Top Free Agents Revealed as Uncertainty Surrounds Mitch Marner's Future with Leafs

But right now, the status of Marner with the Maple Leafs beyond this year isn't certain. He's in the last year of a 6 year, $65.358 million deal with an AAV (average annual value) of $10.9 million and doesn't have a contract for beyond this year.

Right now, he appears willing to head to free agency and very well may have priced himself out of Toronto with his performance so far this year with 80 points (21G, 59A) in 63 games.

Per TSN's Chris Johnston, Marner does appear destined to hit free agency even though he was unwilling to waive his no-trade clause to be traded to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen.

Toronto expressed interest in getting down to business on a contract extension in recent months, but the Marner camp was unwilling to engage during the season, according to league sources.

The Leafs wanted to sign a player who already sits fifth in franchise history in scoring for what remains of his prime and beyond.

Marner wasn't ready to make that commitment before Friday's trade deadline passed - not with a world of opportunity potentially ready to unfold before him this summer.

That explains, in part, why the Leafs entertained trade discussions with the Carolina Hurricanes centered around Rantanen before he was dealt to Dallas.

The big Finn could obviously have helped Toronto chase a Stanley Cup in the immediate term, but he also represented an insurance policy in the event Marner chose to walk out the door and the Leafs pivoted to signing him instead.

So if the Maple Leafs were to pivot away from Marner, who could they turn to from the list?

Top Free Agents Breakdown

Depending on how the playoffs go, Matt Duchene may re-sign with the Stars as he's near the end of his career, and is a solid veteran in their lineup. This season he has 66 points in 64 games even in his age-34 campaign.

He could fit in as Toronto's 2C but as the team already has a lot of aging veterans with big contracts, they may hesitate to sign him.

Nikolaj Ehlers is a very interesting option and could very well be one of the Maple Leafs' focal points. 56 points in 56 games is a solid output and the Danish star has only missed the 20-goal plateau twice in his career.

He would add a lot more goal-scoring as opposed to Marner and is only 29, so a long-term deal wouldn't hurt the team and he won't cost nearly as much as him either.

Brad Marchand is an odd choice but one that would fit in with the Maple Leafs system. Still an offensive star, he has always been the thorn in the side of Toronto and the team would benefit from having him, he does have 47 points this season which puts him fifth on the team if he were here now.

But is paying a 36-year old Marchand worth it? Much like Duchene, he's at the end of his career and only has a few seasons left. Does he want to go to his sworn rivals to finish things off? It's a hard sell, but stranger things have happened.

Brock Nelson has hit the 30-goal plateau each of the last three seasons, and can still offer a huge presence to a team desperate to replace both Marner and potentially John Tavares.

His connection with Auston Matthews will help things, and he has exactly what Toronto needs. But he's older and while is a bit younger than Tavares, isn't the younger face Toronto needs to replace Marner.

Nelson has 44 points in 63 games with New York and Colorado.

Sam Bennett was recently linked to the Maple Leafs and would be a fantastic alternative for John Tavares and give Toronto a younger 2C who provides the same level of defense and offense, while adding a lot more grit and aggression.

He has 41 points in 62 games, and would offer Toronto a tough as nails center who can provide great defense and offense and knows how to win; it's a pretty good fit.

Jamie Benn is quietly one of the most consistent and reliable forwards over the last decade or so. He isn't flashy on most nights, plays hard, but his contributions have no doubt helped in Dallas' time as a powerhouse.

With 40 points in 62 games he's still a solid offensive contributor but is 35, so age is once again a factor (as is the case with several of these players) and Toronto needs to have some semblance of youth.

Brock Boeser is a very interesting option as he doesn't provide the type of offense that Marner does however is a solid-two way winger who could compliment Auston Matthews and Matthew Knies.

This season he's dealt with some injuries but has managed 38 points in 56 games while playing for a struggling Vancouver team.

Aaron Ekblad recently got suspended for steroids, and while he is a solid option for the Maple Leafs, the team already has tens of millions of dollars committed to aging defensemen, and unless they make a deal for one of them, Ekblad is another big money deal on the blue line.

Before he got banned for 20 games, the former first overall pick had 33 points in 56 games while playing exceptional defense.

It's really a who's who of free agents, and there are potential options if Marner heads elsewhere.

But the team would really, really like it if he stuck around.