NHL insider unveils significant offer set to be sent to pending UFA Mitch Marner by these two teams

Toronto Maple Leafs pending UFA forward Mitch Marner is set to become one of the hottest commodities on the open market in some time, as it's looking more and more like he's going to be leaving Toronto.

And among the teams expected to show major interest in Marner are the Chicago Blackhawks, who are looking to not only build around 2023 1st round draft pick Connor Bedard but also to provide more talent for new head coach Jeff Blashill to work with.

Per a recent report from TSN's Chris Johnston, the Blackhawks will firmly be in the mix for Marner.

Marner's AAV (average annual value) with the Maple Leafs for the last 5 years was just under $11 million, and he's expected to cash in with a new deal that pays him anywhere from $12 to potentially even $14 million annually.

The Blackhawks will have considerable salary cap space with which to work, as they have just under $30 million at their disposal, more than enough to make a handsome offer to Marner that he would have a hard time turning down.

Marner, who reached a new career-best 102 points (27G, 75A) this year with the Maple Leafs, once again came under considerable scrutiny after he had a lone assist in the final 4 postseason games for Toronto as they were knocked from the postseason by the divisional foe Florida Panthers.

While the Blackhawks are in no position to realistically compete for a Stanley Cup right now, adding Marner would go a long way of getting them back to the reputation of a young club on the rise.