Marner Watch

[jammer06]

The Holland thread is morphing to this but since there's plenty of talk and media it probably deserves its own thread. While its my position that if Marner comes out west, he'll be the first to do it of his own accord, it's always possible:

Per Mirtle- Mitch Marner NHL free agency sweepstakes: Ranking all 32 potential landing spots
Mirtle has the kings as the second most likely team behind only the Canes

Los Angeles Kings​

One of the few playoff teams in a desirable market that definitely needs help up front, has cap space and will be aggressive in free agency. New GM Ken Holland has signaled he intends to use his cap space to put his team in a better position to finally advance further in the postseason. Marner feels like a perfect fit on a team that has such a strong defensive approach, and he knows coach Jim Hiller well from their time in Toronto. The Kings won’t be the front-runner, but they’re certainly in the mix.

Russel on X posted this link


On the betting front here's what Bet MGM has to say: Mitch Marner Landing Spots: Who Could Sign This Year’s Top Free Agent?

Los Angeles Kings​

Outside of staying in Toronto, only a few places with the cap space and a preexisting team could give Marner a chance to contend immediately.

One of those is the Kings, who are reportedly very interested in signing the 28-year-old.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported that LA’s new general manager wants to go “big game” hunting this offseason, and directly linked the team to Marner. Additionally, a writer for SportsNet labeled the Kings as the best choice for Marner to sign with.

Free agents in every sport have long been called to sign contracts in Los Angeles. The Kings even pulled off the biggest coup in hockey history when they pulled Wayne Gretzky away from the Edmonton Oilers.

In terms of pressure, LA and Toronto are worlds apart. If Marner is looking for a more stress-free lifestyle where he and his family can actually enjoy their lives without getting death threats from deranged Maple Leafs fans, then the Kings are a logical choice.

That there's a connection to Hiller for Marner is something I'd forgotten, not sure it's enough. Will see if Holland takes this swing and by all accounts it sounds like he will have the ownerships blessing to do so.

 

[Bollocks]

Interesting thing about Hiller. Maybe that's why there was no doubt about keeping him from Holland's standpoint during his PR campaign.

With FAs the Kings really need to go all-in from multiple angles, it might be Hiller's ace in the sleeve is, in fact, Marner. Which also means things could turn around quickly for Hiller if Marner doesn't sign with the Kings and the Kings underperform during the first half of next season, though...

 

[santiclaws]

I imagine he's on a very short leash no matter what. But teams just don't fire coaches after their first season in which the team gets 105 points and finishes 6th overall.

 

[jammer06]

I imagine he's on a very short leash no matter what. But teams just don't fire coaches after their first season in which the team gets 105 points and finishes 6th overall.

Gallant says "hold my beer"....or however you say that in french

 

[jammer06]

TSN has Chicago as the betting choice BTW:

Mitch Marner next team betting odds Toronto Maple Leafs Chicago Blackhawks Carolina Hurricanes | TSN

With Mitch Marner just one month away from becoming a free agent, FanDuel has priced a market on his next team, with three coming in shorter than 5-1 odds.

www.tsn.ca

 

[Birdman]

He’s too small.

 

[santiclaws]

He’s too small.

We all know you love bears, no need to keep talking about it

 

[LAKingSteve]

TSN has Chicago as the betting choice BTW:

Mitch Marner next team betting odds Toronto Maple Leafs Chicago Blackhawks Carolina Hurricanes | TSN

With Mitch Marner just one month away from becoming a free agent, FanDuel has priced a market on his next team, with three coming in shorter than 5-1 odds.

www.tsn.ca

While he'd get to play with Bedard, would he want to go to a team that will be rebuilding for a couple more years at least?

 

[Birdman]

We all know you love bears, no need to keep talking about it

 

[dannybuoy1]

We all know you love bears, no need to keep talking about it

 

[orpheus]

Can the L.A. Kings contain TWO Mitches?

 

[jammer06]

This Mornings batch of stories starting with Fan Duels odds from Yahoo:

New Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Highlight Unexpected Frontrunner

Mitch Marner betting odds for next team officially come out with surprising front runner ahead of the pack

sports.yahoo.com

Leafs nation reacts to Mirtles Story:

James Mirtle lists Hurricanes, Kings, Mammoth, and Golden Knights as likeliest fits for Mitch Marner

We're officially into the month of June, which means only four more we...

theleafsnation.com

And Rink Royalty Rehashes Pagnotta's list of availability including the kings:

LA Kings reportedly among the teams Mitch Marner will consider in free agency

The top available free agent this summer is expected to be Mitch Marner, and the Los Angeles Kings are reportedly one of the teams that he would consider. Recen

rinkroyalty.com

Pagnotta's article from 4th period here:

Start of Stanley Cup Final means start of Silly Season — The Fourth Period

As the 2025 Stanley Cup Final approaches, trade chatter begins to pick up across the NHL, reports David Pagnotta.

www.thefourthperiod.com

 

[LAKingSteve]

If Vegas picks him up...oof.

 

[McSorleyFan]

All these stories have Marner looking

 

[Clif]

If Vegas picks him up...oof.

Only saving grace is they’ll have to unload lots of money to do it, hurting their depth.

Although, that same issue hasn’t held the Oilers back much. Oof is exactly right.

 

[JC6388LAKings]

Only saving grace is they’ll have to unload lots of money to do it, hurting their depth.

Although, that same issue hasn’t held the Oilers back much. Oof is exactly right.

As much as I hate Vegas, I hate Deadmonton even more for exactly this same reason. Vegas has lost some of their scoring depth after winning the Cup two years ago as they were exposed in the second round last month so my hatred of them has slightly dampened a bit. But Deadmonton still is going strong in the playoffs even after they lost Ceci, Broberg, and Holloway, so yeah.

And as much as I want the Kings to have more scoring depth in the roster, I'd still pass on Marner. I don't want another PLD-level debacle affecting this team again.

 

[Statue4Deano]

 

[Statue4Deano]

Thinking outside the box here: I know Lombardi had a professional relationship with former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti maybe Holland/Luc/anyone in front office should try to pick the brains of the current Dodgers brain trust about how to lure free agents to LA…

 

[DryKing]

Thinking outside the box here: I know Lombardi had a professional relationship with former Dodgers GM Ned Colletti maybe Holland/Luc/anyone in front office should try to pick the brains of the current Dodgers brain trust about how to lure free agents to LA…

That's a good idea. I also wonder if the Kings should leverage some of the Lakers resources, given they share an arena, to help build the sense of community. Someone like Doncic, who recently moved to LA and is potentially looking to resign with the Lakers, might be a good voice to have.

Moving from Toronto to LA is a big move in terms of lifestyle and Mitch seems to put the needs of his family first.

 

[jammer06]

That's a good idea. I also wonder if the Kings should leverage some of the Lakers resources, given they share an arena, to help build the sense of community. Someone like Doncic, who recently moved to LA and is potentially looking to resign with the Lakers, might be a good voice to have.

Moving from Toronto to LA is a big move in terms of lifestyle and Mitch seems to put the needs of his family first.

Mitch and his family seems to be the reasoning behind Utah as a destination. I don't have anything hard on it other than it keeps being alluded to. Can't tell how made up it is, or if its a rumor that becomes real because word gets back to him.