NHL Rumor Mill – March 17, 2025
Check out the latest Mitch Marner speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner didn’t immediately respond when asked about waiving his no-movement clause to go to the Carolina Hurricanes. Instead, he slept on it before declining the invitation to be dealt to the Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen.
Simmons believes this is indicative that Marner’s actions don’t match his words about wanting to remain a Maple Leaf. The 28-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1 but has declined to discuss extending his contract during this season. That’s why the Leafs explored the possibility of acquiring Rantanen when the opportunity presented itself.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
Simmons also believes the Hurricanes leaked the story that they and the Leafs were discussing a Marner-Rantanen swap before the trade deadline. He also cited a hockey insider claiming Marner is tired of being the public pinata of the team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I forewarned everyone that we’d start seeing more speculation about Marner’s future after Rantanen was traded to Dallas, where the latter signed an eight-year contract extension. That made the Leafs winger the biggest name in this summer’s free-agent market.
It was reported the Leafs told Marner their priority was signing him when they approached him about the Hurricanes’ offer. If he was uncertain about signing, they let him know there was an opportunity to go to Carolina.
Marner and his agent are the only ones who know what he intends to do and they’re keeping silent on the matter as is their right. Rejecting the chance to go to Carolina suggests he wants to remain in Toronto. Then again, maybe they weren’t the right fit.
Whether Marner remains a Leaf beyond this season depends on two things: the club’s performance in the upcoming playoffs, and how much it’ll cost to keep him in Toronto. Everything else is irrelevant.
THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Josh Yohe if the Pittsburgh Penguins will attempt to sign Marner if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.
Yohe acknowledged the connection between Marner and Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ plentiful cap space next season, the winger’s friendship with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and how Marner would fit into the Pens’ desire to add younger talent to their aging roster.
However, Yohe doesn’t see Marner coming to Pittsburgh. He cites sources suggesting Dubas doesn’t intend to make a major move until next summer. It’s also unlikely that Marner will want to sign with a rebuilding team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stranger things have happened, but Yohe is correct in his assessment that it is unlikely that Marner will end up with the Penguins this summer.
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa suggested Marner could be an ideal candidate to fill the No. 2 right-wing position on the Boston Bruins. He also suggested Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets would be the ideal candidate for the left-wing position on their second line.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins probably have a better chance of landing Ehlers than Marner, who’ll likely want to join a playoff contender where he’ll see first-line minutes, something he won’t get on the Bruins with David Pastrnak in that role.
Besides, the Bruins would have to pay Marner more than what they’re paying Pastrnak ($11.25 million), and we know they’re not doing that for a second-line right wing.
“Marner, Marner, Marner!!!”
(Brady Bunch reference)
Rejecting a move to Carolina only means he wants to go to free agency.
Heay want to stay a leaf but he may also want to be paid as much as possible.
If the leafs offer him a deal that his side thinks compared well with a contract he can get on the open market he may sign with them.
For Mariner it seems regardless of location preferences. Money is the driving force.
We shall seem
That`s the rumour that was out there a while back, July 1st or bust. The chances that Marner would get more money than the Leafs will offer probably isn`t going to happen because of the 8 year vs 7 year deals. I just can`t see any other team that`ll offer Marner anything close to the 15 mill it would take to make up the difference. I can see him signing with the Ducks just to get away from the press/fans where he can be top dog without the glare
Marner will be an Oiler if he goes to July 1
Bob, if your comment was more than just a fan giving a shout out to his favourite team, I’d like to know how you think the Oilers would be able to sign Marner. The Oilers have over $80 million committed to 17 players in 2025/26. If the cap goes to $95 million that leaves $15 million to sign 6 players, one of which is Evan Bouchard who could be in the $9-10 million range. That could leave $5-6 million to sign 5 players. IMO, it would be almost impossible to sign Marner to a $12-13 million contract and still ice a full roster.
Beat me to the punch, Gored1970, That had to be tongue-in-cheek.
Marner is going to get – at the very least – $12 mil on the open market and with Edmonton’s projected cap based upon commitments to 10F, 5D and 2G, that would drop them to around $5 or $6 mil with which to sign 5.
It’s fine to say they won’t be re-upping most – if not all – of their own pending UFAs – and they are, showing expiring cap hits
Jeff Skinner – $3 mil; Corey Perry – $1,150,000; Connor Brown – $1 mil; Kasperi Kapanen – $1 mil; Trent Frederic – $575,000; John Klingberg – $1,775,056
but they need adequate replacements to match their combined production of 48g 49a 97 pts. And I doubt they intend to let Frederic walk, at least, so he alone is likely to cost around $1.5 and they still have RFA D Ty Emberson to re-up (expiring $950,000 and probably around $1.5 himself, so those two alone would eat up $3 mil of the $5 or $ 6 mil left after signing Marner.
