In a surprising twist for Maple Leafs fans, star winger Mitch Marner seems poised to test the waters of free agency as his lucrative six-year, $65.41 million contract draws to a close. Despite being a standout performer in Toronto's history, his future remains clouded with uncertainty.

Chris Johnston from The Athletic reports that while Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause for a trade that would have landed him in Carolina, it doesn't indicate he’s eager to negotiate a contract extension with the Leafs. Marner's camp has reportedly avoided any in-season discussions, leaving fans wondering what his next move will be.

At just 28, Marner is coming off a stellar regular season, racking up a career-high 75 assists and 102 points. However, the mounting pressure from repeated playoff disappointments seems to be weighing heavily on him. Currently, he’s experiencing a scoring drought in the playoffs, going without a point in the last two games as the Florida Panthers have surged to take a 3-2 series lead against Toronto.

The stakes couldn’t be higher for Marner and the Leafs as they face a must-win situation against the defending champions in their next outing. Marner’s performance in these crucial moments will undoubtedly influence his market value.

Meanwhile, the Leafs' general manager, Brad Treliving, is focused on ensuring that they have enough cap space to re-sign promising restricted free agent Matthew Knies. The 22-year-old power forward has made a significant impact with 29 goals and 58 points during the regular season and is making waves in the playoffs with five goals. Retaining Knies will be essential for the team’s depth, especially with limited scoring from the bottom-six forwards over the postseason.

As for Marner, where he chooses to sign is still up in the air and likely won’t be decided until after Toronto's playoff journey concludes. One thing’s for sure—he's set to command a hefty raise, potentially upwards of $2 million on his current $10.9 million cap hit. With his 520 assists since entering the league in 2016—ranking fifth in the NHL—Marner’s talent and success are undeniable, making him one of the summer's hottest free agents.