Darryl Sutter makes feelings known about Mitch Marner's uncertain future in Toronto

By Abhilasha Aditi

Modified Jun 12, 2025 06:11 GMT

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Darryl Sutter, a Canadian ice hockey coach and former player, spoke about Mitch Marner’s future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He shared his thoughts on Wednesday’s episode of The Leafs Nation podcast with Nick Alberga and Jay Rosehill.

Sutter said that no one really knows what will happen with Marner. He believes the decision will depend on Marner, his family and his representatives. Sutter said thta Marner is a good player and added that 90-point players are rare in the league.

"As for Marner, I'm not sure what happens with him, I don't think anybody is. That's a decision he's going to make with his family and his representatives. He's a pretty good player in the league. Ninety-point guys just don't fall out of trees, so it just depends what they're thinking all the way around," Sutter said (5:44).

Mitch Marner is set to become an unrestricted free agent. His last contract was for six years, worth $65.4 million, and his cap hit was $10.9 million per season. Marner and his camp believe he should be one of the highest-paid players in the NHL. He reached 100 points for the first time this past season but hasn't found success in the playoffs with the Maple Leafs.

The Athletic reported that Marner’s next deal is expected to be around $13 million per year and that he could sign a seven-year, $91 million contract, which would put him close to Mikko Rantanen’s new deal with the Dallas Stars. Rantanen signed an eight-year contract but has a Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche, while Marner has struggled in the playoffs and hasn't won a championship.

Marner can only get an eight-year deal if he re-signs with the Maple Leafs, which seems unlikely right now. If he signs with another team, he may push for a higher annual salary, though.

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Mitch Marner could get traded to Panthers, per reports

Mitch Marner had 102 points in the regular season for the Toronto Maple Leafs and was one of the NHL’s top players, but Toronto lost again in the playoffs, this time to the Florida Panthers. The team hasn't reached the conference final since 2002/

Marner is set to become a free agent this summer and may be the top free agent available. Reports say that the Florida Panthers could be interested in signing him.

"There’s real smoke that the Florida Panthers could be gearing up to make a run at Marner. ... Toronto has opened the door to a sign-and-trade scenario ... ink Marner to a max-term extension (eight years) and then flip him to recoup ... value," Cam Robinson of Elite Prospects wrote.

Mitch Marner likes Toronto but didn’t confirm if he wants to stay after their playoff exit.