Don`t forget the Oilers have to have enough cap space to sign McDavid in a year
The only way Marner becomes an Oiler is if he takes 50% of what he would earn on his next deal, and even then it would be tough for the Oil to afford him.
Bouchard, not sure what he gets this off season, but if he doesn’t up his game come playoff time, the Oil would be crazy to pay him $9M-$10M. He has played great, each of the last 2 playoffs, he seems to be able to pick it up a notch and play with more intensity, and smarter with the puck. Last year he put up big #’s offensively too. He was flat out great.
Which Bouchard will we see? And if he doesn’t up his game, then what do the Oilers do?
Who knows WTF will happen with Marner?
It s seems like judgement time for Toronto,Marner has them by the throat,they traded away all their good prospects,Minten had a hat trick yesterday in Bostons AHL teams game!They are on life support if they are not successful in this years playoffs!
On life support????? Traded away all their good prospects???????? Me thinks you should`ve put Boston in there not Toronto. March 6th you thought Minten wasn`t worth anything, now he`s the best. Minten is a good prospect, a 20 year version of Scott Laughton and he will play in the NHL, but he wasn`t Toronto`s best or only prospect. He did instantly become Boston`s top prospect, what does that tell you. Hated to see Minten go and will probably hate him as his career hopefully blossoms. Sr you sound like one of the many podcasters in Toronto that make outrageous remarks trying to get attention. Whether Marner stays or goes is yet to be seen and then all the woulda, shoulda, coulda will be thrown about and then life will go on.
Bob
Heard same thing With oil moving Leon to bruins for E Lindholm Merculov and a pic 🤔
No it will be Leon for a bag of pucks!
Carolina has the cap but will the owner really pay Marner 15 millions? But I can see Detroit making a play, Yzerman really needs to do something this summer, on the other hand, what he really needs is a first line C. Columbus is another alternative but like the Canes, will they really pony up the money needed?
Columbus proved when they offered Panarin more than he signed for with NYR that they aren’t shy about throwing cash around. That being said, I ain’t paying anybody the amount of money some GM is going to throw at Marner.
Just because he “slept on it” means that his actions don’t match his words?
Put yourself in his shoes. You are having a great season so far. You have already told the team that you are not going to negotiate during the season and that you want to stay with the club. Yet, the GM comes to you with an offer to trade you?!? I would be shocked and hurt (maybe not everyone). That is a slap in the face and I would remember that when negotiations came around. Up to this point, he has said nothing about exploring FA. Only that he did not want to negotiate during the season. He would let his play dictate his worth.
He is by far, the best statistical player on the team this year. He has been consistent and plays in all situations.
Was this a nudge out the door by the GM? Or, if the Leafs get a couple rounds deep into the playoffs this year, will it cost them even more to not lose him for nothing?
Haha. “Leafs getting a couple rounds of playoffs,” good one. I needed that laugh.
OK Marner didn`t or doesn`t want to negotiate during the regular season, fine. But then why didn`t he sign a new deal last summer, he had almost 3 months to get a deal done. What Marner says and what Marner does, don`t add up. He`s not having a great season, he`s not even on pace to match last years totals and his defensive play sucks this year. Matthews has called him out a couple of times this year about it. Marner`s best games where when Matthews was injured because he became the no. 1 guy
Big Al, I can see that situation but you’re also missing a lot of details. Going back to your hypothetical, if you were Marner, you see and hear what people say about you and a lot is not praise – all you need to look at is the crap written about him online like this site. The fact remains that since he has been in the NHL, he was not treated equally as the others (Babcock really took a shining to him) and although he’s played against top competition and his stats are actually better than most on the team his reputation as a playoff player is not great. Since he’s played in the playofffs in a major role since his rookie season, one would expect there will be growing pains, and there has been.
Your scenario of costing the team more or lose him for nothing should also include what if they did get him signed thus locking in this core and they have another 7 game loss in the first round. That scenario won’t be a good look for either. At least not signed, both can really think about what the next stage should be.
Every team needs a big shakeup. Earlier this year I asked about the Sens and if they stumble and are flirting with getting in, if this was the year to move out a core piece or two to change up or refine the team giving them a push to get in. The Sens did just that this trade deadline.
The same might (hopefully) happen to the Leafs if they end up with the same result this year. Now at least they (both team and whipping boy) have an out and can make a change. Marner leaving isn’t the end for the Leafs but as I’ve always said, you find a way to keep your really good players because they are hard to find and there aren’t many. I think there can be a way to have your cake and eat it too. I’m just not knowledgeable enough to know how.
I can agree to that. In fact, if he were to sign right now, it would be a big distraction for the rest of the year. Either way you look at it, his cap hit will be significant. If they don’t do well in the playoffs, they will call for his head again.
