NHL Rumor Mill – May 24, 2025

by | May 24, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 24, 2025

What’s the latest on the Blues and Kings? Which teams might be willing to part with their 2025 first-round picks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BLUES COULD SEEK A CENTER THIS SUMMER

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford believes the St. Louis Blues must address their depth at center and right-side defense this summer, with the second-line center position being the priority.

Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers would be the best option in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market. John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs would be another, but he’s optimistic about staying in Toronto. Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche is another option, but consistency is an issue.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

Former Blues center Ryan O’Reilly, now with the Nashville Predators, has been mentioned in trade rumors. Others include Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, and Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks. Rutherford doubted some of them would be available and believes the Blues should avoid Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett will be the most-pursued center in this summer’s UFA market if he doesn’t re-sign with the Panthers. He could prove too expensive for the Blues in a bidding war. Recent rumors suggest Rossi as the most likely to be available of those trade candidates, but he could also draw a lot of interest.

KINGS COULD BE AGGRESSIVE IN THIS SUMMER’S TRADE & UFA MARKETS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Los Angeles Kings will try to be aggressive this summer under new general manager Ken Holland.

LeBrun believes Holland intends to go “big-game hunting”. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings get into the Mitch Marner sweepstakes if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger heads to the open market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have a projected cap space of $21.7 million for 2025-26 with 21 active roster players under contract. Re-signing pending UFA defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and RFA forward Alex Laferriere will take up a significant chunk, but they should have enough to make a big splash this summer.

BLUE JACKETS, SHARKS, AND CAPITALS OPEN TO MOVING FIRST-ROUNDERS

SI.COM: Nick Horwat reports the Columbus Blue Jackets hold two picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. GM Don Waddell indicated he’s willing to use both picks as trade chips for more immediate roster help.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier will keep his options open with the second-overall pick in this year’s draft. That could include moving down from No. 2 in the first-round order if the return fetches an additional player who can help the Sharks improve now.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick isn’t ruling out moving his first-round pick, which is 27th overall. “I think you have to be open to all options,” said Patrick.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 23, 2025

by | May 23, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 23, 2025

Potential free-agent destinations for Mitch Marner, plus the latest on the Mammoth, Flyers, and Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PROPOSED DESTINATIONS FOR MARNER

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon listed what he believes are the top landing spots for Mitch Marner in free agency this summer. The 28-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger will become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Dixon suggested the Los Angeles Kings, Anaheim Ducks, Utah Mammoth, Vegas Golden Knights, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Colorado Avalanche, Chicago Blackhawks, Carolina Hurricanes and Washington Capitals as destinations for Marner.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some teams on this list (Ducks, Mammoth, Blackhawks) are rebuilding teams with plenty of cap space to sign Marner to a lucrative long-term contract. That won’t be enough to entice him if he wants to play for a contender.

Some (Kings, Islanders) are under new management and might make a big splash in the free-agent pool. The Kings have the cap space but new GM Ken Holland could prefer more affordable options. The Isles can’t afford Marner unless they shed a lot of salary, especially with restricted free agents like Noah Dobson, Alexander Romanov, Maxim Tsyplakov and Simon Holmstrom to re-sign.

The Penguins are rebuilding, but general manager Kyle Dubas has a connection with Marner from his days as the Leafs GM. They have the cap room to pull it off, but Dubas seems unwilling to pursue a big-ticket free agent this summer.

Golden Knights management is renowned for making bold moves, but their limited cap room would hamper efforts to land Marner. Cap space is also an issue for the Avalanche, whose most pressing need is a second-line center if Brock Nelson departs as a UFA. The Capitals have all their core players under contract but lack enough cap dollars to win a bidding war for Marner.

The Hurricanes seem the more likely destination. They’re a perennial playoff team with over $29 million in cap space and 19 active roster players under contract for next season. In March, GM Eric Tulsky said he’d have around $20 million available even if he re-signed all his free agents. If Marner wants a hefty long-term contract and to play for a contender, the Hurricanes are his best option.

THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary also looked at potential destinations for Marner.

