Treliving expects Marner to hit market barring 'significant change'

Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving conceded that Mitch Marner's tenure in Toronto is likely over with free agency set to open July 1.

"I'd probably describe it, unless there's a significant change here, I would anticipate that he's going to hit the market," Treliving said Thursday, per The Athletic's Jonas Siegel.

Marner will be this summer's top free agent. The 28-year-old forward was widely expected to test the market after the Maple Leafs crashed out of the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

He earned $10.9 million annually over the last six seasons with the Maple Leafs and will likely get a notable raise wherever he signs. Marner is fresh off a career-high 102-point season and has been a Selke Trophy nominee in years past.

He's one of the game's top playmakers and is used frequently in all situations, but he's struggled to deliver in big moments in the playoffs, along with the rest of Toronto's core. In the aftermath of being blown out by the Florida Panthers on home ice in Game 7, Treliving said the Leafs have "some DNA that needs to change."

Marner reportedly turned down lucrative extension offers during the season, and his name came up in trade rumors ahead of March's deadline. He opted against waiving his no-movement clause for a deal that would have sent him to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, and the Leafs also discussed a three-way deal with the Golden Knights and Hurricanes that would have sent Marner to Vegas.

The Maple Leafs drafted Marner fourth overall in 2015. He debuted in 2016-17 and appears set to leave his hometown club ranked top five in franchise history in both assists (520) and points (741).

Treliving noted that extension talks with unrestricted free agent John Tavares are progressing. The Maple Leafs also need to sign restricted free-agent forward Matthew Knies this offseason.