NHL Rumors: Marner, Maple Leafs, Islanders, Bruins

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the Toronto Maple Leafs did ask Mitch Marner about his interest in a trade to Carolina, and one report suggests his answer to the team wasn’t immediate, nor that he knew who he was going to be traded for. Meanwhile, the New York Islanders have already noted that there will be changes this summer. Finally, video footage of the trade that sent Brad Marchand to the Florida Panthers was shared, and it seems clear some within the organization weren’t happy about the deal.

Did Marner Consider a Trade to the Hurricanes?

Reports that Mitch Marner declined a trade that would have sent him to the Carolina Hurricanes is true, but did the forward have to think about things before saying no? According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, the 28-year-old winger didn’t immediately refuse the deal but took time to consider before ultimately rejecting the move.

Simmons writes:

“For all he talks about wanting to be a Maple Leaf for life, his only team, his only town, when he was asked about waiving the no-trade arrangement in his contract, he didn’t answer immediately.”

source – ‘SIMMONS SAYS: Mitch Marner actions do not match his words on staying a Leaf’ – Steve Simmons – Toronto Sun – 03-16-2025

The proposed trade would have sent Marner to Carolina in exchange for Mikko Rantanen, but Simmons is reporting that Marner didn’t know that at the time. That runs counter to many reports that Toronto went to Marner and specifically talked about the opportunity to add Rantanen, which was the only reason they asked Marner in the first place.

Simmons also wrote that the Hurricanes leaked the trade discussions. He wrote, “It was in the Hurricanes’ best interest to change the narrative from the god-awful trade they made sending Rantanen to Dallas.”

Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello Signals More Roster Changes Coming

New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello made it clear that more changes are coming to the team this summer. Lamoriello expressed mixed feelings about the team’s trade deadline moves. While he was pleased with the team acquiring Calum Ritchie from Colorado, he admitted he would have preferred to keep Brock Nelson. Contract talks didn’t go as hoped. The team also decided against trading pending free agent Kyle Palmieri, and they are talking about an extension.