still a chance he re-signs with the Maple Leafs.
However, after the season ended, Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving admitted he wasn’t sure what the future held for Marner in Toronto.
“I can’t sit here and give you a definitive answer,” Treliving said. “We’ve got to, No. 1, go through the process with Mitch. Our staff is in the process now of looking at all different outcomes. But we’ve got to kind of drive what we think is the best outcome. In Mitch’s case, he’s got a say in the matter.”
Marner is a three-time NHL All-Star.
Maple Leafs’ Division Rival Named ‘Dark Horse’ For Mitch Marner