Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 1, 2025
Questions about Connor McDavid’s future, the latest on Mitch Marner, the Blues’ salary-cap situation, trade targets for the Canucks, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
COULD CONNOR MCDAVID BECOME A RANGER OR LEAF NEXT SUMMER?
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered if Connor McDavid would be “more or less incentivized” to leave the Edmonton Oilers next summer as a free agent, “and follow the (Mark) Messier Route to Broadway with or without a championship.” He also speculated that McDavid could instead sign an extension with the Oilers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers of today aren’t facing the same constraints as they did when Messier left town in 1991. They’re a contender with stable ownership and a state-of-the-art arena, playing in an expanded league with a three-tier salary cap system and revenue sharing. This version of the Oilers can afford to keep McDavid in Edmonton, and there’s nothing to suggest that he won’t stay.
TORONTO STAR: Bruce Arthur reports the dream of McDavid coming home to play for the Maple Leafs hasn’t died for some of the club’s followers.
Arthur suggests the only way that happens is if McDavid wins the Cup this year and decides he needs a bigger challenge by helping the Leafs end their long championship drought. However, that’s at best a long shot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid will most likely sign an eight-year extension with the Oilers this summer, making him the NHL’s highest-paid player starting in 2026-27.
THE LATEST ON MITCH MARNER
TORONTO STAR: Damien Cox believes the Leafs must re-sign Mitch Marner. Despite the playoff disappointment, the 28-year-old two-way winger is irreplaceable. While they can use the cap dollars they would’ve invested in Marner on other players, their immense offensive and special teams capability will be lost.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).
If Marner stays, the Leafs will retain the key components that saw them finish first in the Atlantic Division. Cox suggested following the example of the Vegas Golden Knights and keep on trading futures that can help them win the Stanley Cup next season or the season after that.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights’ efforts built a better-balanced team, one with the offensive and defensive depth necessary to be a contender and, in 2023, a champion. However, there is no certainty that the Leafs can successfully follow that strategy given the way they’re currently built.
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Golden Knights, Hannah Kirkell cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claimed they and the Leafs discussed a deal last summer that would’ve sent Marner to Vegas.
Friedman thinks it fell through for two reasons. First, the Leafs wanted defenseman Shea Theodore as part of the return. Second, there was no guarantee that Marner would agree to anything at that time.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman was likely referring to Marner’s no-movement clause. The Golden Knights are rumored to be among the clubs that might pursue the Leafs winger if he goes to market on July 1, but they’ll have to free up a lot of cap space to make it happen.
THE LATEST ON THE BLUES
STLTODAY.COM: Matthew DeFranks reports the Blues won’t have much cap space to work with for next season, indicating they’ll have $5.912 available.
They could garner some cap flexibility by placing defenseman Torey Krug ($6.5 million AAV) on long-term injury reserve. However, if they do so during the offseason, it would leave them no cap space to start the season. If they put him on LTIR during the season, they won’t be able to use it this summer to make additions to their roster.
One option could be trading Krug’s contract, shedding his entire cap hit and allowing them to operate without the constraints of LTIR. They could also trade or buy out Alexandre Texier. They can attempt to move Nick Leddy ($4 million, 16-team no-trade list) or Mathieu Joseph ($2.95 million). Trade protections for Justin Faulk and Brayden Schenn ($6.5 million each) are lowered this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues GM Doug Armstrong will likely attempt to shed some salary to give himself more cap space for next season. Putting Krug on LTIR or trading his contract seems the most likely option, followed by moving Texier or Joseph.
SUGGESTED OFFSEASON TARGETS FOR THE CANUCKS
THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance recently looked at some free-agent targets to improve their defense, and some trade targets to bolster their forward lines.
All the UFA targets are affordable options, with the most notable being Columbus’ Dante Fabbro and Tampa Bay’s Nick Perbix. The trade targets include Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers, Mason Marchment of the Dallas Stars, Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators and Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks probably have better odds of signing Fabbro or Perbix than they have of acquiring Lafreniere, Marchment, Marchessault and Zegras. Most of those trade targets would be expensive to obtain (Lafreniere), too old (Marchessault) or too risky (Zegras).
