NHL Rumor Mill – June 11, 2025
Check out the latest on Mitch Marner, Brad Marchand and Claude Giroux, plus an update on the Blues in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WILL THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS OR BLUE JACKETS PURSUE MITCH MARNER?
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Vegas Golden Knights will be the landing spot for Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger goes to free agency on July 1.
Simmons noted that the Golden Knights have been watching Marner closely for years and have a history of making major acquisitions. He acknowledged their lack of salary-cap space, but claimed there are some around the league who think defenseman Alex Pietrangelo could end up on permanent long-term injury reserve. That would free up his $8.8 million annual average value through 2026-27 to put toward signing Marner.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo skipped the 4 Nations Face Off in February, reportedly using that time to heal up for the playoffs. That raised questions about his availability for Canada’s 2026 Men’s Olympic Hockey team, but this is the first speculation suggesting Pietrangelo’s playing days could be over.
If Pietrangelo ends up on LTIR for next season, it will provide the Golden Knights with over $18 million in cap room. That’s enough to sign Marner, but it won’t replace Pietrangelo’s absence on the Golden Knights’ blueline.
It’s been suggested the Golden Knights could trade center William Karlsson and his $5.9 million AAV through 2026-27 to free up cap room to pursue Marner. However, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said what he’s heard around the league is that Karlsson isn’t available.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported the Columbus Blue Jackets considered signing Marner to an offer sheet in 2019. It’s uncertain how far those discussions with Jackets then-general manager Jarmo Kekalainen and Marner’s agent went before the latter re-signed with the Leafs.
Portzline wondered if current Jackets GM Don Waddell might pursue Marner in this summer’s UFA market. Columbus would provide a less harsh spotlight, proximity to his Toronto family, and the chance to play for a rising young team. They also have the cap space ($40.4 million) to sign him to a lucrative long-term deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be entertaining to see where Marner goes on the open market. My guess is the Carolina Hurricanes, who are an established contender with cap space that had a prior interest in acquiring him.
COULD BRAD MARCHAND SIGN WITH THE MAPLE LEAFS?
YARDBARKER: cited TSN’s Chris Johnston speculating that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a destination for Brad Marchand if the Florida Panthers winger wants to maximize his earnings on his next contract.
Marchand, 37, is slated to become a UFA on July 1. Johnston acknowledged that endorsement money could factor into where he goes, which could make Toronto part of the Leafs’ sales pitch.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This wouldn’t be the first time endorsement money could be used as a selling point by the Leafs. It’s rumored that it was part of their pitch to Steven Stamkos in 2016 before he decided to re-sign with the Lightning. They might have better luck with Marchand if he ends up hitting the open market on July 1.
SENATORS CONTINUE CONTRACT TALKS WITH GIROUX
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators have resumed contract extension talks with Claude Giroux. The versatile 37-year-old forward is UFA-eligible on July 1. He’s completing a three-year contract with an AAV of $6.5 million.
Garrioch believes the Senators want to sign Giroux to a one-year, “plus-35” contract. The veteran forward is willing to accept a pay reduction, but the main issues are how much of a pay cut he’ll take and the structure of the contract.
The two sides had cordial discussions last week, but there remains a gap to bridge to keep him from testing the market.
BLUES COULD PURSUE A CENTER THIS SUMMER
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reported the St. Louis Blues are looking for a “200-foot offensive player” this summer. He acknowledged big names like Toronto’s Mitch Marner and Florida’s Sam Bennett could be available in the UFA market, but he doubted GM Doug Armstrong would get into the bidding for either one.
Rutherford indicated depth at center is the Blues’ biggest need. If they can land a top-six center via trade or free agency, they could shift team captain Brayden Schenn down to the third line. If they can land a top-nine center, they could move Oskar Sundqvist out of the third-line center role.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac believes Bennett could address that issue for the Blues. However, he doesn’t think they should overpay to do so. He recommended a seven-year, $49 million contract ($7 million AAV) with a no-trade clause as a sweetener.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s a growing sense around the league that Bennett will re-sign with the Panthers. If he doesn’t, he could command over $8.5 million annually on a long-term deal.
