NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2025
Check out the latest on Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner, Islanders forward Mathew Barzal, and Lightning coach Jon Cooper in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD MITCH MARNER LEAVE THE MAPLE LEAFS THIS SUMMER?
TORONTO SUN: Dan Bilicki cited NHL commentator Paul Bissonnette suggesting “a little hostility” between Maple Leafs management and Mitch Marner could see the 27-year-old winger depart this summer as an unrestricted free agent.
During an appearance on the Pat McAfee Show on Monday, Bissonnette explained the “hostility” was based on the fact that the Leafs attempted to trade Marner to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Mikko Rantanen at the March 7 trade deadline.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
Bissonnette noted that the book remains open on Marner’s playoff performance, but he believes he could garner $14 million per season on his next contract. He also cited Marner’s connection with former Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, who is now the GM of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports at the time had Leafs GM Brad Treliving telling Marner they wanted to re-sign him, but if the winger didn’t think they could agree to a new contract, there was the opportunity to send him to Carolina for Rantanen. Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause, indicating that he wanted to stay in Toronto.
The Leafs’ performance (including Marner’s) in this postseason could determine his future. Another early postseason exit could lead to his departure on July 1.
MATHEW BARZAL TRADE RUMOR DEBUNKED
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias noted a recent rumor making the rounds claiming Mathew Barzal wanted a trade from the Islanders because he was upset over the dismissal of GM Lou Lamoriello.
The rumor stated Barzal wanted out because he didn’t want to be part of a roster rebuild. However, Macias points out the Isles will be retooling rather than rebuilding.
They possess a top-five goaltender in Ilya Sorokin, a talented young defenseman in Noah Dobson, and emerging talent like Simon Holmstrom, Maxim Tsyplakov, Alexander Romanov and recently-acquired prospect forward Calum Ritchie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whoever replaces Lamoriello will be tasked with building around Barzal and the players mentioned by Macias. Indeed, Barzal will likely be among the first people the new general manager contacts to discuss his plans for the future.
LIGHTNING COACH PLANNING A MOVE TO UTAH?
YARDBARKER: Cited Larry Brooks of the New York Post reporting on social media that a “plugged-in individual has told me not to be surprised” if Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper departs to “take over the operation” of the Utah Hockey club.
Brooks noted that Cooper signed an extension last year, taking him through 2025-26, finding it odd that it was only one year. He cited Cooper’s friendship with Utah owner Ryan Smyth.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As the saying goes, “Huge if true”.
Don’t be surprised if pundits ask Cooper whether there’s any truth to Brooks’ report during the Lightning’s upcoming end-of-season press conference. It’ll be interesting to hear his response.
Must be a slow rumors day if we’re relying on Bissonnette and Brooks.
Yep Howard…..scraping the bottom of the barrel.
Slow aint even half of it
Bissonette is such a weiner. So many of these so-called podcasters are just E list sports personalities. I barely made it through one of the episodes of those brothers…the one that’s with taylor swift…I just can’t stand PodCasts in general. Listening to people talk – then tell me an advertisment for some crap…then talk some more. I’m stunned there’s an audience for this.
That’s sports talk in general, isn’t it? It’s a huge industry – people blathering about what other people blathered about, with some horrendously bad takes about last night’s game thrown in for good measure.
Cooper got a lot out of a thin Lightning squad. Twice cursed, the Bolts won in 2004, then there was a strike year off and salary cap imposition, making defence difficult. They won in 2021-22, but the flat COVID cap made roster management pretty tough compared to the cap increases the Panthers will enjoy as they try to defend. Tampa is undergoing an ownership change, but like everything in the Vinik era, it is being handled quietly and with a value on stability, and nothing has even suggested that Cooper is the kind of guy who wants “full control” somewhere. There is a wild card of sorts in that he is the Canadian Olympic coach next year. Lightning may be concerned about that, but how would wearing two hats in a new job fit with that? In Canada, I think being the Olympic coach is a big deal. Bris Bois has never been one to avoid cold moves, and the Lightning are due for a roster re-make, but see no reason to move a coach who got a lot out of a this roster that didn’t match up to the Panthers, but improved significantly on the metrics they targeted and managed the Stamkos transition without angst.
While it wouldn’t surprise me that Cooper, who has exceeded the average shelf life of a coach with one team, would like to move on from an aging roster especially one that has played a lot of playoff games over the last 6 years the report comes from Brooks so take it with a grain of salt. Also what does take over the operation mean. Are they replacing Bill Armstrong as gm. He has patiently built Utah into a playoff contender with a ton of young talent both on the roster and on the way as prospects as well as accumulating plenty of cap space. Who knows maybe Cooper is tired of the Florida humidity and wants to move to the desert.
I wondered the same. Do they create a Pres of Hockey Operations and the GM and Coach report into him? Will be interesting to see how this rumor progresses
Thinking the same thing boys. I may be reading too much into the Utah “take over the operation” part. But that sounds like GM, or even GM and President of Hockey Ops type of role.
Would his long time boss & friend – BriseBois – let him leave for that opportunity?
Asst coaches & Asst GM’s are often allowed out of contracts to pursue head coaching jobs & GM jobs. Heck that exact situation, and GM opportunity may have been discussed when he signed his extension. I would bring it up if that was my long term goal.
I dunno. But Lylle has mentioned on here more than once that Brooks (whatever you think of his writing) is well connected inside the NHL, and Lyle knows more about that stuff than any of us.
Kind of makes sense, Cooper is a well respected & smart guy.
So many teams close in the east, teams will be making some daring moves for teams that were out of playoffs to get into the playoffs. We should start seeing some good potential moves soon.
what is wrong with the job Bill Armstrong has done in Utah? why would Cooper need to replace him or become his boss?
if the Isles new GM could clear space, a Marner/Barzal combo would be dangerous.
but more likely Marner goes to PIT, think Tocchet will be the new coach there
Why would Marner go to Pittsburgh? Devils sounds more likely. Great team and Keefe is there. If they just trade Palat they have the cap space
The Isles should make Cooper the GM and pay him with a blank check. He was an isles fan back in the day went he went across the street to Hofstra and attended many Isles games.Come Home sir we need you. He would make the team finally watchable. Then another offer to Marner whatever it takes. I can dream, can’t I?
On a side note. Vince Mercogliano reporting Rangers close to naming Sullivan coach. Nothing official yet.
Sounds like their kind of hire – and a good one too