Looking ahead at 3 potential free agent options for the NY Islanders in 2025

Mitch Marner

Set to be the top free agent available next off-season, it's hard to imagine Match Marner remaining with the Toronto Maple Leafs. With Marner and John Tavares both coming off the books next season, the Leafs will have plenty of money to offer if they wish to bring him back, but Marner may be better off starting fresh elsewhere.

With the Leafs' lack of postseason success over recent years, there have been talks of blowing up the core of the team, but nothing has happened as of yet.

With the Islanders' need for a top-line winger, Marner's name has been thrown around often. While he'd be an ideal fit alongside Bo Horvat and Mat Barzal this season, there's almost no way the Islanders could fit his $10.9M AAV under the cap.

With the salary cap set to go up again next off-season, there's a strong probability Marner's agent will command north of $10M a season again, and he'll like get it.

At 28 years old next off-season, Marner will be in the prime of his career and could flourish alongside Horvat and Barzal.

While Matt Martin won't be part of the Islanders roster going forward, there's a chance he could become part of the coaching staff at some point if he doesn't sign with another organization. Martin and Marner had a strong bond during Martin's time in Toronto, which has continued despite playing in different cities. Could the Islanders look to use Martin to pitch Long Island to Marner in July?