Schenn frequently surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to the March trade deadline. However, they’re unlikely to part with him if their concern is bolstering their depth at the center position.
I agree with Simmonds, Its Vegas- far far away from Toronto- lots of capspace and they only visit the Leafs once a season. Checks the box for contending team. He also has a centre to play with- bc he isnt hitting 90 points without a good one.
I just dont see them giving him 14 mill
Vegas doesn’t have lots of cap space UNLESS there is something going on with Pietrangelo.
Vegas has $9M space but also only 9 forwards under contract. They need to sign 3-4 more there so that eats up almost all of their space.
If Pietrangelo is traded or goes on LTIR, then it would free up another $8.8M.
foleyd7- yes Simmonsa alludes to Pietrangelo in the article but honeslty teams like Vegas and Florida have GMs that are willing to push the envelope because they are in markets where they need to compete for attention. So they will do whatever it takes
While 34 was 16 centre, it was Marner who set up Matthew’s – so there’s that – he maybe not worth $ 13 million, but he will get his points .
Mark Easson at NHL.com wrote a June 10 article under the heading “Mitch Marner’s Strengths And Weaknesses And Who Should And Shouldn’t Try To Sign Him” and listed the latter in 4 categories:
They Should Consider It: Anaheim, Boston, Buffalo, Carolina, Chicago, Detroit, Florida, NYI, Utah, Vegas
They Should At Least Look Into It: Calgary, Edmonton, Dallas, Minnesota, Nashville, New Jersey, Philadelphia, San Jose, St. Louis, Tampa, Washington, Winnipeg
They Shouldn’t Bother: Colorado, Montreal, NYR, Ottawa, Pittsburgh, Toronto
They Should Do Everything They Can: Columbus, Los Angeles, Seattle, Vancouver
George -. I dont think any team that is already a contender should get into a bidding war for Marner- he hasnt shown anything to indicate he is a playoff performer. Those trying to get into the show are a different story. Even then – my opinion is kick it down the road to next year when there are multiple better players potentially available and give yourself a shot at Mckenna .
Bingo!
I don’t understand the hype over a guy who has shown a statistical zero in the playoffs.
As a Kings fan, I hope he goes to Vegas.
zimmer, if calling him a “statistical zero in the playoffs” is based upon fact, then so are the rest of the so-called “core four” if you’re looking at playoff points production
Marner – 70gp 13g 50a 63 pts
Matthews – 68gp 26g 33a 59 pts
Nylander – 67gp 26g 32a 58 pts
Tavares – 51gp 17g 14a 31 pts
Not disagreeing with you Sam – just thought it was an interesting post by a hockey writer
I still have a hunch that Marner will do just fine in the playoffs on a different squad and that maybe it’s Matthews who’s the bigger issue in the playoffs. Hard for Marner to rack up the points if the guy he’s passing to also isn’t able to perform. I’m not positive the Leafs won’t regret letting Marner go and betting the farm on Matthews to get them over the hump.
Matthews also largely invisible at the Four Nations. And while he has 26 playoff goals, as George notes, both he and Marner have come up small in big games. It might be both of them, but might be chicken and egg as to who the real problem is.
If Marner leaves (which I think he will), it will be VERY interesting to see how they both do in the playoffs next year!
In the “do everything they can” list I agree with Columbus, Seattle, Vancouver. They are teams that need offensive pop in the regular season to make the playoffs. I’d put Anaheim and Chicago there too. These are young teams, should be on the rise, and have cap flexibility. It would give Marner a place to lead and grow.
Chicago is probably furthest away from the playoffs, but pairing Marner with Bedard could give them a quick jumpstart.
I don’t agree with LA going all in. LA is already a playoff team and is a top contender; not sure locking into $12-$14M for Marner is their answer.
The article you reference is not from nhl.com but nhlrumors.com (which I had never heard of). And the article plucks the list of teams with the Marner categories from an Athletic article.
The Athletic article discusses their reasoning for each of the teams. I guess I agree with the teams in the “should do everything they can” category.
