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Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun: The Toronto Maple Leafs star players didn’t do enough to get the Leafs to Conference Finals and there is work for GM Brad Treliving to do this offseason.
It doesn’t seem likely the Maple Leafs are going re-sign Mitch Marner to a huge, long-term deal. 35-year-old John Tavares was consistent for most of the year would take a hometown discount to stay, but will it be the same discounted price the Leafs are thinking?
Max Pacioretty and Jani Hakanpaa are pending UFAs. Matthew Knies and Nick Robertson are RFAs.
Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun: Mitch Marner was the last Maple Leaf player off the ice last night. It was possibly the last time in a Maple Leafs jersey. In six Game 7s for the Leafs, Marner has only two points. Auston Matthews has three assists over the same span, but he’s already got a contract beyond this season.
John Tavares future is also up in the air. Tavares says he still wants to be a Leaf.
“It’s meant everything to me,” Tavares said of his time in Toronto. “It was a big decision I made seven years ago and I’ve loved it. It’s been amazing for myself and my family.”
Marner’s comments weren’t clear.
“I don’t have any thoughts right now.” Marner said of the future. “Pretty devastated with what just happened. Devastated. Always enjoyed this team.”
Evan Doerfler: Marner: “It’s meant everything… I’ve been forever grateful to be able to wear this Maple Leaf.”
Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff: There will be plenty of questions for the Toronto Maple Leafs to answer after their second-round exit.
Do they pay up to keep Mitch Marner or do they turn to other free agents like Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand and Nikolaj Ehlers? Do they re-sign John Tavares to a cap-friendly deal? Would they be able to trade defenseman Morgan Rielly and forward Max Domi, both who had an up and down season?
One thing seems for certain, the Maple Leafs can’t come back next season with the same core.
You have to feel sorry for tormented Maple Leafs fans. The Leafs not only haven’t won the Cup since 1967, but are 2-14 in clinching games in the salary-cap era, including 0-7 in Game 7s. So close, yet so far. pic.twitter.com/M0c47IHwlD
— Mark Potash (@MarkPotash) May 19, 2025
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Top Insider Expects Maple Leafs to Take Major Swing' to Improve Their Roster
Insider Nick Alberga stated in a report posted on Leafs Nation that the Toronto Maple Leafs will take a 'major swing' to improve their roster next summer. After seeing Mitch Marner sign a long-term contract with the Vegas Golden Knights, it's safe to say that Toronto Maple Leafs fans have seen their favorite team in better shape. Marner scored nearly 100 points a season since joining the team, and won't be easily replaced, this year at least. While there are some interesting names out there, the Leafs don't have many trade assets, and already used the cap space created by Marner's departure to sign three other players: Dakota Joshua, Matias Maccelli, Michael Pezzetta. Combining all their salaries, along with Roy's, nearly matches the one the Leafs were paying Marner last year. Although these players could play a big role in Toronto next season, they're no Mitch Marner. The insider Nick Alberga revealed in a recent paper published on Leafs Nation that the General Manager of the team Brad Treliving could be waiting for next summer before making a big acquisition that would change the face of his team. Indeed, in less than a year, one of the most impressive free agent classes will enter the market, with names such as Martin Necas, Alex Tuch, Adrian Kempe, Mike Matheson, and many more. Please note that other big picture players such as Connor McDavid and Lane Hutson weren't included in the list because it would be surprising to see them enter the market in spite of their current contracts expiring at the end of the next season. With the raise in the NHL cap, the Leafs will have around $24 million available next summer, indicating a big acquisition isn't off the table for Treliving and Toronto. The expectations will be high in Toronto. The 2026 summer will be a crucial offseason for the Leafs. After the next season, there will only be two years remaining on Auston Matthews' $13M AAV deal. If nothing happens in that window, fans won't be happy, and management will likely take another route, once again.
