Report: Mitch Marner’s free agency decision may take until middle of July

Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner. John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner is widely considered the best available free agent on this year’s market, but hockey fans and executives alike may have to wait longer than July 1st for the 28-year-old to decide on his next team.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Monday that Marner may take until the middle of July to select a new team for the 2025-26 season.

“July 1, obviously, is the beginning of a frenzied process. Historically, the big boys on July 1st usually get sorted through. They sign their contracts and you move forward,” Dreger said on First Up with Aaron Korolnek and Carlo Colaiacovo.

“I don’t think that’s going to be the case with (Mitch) Marner. I really don’t. I think that interested teams, and there will be a number of them, there’s no doubt about that — and then they’ll have ongoing conversations with Marner and his family. They will whittle that list down to a place where Mitch and his wife, his family, wants to visit those individual teams, with the hope or expectation that he’ll have a decision by the middle of July.”

It was previously reported that the Carolina Hurricanes are prepared to offer Marner a seven-year contract worth greater than $14 million annually. Marner is expected to receiver offers from the Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights among other suitors. The 28-year-old reportedly hasn’t engaged with the Maple Leafs following the team’s end-of-year media availability and almost certainly will not be returning to Toronto for the 2025-26 season.

“It’s hard. I’ve love being here, I’m so grateful, but I haven’t talked to my family yet. It’s still so fresh,” Marner said on May 20 during the Maple Leafs’ end-of-year media availability.