NHL Rumor Mill – June 16, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Mitch Marner appears headed to market, the Sabres are entertaining offers for JJ Peterka, and the latest on the Rangers
NO TALKS BETWEEN MITCH MARNER AND THE MAPLE LEAFS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Mitch Marner and the Toronto Maple Leafs appear headed for a breakup.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
The 28-year-old right wing is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Friedman claimed the Marner camp has not engaged in contract discussions with the Leafs. He believes the winger will head to market and sign with a new team.
FanDuel Sports Network’s Andy Strickland reported on Friday that Marner wouldn’t return with the Maple Leafs. Friedman didn’t contradict Strickland’s claim, suggesting the Anaheim Ducks, Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings and Vegas Golden Knights could be interested in talking to the winger.
Friedman believes Marner could take his time deciding where to sign. He could also decide on a shorter-term deal (perhaps four years) rather than the full seven-year term, enabling him to return to the UFA market while still in his playing prime.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No one should be surprised that Marner and the Maple Leafs will part company. It’s been expected for some time. He’s probably had enough of being the scapegoat in Leafs Nation for the club’s recent postseason failures.
The Ducks, Hurricanes and Kings have the cap space to sign Marner this summer to a short-term contract with an average annual value of what could be $14 million. However, the Golden Knights cannot afford him without shedding salary through a cost-cutting trade or if one of their high-salaried players ends up on long-term injury reserve for next season.
How long it takes for Marner to decide where he’ll sign will affect the market for other notable UFA forwards like Nikolaj Ehlers, Brock Boeser and perhaps Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand if those two don’t re-sign with the Florida Panthers.
SABRES ENTERTAINING TRADE OFFERS FOR JJ PETERKA
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka could be on the trade block. The 23-year-old winger is coming off a career-best 68-point performance. He’s a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.
The Sabres had been rejecting the interest that rival clubs have in Peterka, but they’ve lately begun listening to offers. Friedman believes the young forward is unhappy and wants to play elsewhere. He thinks the Sabres still don’t want to move Peterka, but are now at least considering it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: They won’t give away Peterka or trade him just for the sake of it. They’re well-stocked with prospects, so they don’t want a return of draft picks and prospects. The Sabres will prefer a player-for-player swap, like when they shipped Dylan Cozens to Ottawa for Josh Norris at the March trade deadline, or when they sent Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado in 2024 for Bowen Byram.
THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reported the Rangers shipping Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks last week cleared his $6.5 million average annual value through 2026-27 from their salary-cap payroll. It ensures that general manager Chris Drury has cap flexibility and cost certainty heading into the NHL Draft (June 27-28) and the start of free agency on July 1.
The trade left the Rangers with nearly $15 million in cap space for 2025-26. It ensures they can match any offer sheets from rival clubs, and gives Drury the freedom to explore different options to improve the Rangers for next season.
Walker believes K’Andre Miller won’t be playing for the Rangers next season. He’s an RFA with arbitration rights on July 1. Drury will have to find someone who can replace the minute-munching defenseman.
Walker’s colleague, Larry Brooks, shares her take that Miller could be traded. He also thinks there’s no guarantee Alexis Lafreniere will still be a Ranger when next season begins, as Drury seeks to make multiple moves that change the mix on the ice under new head coach Mike Sullivan.
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple believes Drury could consider offer sheets among his offseason options to shake up his roster.
Sabres winger JJ Peterka is among the offer-sheet options. However, the Rangers lack their own 2026 second-rounder, which would be required as part of the compensation to Buffalo if Peterka signed a deal with an annual cap hit between $7 million and $9.3 million.
Any significant offer-sheet signing by the Rangers would include their 2026 first-round pick. That would mean Drury would relinquish the conditional 2025 first-rounder sent to the Vancouver Canucks (and subsequently flipped to the Pittsburgh Penguins) in the JT Miller trade in January.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are in a position to match that type of offer sheet for Peterka, and no one’s going higher than $9.3 million to get him. Drury will have to swing a trade to get him, and the Sabres likely aren’t keen to send him to a nearby Eastern Conference rival.
Hey Tre you cant let your best assets walk for nothing. Zero zilch
You set back Calgary for years and now you are working on Toronto . You had better have something up your sleeve.
Buffalo Explain the logic why you are trading Peterka ?
JJ doesn’t wanna be there.
JJ for Laffy
You are revising history.
Treliving didn’t let Gaudreau or Tkachuk go, he tried to sign them. He recovered as best he could with Huberdeau and Khadri.
He also told Marner he wanted to re-sign him but would trade him if that’s what he wanted.
