NHL Rumor Mill – April 2, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: a look at possible options for the Maple Leafs if they don’t re-sign Mitch Marner and the latest on the Kraken.
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel and James Mirtle look at the Plan B options for the Toronto Maple Leafs if Mitch Marner departs on July 1st as a free agent.
They believe the likelihood of re-signing John Tavares increases if Marner leaves. The Leafs will be reluctant to part with two core players in the same offseason. There also aren’t many suitable options available to replace him.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
Marner’s departure would promote William Nylander to the first-line, leaving the Leafs searching for another top-six winger like Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers or Vancouver’s Brock Boeser if they’re available in this summer’s free-agent market. They could also wait until next summer when better options (Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor, Edmonton’s Connor McDavid) might be available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs will likely re-sign Marner unless his asking price goes ridiculously high. They’re better off with him than without because there’s no one in this summer’s UFA or trade markets to replace him, and as Siegel and Mirtle acknowledged, most of the best players in next summer’s free-agent market will be re-signed by their current clubs.
If Marner proves too expensive or another early playoff exit leads to big roster changes, they’ll definitely search for a reasonable replacement this summer. They could also use the money they intended to pay Marner to add two good, affordable players to boost their roster depth.
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte looks at what the offseason could hold for the Kraken after a disappointing 2024-25 campaign. She cited team CEO Tod Leiweke maintaining that ownership still has faith in general manager Ron Francis. “I don’t think this is a rebuild,” he said.
The Kraken’s goals-per-game average improved over last season’s 2.61 (currently 2.97, sitting 16th overall). However, the goals allowed increased (3.23, sitting as the tenth-highest) while their special teams rank among the league’s bottom third.
Shefte expects the Kraken will have an active summer. They’re set to land a top-five draft pick and they have trade capital to acquire proven scorers – “really do it right this time.”
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli and Carter Hutton looked ahead at the Kraken’s possible offseason plans. Hutton points out they lack a superstar, making it difficult to succeed in today’s NHL. He acknowledged the difficulty of finding one via free agency as they tend to be homegrown.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t expect the Kraken to pursue someone like Mitch Marner this summer via free agency. They’ll have to draft and develop a superstar.
Seattle has a projected cap space of $20.8 million next season with 15 active roster players under contract. Notable restricted free agents include Kaapo Kakko, Tye Kartye and Ryker Evans but they should be affordable re-signings. They have no core players eligible for UFA status.
The Kraken have two second-round picks and two fourth-rounders in this year’s draft, two first-rounders, two fourth-rounders and two seventh-round picks in 2026, and two first-round picks and two second-rounders in 2027. They have the cap space and draft capital to draw on for trade bait to add a scorer or an all-around defenseman this summer.
Seattle needs a goaltender to replace Grubauer.
After the season ends call up Edmonton and ask to trade for Stuart Skinner. I would but I am not Oilers management would take ANY kind of draft pick for him. Even a 7th. You see Edmonton LACKS draft picks.
Thinking maybe Tavares leaves if Marner is signed because of TML not wanting to pay him what he is worth and the added incentive of being able to keep more of his earnings elsewhere because of Ontario’s aggressive tax collectors.
Buyer beware on Brock Brittle.
No speed, doesnt play with any physicality, doesnt drive play and is injury prone.
Decent add at reasonable risk but not worth the 9.5 x 5 he allegedly turned down.
I thought he turned down an $8M x 5 deal.
The difference between Vegas coming into the league and Seattle coming in a few years later is astronomical. We all read that Ron Francis wanted to go a different route and build slowly, but obviously this strategy is not the answer for a new franchise. Makes Vegas look even smarter.
Ron Francis was an outstanding player and is a true gentleman and credit to the game of hockey. But his work as a GM has left a lot to be desired.
It’s hard to argue with Vegas’ success Starsfan, they have been aggressive and taken chances, that have almost all worked out. And that is after the expansion draft. Eichel, Stone, Hanafin, Petro, Hertl. Full marks for taking advantage of the advantages they had, like cap space. They killed it and still are. Best MGT in the league? Top 5 for sure.
But in defense of Francis, it was good to be first for Vegas. Teams learned from their mistakes and the ones made by other teams. Not many side deals made the 2nd time around. Take your player and move on was the basic answer.
Both teams played the cards they were dealt, we’ll see how Seattle plays the ones they have now.
Plenty of cap space, and a whole bunch of 1st round picks coming. More of their younger players are coming of age where they can start to contribute to winning vs trying to learn the NHL game.
I would call the B’s to see what their plans are. They have some quality guys the Kraken could use.
Francis left the Hurricane’s setup pretty good for long term success. So not like he sucked.
Ray, I agree with your comments regarding Ron Francis. There is one thing in common at both Seattle and Carolina. Francis has made costly mistakes with goaltenders. Eddie Lack, Scott Darling and now Grubaurer. I don’t understand why he hasn’t been able to hire a staff of the top goalie scouts and coaches to properly evaluate & develop goaltenders. He believes in building a team from the back end out but he continues to miss on the very back end.
Fair point on the tending GP. COL didn’t want to pay Grubauer for a reason, they thought his #’s were more reflective of the team vs the player. Looks like they were right.
Seattle has drafted a tender every year. Rd 2 in 2022, and Rd 3 last year, but likely still a couple years away from NHL, if they even get there.
Vladar seems like a guy who could get still improve and become a starter with an opportunity.
Starsfan, George McPhee ran a brilliant draft the year Vegas came into the league, getting extra players or draft picks in return for leaving certain other teams’ players alone.
It was IMO such a thrashing that once the dust settled other GMs learned they had been schooled and the Vegas tactics were not available to Francis.