Five potential landing spots for Christian Wilkins after stunning Raiders release
The Las Vegas Raiders just stunned the league by releasing defensive tackle Christian Wilkins after only one year with the team. After signing a four-year, $110 million contract, he struggled with injuries in 2024. This was supposed to be a big bounce-back year for Wilkins, but after a dispute between the two sides in regard to how to handle his foot injury, the team decided it was best to part ways. Now, a premier interior disruptor is suddenly available. Assuming his medicals get checked out soon, there should be a lot of interest around the league. Where should he land? Dallas Cowboys Dallas has needed a dominant interior presence for quite some time. Osa Odighizuwa is an awesome threat, but he is only solid against the run. Alongside him, the team will be banking heavily on 2023 first-rounder Mazi Smith, who has been disappointing so far. With Dallas looking to return to the playoffs, adding a stud like Wilkins could give Dallas one of the best defensive lines in the NFL. San Francisco 49ers The 49ers added some young bodies in CJ West and Alfred Collins, yet neither offer a proven, all-around talent like Wilkins could if healthy. The 49ers defensive line was horrid outside of Nick Bosa in 2024, but by adding Wilkins, the team would now have a solid cast of starters with Nick Bosa, Mykel Williams, Wilkins and Kevin Givens/Jordan Elliott. Miami Dolphins A return to Miami makes a ton of sense for both sides. The Dolphins know exactly how to use Wilkins, he knows the building and players, and the transition would be very easy. Miami needs help in the interior defensive line; by plugging Wilkins back into his old role, he could offer the quickest path to high-level impact. Detroit Lions With Levi Onwuzurike out with injury and Detroit needing more juice on the defensive line, adding a proven disruptor like Wilkins could make some sense. He could provide more depth while he gets fully healthy, and he can join a legit Super Bowl contender. His energy and mentality could be a good fit for a Dan Campbell-led squad. Jacksonville Jaguars The Jaguars defense is average in the interior, but they have excellent edge-rushers who would benefit greatly from a strong disruptor up the middle. Wilkins could balance the front, help in the run defense and allow more one-on-ones for their premier edge-rushers. For a team that wants to return to the playoffs as soon as possible, adding a veteran like Wilkins could be a worthy bet to make.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complicated legacy
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.
Sacramento Kings GM Reveals 'Ideal' Lineup Change
For years, the Sacramento Kings have struggled due to a lack of size and athleticism, especially at the forward positions. But new GM Scott Perry has a goal to address that team need this offseason to help move Keegan Murray to a different spot in certain lineups. The Kings came into the offseason with two main goals: to add a lead point guard and to add length and athleticism. They brought in Dennis Schröder to solve their point guard needs, but haven't fully addressed the need to add wing depth. They drafted Nique Clifford and Maxime Raynaud, who both bring good size, but neither fits the 3/4 prototype of a 6-foot-8 to 6-foot-10 wing that could help Keegan Murray on the frontcourt. But it appears that the need is still on Scott Perry's mind, as he stated when he joined Sactown Sports 1140 on the Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross. "It's always on my radar to get better. That position, the four position, if a team has a good four-man, they're holding on to him," Perry stated. "In an ideal world, I'd like to be able to get Keegan more opportunities playing the small forward to allow us to play bigger as a team. " With the roster as currently constructed, the Kings' only backup power forward options are Dario Saric, who may be more of a center at this point in his career, and second-year big Isaac Jones. Doug McDermott could fill in, but he's a little undersized for the power forward spot and the Kings shouldn't go into the season relying on him for more than a shooting spark off the bench. It's also possible that Raynaud gets some time at the power forward spot, as he has the potential to be able to play next to Domantas Sabonis thanks to his outside shooting. But again, he's not the switchable wing that is so valuable in today's NBA. The Kings are still tied to restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga, with the two sides meeting for the first time in recent days, with the meeting going well between Perry and Kuminga. Bringing in the 22-year-old wing would certainly solve the problem that the Kings are facing and give them extra size on the wings. A duo of Kuminga and Murray would be the best forward duo the Kings have had in recent years, potentially passing Harrison Barnes and Murray. What will be interesting to see what happens if the Kings strike out on Kuminga and are unable to get a sign and trade done with the Warriors. Perry seems to be patient going into next season, taking his time to build the roster in a way that fits his long term vision. There are a few options out there, including Precious Achiuwa and Kai Jones, or they could look to bring Trey Lyles, who they can go over the cap to sign since they have his bird rights. For now, we appear to be stuck in a wait-and-see situation until the Kuminga deal is resolved, but it's at least good news that Perry still has the power forward spot on his mind as the offseason continues.
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