TSN’s Pierre LeBrun shared his view on "OverDrive," suggesting Marner will "likely" reach unrestricted free agency on July 1. The winger’s six-year, $65.4 million contract is set to expire on that date, and with no extension agreed upon with Toronto’s front office, LeBrun doesn't think that'd change between now and then.

According to Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff, Mitch Marner is not considering any of the six other Canadian franchises as potential landing spots if he leaves the Maple Leafs this summer.

With that in mind, the B/R NHL writers decided to put their thinking caps on to decide which would be the best team for the playmaking forward. On March 9, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Carolina Hurricanes offered Mikko Rantanen to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Mitch Marner before the trade deadline.