I think the most likely landing spots are L.A., Seattle, Anaheim, Detroit. Longer shots that wouldn’t surprise me are Carolina, Columbus, Chicago, Utah, Vegas.
Since it will be a discussion point for the next 20:days I will just cut and paste from late yesterday’s post
Strome Zegras Mintyukov
and an Anaheim”s first for
Marner Robertson and a mid round draft pick. If Ducks really want him doable.
Mammoth . How do you say the plural of that ?
Similar as in multiple assets . I am thinking Gunther Crouse first this year (at #4) maybe add Kesselring
There will be multiple deals to mull over including what does it look like to re sign him. If not what is the time line for you to pull the trigger.
SilverSeven i dont follow? Leafs arent getting anything for him. They may get a pick if they want to cut their losses, but if its anything less than a 3rd I dont see the leafs helping him out.
Cant trade his rights without his consent either.
What Sam said.
The one thing I don’t hear much of (even with all the — they tried to trade him talk–)
Is there any talk of him staying in Toronto?
Toronto media seem to think that ship has sailed. Meanwhile in the room where the players know and like each other could be a different story.
Dark G- we don’t anything really do we lol. Do we know players like him? Maybe they cant stand him?- no player is going in front of a microphone and dissing a player. I hear how Berube and Cooper loved him, when they are asked point blank by toronto media – they arent going to say otherwise about any player.
Pure conjecture on my part but I think its equal part of Leafs dont want him at his price point and want to move on and he is tired of his “perceived” unfair share of scrutiny. I dont see him taking less than Matthews bc he thinks he is better- and I think the leafs laugh at the notion of making him the highest paid player in the league, unless both have a significant change of heart- he is gone.
I think the Leafs would keep him at a reasonable price, say $13M.
But agree that he is gone, only thing I would change in your post is it isn’t perceived unfair scrutiny, it is unfair scrutiny.
He is one player on the team, and Florida is an obviously better team than the Leafs. They lost in 7, and he was a point per game player in the playoffs. Does he really deserve all the crap he gets? Seems unfair to me to single out one guy.
No, he isn’t a guy who will crash the net and start scrums, that’s all fair, but lots of guys aren’t, including on Florida. You won’t see Reinhart, Verhaeghe and Lundell doing the dirty work either, but valuable guys.
I tend to agree you don’t pay a guy like him big money on the Leafs as they are already paying Nylander and Matthews and neither are “gritty”. So ya, they need more guys who will do that stuff.
When your pregnant wife is sitting in the stands and listening to vitriol being spewed about your husband, it isn’t hard to envision your young son being at the game and hearing the same thing.
When Toronto picks a villain, they go hard and beat it to death.
While they certainly have a history of that, Ray, it likely occurs in just about every location, but we tend to hear more when it comes to Toronto thanks to the widespread “influence” of that media.
In other locations we did get the sense that fan hostility had zeroed in on Trouba, and on Laine in the Winnipeg and Columbus media as well as Jose Theodore when he played in Florida when those teams were struggling.
And there have been many others who were the prime targets of fan hostility throughout NHL history, much of it “fanned” (pun intended) by the local media.
Marner is just the latest.
Ray- recency bias will tell us he gets an unfair portion of scrutiny- but man, early on he was the golden boy! Matthews took heat when he signed and then he won a Hart and couple rockets and popped 69 and it subsided- he is a year removed from almost 70 goals and fans want him dealt. Nylander was absolutely destroyed for years- killed daily on call in shows and in the media. – I just thinkmarner is really thin skinned and if that is the case then this isnt the best place for him. Will add – alot of the flack he takes is self induced- his agent negotiates through the media and whether or not you believe its him or his agent- its a bad look on him. You cant talk about being treated like a god and hometown dream yadda yadda and then try to extract every penny lol.