So IMO the fair comparisons to other new franchises should exclude Vegas.
Further, while McCrimmon has been good at building on that success but Vegas lost in the first round of the playoffs last year and don’t look like a powerhouse this year.
IMO Vegas is still really, really good LJ. And yes McPhee gave the league a lesson.
As it sits today Vegas is my favorite to come out of the Pacific, if not the West.
Oilers aren’t healthy and have tending issues. WPG has better tending, but not as deep IMO. Dallas isn’t either. What about Heiskenen?
Tough call, bet on Helley or the deeper teams?
Vegas has an elite C, quality depth up front, and one of the best, and biggest D cores in the NHL. No fun trying to get to the net against those guys.
With the Oil, currently guys that are out that could be on their playoff roster:
McDavid – most think he will be fine. Or is it the same lower body injury as before. He hasn’t been himself all year.
Ekholm – concerning. Out again, same injury not going away.
Skinner (goalie) – Concussed.
Frederic – high ankle sprain, still hasn’t played with Oil. Will he adapt to new team in time?
Kane – hasn’t played all year, 2 surgeries. What can you expect out of him?
Too many health question marks in Edmonton. If they are healthy, can beat anyone.
Right now my brain pick is Vegas. Heart is a CDN team.
Well, I hope McDavid is good to go. The Oilers will make the playoffs, so they can sit McDavid and others out. Better to be healthy than worry about who their first round opponent is.
Would think Leafs prioritize Marner. Even though Tavares having a monster year, how long does it last? He’ll be 35 at start of next season. Would be funny to see him go back to Isles.
All this talk about Marner and Tavares contracts,how about Toronto winning a series before these soap operas continue?
I didn’t realize you had had it up to here when it comes to the Kraken, Lyle!
Heh. I see you caught it. Just getting even for that old April Fool’s hook. 🙂
Tavares will be 35 to start the year but still producing, TML will prioritize Marner if they can come up with a deal.
He’d be welcome in Montreal contributing like the BigM did to a couple of Stanley Cups.
That be a hoot.
It would be, HF30, and a two year contract where Tavares helps develop the Habs young centers would be a dream.
I know you are just having fun, but it is difficult to imagine Tavares, who has over 100 million in career earnings, leaving the Leafs and uprooting his young family to go elsewhere.
Unless the Leafs insult him, Tavares is staying with the Leafs. Unfortunately for the Habs.
LJ,
Tavares has 3 kids all under the age of 5 so it isn’t much uprooting at all.
If TML keep Marner there won’t be a big payday if any from them.
Certainly he could get more money, more respect and a fighting shot at a cup with the Habs.
While I’m having fun, it makes sense if TML doesn’t go far.
Still kicking around HF30? Kapanen joins the Habs. Will give the 4th line more depth than with Pezzetta.
As an older married guy, who has learned some lessons the hard way, Johnny might want to chat to the wife about uprooting and get her thoughts on it. Both from Ontario, grand parents and other family around. May not matter as much to him, I dunno, but it likely matters to her quite a bit. It’s not like Leafs won’t stay relatively close on the #’s if they decide to keep him.
On the other hand he only has so many years left, I can see him wanting to chase a cup too, so get your point HF30.
Methinks plenty of teams would luv to have Tavares on their squad. I would set the over under at $7.5 x 3 if he left. Maybe even more. And he stays in the east.
Ray,
Hockey wives know all about moving and are regularly uprooted not to mention Montreal is an hour from Toronto. Obviously it is part of Tavares decision making as it should be.
The guy has been in the NHL for 16 years without a sniff at the Stanley Cup and THAT is what an NHL player want.
Now I’m not saying he’s going to be a Hab, just saying he’d be a great performing bridge 2C till the kids force their way in.
LJ,
I hope Heineman drops back to join Armia and Evans, and Kapanen joins Newhook and Laine.
Kapanen is a R centre and Newhook is a L centre so at lease they can take the face off on their strong side.
You could argue the Leafs are still closer to the ultimate prize than the Habs HF30. I would argue they are. If the goals are the cup, and being close to home and family just stay there, and take a bit less. Say $6.5M. What I’m trying to say, not very well.
Leafs are a good team right now, and have learned the playoff lessons…… uhhhh …….. should learn the playoff lessons sooner…… or later.
They’re due!
I believe Toronto’s priority is to sign Marner/Knies and how much they have to pay them will determine if they have enough to keep Tavares as well. Tavares wants to stay in Toronto. The way he handled being stripped of the captaincy and the season he has points to the true professional that he is and how much he is dedicated to the Leafs. I agree with Ray and think he will likely get $7.5 x3 if he hits the open market and although I would love to see him in Montreal, that has as much chance of happening as me becoming a Leaf fan. LJ where did you hear that Kapenen was joining the Habs- I heard he was going to Laval. Hope you are right as he would be a significant upgrade on Pezzetta. Barring injuries, is Xhekaj done playing for the year?
Habman67
https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/04/canadiens-recall-oliver-kapanen.html
As for Xhekaj, somebody had to sit if Guhle was going back in the lineup.
Somebody has to sit if they dress 12 forwards, so he’ll be dressed soon enough, platooning with somebody.
Thanks for the link HF30.
Not sure if Free Agency is where the Leafs are going to find anyone for their Top 6. This year, the only two would be Ehlers and Boeser. Ehlers might have played his way into another contract in Winnipeg. If he decides to leave, I am not sure it would be to join the TML. As foe Boeser, he has had a down year. To get him, you would have to pay for his productive years and hope that he produces again. Is it worth the risk?
As for next year’s UFAs, the Wild have told everyone that KK will get resigned. If Connor is not resigned by the Jets, he will probably head to the US. McDavid is a pipedream that will never happen.