Why trade Peterka? Because he would bring the most back of any young Buffalo wingers. They have a bunch of young, offensive (and often smallish) wingers in Peterka, Benson, and Jack Quinn plus high end prospects like Helenius & Ostlund on the way up soon.
There is a lot of redundancy in the style of those players, and they probably can’t keep them all long term and build a well rounded team.
Of that group, Peterka is the best known commodity, but he’s also going to need a new, big $ deal.
If Buffalo was on the cusp of contending, then they probably don’t consider letting him go. But if they think they are still a couple years away from really being a perennial contender, then it makes sense to see what Peterka might bring back in a trade.
They need to weigh both short and long term options. It doesn’t mean they automatically move him, but they would be derelict to not find out what others might offer up.
Good morning Lyle. Drury would relinquish this years 1st if they used next years in an offer sheet. To me, that would be a mistake. Agree on Buffalo not dealing with Rangers. NY would have to overpay for Peterka. Good young player but small sample size. Why not just sign Boeser? Pair him with JT. Sure he’s older but not giving up young assets to get him.
Thanks, Slick, I meant to right “relinquish” but in my haste typed “retain”. I’ve corrected it accordingly. Cheers!
And to be clear, my comment about mistake was the giving up this years pick. IMO the 12rh overall this year is more valuable than a late 1st next year. Assuming Rangers bounce back. That pick is also a possible trade chip.
Also seems some mixed messages if Mika Zib is considering a move.
Would love to keep LAf and bring in JJ…. but that would require Zib being moved along too. same as Boeser.
The Rangers cannot fix the left side of their D if they sign a Boeser etc
What gives you confidence that drury will set the team up to bounce back? I’m hoping for the 26 1st from ny. I think it has a very good chance of being higher than 12 in a deeper draft
ds. Boeser was an alternative to offer sheet on Peterka. Probably less term and cap hit while not giving up premium assets. And a right shot wing who is close with Miller. Assuming we’re trading Miller, chance we roll with what’s left. Idk.
Response to Slixk62 mention of potential Boeser dollars and term: Boeser reportedly turned down 5 years @ $8 m from the Canucks. The word in Vancouver is that he wanted a longer contract.
He does play well with Miller, though.
In Treleving’s defense, he inherited a perfect storm in the Marner situation, and that situation has reached the point where there’s nothing, really, the GM can do, except use wisely the almost $11 mil that will be freed up with his departure.
Marner holds all the cards with his no-trade/no movement clauses, having already blocked a potentially win-win deal that would have seen him go to Carolina for Rantanen. He could even invoke the same clause in any attempt to trade his negotiating rights.
It had been suggested that those rights could be dealt to Vegas – where media speculation claimed he wanted to go. But if that were the case, Treleving would have at least looked into what Vegas would offer to that end. That nothing of the sort has transpired makes it clear that what Marner truly wants is to hit the open market and then decide on the best offer/location.
A trade for Marner to Vegas makes sense because Vegas would need to dump salary to sign Marner. Something like William Karlson for Marner. It gives Vegas a chance to negotiate with Marner before other NHL teams and the option for that 8th year if Marner wants it.
But since that would still require Marner’s approval, it suggests that, even if such a trade had been discussed, the fact nothing has transpired indicates Marner turned it down and simply wants to assess ALL the offers he will receive as a UFA. And there is nothing Treleving can do about it.
Hello George, It doesn’t need Marners approval. They are only trading his rights. Marner doesn’t even have to talk to Vegas or ever play a game for them.
What the heck, if you Google “can Marner block the trading of his negotiating rights” here’s what you get
“Yes, Mitch Marner can effectively block the trade of his negotiating rights. While the Toronto Maple Leafs could explore trading his rights, Marner’s no-movement clause in his current contract gives him the power to veto any trade, including one involving the rights to negotiate a new contract with another team. This means that if the Maple Leafs attempt to trade his rights, Marner can refuse to waive his no-movement clause, effectively preventing the trade.”
On July 1st Marner will be hitting the free market and no Toronto can`t trade his rights without Marner`s Ok. Apparently Marner has told Treliving that he will meet with him on July 1st. Marner appears to be looking for a 3 or 4 year deal for the most money he can get and then sign a long term deal after this deal just like Matthews is trying to do. The meeting with Treliving is rumoured to be a chance for Toronto to match any of the other offers he gets. The money appears to be the only thing that matters not winning. I`m hoping Treliving says no thanks to the meeting on July 1st
Marner and Mathews are playing to maximize their cash and that is their right. If the Leafs wanted players that are committed to the team and want to win at all costs, including stepping it up in playoffs, they should have made changes. Of course hindsight is 20/20, but when the player negotiates hard and refuses to sign maximum term to maximize their cash as a percentage of the salary cap could be a red flag.