If the winger is only interested in the money, Chicago and Pittsburgh would be the best destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: See my previous comments about Chicago and Pittsburgh.

O’Leary listed the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings and the Mammoth among the suitors for teams looking to take the next step.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo and Detroit could be intriguing options for Marner if he wants to stay close to home. Signing with the Sabres would provide extra spice to their long-time rivalry with the Maple Leafs.

O’Leary thinks the Hurricanes, Avalanche and the Florida Panthers are contenders who could make it work.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have the cap room to make it work. The Avalanche and Panthers don’t. The latter will likely try to keep pending UFAs Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and perhaps Brad Marchand in the fold. The Panthers have $19 million available with 16 active roster players under contract. Signing Marner would hinder their efforts to restock their roster depth if Bennett, Ekblad and Marchand depart.

THE MAMMOTH COULD LAND A NOTABLE FREE AGENT

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Quentin Carney wondered if the Utah Mammoth would pursue Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger tests the open market on July 1.

The Mammoth would offer Marner a change of scenery and expectations away from the harsh spotlight in Toronto. They also have the cap space to add a major talent this summer.

Spencer Lazary suggested Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser as an UFA option for the Mammoth. He could thrive away from the Vancouver spotlight. Given the good word of mouth about the franchise, Lazary thinks they have good odds of landing Boeser.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong patiently stockpiled draft picks and prospects during his early years on the job. He made a significant move by acquiring defenseman Mikhail Sergachev from the Tampa Bay Lightning last summer. With over $22 million in cap room and 19 active roster players under contract, Armstrong has the room to land one of this summer’s top free agents.

LATEST ON THE DEVILS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols proposed three offseason trade targets for the Devils to improve their offense. They were Drake Batherson of the Ottawa Senators, Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, and Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch recently mentioned Batherson as a trade candidate. However, The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie doesn’t see them moving the affordable winger unless it’s for a better forward.

Tuch might be available if he and the Sabres can’t agree to an extension. Dorofeyev is coming into his own as a scoring forward, so the Golden Knights won’t move him unless they get a more established scorer in return.

Nichols also recently noted that there will be changes in the trade protection for Devils forwards Erik Haula and Ondrej Palat. Haula’s shifts from a full no-trade clause to a six-team no-trade list, while Palat moves from a full no-movement clause to a 10-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Haula and Palat could be peddled to free up cap space for other moves. Haula would be the easiest to move, carrying a $3.125 million AAV through next season. Palat has two more seasons left on his contract with an AAV of $6 million.

UPDATE ON THE FLYERS

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James listed three possible trade candidates if the Philadelphia Flyers wish to free up some cap space this summer.

Defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.1 million. Goaltender Ivan Fedotov has a year remaining with a cap hit of $3.275 million. Winger Owen Tippett has seven years left with an AAV of $6.25 million.

James believes trading Tippett would be the hardest decision of the three, citing his youth, potential and leadership after Scott Laughton was traded to Toronto. However, the Flyers have a surplus of wingers and need depth at center. Tippett could be an enticing trade chip to address that need.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NJ Hockey Now’s James Nichols thinks Tippett would be a worthwhile trade target for the Devils. He suggested they offer up center Dawson Mercer. However, it remains to be seen if Tippett would be available and if the Devils would be interested.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 22, 2025

by | May 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 22, 2025

Check out the latest on Rangers winger Chris Kreider, Wild center Marco Rossi, Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT WILL THE RANGERS DO WITH CHRIS KREIDER?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh was recently asked what the New York Rangers intend to do with Chris Kreider. The 33-year-old winger was the frequent topic of trade speculation during the regular season.

The Rangers are facing a salary-cap crunch next season. Trading Kreider and his $6.5 million average annual value through 2026-27 is one route to creating cap space.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Kreider carries a 15-team no-trade list. He could make it difficult for the Rangers to move him by eliminating teams with the cap space to take on his salary. That would force the Blueshirts to retain him, put him on waivers, retain salary in a trade or buy him out. The last option would leave a cap hit of $3 million for 2025-26, $4 million in 2026-27, and $1.5 million in each of the following two seasons.

