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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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3 PTO Options for Toronto Maple Leafs in 2025-26 Season
The Toronto Maple Leafs are trying to remain in contention after being forced to undergo some changes this offseason, most significantly, the loss of Mitchell Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights. They have made some moves to try and replace him and have done well, like acquiring Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth, but they may still have some question marks, and fans have expressed concern about the strength of their depth as they try to, finally, end their Stanley Cup drought. As training camp approaches and teams try to put the final touches on their rosters, some teams will bring players in on a professional tryout (PTO) contract to see if they can earn an opportunity to sign a contract, and the Maple Leafs will have some options if they want to do that as well. In this article, we take a look at three potential PTO options for them. Klim Kostin The Maple Leafs have done well in finding forwards to fill out their depth chart, but they could benefit from adding a physical power forward on a cost-effective contract. The first player that comes to mind is Klim Kostin, who has fallen off since his impressive campaigns with the Edmonton Oilers several seasons ago, but a fresh start on a contending team could be exactly what he needs to find his confidence again. Kostin, who is 26 years old, scored one goal and added six assists for seven points through 35 games with the Sharks last season. Throughout his career, split between the St. Louis Blues, the Oilers, the Detroit Red Wings, and the Sharks, he has scored 25 goals and added 28 assists for 53 points through 190 games. The energy he brings on a nightly basis is something that not many bottom-six players can bring, and he is someone who could help the Maple Leafs find a way to make a deeper run into the postseason. He only has 12 playoff games under his belt, but in that time, he scored three goals and added two assists for five points. One thing the Maple Leafs have lacked at times when the postseason comes around is physicality, so for them to add a player like Kostin makes perfect sense. He was a first-round pick in 2017 to the Blues, and despite being one of their top prospects for a while, he didn’t pan out, and since then, he has tried to find a full-time position somewhere in the NHL. The Oilers seemed like a strong fit for him, but the two sides couldn’t reach an extension, and he left, and he’s been trying to find a way back ever since. The Maple Leafs seem like they would be a great fit, so if they give him a PTO, it’s safe to say he’d have a strong chance at earning a contract and helping them win games. Jimmy Vesey Another forward they could look at adding is Jimmy Vesey, and while there is some speculation he could be considering contract offers from the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), the Maple Leafs should take a chance on him. Vesey, who is 32 years old, scored five goals and added three assists for eight points through 43 games last season, split between the New York Rangers and Colorado Avalanche. Throughout his career, he has scored 101 goals and added 93 assists for 194 points through 626 games, which comes out to a 0.31 points-per-game average. He isn’t a flashy player, nor is he someone who will be able to put up an incredible amount of scoring, but his ability to play well at both ends of the ice makes him an enticing addition. In the 2020-21 season, Vesey played 30 games with the Maple Leafs, scoring five goals and adding two assists for seven points. The comfort of already having played with the Maple Leafs could entice him to sign a PTO with them and fight for a depth spot. He would likely be an extra forward who doesn’t play every game, but having him as someone who comes in when injuries inevitably happen is a good thing. Marc-Edouard Vlasic This one is a bit crazier than the other two, but after a long tenure with the San Jose Sharks, they decided to buy out defender Marc-Edouard Vlasic, who is now without a deal, and while the 38-year-old might be nearing the end of his career, he hasn’t officially retired, and could still be looking to make a push for a Stanley Cup. Last season, Vlasic scored one goal and added two assists for three points through 27 games with the Sharks. Throughout his long career, he has scored 84 goals and added 295 assists for 379 points through 1323 games. If the Maple Leafs are looking to add a seventh defender on a league minimum contract, giving Vlasic one last shot on a PTO makes perfect sense. His experience could be something they would like to use on their bottom pairing in the event of any injuries to their defensemen, and he could be a strong addition as they push to win their first Stanley Cup since 1967. There are more options if they decide to go the PTO route, but these three do make sense to some degree. As the 2025-26 season approaches, be sure to continue following The Hockey Writers as your source for news from around the NHL and the hockey world.