Marner should go for a lower term lower cost contract.
For years he’s been playing under the pressure of being overpaid and underperforming, whether its true or not.
Can’t imagine the game being much fun for him anymore.
My advice to him would be go sign a 3 or 4 yr at $6-7 million team friendly contract and just play hockey, rebuild the fun and confidence, get out from the pressure.
He can prove his value while enjoying the game, hopefully winning a SC or at least go far in the playoffs earning a nice final UFA contract
And I bet that that is what he thinking by not agreeing to trades or even the dealing of the rights to negotiate with him to any one team.
Wait until UFA bargaining begins and assess the benefits of all the many offers that are sure to come in – including from any team or teams that Treleving may have had discussions with in regards to bargaining rights.
And why not? It’s his right.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/rumour-roundup-mitch-marners-camp-not-engaged-with-maple-leafs/
How has Marner not proved his worth? Don’t he score 100 points last year? I’m no Leaf fan, but Marner is a top talent and I’m guessing he’ll want to be paid as such. He just can’t raise his game in the Stanley cup. He’s built for regular season and less grinding tournaments like the Olympics.
HabFan, I don’t see Marner taking your advice. It’s possible he’d settle for a four year deal but at a lot more money than you’re suggesting.
I think he’ll be looking for the full seven years.
Yeah, if someone offers me 14 mill and another offers me 7 mill I am taking the 7 mill. Are you serious?For another 7 mill I can handle the pressure. He already proved his value if teams are willing to pay him 14 mill. What are you talking about? I have a bridge in Brooklyn that I want to sell you for 5,000 bucks.
In that link I posted above it says, in part
“It is also not a given that Marner would take the maximum-term seven-year contract available to him in free agency, Friedman reported.
Instead, he could opt for a four-year deal as Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews did and potentially re-enter the market at age 32.”
But I agree … if he goes that route, it won’t be for a team-friendly $6 or $7 mil per. He will get as close to top dollar value as he can for those 4 years and, if he continues to post big seasonal numbers over he course of that contract, and with the annual rise of the cap in that span, he could cash in even bigger on the next deal.
Comes a point where you have to like what you’re doing, when you’re earning millions of dollars you can afford that luxury.
The guy is playing in his city, his wife is at home, he has every reason to stay in Toronto but is ready to leave.
It’s in that context I made the suggestion, getting a restart in another city without carrying a contract like a monkey on his back.
The suggestion of short term, lower $ leaves him UFA and able to cash in under a completely different environment.
I don’t think he has anything to prove, he’s been comfortably over ppg his entire career
If there is an offer sheet for JJ, how much “should” it be? Give us a number. Should it be high enough that Buffalo wouldn’t match. 7 mil? 9 mil? Offer sheet(s) are predatory in nature. Also, if it become public knowledge Rangers (for example offer 7.5, another team come along and offer more? There’s also a good possibility he could be traded at draft?
I’d go 7-8 on JJ. Peterka, easy.
I think he’ll touch 35- 40 goals for a team for enough seasons to make it a good deal.
He’s probably gonna want that or more if he signs a deal elsewhere.
I’d match unless he truly doesn’t want to play in Berfallo.
It has been written/talked/posted about all over the world for years and years( nothing like a little hyperbole), that Marner vetoed the trade to Carolina for Rantanen.
My question is would Rantanen have signed with Toronto after.Or would he have tried free agency?
I have never seen it mentioned anywhere. Thanks
Rantanen gave Carolina a list of 4 teams that he would accept a trade to and be willing to sign with. Dallas knew that he would resign with them before the trade, so did the Leafs
Nylander for Lafrenière and miller
Or Matthew’s for both millers and Lafrenière
I think there is a small chance you get Mika Zib to play with Nylander in Toronto on the 2nd line
If Zib was 2×8.5 I could see several teams still having an interest in him. But Zib is 5×8.5 and 32 years old and has a NMC and is buyout proof. Can`t see any team having an interest in Zib unless the NY retains part of that contract
Buffalo should be careful trading with anyone after their history of trades. Going back to O Reilly. Rhinehart,Eichel,and most recently Cozens .They might be better to sit tight and see how the Peterka situation plays out. Is anyone sick of the Marner saga yet? He is a great player but I wish July 1 would come quicker,so the soap opera can end.
Why, you think the Marner debate will end on July 1st, noooooo. You get to debate his contract, who signed him and why all summer long. Then all eyes will be on him once the regular season starts to see if he lives up to the contract. No July 1st is merely the next chapter
You are right on!!!
