In an aggressive effort to strengthen their offense, the New York Rangers are reportedly signing Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs to a seven-year, $91 million contract. This deal, worth $13 million per season, would make Marner one of the highest-paid players in the NHL.
Marner, 26, is in the final year of his six-year, $65.41 million contract with the Maple Leafs. With 21 goals and 59 assists, he has accumulated 80 points in 65 games this season, highlighting his exceptional playmaking skills. His upcoming free agency has become a significant topic in the NHL, especially following Mikko Rantanen’s recent eight-year, $96 million extension with the Dallas Stars.
The Rangers’ interest in Marner fits into their broader strategy to revamp their roster. To accommodate Marner’s potential salary, the team may need to move sizable contracts. Forwards Chris Kreider and Mika Zibanejad, both with high salaries, have been suggested as trade possibilities. However, trading these players would require careful planning due to their contributions and no-movement clauses.
The NHL’s salary cap is set to rise from $88 million next season to $95.5 million in 2025-26, $104 million in 2026-27, and $113.5 million by 2027-28. This increase offers teams like the Rangers more financial room to pursue top-tier talent without disrupting their roster’s balance.
Marner’s potential departure from Toronto has sparked speculation about the Maple Leafs’ future. While the team has expressed a desire to keep him, reports indicate Marner is likely to explore free agency, seeking a deal that reflects his elite level of play and the league’s evolving salary structure.
As the Rangers gear up for their March 18 game against the Calgary Flames, all attention will be on Marner’s situation. His decision could have significant consequences for the Rangers’ lineup and the NHL’s competitive dynamics in the years ahead.
Rangers Could Move 3 Impact Forwards
The New York Rangers are currently fighting for a playoff spot, but their roster could look significantly different next season.
The team has been rumored to be considering a major move. Peter Baugh, The Athletic’s Rangers reporter, suggests that New York might look to trade Chris Kreider, Mika Zibanejad, or Artemi Panarin.
“If the Rangers are going to make substantial changes to their roster, they will need to move players out,” Baugh wrote. “Chris Kreider is the most obvious candidate. Given that Chris Drury already showed a willingness to entertain offers in November, he sent a message to the other 31 general managers saying he’d listen on Kreider and then-captain Jacob Trouba. Moving Kreider’s $6.5 million cap hit might not be easy, considering his trade protection and the disappointing season he’s had…”
“Moving on from Mika Zibanejad ($8.5 million average annual value through 2029-30) or Artemi Panarin ($11.642 million through 2025-26) would create even more space. However, both have no-movement clauses. They’re also two of the Rangers’ three leading point scorers this season, so moving them would leave a significant production gap,” Baugh added.
Currently, the Rangers are 33-28-6 and holding onto the final Wild Card spot. Even if they make the playoffs, they could face a major roster overhaul this summer.
Marner Not Focused on Contract
Although Marner is in the final year of his contract, he’s not focused on it.
Marner emphasized that his attention is on the current season and helping the Maple Leafs finish strong to secure a playoff spot.
“As I’ve said before, I’m not going to discuss any contract matters,” Marner stated. “I’m very grateful and have enjoyed my time as a Leaf. I’ll leave it at that. We’ve got 20 tough games left, and we need to stay focused, keep pushing forward, and put ourselves in the best position for the playoffs.”
Marner is a three-time All-Star.