Interesting though- the swede and american stayed. Tavares, took less to come home and then was stripped of the C and still wants to stay…Rielly wont waive..Tanev came home,McCabe extended…I only see one outlier. For the record- difference between Verhage and Lundell etc- is they buy into the system, their games changes come playoff time. It has not changed for Marber or Nylander for that matter. its clear- they wont adjust their style
All I know is that since Marner`s last interview, where Matthews and him threw their teammates under the bus, is that there`s been total silence. Marner did not close the door on resigning, nor has Treliving and according to Treliving he was going to sit down and talk to Marner after the combines. Going by past history 99% of the time fans and the media are wrong in their speculations. If it`s all about the money, then Marner`s worst fear is that he leaves and Toronto wins the cup. The endorsements alone. Marner at a fair salary, fans would love him, Marner at 13 per not so much. The scrutiny comes with the high salary, Marner knows that, but he loves the attention he gets. If he didn`t he would`ve been gone long ago. My guess he wants attention that points to L.A. Vegas or Toronto. I`m pulling for L.A.
Rumor – Kings want Marner too, and may offer up to 14 million per season.
I dont understand why Leaf fans thin they are getting anything from a pending UFA?
Marner is 99% out the door, and after the fans actions during his last game in Toronto, he is not going to be doing the TML’s any favors, so forget this crap about a sign and trade.
You do realize Brian, Marner benefits the most from a sign and trade not Toronto. Toronto might get a 3rd or 4th rounder out of the deal, but it`s Marner that picks up the extra 13 or 14 million. Why tell others to cut the crao when you`re doing the exact same thing, with far less knowledge it seems
Dear Mr. Spector’s Note – I sure hope you are wrong about Marner ending up in Carolina. In my opinion he is not worth the money that he is supposedly going to get. In the 8-9 million maybe but 14 million for such a soft player…..NO. We don’t need anymore skill. We need more grit. That’s why Florida is so good. They got a bunch of grit and it comes out during the playoffs. So Mr. Tulsky just move on from Marner. Nothng to see here.
Florida has grit and talent… in abundance.
And great leadership.
You’re right about Carolina. They don’t need to waste their money on Marner.
Yogi you are assuming that Marner wants a 8 year deal, and is going to get 13-14 million.
I have serious doubts that Marner is going to be doing the TML’s any favors. The media and fans treated that dude like absolute crap his last 2 weeks of the season and now into the summer. TML fans can come up with whatever fabricated fantasy you want, but at the end of the day, the chance that Marner walks out the door and Toronto gets ZERO in return is pretty freaking real.
Rumor – Hurricanes wanted trade Mikko Rantanen for Mitchy Marner. Deal didn’t happen because Marner declined the trade with his NMC. Did he decline the deal because of his son’s birth or because he didn’t want be traded to the Hurricanes?
Rumor – three way deal: Hurricanes trade Rantanen to Maple Leafs, Maple Leafs trade Marner to Golden Knights, and Golden Knights trade ??? to the Hurricanes. Heard this deal didn’t happen because Hurricanes didn’t like the return. Wasn’t mentioned Marner declined the deal.
Read few guys believe Marner will sign with the Hurricanes because of their cap space (around 28 million?) and because Hurricanes made Eastern Conference Finals? What if Marner doesn’t want play for the Hurricanes? Also, other teams like Kings and Blue Jackets have sufficient cap space sign Marner as well sign Marner.
Rumor – from few weeks ago Marner wants play for Panthers or Golden Knights.
Latest odds – Golden Knights favorite sign Marner. Sounds like matter Golden Knights making sufficient cap space sign Marner and rooster of 23 players.
Aside from Giroux – who, after all, turns 38 in January and is long past his ability to dominate a game – is there anyone among Ottawa’s pending list of 7 UFAs who, if none were returned, would have an absolute detrimental affect on the team’s performance and be irreplaceable?
Cousins, Highmore, Gaudette, Hodgson, Hamonic, Gilbert, Forsberg.
I don’t think so.
The same, really, applies to their remaining two of their 3 RFAs – Zetterlund (who has all of 2g 3a 5 pts in 20gp after joining Ottawa and zero in 6 playoff games) and D-man Sebrango.
