Mitch Marner recently declined 'biggest contract in Leafs history', insider claims

Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs are heading towards a breakup.

The fifth leading point scorer in franchise history has spent the first nine seasons of his NHL career with the team he grew up loving. As a native of Markham, Ontario, Marner has been able to live out a dream by starring for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 28-year-old has been one of the most prolific regular-season players in the NHL, but his playoff woes have strained his relationship with the team and fan base. And now that he just played out the final season of his six-year, $65,408,000 contract with the Maple Leafs, all signs point to Marner walking out the door in free agency.

Maple Leafs reporter Jonas Siegel wrote an article for The Athletic where he detailed some key information regarding contract talks this season. According to Siegel, there was a possibility of Marner signing an eight-year deal, which would have been the "biggest in franchise history."

"The Leafs tried to sign him to a contract extension during the season," Siegel wrote. "The organization decided it didn’t need to see what happened in the postseason. Marner declined to sign an extension."

If this is it for Marner in Toronto, he finishes his Maple Leafs career with 741 points (221 goals, 520 assists) in 657 games played.

Mitch Marner will have plenty of interest on the open market

While it may not have all worked out in Toronto, Mitch Marner will undoubtedly find himself another massive contract on a new team this offseason.

NHL hockey insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period shared some of the clubs he expects to go after Marner in free agency. He named Chicago, Los Angeles, Utah, Pittsburgh, San Jose, and Calgary as teams that could pursue Marner "aggressively."

Expect more than half of the league to show interest in Mitch Marner come July 1. We could see a bidding war for the superstar winger, as free agents of his ilk rarely hit the open market like this.