Major buzz sparks between Mitch Marner and the Red Wings

With recent reports regarding Mitch Marner's future, there's always a new destination every week. The latest is the Florida Panthers.

Marner and the Maple Leafs were bounced from the second round of the Stanley Cup playoffs this season, as they and Mitch Marner could part ways a the "DNA" could be shaken up, after Brad Treliving has his way.

Speculation has his new contract projected to be $12-14 million, and getting paid the same as his former linemate, Auston Matthews. If GM Steve Yzerman were capable of pulling this deal off.

Marner could walk into free agency with no new contract signed with the Maple Leafs and could be leading a bidding war in July.

The 102-point (25-75) forward could be a huge addition for the Red Wings if they could find the cash to make it work.

While the team has upwards of $21 million in cap space, Marner's $10.9 million deal will expire soon, rendering him a UFA and allowing him and his agent to negotiate a bigger deal.

While the Ontario-born forward played in the NHL with his hometown team, the Maple Leafs, he doesn't plan on signing with any Canadian teams. Location could be a selling point with Marner, along with being able to play with legendary forward Patrick Kane, should he re-sign in Detroit.

Marner would be 3 1/2 hours from his home in Ontario, and the state of Michigan would be more convenient for him to play here, along with a shot at the playoffs depending on how the team plays in 2025-26.

Of course, to make the cap space work in the long term, they may have to let people walk or trade them.

To fill the spaces they leave, they could promote some prospects in the AHL, and in addition to signing Marner, if they get the chance, they'll have to bolster the depth in the goal and on the blue line.

In the meantime, all eyes will be fixed on Marner in July, as he may take a leap out of Ontario, and go cup-hunting with his next NHL team.