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With less than three weeks remaining before free agency opens on July 1, the NHL rumor mill is churning at full speed. From Mitch Marner’s expected departure in Toronto to tension in Tampa Bay and uncertainty in Colorado and Vancouver, here’s a breakdown of some of the league’s most talked-about situations heading into the weekend.
Latest Maple Leafs rumors and trade talk
The biggest storyline continues to center around Mitch Marner, whose time with the Toronto Maple Leafs appears to be nearing its end. Andy Strickland reported definitively this week that Marner will not be returning to Toronto, with multiple sources indicating the 27-year-old winger is set to hit the open market.
The potential price tag he could command is shocking to many. There’s growing chatter that a team — possibly the Carolina Hurricanes — could offer Marner north of $14 million per year on a long-term deal. The Hurricanes are expected to take a “massive swing” if he becomes available July 1.
As much as the Hurricanes have been linked to this, he’s turned them down in the past, and insider Elliotte Friedman added that if Marner leaves, he expects the forward to sign with a Western Conference team. Anaheim, Vegas and Los Angeles have been connected to Marner rumors before. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers are reportedly interested in Marner, but if they can’t land him — or targets like Sam Bennett or Nikolaj Ehlers — they might even explore offer sheets.
Toronto is also drawing headlines for other names. Chris Johnston mentioned that, on some level, Brad Marchand to the Leafs “makes sense,” but there’s been no confirmation of actual discussions. As for John Tavares, Friedman reports the Anaheim Ducks could emerge as a landing spot if the veteran captain and Toronto part ways.
Lightning and Isaac Howard splitting
Tampa Bay’s once-promising relationship with 2022 first-round pick Isaac Howard appears broken beyond repair. Frank Seravalli stated this week that the relationship is “over,” and there’s a strong belief Howard will be moved at or before the upcoming NHL Draft.
The Lightning do have the option of receiving a compensatory second-round pick in 2027 if they don’t sign Howard, but it would be the final pick of that round, making a trade the much more attractive option. With multiple teams reportedly interested, Tampa could use the upcoming draft to recoup value while they still can.
Avalanche offseason plans
The Colorado Avalanche may not be as eager to make a splash this offseason as some assume. Elliotte Friedman noted the Avs like how they look on paper and don’t feel forced to make moves, even with salary-cap concerns.
That hasn’t stopped speculation. Names like Martin Necas, Charlie Coyle and Samuel Girard have surfaced as potential trade pieces, but moving any of them would create significant gaps. Necas, in particular, could be on the move again after being acquired in the Mikko Rantanen deal. He’s one year away from free agency and reportedly wasn’t thrilled with his Colorado stint. If extension talks stall in July, expect his name to resurface.
Latest on Pettersson trade talk
Lastly, the Elias Pettersson situation in Vancouver remains complicated. Chris Johnston doesn’t expect a trade this summer, but Elliotte Friedman reported the Canucks could move him if the return solves their center problem.
Pettersson, who had a disappointing 2024-25 season with 15 goals and 45 points in 64 games, enters a critical period. On July 1, a no-movement clause takes effect, giving the Canucks a limited window to trade him freely. Whether they wait for a bounce-back season or decide to cut bait now remains to be seen — but the next two weeks are pivotal.
More must-reads:
- Report: Mitch Marner will not return to Maple Leafs
- Hurricanes reportedly preparing seismic offer for Mitch Marner
- The 'NHL active points leaders' quiz
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Chicago Blackhawks’ rookie hid plans to stay away from team before draft: Report
Anton Frondell threw the Chicago Blackhawks a curveball after they selected him with the No. 3 pick in June’s draft. Per Scott Powers of The Athletic, Chicago learned about Frondell’s plan to return to the SHL after they drafted him. “The Blackhawks learned more about Frondell’s plan after drafting him. Originally, they hadn’t ruled out his coming to training camp and seeing how he stacked up against NHL competition in preseason games,” Powers wrote. “But as the Blackhawks negotiated Frondell’s entry-level contract and discussed what he sought for the upcoming season, he expressed his desire to return to Djurgården for another year.” Anton Frondell declined an invitation to Chicago Blackhawks camp Chicago offered Frondell an invite to training camp, but the forward declined. The decision is at odds with what he told reporters following his selection on draft night. “If I get the chance to take a spot on the team, I will do everything I can to do that, to play,” Frondell said on June 27. “And if I’m not good enough, if I don’t make it, I’m going back to Djurgårdens.” Per Powers, the decision for Frondell to return to Djurgarden was made last fall. “Actually, we already talked about it in October, November (of 2024) that it doesn’t matter if we’re going to play SHL or HockeyAllsvenskan, in the second league in Sweden,” said Djurgarden general manager Niklas Wikegård. “So it would be good for him to play at least one more year in Sweden and just mature physically as a player. “So we had a mutual agreement with the agents and him and his father that he’s gonna stay for one more year in Sweden and play.” The Blackhawks are okay with the plan The Blackhawks are “understanding” of the plan, as the SHL is superior to the play Frondell would see if he played on the Rockford IceHogs. Still, there was a possibility that Chicago would give Frondell a spot on the Blackhawks after training camp, allowing him to build chemistry with young players like Connor Bedard and Frank Nazar as their young core develops. That won’t happen until at least next year. One wonders why Frondell wasn’t honest with the Blackhawks before the draft. It’s a curious way to start a relationship.