Marchment would be an interesting option. The Stars are cap-strapped and face some cost-cutting measures this summer. The 31-year-old is a versatile forward who can skate on the wing or at center and plays with an edge. However, he’s a year away from UFA eligiblity, and the Canucks might want assurances of an extension before agreeing to a deal.
Well, Brooks is at it again. And he’s obviously taken Arthur down the loony brick road with him.
As for Cox, he obviously hasn’t gotten the message that the surest sign of insanity is doing the same thing repeatedly while expecting a different result. Vegas has built a perennial contender by ensuring they have a balanced lineup. Not top heavy like the Leafs. For the Leafs to follow the Vegas example it would start with letting Marner go and investing the cap space in building a deep and more balanced lineup.
Looks like a couple of slow days waiting for the cup finals to start.Maybe Boston will name a coach while there’s a lull in the action!
Or maybe a few more hockey writers will lose their minds.
Bruins need outside influence so they should hire someone as coach who was never part of their organization. Too many good old boys/ownership/Sweeney (bad extension) Neely-they need a new perspective.
Edmont can follow Vegas’s example. As they gave progressed beyond the 1st round of the playoffs consistently. So they can use futures to bolster the line up to hunt down that championship.
Toronto is stagnant with no progression in playoff performances for (9 years…I think). They clearly can’t do the Vegas thing and need a more than just a renovation to make the house look nice. The foundation needs to be rebuilt.
Months ago heard McDavid and Draisaitl agreed both would resign with the Oilers. These reporters Brooks and Arthur allowed to dream.
Maybe … just maybe, mind you … one reason why the NY Rangers have won the top prize just 4 times in their long history- and just once since 1940 – and that 31 years ago – is that the bright lights and “exciting life style” have lured the wrong type of player, either through UFA signings or trade demands, more intent on life style than working to win.
I don’t get the impression that McDavid is that type. I get the feeling he’ll re-up in Edmonton, hopefully buoyed by a Stanley Cup this spring.
McDavid- $14.5 – 15.5 million with Oilers..
Leafs can’t pay Marner more than Matthews ….it will hurt the Captains feelings and Mitch will get $14 on open market…..maybe Chicago, L.A. or Carolina ….hopefully not Pittsburgh
Why is Pengy commenting on the Leafs?
“Pengy” was a Pens AND Leafs fan.
Pengy is probably just getting by the pearly gates after all this time as he had to justify to st Pete his love of the leafs. I believe he did get by despite that. But only cause he was a pens fan. 😉
Marner is going to come to Vegas. Unless he doesn’t want to win . He will get 14 million for 7 years and the Knights want him. Living here in Vegas I have info saying Karlson and Theodore both will be gone regardless of their contracts.They both will get a deal they can’t refuse. But it is up to Mariner if he really wants to win.
What’s your “inside” source? A crystal ball?
Anyway, if “happiness” is part of his ultimate goal, the last place I think he’d choose is Vegas which doesn’t even appear anywhere in this list
https://www.afar.com/magazine/the-happiest-cities-in-the-united-states-in-2025-ranked?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-us
My guess was chicken entrails… a voodoo thing.
This is a small town where you get to know people who matter. My son works in upper mgt in the Sahara casino on the strip. He works with Meriloo who was the owner of the Coyotes who sold the team to Utah. He bought the casino and owns it.The Knights mgt are always around they are buddies with Meriilo. They talk and the notion is they want Marner really bad. I don’t know if he will want to come here but it won’t be for the lack of trying and money is not a problem.Hope I spelled that owners name right Meriilo. Anyways just what they are saying.
Pete, while “money” might not be a problem for a moneybags like the Vegas owners (it isn’t for the Leafs, Habs, NYR either – Hell, even the billionaire Andlauer, who now owns the Senators) the limiting cap IS a problem.
Vegas has an estimated cap reserve heading into next season of $9,615,000 with 18 players committed to, meaning they need to sign 5. If Marner signed there as a UFA for, say, $14 mil,
they’re down to 4 needing to be signed and some $4,600,000 OVER the cap.
