The Edmonton Oilers have been thrust toward a stressful offseason after their Game 6 defeat. They face multiple contract situations in need of sorting-out with just under $12M in projected cap space. Top of list will be re-signing star defender Evan Bouchard before he becomes a restricted free agent. Edmonton will turn their attention towards negotiations on what is expected to be an eight-figure deal later this week, per David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period. Pagnotta adds that next on the list will be signing captain Connor McDavid to an extension when he becomes eligible on July 1.
Both contracts will break ground when they’re signed. Bouchard has hit impressive heights for only being 25 years old. His 238 points in 347 career games ranks sixth in the league among defenders his age or under. Rasmus Dahlin, who ranks second with 360 points, is the only player above Bouchard to have signed recently. He inked an eight-year, $88M deal with the Buffalo Sabres last summer. Bouchard’s cap hit would likely land under Dahlin’s $11M, though the cap’s projected growth could keep the two close.
That will make projecting a new price for superstar McDavid all the tougher. He already carries the fourth-highest cap hit in the league — $12.5M on a deal signed in 2017. No one else came close to making as much until Nathan MacKinnon signed for $12.6M in 2023, Auston Matthews’ signed for $13.25M last summer, and Oilers teammate Leon Draisaitl signed for $14M shortly after.
McDavid’s prowess is hard to deny. He’s reached legendary scoring heights in both the regular season and playoffs. There seems to be no one number that’d sound right to award the 826 points he’s (so far) scored in 503 games of his current contract. Draisaitl’s record-holding cap-hit will be Edmonton’s only guide. He did top McDavid in scoring by six points this season but even then — the younger McDavid is likely to warrant a slight pay boost. His new deal could land in the realm of $14.5M or even $15M.
The importance of getting both deals done can’t go understated. McDavid and Bouchard were Edmonton’s most used forward and defender respectively, and have ranked in the top-three of team scoring in each of the last two seasons. Edmonton will be locking up their top defenseman ahead of his prime, and the core of their franchise through his golden years, with these deals. They’ll also be defining their future budget — namely what they’ll be willing to spend on their 13 pending free agents in 2026, including goaltender Stuart Skinner.
McDavid and Bouchard will land as the league’s most expensive top-forward, top-defender tandem in the NHL before July 1 with this news. The two — and their phenomenal supporting cast — have already pushed Edmonton to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup Finals. With long-term deals, the Oilers could be guaranteeing the structure needed to make at least a few more runs for the title, especially as they find value deals for goaltending or depth improvements.
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With Mitch Marner’s move to the Vegas Golden Knights closing a major chapter in Toronto, GM Brad Treliving made a series of moves to replace his production. He might not be done. Three may be even bolder moves on the horizon. We’ve heard the names Calle Jarnkrok and David Kampf before. However, the Maple Leafs are actively fielding and exploring trade scenarios as they look to reshape their roster — and according to Nick Kypreos, a handful of intriguing names are emerging in trade chatter: Morgan Rielly, Brandon Carlo, and former Leafs fan-favorite Nazem Kadri. The most surprising name still generating buzz is Rielly. Despite being a longtime cornerstone on Toronto’s blue line, his $7.5 million cap hit and no-move clause complicate matters. Yet with the team needing help up front, and possible interest in offensive defensemen like Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Rielly could become part of a larger plan if he’s open to waiving. Also surprising is the talk surrounding Carlo. A recent addition to the Leafs’ defense corps, he is already being talked about behind the scenes as a potential trade piece. If he were made available, there is interest around the league, as the 6-foot-6 shutdown defender has a team-friendly cap hit and strong penalty-killing ability. Trading Carlo could get the Leafs a top-six forward. Finally, reports on the availability of Kadri remain conflicting. Some say he’s not available, while others suggest that the Calgary Flames would consider the idea. The former Maple Leaf would be a welcome addition back to Toronto, but there isn’t much of a reason for the Flames to trade him unless the return is outstanding. Kadri reportedly would consider waiving his no-move clause for a reunion. That said, getting a deal done won’t be easy, especially with Montreal also rumored to be on his short list. Whether any of these deals come to pass or are just pure speculation, one thing’s sure: the Maple Leafs aren’t standing still. Treliving is trying to get his roster to score more goals. He seems willing to entertain any idea and play Moneyball with the roster if it will help.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have been in the sports news cycle throughout the 2025 offseason. It has been an extremely busy time for general manager Omar Khan and the rest of the front office. Moves have been made on both sides of the ball, which has fueled excitement in a city that has not seen a playoff win since the 2016 campaign. One of the more intriguing pieces to the puzzle as training camp gets underway isn't necessarily any of the new faces, but rather, a group that returns its core from 2024. The offensive line is expected to play a crucial role. Offensive line coach Pat Meyer is on the hot seat for what seems like the third year in a row, and his training camp got off to the wrong start when the most experienced member of his unit, Isaac Seumalo, was placed on the non-football injury list. This will provide a challenge during team development, as offensive linemen need to build rapport with one another and be in unison once the regular season kicks off. Another storyline is the presence of 2023 first-round selection, Broderick Jones. The Steelers traded up to pick him out of the University of Georgia, but he has yet to live up to the hype. In all fairness, he was drafted to be a left tackle, but hasn't gotten the chance to play there permanently. He will have the opportunity to do so in his third professional season, and he has a fifth-year option to consider that could be declined in the 2026 offseason if he underperforms. One of the most team's most respected insiders, Gerry Dulac, appeared on the "Steve Jones Show" on Wednesday, and when the left tackle came up in discussion, it wasn't all positive. The Steelers apparently believe he can be a phenomenal lineman, but they aren't convinced he is completely bought in. "They really really think Broderick Jones is immensely talented," Dulac said of the third-year offensive lineman. "They would just like to see him mature, kind of professionally, personally [and] take his job and his performance just a little more seriously." This is certainly a concerning comment from the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reporter. Jones was looked at as a raw prospect coming out of college, but he always possessed the size and talent to be a great player in the NFL. If he isn't taking his job seriously enough, it would suggest that he is trying to rely on his skills alone, which is never good enough at the highest level. The offensive line has the ability to determine how the Steelers' 2025 season goes. With a 41-year-old quarterback in Aaron Rodgers, the big men up front will need to keep the guy under center upright. The team will also want to run the ball effectively, so it will be imperative to create holes and win the line of scrimmage on a consistent basis. Pittsburgh isn't necessarily starting off training camp on the right foot with Seumalo unable to participate in team activities, and now the comments from Dulac surely will be cause for concern when it comes to Jones, who has yet to convince the fan base that he was worth a first-round pick in 2023. If he wants to remain in the Steel City long-term, Jones should be preparing to be the most serious individual in the locker room. Steelers should have one clear advantage on the offensive line Zach Frazier was selected in the second-round back in 2024, and he was one of the most important rookies in the NFL. Entering his sophomore season, he is expected to not just take a step forward, but play like a Pro Bowler. While there could be some questions and inconsistencies in certain spots, Frazier should be the No. 1 guy that the group can rely on week in and week out.
