Pending free agent Mitch Marner selects Maple Leafs rival as his number one free agency destination

As shocking as that may sound, it's no doubt Marner see's him as an ideal fit to the gritty-Florida Panthers' forward core.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner will walk away from the Maple Leafs this offseason. Without a contract, he's free to sign where he pleases, and his next destination could be the team that knocked them out of the playoffs, the Florida Panthers.

This is the 2nd time they were beaten by their Atlantic Division rivals, the Panthers, in the last three years. If you can't beat them, join 'em, right?

After the sound defeat of the Toronto Maple Leafs, GM Brad Treliving would address the media at a post-season press conference and mention the need to change up the DNA of the lineup.

Marner stepping away from the team could be part of this next step of a new Maple Leafs team in progress.

Marner a pending UFA, would be a highly coveted forward by many contending teams in the NHL. Though we keep hearing about several teams linked to him, his place of choice is according to reports is Sunrise, Florida.

After being continually knocked around by Paul Maurice's Panthers, he could become a skilled forward and another weapon in the arsenal.

However, the question remains, with his next contract projected at $13-14 million AAV, could the Panthers shoulder that kind of deal?

GM Bill Zito and the Panthers at the moment only have $19 million in cap space, and Marner's next deal could consume a significant percentage of the money needed to field a Stanley Cup contender.

Marner's old contract expires on July 1st, and carries a cap hit of $10.9 million AAV.