NHL News

Home

Teams

Quizzes

Newsletter

Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)

NHL Rumors: Boeser, Canucks, Knies, Maple Leafs, Rangers

Originally posted on The Hockey Writers | By Jim Parsons | Last updated Apr 11, 2025 2:52 PM ET

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Brock Boeser says he’s likely to test the market and doesn’t seem himself re-signing with the Vancouver Canucks. Meanwhile, TSN insider Chris Johnston says he doesn’t believe an offer sheet on Matthew Knies is a real threat for the Toronto Maple Leafs. What makes him so confident the Leafs don’t have to worry? Finally, the New York Rangers are likely to make a coaching change this summer. But, is the GM on the hot seat as well?

Boeser Likely Leaving Canucks This Offseason

Brock Boeser, who’s a pending UFA this summer, says he does not expect to return to the Canucks next season. According to Elliotte Friedman on the on 32 Thoughts Podcast, Boeser turned down five years x $8 million from Vancouver. He believes he can get more in free agency and will see if teams come to the plate with better offers.

Boeser said, “Honestly, it’s unlikely at this point. It sucks, it’s unfortunate. I’m just trying to play good hockey, and then I’ll worry about everything after that. We all know it’s been a roller coaster of a year. There’s been a lot of different things.”

The Canucks gambled by holding onto Boeser and Pius Suter at the deadline, even though they were a borderline playoff team. They took public shots at Boeser’s trade deadline value, failed to make the postseason, and now look set to lose him for nothing in free agency. There will be questions about how both Patrik Allvin and Jim Rutherford chose to handle this situation.

There is chatter that the Boston Bruins and the Minnesota Wild could be two teams to watch regarding Boeser and free agency.

Maple Leafs Not Worried About an Offer Sheet on Matthew Knies

TSN analyst Chris Johnston reports that despite recent chatter that Matthew Knies could be an offer sheet target this summer, this is not a realistic threat.

First, he notes, “Matthews Knies himself is not really interested in entertaining an offer sheet.” He adds that neither Knies nor his agent is looking at it as an option this summer. Second, the Toronto Maple Leafs have the necessary cap space needed to sign all of their big-name players this off-season. The Leafs need to make big decisions on Mitch Marner, John Tavares, and Knies, but they should have room to sign all of them to extensions. Johnston notes, “I really believe the leaves are in a position to sign this player, and if he were to sign up for sheet, they likely match it.”

Rangers Likely Move on From Laviolette, Drury Safe

Speaking on Insider Trading yesterday, Pierre LeBrun of TSN suggested that Peter Laviolette’s future with the New York Rangers is definitely in question. He called it “low-hanging fruit” that Laviolette will be let go, but speculation is out there. “The expectations from a lot of people I’ve talked to is that Peter Laviolette could get fired.”

When it comes to GM Chris Drury, LeBrun noted, “My sense there is that he should be okay. I think there’s a lot of loyalty from Jim Dolan, the owner.” LeBrun added, “He was pretty busy out of the trade deadline, too, really kind of setting up his offseason with a lot of moves he made. I think he plans to be aggressive in trying to retool the Rangers again here this summer.”

There will be changes with the Rangers this summer, and those changes could start with a new coach behind the bench.