It’s been a busy summer for New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman, having watched several pitchers and the team’s primary third baseman fall victim to lengthy IL stints. Cashman has at least three holes to repair, but who can the Yankees deal to land some worthwhile replacements? Among New York's trade chips that have been frequently mentioned as of recent is outfielder Spencer Jones. Whether for the Arizona Diamondbacks' Eugenio Suarez or Pittsburgh Pirates' Mitch Keller, several rumors have suggested a package involving Jones, the Yankees’ No. 4 prospect and purported “left-handed Aaron Judge.” Up until this season, Jones had struggled to live up to his monstrous expectations, which made him rather undesirable in prior trade discussions. But whereas many teams and writers saw him as a hard pass in trade talks over the offseason, Jones has now become a hot commodity. Off to a scorching start in Triple-A (.408/.470/.901 with 10 home runs in just 17 games entering Wednesday), Jones has compiled a head-turning .313/.412/.683 stat line with a career-high 26 home runs and 16 stolen bases in 246 at-bats across Double and Triple-A this season. With his awe-striking power finally producing some results, Jones has become a top-of-the-line trade chip. However, this doesn’t mean the Yankees should consider trading him. Why not? Center field-related uncertainty Yankees’ center fielder, Cody Bellinger, has played well in pinstripes this year which raises the topic of his player option for next season. In addition, since he is getting paid more than his option is worth next year, chances are he decides to try the free-agent market. If Bellinger does leave, center field will be wide open as Trent Grisham will also likely test free agency after this season. Unlike Jones, neither Judge nor Jasson Dominguez have displayed the aptitude necessary to capably play the position. The Yankees’ shallow depth will also prove to be a challenge for finding a replacement. If Bellinger does stay, he can slide into first base while Jones takes over at center. But whether he decides to stay or go, Bellinger will be a free agent after the 2026 season. Trade value Jones’ numbers are on fire, but his trade value has yet to catch up, due to his unstable track record. Nonetheless, using a prospect of Jones’ caliber (along with others) to land someone like Keller (career 4.43 ERA), for example, or any similar player would equate to mismanagement. Given his torrid stretch this year, there is a good chance Jones lives up to his stunning potential. Selling him for a fraction of his future worth would be regrettable. Yankees’ current situation The Yankees are without Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt for the year and many others sit on the IL alongside them. This deficiency could be offset by acquiring some rentals, namely Suarez. However, as the risk with all rentals, Suárez will likely test free agency at the end of the season. Unless the Yankees extend or sign him, he won’t share the same side of the field with Cole or Schmidt (while active). If they can land Suarez without trading Jones, all would be well for the Yankees. If not, this could be a case of mortgaging the future to improve a very gloomy present. In the end, it may be better to have Jones’ bat backing Cole over the next three years rather than Suárez’s bat backing Will Warren this year. If the Yankees are dealing for rentals at the deadline, it’s best to leave Jones out of it.
The Philadelphia Eagles are now in title defense mode after ending the Kansas City Chiefs' bid at a Super Bowl three-peat last season. A key part of the team's success on their title run was interior defensive lineman Jordan Davis. The No. 13 pick in the 2022 NFL Draft somehow looks like a man amongst boys even at the NFL level, and recorded a critical sack in the team's 40-22 Super Bowl LIX victory as the Chiefs were looking to stage a comeback. While interior defensive linemen are typically big, Davis was listed at 6-foot-6, 336 pounds this past season. It's unclear exactly what his weight as the Eagles' training camp is in full swing, but on Wednesday, many fans took notice of how slim he looks. "That boy was putting work in all offseason," wrote one fan. "I need his trainer asap," said another. "Boy looking great cant wait to see what he does this year," commented another fan. "Definition of what money do health is wealth," said one fan. "Insane transformation," chimed in another. After playing in all 17 regular-season games for the past two seasons, with Davis presumably in the best shape of his career, things could get even scarier for offensive lines. This past season, Davis racked up 27 total tackles, one sack, two pass deflections and a fumble recovery. Money motivated While Davis simply could have gotten a taste of winning, and wanted to do more to maximize his game, it also doesn't seem coincidental that he's completely changed his physique ahead of a contract year. The former Georgia Bulldog is heading into the final season of his rookie deal after the Eagles picked up his $12.9 million option. In what is very much a prove-it year for him, Davis is making sure he's putting in all of the work to earn an even bigger payday next season.
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