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NHL free agency is still 18 days away, but the Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly preparing a seismic offer in an attempt to sign Mitch Marner.
David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period reports that the Hurricanes are expected to offer Marner a seven-year contract worth more than $14 million annually. Carolina is widely expected to take a major swing this offseason, and Marner is widely considered the best available free agent this summer.
It was previously reported that the Hurricanes approached the Toronto Maple Leafs about a trade involving Marner and Mikko Rantanen. Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving asked Marner if he’d waive his no-trade clause before the trade deadline, and he declined to do so. Rantanen promptly signed an eight-year extension worth $12 million annually upon being traded to the Dallas Stars.
Carolina, Vegas and Toronto also reportedly discussed a three-team trade involving Marner, but it didn’t get past preliminary talks.
Marner is expected to command interest from the Golden Knights, Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Los Angeles Kings and Utah Mammoth among several suitors. The 28-year-old is coming off a 102-point season, during which he was arguably the Maple Leafs’ regular-season MVP, before a disappointing performance against the Florida Panthers in the second round of the playoffs effectively ended his tenure with the Maple Leafs. While a return to Toronto hasn’t been formally ruled out, Marner is widely expected to sign elsewhere this summer.
“I think like everyone, saddened, devastated in a way, yeah, I mean it’s not easy,” Marner said on May 20 during the Leafs’ end-of-year media availabilities. “It’s hard. I’ve love being here, I’m so grateful, but I haven’t talked to my family yet. It’s still so fresh.”
If Marner’s goal was to receive the largest contract possible, it appears there will be a hefty bidding war for his services on July 1. He is an elite playmaker who excels on the penalty kill and would almost certainly benefit from a change of environment.
More must-reads:
- Leafs’ broadcaster Joe Bowen to retire after 2025-26 season
- Why the Maple Leafs should pursue Patrick Kane in free agency
- The '2024-25 NHL points leaders' quiz
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Edmonton Oilers Land Former Winnipeg Jets Goalie In An Intriguing New Mock Trade
The Edmonton Oilers are looking for a change in net, and now a mock trade has them landing former Winnipeg Jets backup Laurent Brossoit in an intriguing deal. After two straight failed Stanley Cup Finals runs, there have been many suggestions on how the Edmonton Oilers can take that final leap, with many looking at the goaltending as a potential spot for an upgrade ahead of the 2025/26 campaign. From acquiring big name stars to running it back, every option has seemingly been suggested by Oilers fans and reporters, but now, Heavy Sports have suggested a surprise trade that would see them land a new backup in the form of former Winnipeg Jets backup Laurent Brossoit. In the deal, the team would get Brossoit with money retained and a pick for a minor league goaltender and another pick, giving them three goalies to battle it out for two NHL spots next season. Oilers receive: Laurent Brossoit ($1.65 million retained) 2026 seventh-round pick Blackhawks acquire: Connor Ungar 2028 third-round pick Brossoit hasn't played in the NHL since 2023/24, and in that season he posted a fantastic .927 save percentage and a 2.00 GAA in 23 games played, with a career average of 2.64 GAA and a .911 save percentage in 140 games. If Brossoit gets more of an opportunity, there's a belief around the league that he could be more than serviceable in any role given to him. Ultimately, at this point it looks like Kris Knoblauch and the Oilers are content to run things back in 2025/26 with the duo of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard, and unless there's a big upgrade to be had that makes sense, they're content with doing just that.