Baugh doesn’t expect the Rangers to bring in any big-name replacements for Kreider. They might have enough room to add a depth player or two. Doing more would require another cost-cutting trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Baugh believes the Rangers and Kreider could work together to find a suitable trade partner if the winger is open to a change. His injuries this season likely prevented the Rangers from finding a suitable deal, but he still managed to reach the 20-goal plateau for the 10th time in his NHL career. A contender seeking an experienced scoring winger could take a chance on a healthy Kreider reaching 30 goals again.

WHAT KIND OF RETURN WOULD MARCO ROSSI FETCH THE WILD?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith were recently asked what a realistic trade for Marco Rossi would look like. The 23-year-old center finished second this season among Minnesota Wild scorers. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1, but faces an uncertain future in Minnesota.

Smith believes there should be a good market for Rossi despite his 5’9”, 192-pound frame. He thinks the Wild could look at what the young center would fetch in compensation if he signed an offer sheet between $4.6 million and $7.02 million AAV (a first and a third-round pick). However, that would feel like an underwhelming return. Smith speculates that Rossi could be part of a larger deal to bring in a larger winger or center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi’s been mentioned as a trade target for several clubs, including the Boston Bruins, Chicago Blackhawks, Montreal Canadiens, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks. It’ll be interesting to see if the Wild attempt to move him during next month’s draft weekend (June 27-28) in Los Angeles.

SABRES GAUGING BOWEN BYRAM’S MARKET VALUE

SPORTSNET/THE SCORE: Elliotte Friedman reports the Buffalo Sabres are gauging Bowen Byram’s value in the trade market. He said there is “no doubt” that the 23-year-old defenseman’s name is out there, adding “there is definitely noise around the Byram names and the Buffalo Sabres.

Byram is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He’s coming off a career-best 38-point performance in 82 games. The Sabres have over $21 million in cap space for 2025-26 but must also re-sign RFA forwards JJ Peterka and Jack Quinn. They’re also expected to spend on outside help after missing the playoffs for the 14th straight year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reports out of Buffalo earlier this month suggested the Sabres would prioritize re-signing Peterka, Quinn, Alex Tuch and Ryan McLeod. They also believed Byram could be used as trade bait to bolster their depth elsewhere, perhaps to acquire a veteran right-shot defenseman to pair with left-shot blueliner Owen Power.

Byram has an injury history but he’s a terrific all-around defenseman when healthy. He should have plenty of value in this summer’s trade market.

SENATORS TO SEEK A RIGHT-SHOT DEFENSEMAN

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios will likely pursue another right-shot defenseman after veteran Nick Jensen underwent surgery on Monday for a lower-body injury.

There is no timetable for Jensen’s recovery. It’s believed he had the procedure on a hip or a knee.

Garrioch claimed the Senators were among the teams that looked into acquiring Rasmus Andersson. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames blueliner has a year remaining on his contract and his future is to be determined. It’s assumed he’ll get an AAV of around $8 million on his next contract, which is why the Flames could move him this summer to get something in return.

The Senators would need assurances that Anderson would agree to an extension before acquiring him, and that could mean the return would have to be high.

Another option could be Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers. The Toronto Maple Leafs tried to acquire him at the trade deadline but were rebuffed. Aaron Ekblad of the Florida Panthers could be available in this summer’s UFA market, but would be an expensive signing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames GM Craig Conroy said he’s hoping to meet with Andersson and his agent in the coming weeks to discuss a contract extension. Nevertheless, the blueliner could be traded if he and Conroy can’t agree on a new deal. The Flames GM probably doesn’t want to repeat what he went through with Elias Lindholm and Noah Hanifin two years ago.

Ristolainen underwent surgery on March 26 to repair a ruptured triceps tendon. He will reportedly be sidelined for six months and will miss training camp.

COULD MAXIME COMTOIS RETURN WITH THE RED WINGS?

RG.ORG: Daria Tuboltseva cited sources claiming Maxime Comtois could make his return to the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings. The 26-year-old forward spent this season with KHL club Dynamo Moscow, collecting 50 points in 62 games and leading them in playoff scoring with 13 points.