Sure, he could have signed last summer. But, we all remember fans calling for his head and wanted him traded….Yada Yada Yada. That has to hurt a player. Its a team game, yet everyone is putting the blame on his shoulders.
When he leaves, will LeafsNation be happy for him when he lifts the Cup for another franchise? Who will be the new whipping boy when they still don’t get past the second round?
he is having a good year till he gets paid then back to being a one way wimp
“Whether Marner remains a Leaf beyond this season depends on two things: the club’s performance in the upcoming playoffs, and how much it’ll cost to keep him in Toronto. Everything else is irrelevant.”
Surely it involves two more things: Whether the Leafs want to keep him, and whether he wants to stay. These are relevant.
Nope. Performance and pay. This is a business. Ask Brad Marchand. He learned the hard way.
Both sides can want this, but if the Leafs come up short in the postseason, they’ll be less likely to keep him given the playoff history. And if he asks for far more than Matthews, he’s a goner.
The comparison with Marchant is inapt. Marchant’s performance has gone down the past couple of years, Marner’s has not.
As for the Leafs’ performance in the playoffs, you can’t put it all on Marner. What if he has a great series and the Leafs still lose?
Have you been watching the Leafs for the past eight years? Another early exit, even if Marner plays great, won’t stop the howls for change, and he’ll be the easiest to part with because of his contract status. Would it be all his fault? No. Have the previous playoff exits been entirely his fault? No. But Leafs Nation dumps on him the most. So, another early exit, and he’s one foot out the door.
And if he does play great, do you really think they’ll pay him more than Matthews? Do you really believe they’ll pony up $14 million or $15 million annually?
If this was only about performance and pay, then why would players have “no trade” lists ?
I believe that Marner wants to stay in Toronto, just as Rantanen did with Colorado. But I think Rantanens agent suggested that he keep threatening to leave, and convinced Colorados GM that he would, not thinking that the Avs might really trade him.
Well, Lyle, it will be a sad day for the Leafs when Leaf Nation – whomever that might be – is the one making roster decisions.
Let’s face it: the Leafs will sell out again next year irrespective of what transpires.
Do I think the Leafs will pay Marner 14 million? No. Rantanen just got 12 (though in a tax free state). But you seem to be going with the assumption that Marner will hold out for 14 million. Does anyone know what his bottom line is?
All this is good for click bate but there is too much chatter and too few hard facts to be making categorical statements.
At Iago:
I don’t think Miko Ever threatened to leave, his pay demands were too high and the Avs seized on a good deal to trade him.
If Marner’s demands are too high, the only thing the Leafs will get out of it is maybe a 2nd at 1 or 2 days before July 1.
Johnny Z – You are right, I never heard Rantanen say anything about leaving, or staying. But his agent, in private negotiations, must have convinced Colorado management that he might. And it sure didn’t sound to me like Mikko would have signed the same $12M per season contract in Colorado that he did in Dallas. I think Rantanen’s agent screwed up big time.
It’s no different than Ottawa trading Norris for Cozens. You can make excuses for it but in the end at the time. The same results were repeating themselves. Norris didn’t want to leave. I don’t think Staois really wanted to move him. But it’s a business and repeating the same core with the same result year after year isn’t going to cut it something has to change.
Barzal-Horvat-Marner…The isles would finally have a legit top line.
Just amazed at how many folks in Toronto want Marner off the Leafs. He’s one talented hockey player. With all the Leafs’ failures are placed on his shoulders , he’d be better off going elsewhere.
When players ask/demand 100 % of what they think they`re worth and then disappear when it matters most to the fans, has a lot to do with it. The other night Marner played 23 minutes, got 1 shot on goal and didn`t come within 30 feet of the net gets the fans frustrated a lot. He leads the team in giveaways and some of them have been just brutal. Marner talented yes, one of the best in the NHL at pond hockey. Unfortunately not many teams play pond hockey at this time of the season or in the playoffs, even tougher to convince them to play that style for Marner`s sake. Marner at 8 or 9 per would be loved, even with his flaws. But at top dollar comes the scrutiny. Remember nobody`s questioning Marner`s talent, that`s what makes him so frustrating at times
Yogi, I think agents take to the wire to gain leverage. It worked for Swayman in BOS when you compare what tenders like Hill just signed for mid season.
Cap Wages has Marner at 8yrs @ 12.6M as a predicted contract this off season.
Tavares is $7.9M x 3, which might annoy some folks more.
If those 2 guys walk, best be bucking up for Ehlers $7.5 x 6 and Nelson at $6.7 x 3. Neither player produces like the 2 guys the Leafs have now, and no guarantee they will be available or that the Leafs land them. But there is a chance both those guys check out the market.
Other than a few decent guys, not a great UFA class up front for top 6 guys. Or in Marner’s case top line guys.
Maybe that makes the Leafs a better team? But those are the types of guys that are available, and they are the best of them.
