Elliotte Friedman reveals the inside scoop on Mitch Marner's next NHL destination

By all indications, it looks like the Toronto Maple Leafs and pending UFA forward Mitch Marner are heading for a split.

For the last several years, Marner has been 1/4 of Toronto's famed "Core 4" of players that also include captain Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares.

Both Marner and Tavares are up for new contracts, and while it looks like the chances of Tavares re-signing with the Maple Leafs are good, the odds of Marner returning are nowhere near as positive.

In the meantime, all eyes are on where Marner will potentially sign. Based on the latest report from top NHL analyst Elliotte Friedman, Marner could be taking his talents to Sin City to join the Vegas Golden Knights.

Marner has been linked to multiple teams in free agency, including the Chicago Blackhawks, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, Utah Mammoth, and Anaheim Ducks.

While he reached a new career-best 102 points (27G, 75A), he earned criticism for having only a single assist in the final 4 postseason games of the ECSF against the divisional foe Florida Panthers; the Leafs were eliminated by the Panthers for the 2nd time in 3 years.

He also essentially confirmed that he was leaving the Maple Leafs with his controversial cancellation of his annual charity event in Toronto, which many took as a clear signal that his time in Toronto was through.