As NHL free agency looms, the Anaheim Ducks may be preparing to make one of the boldest moves of the summer—and possibly offer Mitch Marner a deal that would reset the market.
Marner, the Toronto Maple Leafs’ All-Star winger, is entering unrestricted free agency after another strong regular season, one in which he notched a career-high 102 points across 81 games. Despite leading the Maple Leafs to an Atlantic Division title, Toronto once again fell short in the postseason, exiting in the second round to the Florida Panthers. Marner contributed 13 points in as many playoff games but managed just one goal during the decisive series—a continuation of the franchise’s long-running playoff frustrations.
Anaheim Ducks Prepared To Go All-In For Mitch Marner
Now, with Marner set to hit the open market, the Ducks are rumored to be one of the most aggressive suitors. According to The Athletic’s James Mirtle, Anaheim is contemplating an offer that could push beyond the $14 million annual average value currently earned by Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl, the NHL’s highest-paid player.
That would mark a seismic shift for a franchise that has missed the postseason seven consecutive years. Yet the timing might be right. With over $25 million in cap space and a promising young core—featuring Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, and Cutter Gauthier, all of whom hit the 20-goal mark last season—Anaheim is building toward a return to contention. Hiring veteran head coach Joel Quenneville was a clear sign of intent. Pursuing a marquee free agent like Marner would reinforce that message: the Ducks are ready to compete again.
Whether Marner is willing to leave a perennial playoff team like Toronto for a rebuilding group remains an open question. Anaheim is not a proven contender just yet, but it offers something Toronto can’t: a clean slate and the potential to lead a resurgence from the ground up. Add in the ability to make him the highest-paid player in the league, and the proposition becomes even more compelling.
Still, any mega-deal would come with scrutiny. While Marner has proven himself as a consistent point producer—posting four consecutive seasons with at least 90 points—his playoff output has often lagged behind his regular-season excellence. Comparisons to Draisaitl are inevitable. The Oilers star has posted a significantly higher points-per-game pace (1.32 vs. Marner’s 1.13 since 2016) and has been more impactful in the postseason, where he averages 1.49 points per game to Marner’s 0.9.
Defensively, Marner has traditionally carried more weight than Draisaitl, but even that edge narrowed this season. Draisaitl finished ahead of Marner in Selke Trophy voting while posting career-best possession metrics. Add in the fact that Draisaitl plays center—a position often seen as more valuable than wing—and it becomes harder to justify giving Marner the same, let alone a larger, payday.
Still, context matters. Anaheim has the cap space. They have a mandate from ownership to compete. And after years in the NHL wilderness, the Ducks may be willing to overpay to inject both talent and relevance into the organization. A big swing could send a signal—to fans, to players, and to the rest of the league—that the rebuild is over.
If Marner is open to a new challenge and a leading role on a rising team, Anaheim may be ready to roll out the red carpet—and the checkbook.