Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner projected to land record-breaking $14M NHL contract

All eyes are on Mitch Marner . The Toronto Maple Leafs star has hit free agency just as the NHL salary cap surges and teams across the league are preparing to throw record-breaking money his way. With contract projections exceeding $14 million per year, Marner is on track to become the highest-paid winger in NHL history surpassing Mikko Rantanen’s previous record. As teams line up with massive offers, Marner’s next move is set to shake up the entire league.


Maple Leafs Mitch Marner star eyes record-breaking contract in career-defining offseason

At 28 years old, Mitch Marner enters free agency coming off his best NHL season yet—a dazzling 100-point campaign that showcased not just his elite offensive production but also his unmatched versatility.

Marner has long been considered a two-way weapon. In one unforgettable game, he even filled in as a defenseman when the Maple Leafs were short-handed, proving just how valuable he is on both ends of the ice. That kind of talent doesn't just get noticed, it gets rewarded.

David Pagnotta: The Hurricanes offer to Mitch Marner could be over $14m per - The Fourth Period

— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) June 15, 2025

And thanks to a rising NHL salary cap, the timing couldn’t be better. According to NHL Trade Rumors’ Brian La Rose, multiple teams are expected to offer Marner upward of $14 million annually, potentially shattering Mikko Rantanen’s current winger record of $12 million AAV.

Ducks, Golden Knights among top contenders for Mitch Marner’s contract

With Marner likely pricing himself out of Toronto, the Western Conference is buzzing. The Anaheim Ducks and Vegas Golden Knights have emerged as early favorites to land the superstar winger. Anaheim could use Marner as the cornerstone of their rebuild, while Vegas is known for making bold moves to stay in Cup contention.

There’s also talk of a potential sign-and-trade, allowing Marner to secure an eighth year on his new deal while giving Toronto a modest return. But one thing is clear: Marner’s time with the Maple Leafs may be nearing its end.

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Whether he lands in Vegas, Anaheim, or surprises the hockey world with another destination, Mitch Marner’s free agency is the headline event of the offseason and his next contract will make NHL history. The countdown to a record deal has officially begun.