New Jersey Devils in Talks to Trade Two Expensive Players With Luke Hughes Contract on the Horizon
Surprising Marlins earn MLB first in sweep of Yankees
The Miami Marlins achieved a franchise first on Sunday. In doing so, they carved out an interesting place in MLB history. With a 7-3 victory over the Yankees, the Marlins swept New York for the first time in a series of three or more games. In doing so, the Marlins became the only team to have a winning record, including the postseason, against the Yankees. The Yankees now have a 22-21 record against the Marlins in the regular season. However, the Marlins won the 2003 World Series against the Yankees in six games, giving the Fish a 25-24 record all-time. The Marlins' victory on Sunday meant more than a unique place in baseball history. That victory evened the Marlins' record at 55-55, the first time they have been at .500 or better since April 15 (8-8). The Marlins are 30-14 in their last 44 games, tying the 2003 championship team for the best stretch (last done from June 18-Aug. 9) in franchise history. The Marlins defied expectations at the trade deadline, holding on to pitchers Sandy Alcantara and Edward Cabrera. Their only trade involved sending outfielder Jesus Sanchez to Houston, acquiring pitcher Ryan Gusto and a pair of prospects. Expectations were that the Marlins were simply waiting for the offseason to trade those pitchers, as there may be a larger market. Instead, the generally inexperienced Marlins roster is growing and improving by the day. They have clawed back from a 24-40 start to the season to pull themselves into the NL wild-card conversation. Although a lot would need to go right for the Marlins to reach the playoffs this season, they could be a dangerous team over the rest of the season and beyond. The Yankees found that out the hard way.
Illegal tackle causes Colts RB to suffer 'severe leg injury'
The Indianapolis Colts had a scary moment on Sunday when a running back went down during an 11-on-11 team period. Per James Boyd of The Athletic, practice had to be stopped for 10 minutes while trainers attended to running back Salvon Ahmed, who suffered a "severe leg injury" after he was brought down via an illegal tackle by safety Trey Washington. "The injury occurred when Ahmed broke a long run during an 11-on-11 period," Boyd wrote. "He was tackled from behind by undrafted rookie safety Trey Washington, but when Washington grabbed Ahmed, who kept his legs churning, Washington used a hip-drop tackle to bring Ahmed down and landed on his lower right leg. Ahmed immediately grabbed his lower right leg and screamed in agony. "Steichen said the players in the developmental periods (essentially third-stringers and players lower than them on the depth chart) were instructed to tackle during 11-on-11. However, Steichen emphasized, Washington’s hip-drop tackle was obviously the wrong way to bring Ahmed down." Steichen said the coaching staff doesn't encourage hip-drop tackles, and claimed Washington is "down in the dumps" after his tackle led to Ahmed's injury. The unfortunate incident highlights how difficult it can be for NFL defenders to make a tackle. The league made the hip-drop tackle illegal to try and curb injuries, as offensive players thought it was a dirty hit. In Washington's case, the undrafted rookie free agent from Ole Miss wasn't trying to make a dirty hit but trying to make a football move in a competitive environment to keep his job. Before the injury, Ahmed was trying to make a case for the practice squad, where he spent time on during 2024.
UDFA ready to carry Dallas Cowboys offense on his back
The Dallas Cowboys ground game has gotten a lot of attention this offseason. Following their struggles to run the ball in 2024, Dallas signed Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency. They also added two rookies in the 2025 NFL draft, taking Jaydon Blue from Texas in the fifth round and Phil Mafah from Clemson in the seventh. While all the attention seems to be focused on their new additions, the coaching staff has been spending time working with one of the returning backs, Hunter Luepke. According to The Athletic’s Jon Machota, coaching staff has been thoroughly impressed with Luepke, and they’re using him at multiple positions. His role has become so versatile that Luepke claims he plays “everything” on offense, while adding that he will do whatever is asked of him. “Any way I can be on the field, I’m going to try to do it. Whatever they ask me to do, I’m going to do it. … Coach is trying to be as multiple as possible out there, so I just think me being able to play multiple positions and being able to shift and move around and see different IDs, or go in on pass pro for running backs, run routes with tight ends, the more you can do, the better for this offense. And I think I can do that.” — Luepke, via Machota Undrafted out of North Dakota State in 2023, Luepke has been used sparingly on offense through two seasons. He has just 57 yards and one touchdown on 18 attempts and 129 yards receiving on 15 receptions. Despite the small sample size, his versatility stands out every offseason. That said, it appears new head coach Brian Schottenheimer might be willing to put more on his plate in 2025.
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