“I’ve always said I wanted to return to the NHL, and this season I did everything possible to make that happen,” said Comtois. He also reportedly has a contract offer from the Boston Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Comtois was a once-promising forward with the Anaheim Ducks from 2018-19 to 2022-23, but he never reached expectations. He could become an affordable reclamation project for the Wings, Bruins or another NHL club.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2025

by | May 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2025

Check out the latest on Mitch Marner and Nikolaj Ehlers, plus a look at the Golden Knights’ possible offseason plans in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST MARNER SPECULATION

TSN: Pierre LeBrun noted the contrast between Toronto Maple Leafs forwards John Tavares and Mitch Marner when discussing their futures during Tuesday’s media availability.

Tavares was optimistic about returning with the Leafs next season. However, Marner spoke in the past tense about loving being a Leaf, and his intention to take time with his family to discuss his future.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Chris Johnston believes Marner intends to test the free-agent market on July 1. He noted that the 28-year-old winger didn’t want to discuss a contract during this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner’s situation has reached the point of no return. He’s a goner to the highest bidder on July 1.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons also believes it’s time for the Leafs and Marner to part ways. He believes the winger’s rights can be traded for next to nothing before July 1 or he leaves in free agency.

Simmons noted the Leafs will have around $22 million in cap space to work with if they don’t re-sign Marner and Tavares. He suggested using that money to get into the bidding for forward Sam Bennett if he doesn’t re-sign with the Florida Panthers before July 1. Simmons also noted that Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad could also be available.

Other free-agent options could include Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets, Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks, Patrick Kane of the Detroit Red Wings and the Panthers’ Brad Marchand.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli doesn’t rule out the possibility of the Leafs finding a trade destination for Marner where he wants to pre-negotiate before July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs won’t get a big return for Marner if they trade his rights before July 1. The Carolina Hurricanes got a 2025 third-round pick for Jake Guentzel when they traded his rights to the Tampa Bay Lightning last June.

WILL NIKOLAJ EHLERS STAY WITH THE JETS OR TEST THE MARKET?

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates looked at what the Winnipeg Jets must address during the offseason.

Sorting out their contract signings is a priority, with Nikolaj Ehlers being the biggest question mark. The 28-year-old winger is UFA-eligible on July 1 and might be inclined to test the market after 10 years in Winnipeg. He wasn’t available at the Jets’ media availability on Tuesday as he departed for the World Championships to play for his native Denmark.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers’ teammates praised him during the media availability, expressing their hope that he’ll re-sign with the Jets. If he hits the open market, he won’t lack for suitors. The Province’s Ben Kuzma believes the Vancouver Canucks will be among the bidders.

UPDATE ON THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell doesn’t expect Golden Knights management to blow up the roster after their elimination from the second round of the 2025 playoffs.

She acknowledged the Golden Knights’ inability to score against the Edmonton Oilers led to their elimination. Their shallow prospect pool means they don’t have many tradeable assets, meaning they’ll have to turn to free agency to bolster their offense.

The Golden Knights will have over $9.6 million in cap space next season. That’s not enough to add someone like Mitch Marner via free agency. Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers could be just out of their price range, and there will be plenty of suitors for Vancouver’s Brock Boeser.

General manager Kelly McCrimmon will have to get creative. Jack Eichel is the only untouchable on the Golden Knights’ roster. Five of their nine forwards and three of their five defensemen signed through next season have some form of no-trade protection.

Kirkell suggested winger Ivan Barbashev as a trade candidate because he only has an eight-team no-trade list. Their depth at center could allow them to dangle Nicolas Roy as trade bait for a scoring winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCrimmon and the Golden Knights’ front office have a reputation for making surprising moves to improve their roster. It won’t be shocking if they swing a major deal this summer to improve their offense.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 20, 2025

by | May 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 20, 2025

The ongoing fallout from the Maple Leafs’ second-round elimination in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SCORE: John Matisz believes change is coming for the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he wonders how much.

