Mitch Marner reportedly down to 3 teams on leaked preference list

The opening day of free agency is getting closer and fans across the NHL are eager to see where prending free agent forward Mitch Marner will end up.

Marner, who recorded 27 goals and a career-high 102 points in 81 games with the Maple Leafs this past season, played out the last of a of a six-year, $65.41 million contract that carried an annual cap hit of $10.9 million. The expectation is that Marner could sign a new deal with as much as a $14 million AAV with the Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings and Ottawa Senators having been linked to Marner in past weeks.

However, according to insider Pierre LeBrun, three teams are reportedly high on Marner’s preference list. It apparently includes the Golden Knights and the Kings, but also a new suitor in the Dallas Stars.

Dallas could be looking for some help to support Mikko Rantanen and could take a serious shot at Marner. Rumours claim that’s why Stars general manager Jim Nill has yet to re-sign Jason Robertson to an extension, and how he also made room this past weekend by trading Mason Marchment. The Stars could be making room for a real shot at Marner.

While Marner is also eligible to sign an extension starting on July 1st, and some insiders believe he will take his time with his decision, Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos reveals that “the serious bidders will be established well before July 1.”

As for Vegas, who only have $9.615 million in salary cap space per Puck Pedia, they could still find a way to take on Marner’s next big AAV. I mean we’ve seen it done in the past. The Golden Knights have some concerns about the health of defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and his ability to play next season, and that could lead to placing him on the long-term injury reserve and clear an additional $8.8 million. Trade rumours have also surrounded forward William Karlsson in order to make room for Marner.

Based on these reports and LeBrun’s sense of Marner’s preference list, it feels like the Toronto Maple Leafs forward might end up with a contender in the Western conference.