The Detroit Red Wings are entering another pivotal offseason, still in search of their first playoff berth since 2016, and aiming to put an end to that near-decade-long skid.
NHL insider Max Bultman of The Athletic believes that one bold move could push them over the edge: signing pending Toronto Maple Leafs free agent Mitch Marner.
Marner, 28, is set to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 if no deal is reached with the Maple Leafs before that date.
He’s coming off a 102-point season and a six-year, $65.4 million contract. Bultman predicts Detroit could offer Marner a maximum deal for seven years at $13 million per season, worth a total of $91 million.
“If Detroit wants to be aggressive this summer, there’s certainly a case for going after the biggest name on the market, Toronto's Mitch Marner,” Bultman wrote. “This scenario would feature the star power Red Wings fans have wanted for years, and would be fascinating to watch play out."
Bultman added that a change of scenery could benefit Marner.
“How would Marner look away from the star-studded Maple Leafs core? And outside the Toronto spotlight?” Bultman wrote. “Those are all real questions.”
Marner would join a Red Wings team that finished sixth in the Atlantic Division this season, narrowly missing the playoffs once again.
General manager Steve Yzerman acknowledged the pressure from a demanding fan base at the end-of-season media availability once it was confirmed Detroit won't make the playoffs, promising additions.
“We’re going to look at any good player,” Yzerman said. “If there’s a player worthy of spending whatever amount on...absolutely we would try to do that.”
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