Matisz doesn’t expect team president Brendan Shanahan or pending free-agent winger Mitch Marner will receive contract extensions. He doubts that general manager Brad Treliving or head coach Craig Berube will lose their jobs because they were hired within the last two years.

John Tavares is also due to become a free agent, but his situation isn’t so cut and dried. He could remain a Leaf if he accepts a significant pay cut and a reduced role. Meanwhile, restricted free-agent winger Matthews Knies must be signed sooner rather than later to avoid receiving an offer sheet from a rival club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s assuming Knies is open to signing an offer sheet. It could cost between $7.020 million and $9.36 million to sign him, meaning the Leafs would get a first, a second and a third-round pick in the 2026 draft as compensation. That combination could be too rich for most clubs. Remember, those draft picks have to belong to the team making the offer, it can’t be picks they acquired from another club.

Matisz thinks Treliving must acquire a top-six winger to replace Marner and perhaps a second-line center to replace Tavares. He must also address the club’s lack of production among its bottom-six forwards. They also need a middle-six puck-moving defenseman.

SPORTSNET: Justin Bourne believes the Maple Leafs should avoid signing Sam Bennett if the versatile Florida Panthers forward becomes a UFA on July 1. He’ll be 29 and seeking a seven-year contract that the Leafs could regret as his physical style begins to wear him down. Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets might be a more affordable option and would replace some of Marner’s offense.

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (NHL Images).

Bourne isn’t sure that bringing back Tavares on a discount would be a good thing since he’s been part of the Leafs’ recent postseason failures. He also singled out the declining play of defenseman Morgan Rielly, who carries an average annual value of $7.5 million that might be better spent elsewhere.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin also cited Rielly’s declining performance. He believes the Leafs’ offseason priority should be acquiring a puck-moving defenseman. Larkin noted the pickings are slim in this summer’s UFA market, and suggested checking into the trade market by kicking tires on a player like Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders.

If the Leafs are thinking short term, he suggested signing UFA forwards like Bennett and Florida teammate Brad Marchand.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 37-year-old Marchand would definitely be short-term as he’ll likely get a two or three-year contract. Bennett would help them in the first two or three years, but I agree with Bourne that his deal would become burdensome in its final years.

Frank Seravalli wondered if the Maple Leafs’ purge might end at Mitch Marner. He also mentioned Tavares and Rielly, and even asked, “What about Auston Matthews?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews is in the first season of his four-year contract extension with full no-movement protection. However, we can’t dismiss the possibility that he might welcome a trade if the right opportunity presents itself.

TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran looked at the Leafs’ options for the offseason. They could use the cap saving from letting Marner go to free agency to put toward signing Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers or winger Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks. He also suggested waiting a year and trying to sign Connor McDavid when the Edmonton Oilers captain is UFA-eligible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid won’t be available. The Oilers will sign him to an extension, making him the highest-paid player in the league.

McGran also mentioned Rielly’s deteriorating play and his $7.5 million AAV. He also has a no-movement clause, but McGran suggested the buyout route.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forget about the buyout. Rielly has five years left on his contract, meaning the buyout would be on their books for the next 10 years. The cap hit for the first year is $1.633 million, rising to $3.633 million annually for the next four years, before dropping to $2.133 million annually for the remaining five years. Not even the deep-pocketed Leafs owners want a buyout on their books for that long.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reminds us that Rielly’s NMC lasts for two more seasons, after which it becomes a 10-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs will likely carry Rielly for at least two more seasons. They might have to retain part of his salary to facilitate a trade, but carrying some dead-cap space for three years is better than going the buyout route.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James wonders if the Flyers would make sense as a UFA destination for Marner. While signing the 28-year-old superstar winger would be expensive, James believes he’d be the perfect piece to lift the rebuilding Flyers into playoff contention and lead them into a Stanley Cup hunt in the near future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before debating whether Marner would be a fit with the Flyers, it’s best to ask if they’re a good fit for Marner. He could prefer joining a team that’s closer to contention.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears suggests the Islanders have a window for a double dose of revenge against the Leafs for signing away John Tavares in 2018.