They still have to re-up 4 RFAs, and even if they don’t re-up any of the pending UFAs, they still have to replace their combined production of 44g 57a 101 points.
It may be fine to say they find that by dealing Karlsson and Theodore, but first they have to find a team willing and able to take them on, and then, of course, you need to add in their missing production to the above-mentioned. Nor can any trades involving those two bring in salaried term players since that would negate the very reason for dealing them in the first place – to free up cap space.
IF the Vegas is interested in Marner, and IF Marner wants to go there, then I saw an interesting speculation online that the Canucks could be useful to make this happen. William Karlsson 32, two years to run on his contract and slowly declining in his playing stats is potentially one of the players the Knights needs to clear from their roster to make room for Marner. Canucks need a 2C that Karlsson probably can still perform effectively at (and join the large number of other Swedes in Vancouver). His AAV is 5.9 which the Canucks have room for. The poster suggested that if Vegas was looking for relatively low ball returns, then Vancouver picks up Karlsson full salary. For Vancouver it is not a long term solution for their top 6, but the free agent pool and trading possibilities for a 2C are limited this year – so it could work for both teams.
So, Vancouver should take on $11.8 mil over 2 seasons so a Conference rival can get stronger, while they ostensibly see only marginal improvement – if any – by taking on a player who is “slowly declining.”
I am sure it still stings a little that Toronto lost in a lottery to Edmonton in the Mcdavid”s draft year 2015
The Hockey gods at work.
I can’t see him wanting to leave winning the cup this year or not
Theodore and W. Karlsson
keep talking, you have my interest.
I don’t see Marner with VGK.
He doesn’t fit their identity of size and grit. they are a big team that likes to muscle their opponents. They were successful at it but now they have gotten old and slow.
They need to keep their identity and he isn’t it.
Not to mention the statement that Karlsson and Theodore will both get offers they can’t refuse.
How, exactly? Karlsson is under contract (at $5.9 mil per) for 2 more seasons, while Theodore has something like 7 to go at $7,425,000 per. Offers from who? And involving what over and above what they’re getting? Isn’t that tampering?
As for living here it is a great place to live.We have mountains rivers lakes something for everyone.I lived in NY left in 95 it was going downhill then can tell you I have friends there they Can’t wait to retire and leave.
As for no trade contracts if a team doesn’t want you and tell you that would you stay in a lesser role? Gretzky and Babe Ruth got traded why are these 2 special cases? Anything can happen behind closed doors.
The amount of either salary that needs held or assets traded to unload those contracts are why they won’t be moved. Vegas doesn’t have much assets to sweeten the pot regardless
Pete, there was no cap when Gretzky and Ruth were performing. It’s the great equalizer. And the ability to finagle it with the likes of Lehner eventually runs out.
If Vegas is built on size and grit perhaps Marner is just the thing to round out their roster. Works for Florida who have a mix of skilled gritty guys and skilled flashy guys.
Mark Spector for gets one thing about Edmonton and that it is Edmonton! The city doesn’t attract players to come play there. Sometimes players what to play on a bigger stage like NY or LA.
To what end?
Be a nobody in NY or LA, way down the totem pole behind MLB and NBA as well as NFL, or be a God in Edmonton, Calgary, Montreal etc.
Ottawa and Winnipeg are small cities but the fan base is rabid.
Players coming to Montreal always comment on how surprised they are that they are recognized everywhere they go.
Habfan. Baseball is a summer sport and ends pretty much when hockey season starts. NFL plays once a week. NBA? Knicks only been relevant for last couple seasons. Rangers players get plenty of attention from fans and media.
Yes, but they don’t always comment that it is a good thing. Players tend to want to leave the game at the rink, not hear at a pizza joint how the PP can be improved.
Being god is great when things are going well. When they ain’t….
That applies everywhere
Edmonton attraction history great 80’s team with five Stanley Cups and not having New York City high pressure media.
William Karlsson would fit well in MTL.
His contract too.