The only one who will be signed is goalie Leevi Merilainen, and he’ll likely re-up at around $1.5 mil in a bridge deal to take over back-up duties behind Ullmark.
That leaves Staios around $13.5 mil to sign 6, and if he leaves $1.5 mil for cap “wiggle room” he has $12 mil to flesh out the rest of the roster – including perhaps Giroux for one last hurrah.
Given that everyone and his dog are looking for a center I can see the Habs offering Giroux 2 years at more $ than the Sens will offer.
Except Giroux, apart from the odd key face-off here and there, hasn’t “played” C for quite a while – certainly since joining Ottawa where, primarily, he has played RW.
Fair point, George. Just. Thinking about the under supply of available 2Cs and the oversupply of buyers.
I’d like another year of Gilbert please. Hardly saw the guy. The rest of them can go. Gaudette if he takes league minimum on a 2 way deal (which he won’t do)
yesterday George when I asked about an offer sheet…it wasn’t for Wolf. It was for Hutson. 8 year 11 million. How much would you pay for a healthy 21 year old Erik Karlsson?
The Habs would probably match. They wouldn’t be happy about it though.
Heh, Dark G – my mistake … but in my defense your wording wasn’t 100% clear
“Hutson wins the calder.
It was Wolf for me, but I don’t get a vote. I wonder if he’s eligible to be offer sheeted…que the Carolina owner.”
However, I should have clued in on the Carolina reference – lol
As an aside, for the older crowd in here – Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys just passed away at 82
Treliving has done a sign and trade in the past with Tkachuk
The new club will want that extra year to spread the money. Marner will also want the extra dough. If he walks for a pick the Leafs management will find themselves in very hot water . Competition for the player in the open market will be fierce.
SilverSeven- Tkachuk was an RFA not a UFA and he consented to the deal.
As for leafs will be in hot water- this is what articles have been written about for past 12 months.
Ya, not sure Tre would want a repeat of that deal, Weeger is a solid D, but not sure you could give Huberdeau away at that ticket.
So high quality & affordable young players like Guenther or Mintyukov seem like a different thing. And that whole RFA vs UFA.
Maybe a guy like Burakovsky who is under performing his contract a bit if Seattle wanted to clear some space and a roster spot?
Ray- thing is Huberdeau was coming off a 115 point season! It wasnt a bad deal at all, at the time- but it does make you realize how important Barkov was to Huberdeau’s success, maybe similarly how Matthews and Tavares are to Marner? yeah no one wants to hear that- but i guess we will find out lol
Strangely Sam when Matthews was out this year, I think Marner played some of his best hockey, but his points production slowed noticeably. Marner didn`t play a lot with Tavares the past couple of years, PP mostly. Tavares and Willie most of the time. When Marner was out of the lineup Matthews never missed a beat going for 70. It takes two to dance. Just like Matthews and Willie never seemed to click
Marner might pile up points during the qualifying season, but there is no way in hell I’d pay that playoffs marshmallow more than 6.5 million.
14 million is hilarious.Hope Vegas does it.
For what some fools will pay for Marner, you can get two players who have skill and grit.
I laugh when I see posters call an NHL player a marshmallow.
If he was a marshmallow, playoffs or otherwise, he wouldn’t be playing in the NHL.
If you run into him on the street, say it to his face. Nothing would happen as he doesn’t want to get sued, but I would $100 on Marner if it did.
Marner 74 points in 60 career games he has played without Austin Matthews.
Marner with Matthews on the ice 1.11 points per game
Without Matthews on the ice 1.23 points per game
Brian- that proves nothing- he played with JT when he didnt have Matthews. He always got one of those two centres and both were/are top centres, Nylander got Pontus Holmberg lol. He has played with great pivots his whole career. I dont recall many stretches where he played with anyone else
Yogi- when Matthews was out Marner played with Tavares- i watched almost every game lol trust me. Nylander was knocked down to Holmberg or whoever was left. Marner was not left without Tavares ever, when Matthews was out.
So without Matthews – Marner goes to Tavares and suprise doesnt miss a beat… but without marner Mathews had Domi and Bertuzzi and continued his assualt on 70 goals.