Familiar face gets attention in Packers training camp: ‘I always wanted to be back’
The Green Bay Packers have decisions to make soon, with the 53-man roster cut deadline on the horizon. Among those hoping to make it to Week 1 of the 2025 NFL season on the team’s main roster is tight end John FitzPatrick, who reunited with the Packers after signing a one-year contract worth $1.5M in April. Green Bay initially signed him to the active roster in 2024 following a practice squad stint with the Atlanta Falcons. He played nine games for the Packers in the 2024 NFL campaign, but did not produce significantly on the field, having also seen just 32% of offensive snaps. He had a catch on a single target for two receiving yards last season. TE loving his Green Bay Packers comeback Competing for a spot behind Tucker Kraft and Luke Musgrave, the 25-year-old FitzPatrick had his moments on the field on Friday with a sliding catch from a Malik Willis pass before scoring a touchdown. FitzPatrick is not hiding his true feelings about being back with Green Bay, as he continues to prove himself to the team. “I always wanted to be back here,” FitzPatrick said, per Wes Hodkiewicz of the Packers’ official website. “I really love it here. I love the people here. When the opportunity presented itself, it was really a no-brainer. It was nice just being able to go through the whole offseason program. The OTAs and the lifting, all the meetings and practices, I think has just helped me a ton.” FitzPatrick entered the pros in 2022, when the Falcons took him off the board in the sixth round (213th overall) of the NFL draft.
Brock Lesnar makes shocking return at WWE SummerSlam
It's feeling like 2012 all over again. SummerSlam 2025 ended with shock and nostalgia when Brock Lesnar returned unannounced and dropped John Cena with a thunderous F5, just as Cena was addressing the crowd during his retirement tour. The moment felt poetic, mirroring the night after WrestleMania 28 in 2012, when Lesnar returned to WWE for the first time in eight years and F5’d Cena, launching a brutal and unforgettable rivalry. This attack wasn’t just for show. With Cena’s farewell tour expected to end in December, the timing of Lesnar’s return feels intentional. WWE is known for delivering emotional, high-stakes finales for its legends and this could be the setup for one last epic clash between two of the most iconic figures in company history. Their rivalry has always delivered, from their battles in 2012–14 to the infamous “Suplex City” beatdown at SummerSlam 2014. Now, with both men nearing the end of their in-ring careers, fans may be getting a final chapter in this storied feud. Whether it culminates at the Royal Rumble or on the grandest stage of them all at WrestleMania 41, the anticipation is real. Lesnar has been off WWE TV for nearly a year, making this return even more impactful. For Cena, who has been embracing his final run with open arms, a showdown with Lesnar is a fitting, full-circle moment. It’s the kind of storytelling WWE thrives on — legacy vs. legacy, pride vs. redemption.
'Superman' VOD Home Streaming Date Confirmed and It's Shockingly Soon
In a move that seems faster than a speeding bullet, the new 2025 Superman movie will be available to watch at home just over a month after it hit theaters on July 11. According to multiple outlets, including World of Reel, the new Superman reboot movie will be available for video-on-demand (VOD) purchase starting very soon. In fact, the movie will almost certainly still be in theaters when you can watch it at home. Superman Streaming/VOD release date DC Studios' Superman, directed by James Gunn and starring David Corenswet, will be available for purchase digitally starting on August 15, 2025. This means that just over 30 days after its first theatrical release, the new Superman is coming home. To be clear, this is not the same as streaming on HBO Max, but it does mean you'll be able to pony up a certain amount of money (close to the price of two movie tickets) to watch the movie at home. Purchase of VOD movies generally happens on iTunes, Amazon, and other platforms. DC vs. Marvel VOD releases If this home video release seems quick, it is. For comparison, the last two Marvel superhero movies had nearly two months, not one, between theatrical release and VOD release. Thunderbolts* hit theaters on May 2, and was on VOD on July 1. Meanwhile, Captain America: Brave New World was in theaters on February 14, and on VOD on April 15. Both of those films were deemed, in the eyes of box office pundits, to be failures, while Superman is generally considered to be a success.
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