Sears suggested the Isles hire Brendan Shanahan when he becomes available as their new president of hockey operations and/or general manager. He also proposed signing Mitch Marner if the Islanders could find a way to clear some cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Man, that Tavares signing still burns deep in the psyche of some Islanders’ fans.

Meanwhile, in the real world, the Isles search for a new general manager has reportedly boiled down to former Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin and Tampa Bay Lightning assistant GM Mathieu Darche.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 19, 2025

by | May 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 19, 2025

Check out the latest on the Leafs and the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE LEAFS?

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin believes the Toronto Maple Leafs cannot return with the same core next season following another disappointing playoff meltdown.

Larkin doesn’t think Auston Matthews and William Nylander are going anywhere because they’ve just commenced their long-term extension. However, forwards Mitch Marner and John Tavares are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 and face uncertain futures.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby expects changes among the “Core Four” forwards. He doubts the Leafs will break the bank to keep Marner in Toronto. Meanwhile, Tavares will be 35 when next season starts, and his idea of a hometown discount could differ from management’s.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Hornby pointed out that winger Matthew Knies is coming off his entry-level contract, becoming a restricted free agent unless he signs an extension before July 1. The 22-year-old power forward could also receive a lucrative offer sheet from a rival club.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle doesn’t see the Leafs retaining team president Brendan Shanahan. After 11 years at the helm, his contract is up at the end of this season.

Mirtle doesn’t expect Marner will be back, pointing out his unwillingness to negotiate a contract during this season and the club’s attempt to move him at the trade deadline. They could retain Tavares at a deep discount, but that might not make sense given he had only three even-strength points in this postseason.

Chris Johnston believes the clock is ticking on Marner’s days with the Leafs. He could become the highest-profile player in this summer’s UFA market. Shouldering a disproportionate share of the blame for the Leafs’ playoff failures could make free agency more alluring to him.

Jonas Siegel sees this as the end of the “Shanaplan” and the “Core Four” era in Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve expected changes from Toronto since they blew a 3-1 series lead and lost to the underdog Montreal Canadiens in 2021. This time, however, it feels like significant change is finally coming. They have to. The patience of Leafs Nation is finally tapped out.

Shanahan, Marner and Tavares are on expiring contracts. It’s time for a change in oversight, and it’s time for a shakeup among their core players.

Letting Marner and Tavares walk enables the Leafs to put the dollars they would’ve invested in those two into players who might better suit their needs.

They have a projected cap space of $26.8 million with 16 active roster players (including Matthews, Nylander, and Morgan Rielly) under contract for next season.

That’s enough to make a significant addition or two via trade or free agency and have enough to re-sign Knies to a long-term deal.

THE LATEST ON THE SENATORS

SPORTSNET: Alex Adams was asked about possible offseason targets for the Ottawa Senators.

He thinks pending UFA winger Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets would be a perfect fit alongside Tim Stutzle. Adding a right-shot defenseman like Florida’s Aaron Ekblad or Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames would be nice, but Adams wondered if they could make a move for a Nick Jensen-type player like Michael Kesselring of the Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have $17.5 million available with 14 active roster players under contract, with UFA-eligible forward Claude Giroux and pending RFAs Fabian Zetterlund and Tyler Kleven to re-sign. They’ll also need a backup for Linus Ullmark if Anton Forsberg departs via free agency.

Assuming those players are affordable re-signings, the Senators won’t have much wiggle room to pursue guys like Ehlers and Ekblad. Andersson has a year left on his contract but could sign an extension with the Flames this summer. If he becomes available, the Flames will set a high asking price. Kesselring is also under contract for another year. Utah has no reason to move him.

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie was asked if the Senators might go the offer-sheet route this summer.

McKenzie is keeping his expectations low, pointing out the Senators are keeping their 2025 first-round pick, meaning they’ll forfeit their 2026 pick because of the Evgenii Dadonov trade debacle three years ago. He also pointed out they don’t have their 2026 second-rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators only have the necessary offer-sheet compensations for deals worth an average annual value of between $1.544 million and $2.34 million. That will cost a 2026 third-rounder. Anything under $1.544 million has no compensation penalty.