3 Possible Landing Spots Emerge for Mitch Marner Following Playoff Disappointment

Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs once more came up short in the Eastern Conference Semi-Final, getting defeated 6-1 in Game 7 by the Florida Panthers on Sunday night.

In what had been an otherwise disappointing conclusion to the season for the Leafs, Marner had a breakout campaign, recording a career-high 102 points in the regular season.

He carried his point-streaking ways into the playoffs with 13, including two goals and 11 assists. Now, with his six-year contract, which held an average yearly value of $10.903 million, up, the 2015 fourth-overall pick is headed for free agency.

His destiny hangs in the balance, especially as the Maple Leafs' group of Marner, Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and John Tavares continues to fall short in the playoffs.

Following Game 7's loss, when questioned about what he could do next, Marner declined to comment. Speculation has already been floating regarding where Marner might end up if he leaves Toronto.

The top three suggested destinations, according to B/R Open Ice and Adam Herman, are the Pittsburgh Penguins, Philadelphia Flyers, and New York Rangers.

Other teams who have been cited as possible options if the top three teams just mentioned don't pan out include the Toronto Maple Leafs (a return is still an option and has not been ruled out by Marner), the Detroit Red Wings, the Utah Mammoth, the Chicago Blackhawks, the Anaheim Ducks and the Carolina Hurricanes.

As free agency approaches, all eyes will be on Marner and whether he remains in Toronto or finds a fresh start elsewhere.