Done deal : Mitch Marner is leaving the Maple Leafs

In a development that many anticipated, yet still feels like a huge breaking news, Andy Strickland has confirmed that Mitch Marner will not be returning to the Toronto Maple Leafs next season. The pending free agent winger, long a staple of Toronto’s core, will be lacing up for a new team as he gets to sign a massive deal starting on July 1st.

Drafted 4th overall back in 2015, Marner quickly became one of the league’s premier playmakers and many suitors are going to come for him. He recorded 27 goals and a career-high 102 points in 81 games with the Maple Leafs this season while playing out the last of a of a six-year, $65.41 million contract that carried an annual cap hit of $10.9 million .The 28-year-old forward added two goals and 13 points in 13 playoff games. He has to know how much he is worth on the open market. Some insiders believe he could land around $14 million per season as a free agent.

David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period has recently reported that Marner could get a $14 million annual salary in an offer from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Jeff Marek only hinted at the possibility that the Ottawa Senators take a shot at Marner during free agency, looking to make a big splash this summer.

With Marner now officially on the move, Toronto enters a new chapter. General Manager Brad Treliving faces the enormous task of retooling the roster while managing the cap space freed by Marner’s departure. The Core Four is no more as Treliving will continue to build around Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Morgan Rielly.

For Marner, a fresh start could be exactly what he needs. A change of scenery might lift the heavy weight of Toronto’s expectations and allow him to thrive elsewhere.

While his destination remains unconfirmed for now, one thing is certain, it won’t be Toronto.

Stay tuned — this offseason just got a lot more interesting.