Fact is Matthews was scoring at a 40 goal clip as a rookie- long before Marner became his linemate
Sam Berube penciled in Marner and Tavares on the same line a total of 8 games out of the 82 games and only 4 of those came with Mathews out of the lineup. Marner picked up 9 points in those 8 games. Tavares played the vast majority of the time with Willie and you have to remember Berubes own words “I like to mix up the lines” Marner actually got 24 points when he was on the ice with Holmberg in 24-25. Berube experimented a fair bit when Matthews was out of the lineup, but to say Marner was on a line with Tavares. Nylander was Toronto`s hottest scorer, with or without Matthews in the line up and most of that came with Tavares or on the PP
This whole Marner saga is exhibit A around the perils of managing a big market team – where profit isnt tied to success. As much as you say the Leafs spend to the cap every year and will spend crazy amounts of cash outside of player salaries, their lack of urgency for success destroyed what was the most promising era of leaf hockey in my lifetime anyway.
As recently as 2 years ago- whether it was shanahan or Dubas- they could have dealt one of Marner or Nylander but didnt have the stones. Under the guise of running it back and we believe in these guys, they blew it. They doubled and tripled down on a flawed cap structure and positional imbalance because playoff success wasnt the ultimate goal, getting playoff dates was..
This summer is the biggest for them by far and if they dont land 2 of either Marchand Bennet or Ehlers- they are cooked. It will be the beginning of the end. No bullets left in the chamber to make trades. Nylander and Rielly locked in with NTCs. A defence built to win now . No promising prospects and the looming expiration of Matthews deal.
They are truly up against it.
Cant blame the players- they took what they were offered.
There were opportunities. Probably could have traded Marner for Guentzel, or finally gotten Stamkos. I think the fact is that they liked their team, have each year for the past few thought they had a path to the cup, and clearly were working on Defence and goalkeeping as priorities. There were also years when they lost, (tho first round) to the eventual cup champs. I think this is a red herring that often distorts managements view of a club :They were THAT close. I also think sometimes the level of media attention and criticism makes managers cautious and mistake averse, sometimes doing nothing when action is warranted.
A mistake would have been “finally getting Stamkos” – he is long past his prime
Sam as a Blues fan, I think back to December 2018, and how close Toronto and St. Louis where to a Nylander for Pietrangelo Deal. The trade was a lot closer then many realize. Of course Toronto pulled back on that deal right at the end. St. Louis went on to win the cup. On the other side, how would a 1st pairing of Petro and Reilly looked for Toronto from 2018-2025. Then you have the opportunity to sign Petro in UFA in 2020, pretty much at Petro’s peak and Toronto passes. Instead spending a bunch of money on Brodie, Vesey, etc. Toronto signs Petro to a deal in 2020, They are rolling out Petro, Reilly, Muzzin, Dermott, Holl, and Bogosian. What a terrible decision.
Brian- I didnt know it was that close, unreal! Exactly my point.. Would have changed the dymanic completely
I get the draw of Vegas but if I was Marner I would be nervous signing there as they love you but are quick to discard you for the newest shinny toy. Given his playoff history and playing the heavy hockey in the west I don’t see a good ending for Marner in Vegas. Vegas management is aggressive so not sure the pressure would not be that much different in Vegas.
Since Vegas is a no tax state, they could offer 12 or somewhat to Marner
I am sure there is a “it won’t help them win the cup” joke in there somewhere …
I’m sure the Leafs wil sign Bennett, Marchand and Ehlers and will win the cup next season.
Marner will sign for $6.5mil because any gm would be an idiot paying more….
Playing for Canada at the 4 Nations was out of pity and scoring more than 100 points in the regular season (one of 6 players) was just an accident as was scoring 13 points in 13 play-off games.
Matthews, Tavares and Nylander will benefit by playing without Marner. Matthews will score at least 90 goals, Tavares will hit a minimum 0f 50 and for Willy the sky is the limit.
Marner = Phil Kessel 2.0 😀
Reunite Zib with Buch in STL?
Do it for picks?