Marner! Marner!! Marner!!!🙄
All the Marner talk is really moot. His agent has said and done in the past with other clients, taken them right up to free agency. That way they know they got the best deal, aka every last cent, they thought they are worth. In my books, that’s totally fair and as someone who’s been in contract negotiations, I what it’s like to think that…I’m sure a lot of you believe in getting more where you work, deservingly or not.
I have no doubt Marner’s camp has Toronto’s latest offer…and yes it would be dumb not to try to retain a 100pt player in his prime from the city he plays for and life long fan. But it’s in Marner’s best interest to see what else is out there, simply because there’s a bit too much of a love-hate relationship and after a few years of it, maybe you’re over it.
It’s fun to speculate where he’ll end up though. And having said that, I’m thinking if he doesn’t return to Toronto, take your pick of sharks, kings, ducks, or hawks and likely landing spots. But as far as I’m concerned, who cares if he’s not on my team and congrats to whoever’s getting him; he’s truly elite and worth it.
Marner will sign with the Canes …they have the cap they have a roster full of signed players and are a solid team …add Marner a Dman and some thunder
Habsfan, if he just wanted to play for fun he would take the maximum money and sign with Chicago who is years away from making the playoffs. His goal can be to get them into the playoffs with no expectations if they do make the playoffs. Taking 6 or 7 million instead of 14 or 15 million will not make any difference in his play or of him enjoying the game. He’s in a great position where he is able to choose a team that he knows won’t put the pressure on him like they do in Toronto.
Tavares apparently won his tax case. Will it make a difference in what he signs for, probably not
It would be quite hilarious if Marner inked a 4 yr deal with Ottawa with a cap hit of only 9 mill just to piss off Toronto.
I like it…means no Giroux and maybe a Perron or Amadio trade, and letting Forsberg walk, but that would give the sens a top 9 of:
Stutzle, Chucky, Marner,
Cozens, Zetterlund, Bath
Pinto, Greig, Amadio (Perron)
and then some young dudes on 4th with maybe Cousins if he comes back cheap.
Pretty killer….
I really think Staois is trying to work out something big, and is the reason they haven’t signed G yet.
G is just not a top line player anymore, and if he wants to get a stud to play with Stutzle and Chucky, then he needs as much money as possible.
I love G’s game, but with Zetterlund, where does he really fit if he’s going to be 4+ million…
Forsberg is walking regardless. Merilainen will be the full-time back-up to Ullmark in any scenario.
How many times in the past 10 years has a guy who scored 100 points in his contract year, become a UFA? Just a quick glance, Marner would be the first. You look when Tavares was signed by Toronto, 28 years old, coming off a 84 point season, career .93 points in the reg season, .92 in playoffs, signed for 13.84% of the cap in 2018 by Toronto. Now you have Marner coming off a 100 point season, 1.13 points per game reg season, .90 points per game playoffs, at 13.84% of the cap, thats 13.217,200 per year.
Marner isn’t a scapegoat. The Core 4 all have failed miserably.
Marner is a statistical no-show. A show-time failure. He has the playoff production of a 4th liner who gets 7-minutes per game.
His affect is a minus… as he doesn’t put up points and is incapable of being physical.
Massively overpaid and overrated.
He and the others deserve the ire they’ve received.
I wish he’d stay in Toronto… and sure hope the Kings don’t make a Dubois repeat with Marner.
63 points in 70 playoff games is NOT the production of a 4th liner. What the Hell, man – dislike the guy … fine. But cut the “fake news” crap.
Had to seek you out at the Saltwire, Lyle. Hope you get it all fixed up without stress.
Thanks, it’s been a hectic day!
The Marner situation is insane.
Talk of waiting to decide will surely mean that teams will move on to other options. A contending team won’t have a lot of cap space to begin with. Toronto surely won’t be waiting and is one of the teams that actually might pay 14 Million. Other teams are going to grab what deals they can as they come up with as they arise.
So it sounds very much like he is going to push himself towards a weak team with more cap space and less interest from free agents looking for a cup now.
He must really be tired of the pressure of playing in a big market.
If he signs anywhere for $14M+ he will get pressure, but may find it a heck of a lot harder to find linemates who will convert on his passes.
Expect a bigger salary and weaker stats.
As for Toronto, without Marner, Leaf fans will need to look back to a team like the old Phil Kessel Days, A sniper on the top line, a few older players. A few stars who won’t drive a line. and essentially an ongoing need to rebuild, but without much in the system or with good picks coming up.
If I were to place a bet, without Marner to build on, Toronto does not make the play-offs next season, and neither does Marner.,