'Wild Card' Flashing for Packers Defense During Training Camp
Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is going to need to figure out how to put a rhetorical jigsaw puzzle together this season. At cornerback, the Packers have gone so far as to convert former wide receiver Bo Melton to cornerback in hopes of trying to replace former Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander, who was released this spring. The puzzle and potential combinations may be even more wide open at linebacker, as training camp continues and the 2025 regular season approaches. Isaiah Simmons Standing Out for Packers While it would seem that there is plenty of competition at linebacker, for Green Bay, heralded by some ascending young talent, one veteran is making his presence felt this summer. According to the Packers’ Mike Spofford, Isaiah Simmons has been standing out for the Packers, at linebacker, this summer. “Cooper and Walker are the only ones I’d say offer a lot to the pass rush,” Spofford writes for the team’s official website. “We’ll see about Simmons there. He’s the real wild card in this mix. What I like is the range of body types and strengths. McDuffie isn’t all that big or fast but knows the defense and diagnoses plays to put himself in the right spot. Hopper is a thumper. The other guys can attack, run and/or chase in any direction asked. It’s an intriguing bunch.” Simmons, 27, who spent the past two seasons playing safety for the New York Giants, adds not just a veteran presence but the versatility that comes with experience playing multiple positions to the Packers’ linebacking corps. How the Packers wind up using Simmons remains to be seen, but his physicality upfront alongside a player as dominant and talented as Cooper has the potential to be a significant upgrade for Green Bay in the season ahead.
Saints quarterback has 'convincing lead' in training camp battle
The New Orleans Saints' three-way quarterback competition is narrowing before the team's first preseason contest against the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday. Per Ross Jackson of Louisiana Sports, second-year quarterback Spencer Rattler has looked the best at training camp this summer, going 83-of-114 passing (72.8 percent) for eight touchdowns, two rushing touchdowns and four interceptions. Rattler is beating out rookie Tyler Shough. The second-round pick has completed just 62 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and three interceptions. 2023 fourth-round pick Jake Haener has completed 69.6 percent of his passes for five touchdowns and one Interception. Jackson believes first-year head coach Kellen Moore is priming Rattler as the favorite to start in Week 1 against the Arizona Cardinals. "Over the team’s 10 practices, these three young passers have seen their chance to earn the starting role to begin the season in a rotation of first-team reps," Jackson wrote. "But there are decisions the Saints have made in the process that indicate a favorite. "After looking over individual performance stats, practice rep distribution and the team’s treatment of each quarterback throughout the important and highly-productive scrimmages on camp day 10, it’s become clear that Rattler is comfortably in the lead, for now." Jackson thinks Rattler can fend off his "convincing lead" for the starting job if he plays competently against the Chargers on Sunday. Rattler feels like the safe choice for Moore over Shough and Haener, at least to start the regular season. He appeared in seven games and started in six in 2024. Rattler played inconsistently as a rookie, throwing four touchdowns to five interceptions. However, he's had time to develop. Given his numbers in training camp, Rattler appears to be the most polished quarterback before the regular season. Shough could eventually develop into the Saints' best option, but the rookie's completion percentage against friendly competition at camp is low before he even faces live action in the preseason.
Report: Vikings brace for 3-game ban for Jordan Addison
The Minnesota Vikings are bracing for a three-game suspension for wide receiver Jordan Addison over last year's DUI arrest, ESPN reported Monday. Addison, 23, resolved his legal case last month by pleading no contest to a lesser charge. He was placed on 12 months of probation and ordered to pay a fine and complete two online courses. He was arrested in July 2024 near Los Angeles International Airport after police found him asleep at the wheel of his Rolls-Royce, which was blocking a lane of traffic on Interstate 105. The Vikings' first three games of the regular season are at Chicago in Week 1 and home games against Atlanta in Week 2 and Cincinnati in Week 3. Addison caught 63 passes for 875 yards and nine touchdowns in 15 games (all starts) in his second season in 2024. The 2023 first-round draft pick (23rd overall) has 133 receptions for 1,786 yards and 19 TDs in 32 games (29 starts).
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