As the NHL offseason approaches, the future of Mitch Marner has become one of the most captivating storylines in hockey. With the Toronto Maple Leafs seemingly prepared to part ways with their star forward, the rumor mill has been in overdrive, linking Marner to nearly every team with the cap space to make a splash. Yet, in a stunning twist, a new and unexpected contender has emerged, turning heads across the league and setting the stage for a dramatic summer.

The Utah Mammoth, fresh off their inaugural NHL season, have reportedly positioned themselves as a serious suitor for Marner’s services. With a promising young core and the financial flexibility to pursue a marquee talent, Utah’s ambitions signal a bold new era for the franchise. Insider reports suggest the Mammoth are not only willing to make a significant offer but are also open to moving key draft assets in their pursuit of immediate impact. As speculation intensifies and anticipation builds, the battle for Marner is shaping up to be one of the defining sagas of the offseason, with the potential to reshape the landscape of the league for years to come.

Photo credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Mitch Marner’s future in the NHL could dictate many things in free agency this summer, and now, it appears a shock team has emerged as a contender to land him.

The Toronto Maple Leafs appear ready to lose Mitch Marner in free agency this summer, and before free agency officially opens, we’ve had plenty of reports around the superstar forward.

Every team from Vegas to Los Angeles, from Anaheim to Florida have been named as teams to watch for the star forward, with the belief around the league being that almost every team with cap space could be in on No. 16.

Now, Insider Elliotte Friedman has dropped a bombshell, revealing that the Utah Mammoth, after just one season in the NHL are ready to make a splash and land the superstar forward.

“If there is a one team everyone is watching and saying I’m really curious to see what they do it is Utah. teams believe that Utah is determined to introduce themselves to the NHL in a big way”

With a young core led by captain Clayton Keller, Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley, Marner is exactly the type of player that would be a perfect fit for the Utah Mammoth, and with the salary cap to land him, they could put in one of the biggest offers for him.

On top of that, they’ve already revealed they are open to moving the No. 4 overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft, suggesting this is a team that wants to make a genuine impact in 2025/26, and while they may or may not land Marner, expect them to be in the bidding all the way until the end.