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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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TODAY'S BEST
Positive Update on Kyle Connor Extension Talks with the Winnipeg Jets
Winnipeg Jets fans may have something to look forward to regarding the future of star forward Kyle Connor. NHL insider David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period recently stated there are “no issues” surrounding Connor’s potential contract extension. Pushing back on earlier speculation of player unrest within the organization and that he might be looking to test free agency in 2026, it sounds like Connor is very open to re-signing, and this is not a contentious contract situation. Pagnotta’s comments, made during Melnick in the Afternoon on July 21, suggest that the Jets won’t have the same concerns they had with winger Nikolaj Ehlers. For most of last season, the organization was aware that Ehlers expected to test free agency. It was about coming to terms with the idea that they could lose him for no return. Ehlers eventually signed a six-year, $51 million deal with the Carolina Hurricanes. Connor, one of the Jets’ most consistent offensive producers, and they can’t afford to let him leave without getting something back. The good news is that he appears committed to staying in Winnipeg. The Jets’ Priority is an Extension With Connor If he tested the market, Connor would have plenty of suitors. But his extension has been a reported priority for the team, as noted by NHL insider Murat Ates back in May. They understand his numbers, and the rising salary cap will mean a big payday. Still, locking in top-tier talent like Connor is essential for the Jets’ long-term success. Now that the Jets have Gabriel Vilardi locked into a six-year, $45-million contract, Winnipeg can pivot more attention to Connor. They also need to take care of business with Dylan Samberg. As per Elliotte Friedman, Samberg has filed for arbitration. The Jets are offering $2.5 million, and the player is requesting $6 million. It’s likely he will get around $4-$4.25 million.
Oilers to Acquire a Top-Tier Goalie. An Official Trade Offer Is on the Table in a Blockbuster Deal
Fever Coach Stephanie White Has Given One Player the Green Light Amid Caitlin Clark's Injury
Caitlin Clark is expected to sit out for a fourth straight game on Sunday when the Indiana Fever take on the Chicago Sky in a much-awaited rivalry matchup. The 23-year-old is still dealing with a reaggravated groin strain and has no timetable to return. The rest of her Fever teammates have had to step up in her absence. There is, perhaps, no other player who has taken a bigger role on the offensive end amid Clark’s injury spell than three-time All-Star Kelsey Mitchell. Mitchell, however, struggled with her shot in Thursday’s win against the Las Vegas Aces. The 5-foot-8 guard shot the ball poorly in the first three quarters, going just 4-of-19 from the field for 12 points. Mitchell caught fire in the fourth, though. She went 4-of-5 in the final frame for nine points, finishing with a game-high 21 points on 8-of-24 shooting. This is exactly why head coach Stephanie White remains completely confident in Mitchell’s scoring ability. The veteran coach has made it clear that she has given Mitchell the green light to shoot the rock. “The biggest thing with Kelsey is just telling her, ‘Let it fly.’ It’s going to go,” White said after Thursday’s win against Las Vegas. "... Keep shooting it from outside. She made some big ones when we needed them.” Kelsey Mitchell Has Stepped up Amid Clark's Injury Mitchell has answered the call for the Fever of late. In the three games Clark has been sidelined, Mitchell has put up averages of 22.0 points on 42.9% shooting. She also knocked down 2.7 triples during that stretch on a 34.8% clip. The 29-year-old veteran will need to keep her foot on the gas on Sunday as the Fever try to take down the Sky at United Center. With Clark watching from the bench, the Fever will rely on Mitchell’s scoring against Chicago as they look to improve on their 13-12 record. The Fever and Sky meet at 3 p.m. ET Sunday on ABC.