That’s why Tre gets the big bucks I guess, what makes the Leafs a better team next year, and the next few.
He is a high skill player that’s going to get what he wants on the open market. He just seems to catch all the flack for Toronto’s failures. The rest of the team gets off. Hope he gets what he wants.
And he’s never going to hit the weight room and bulk up. Who ever signs him – he is what he is.
Toronto St Pats, yes he is what he is, an elite level producer of offence, year after year. And no, he won’t be working the cycle for an entire shift below the goal line, nor would you want him spending most of his time down there. Good on the PK by the way it looks too.
He came through big time for Canada against the US, so rose to the occasion vs shrinking away. The guy was poised with the puck when it mattered most, and plenty of guys were not.
Why the Leafs haven’t got it done in the playoffs, I dunno, but it’s getting kinda weird already. They have to be due don’t they?
Not having a healthy Matthews is a problem that doesn’t look like it will be solved anytime soon. Looks like off season as he isn’t healing and has been a couple months.
Why the Leafs can’t go on a run has been beat to death, if Marner is to blame, that seems odd too. Will let the Leaf fans debate that one.
Somebody will buck up and pay the man.
Maybe this is where Buffalo comes into play – they need something, anything – Marner has proved his worth and along with 91 have been thé whipping boys for years – Matthew’s should be put into that category.
Sabres need new management more than anything. And they need toughness, any kind of toughness for sure.
What’s he done in the playoffs?
Marner
In 18/19 and 19/20 his 82 game pace was 94 points
In 20/21 his 82 game pace was 100 points.
This year: 82 game pace of 101 points (same pace as 22/23 and 23/24)
The anomaly year of the last 5 was 21/22: 82 game pace of 110 points
His Cap hit now id $10.9 M
His direct recent comparable (top line winger) is Rantenen ; who has fairly close PPG in last few years; but is down on that average this year (shifting to 2 new franchises doesn’t help)
They are basically same age (Rantenen 6 months older)
But Rantenen is a more productive goal scorer, is 4” taller, 35 lbs heavier
Rantenen got an AAV of $12 M (8years) BUT in a no tax state
Leafs (with Sens and Habs) have the highest taxes ladened on their players
In a nutshell; his (Marner’s) play is indicative of $12 M – $13 M in a high tax location
Only Leafs can give him 8 years
Only 2 zero state tax franchises can fit him in : Krakken and Predators. Would he want to go to a team several years away from a cup chance? AND they’d only be able to give him 7 years
Absolute tops he gets outside of Leafland is $94.5 M (7 @ $13.5 M); and that is extreme as it is.
Leafs, who love to load up the early term Signing Bonuses; are not giving him Mathews $’s
Leafs, as I said, only team that can offer him 8 years
Staying in Toronto, no uprooting; no learning new systems; no getting familiarized with a new team and team-mates; no having to sell home and buy a new one; and no moving away from his hometown)
If Leafs offer him $100 M over 8 years (AAV and Cap at $12.5 M) with a heavy SB payout in first 2 years; with a full NMC in first 6 years;He should take it and run
Re Marner in Pittsburgh.
Dubas would have to incentivize with 7 @ $13 M (at least) ; and it would have to be front end loaded; likely $30 M or more over 25/26 and 26/27
Crosby is only getting $17.4 M over 25/26 and 26/27.
That would be a huge kick in the knackers for Crosby
Do NOT even make the call Dubas!
What has the guy done in the playoffs? When it counts. When gladiators shine.
He’s done an impressive Houdini impersonation.
Not worth what he’s getting paid. I’d let him go figure skate on someone else’s team. The money he’s asking for can purchase critical pieces.
What a steal it would have been for the Leafs to get Rantanen for Marner.
zimmer perhaps you should watch the games rather than repeat incorrect statements about a players performance without actually seeing them and looking at the stat lines.
Ray you pondered why they can’t get on a run in the playoffs…thats easy. Not many teams bottom out one year and then make it in the playoffs the next with your best players as rookies to face powerhouse teams year after year. To summarize, take one part young players, add a rookie coach and a splash of rookie GM…I don’t know if failure is the word I’d use to describe their lack of success. Not a great idea and thr results are very telling of that.
Personally I wish they took a more traditional route and learned how to win and make it to the playoffs than getting in right away thinking this will be easy.
Interesting takes on Marner’s game. You don’t get added to Canada’s 4-Nations roster without being a very talented hockey player. No salary cap for that team. Unless the leafs have major playoff success they probably don’t sign Marner for what it will cost to keep him. Marner will be paid if/when he becomes a free agent.
I’m sure Isles fans are gleefully watching, thinking that this is pure karma for the pajama boy debacle. Marner (like Tavares before him) has earned the right to seek max value. It’s the perception of (dis)loyalty that makes fans go mad. He will get paid.