The Chicago Blackhawks, once seen as frontrunners in the race to sign Mitch Marner, now find themselves facing a rapidly shifting landscape as NHL free agency approaches. With a wealth of cap space and an ambitious general manager in Kyle Davidson, Chicago seemed poised to make a major splash by pursuing the dynamic Toronto Maple Leafs winger.

Marner, a hometown hero in Toronto and one of the league’s most electrifying talents, is set to hit the open market after nine seasons and a remarkable run with the Leafs. The prospect of pairing Marner with young star Connor Bedard had Blackhawks fans dreaming of a new era of success. However, as more teams with deep pockets enter the bidding war, Chicago’s odds of landing Marner have taken a significant hit. Once favorites, the Blackhawks have now slipped down the rankings, leaving their offseason plans in question and forcing the franchise to consider alternative options as they continue their rebuild.

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The Chicago Blackhawks have plenty of cap space, and a GM like Kyle Davidson, who’s no stranger to pulling off big deals, what are the team’s odds of signing Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs, a pending UFA?

Mitch Marner will test free agency after spending nine years of his career in a Maple Leafs uniform. The romanticism behind his story is one hockey dreams are made of.

Hometown boy plays for his favorite team, but fails to achieve glory wearing the crest that gave him a love for the sport. For Marner, he is going to part ways with the Maple Leafs and head south from Ontario.

He’ll be heading to the United States to test free agency in what should be a bidding war for the ages.

The 102-point forward (27-75) is coming off a $10.9 million AAV deal and could seek a pay raise up to $14 million AAV.

While the Blackhawks were the early favorite to land Marner, with the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights coming into play, the odds may not be in Kyle Davidson’s favor.

Betting app Fanduel has an interesting ranking for the original-six squad who would love to land the Selke Trophy nominee, who has scored 741 points ijn 657 NHL games.

With only four teams other than the Blackhawks capable of spending the amount required to sign Marner, the odds have lowered for Davidson’s team, who are in year 3 of Connor Bedard’s career, and a bourgeoning rebuild.

Chicago Blackhawks +250 -> +750

An addition of Marner could push Bedard from a 67-point forward to a 90+ point forward in the NHL.

However, the team has fallen to fifth in FanDuel odds to even have a shot of signing him.

Not great, and it all but confirms the Blackhawks are out on Marner.

The Blackhawks may have to shift priorities for other forwards available, like Nikolaj Ehlers, or Brock Boeser instead.