Kirk Cousins makes notable leadership move after Falcons practice
Kirk Cousins might be relegated to the job of backup quarterback, but he is showing veteran leadership to his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Following Sunday's practice, Cousins pulled aside rookie defensive end James Pearce to encourage the first-round pick after his fourth practice in the league at Flowery Branch, Georgia. "QB Kirk Cousins pulled aside Pearce after practice to compliment him on a pass batted down," wrote Marc Raimondi of ESPN. Cousins reportedly had a solid day of practice on Sunday, going 7-of-12 passing against the first-team unit. If Cousins wants out of Atlanta, he's not showing it at practice. The four-time Pro Bowl quarterback is competing on the field and being a good teammate around the facility. Cousins' actions on the field backed up what Falcons general manager Terry Fontenot praised Cousins for before the team's practice on Sunday. “Outside, it's a lot more of a deal than it is in the building,” Fontenot said to the media about the idea of friction between the Falcons and Cousins, per video from D. Orlando Ledbetter of the Atlanta Journal Constitution. “He shows up, he does his job, just like anybody ... We've gotta build the best 70-man roster so we can go win games. "That's what we're focused on, and Kirk, just like all the other players, is focused on coming in here and doing their job. That's what he's been doing." Fontenot didn't dismiss the idea that Atlanta would trade Cousins before the season. He said the Falcons will do whatever it takes to make the team better, but stressed that Cousins has been a professional throughout the process of being replaced by Michael Penix Jr., a first-round pick from the 2024 draft. “In terms of making moves, whether it's trades or acquiring players, we're always looking at those factors," Fontenot said. "We're gonna do whatever we can do to make this team the best it can possibly be. But he's been a great professional, and he's handled himself well.” Cousins is coming to work in a manner that will make another owner want to take a chance on the veteran quarterback. That could be one of his best-selling points before he plays in his 13th season in the league.
Former Commanders quarterback already looks like a bust on his new team
The Washington Commanders' decision to start over with quarterback Jayden Daniels at No. 2 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft was the franchise-changing move that woke a sleeping giant. Unfortunately, there had to be some collateral damage along the way. That, of course, was Sam Howell. Adam Peters traded him to the Seattle Seahawks for a package that included a third-round selection. It was decent compensation for someone taken in the fifth round who'd been wildly inconsistent during his only season as a starter. That proved even more accurate after Howell was shipped off again this offseason. The Seahawks got far less from the Minnesota Vikings than they gave up for Howell. He was initially slotted into the backup role behind J.J. McCarthy, but reports suggest the North Carolina product has a lot of hard work ahead before this objective is achieved. Former Commanders QB Sam Howell is off to a rough start in Minnesota Alec Lewis from The Athletic didn't paint a glowing picture of Howell's training camp performance so far. The beat writer hinted that everything was moving fast for the signal-caller, and it didn't look like he had a full grasp of the offensive system as yet. There's a long way to go, but the first impression isn't especially promising. The best way to sum up [Sam] Howell’s performance is a beat too slow. Without the post-practice film, it’s impossible to assess each rep accurately. Is Howell taking a hitch because he’s not seeing the picture correctly, or is he waiting a split second extra because the receiver was rerouted by a cornerback? Whatever the case, it feels fair to say that Howell hasn’t consistently pulled the trigger promptly.Alec Lewis The Vikings aren't expecting Howell to be anything other than a backup. They've hitched their wagon to McCarthy, and confidence is growing with every outstanding practice he stacks up. But if standards don't improve, it's not hard to see where the complications could arise for the ex-Commanders starter. Minnesota has Brett Rypien and Max Brosmer behind Howell. Not exactly world-beaters, but enough to keep the pressure on in the coming weeks. These growing pains aren't entirely surprising. At the same time, Howell has been around the franchise for a few months now and is working with Kevin O'Connell, the ex-Washington coach who's widely regarded as one of the best quarterback developers in the game. The stakes are high for Howell. This also happens to be the final year of his rookie deal. If he wants to stick around in Minnesota or potentially get another opportunity elsewhere in 2026, he must respond positively. Otherwise, the consequences will be severe. More Commanders news and analysis
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