Latest news with #NHLFreeAgency
National Post
7 hours ago
- Sport
- National Post
Is Mitch Marner a good fit for the Vegas Golden Knights?
Article content WATCH BELOW: On the latest episode of Off The Post, Toronto SUN Sports Columnist Steve Simmons, Postmedia Hockey Columnist Bruce Garrioch, The Province and Vancouver Sun Canucks reporter Patrick Johnston and Postmedia's Rob Wong discuss the biggest storylines on day 1 of NHL free agency, how former Toronto Maple Leaf Mitch Marner will fit into the Vegas Golden Knights lineup, why the Vancouver Canucks were able to re-sign Brock Boeser, what's next for the Ottawa Senators and the impressive work done by Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes. Article content
National Post
a day ago
- Sport
- National Post
Vancouver Canucks re-sign winger Brock Boeser to new seven-year deal
VANCOUVER — The Vancouver Canucks have re-signed one of their top scorers, inking right-winger Brock Boeser to a seven-year, $50.75-million deal, a $7.25 million AAV. Article content The team announced the new contract about half an hour after the NHL's free agency period opened on Tuesday and the 28-year-old from Burnsville, Minn., became an unrestricted free agent. Article content Article content Boeser had 25 goals and 25 assists for Vancouver last season, well below the career highs he posted in goals (40) and points (73) during the 2023-24 campaign. Article content There was ample speculation in March that the 28-year-old right-winger would be moved ahead of the NHL's trade deadline, but Canucks general manager Patrik Allvin said the offers simply weren't enticing enough. Article content Originally selected 23rd overall by the Canucks in the 2015 draft, Boeser has played all 554 of his career NHL games for Vancouver, amassing 204 goals and 230 assists in regular-season play. He added another 11 goals and 12 assists over 29 post-season appearances. Article content The six-foot-one, 208-pound forward from Burnsville, Minn., became a fan favourite not only for his scoring prowess, but how he handled adversity off the ice, including the death of his father, Duke, in May 2022. Article content The support from Vancouver hockey fans always meant a lot to Boeser. Article content 'I can't say enough about the fan base and the city. Everyone's so kind to me, if I'm just out and about,' he said at the end of the 2024-25 campaign. 'Everyone's always had my back and supported me. And that's something that I really appreciate ' Article content
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
NHL Analyst Urges Brad Marchand to Take 'Ultimate' Heel Turn in Free Agency
NHL Analyst Urges Brad Marchand to Take 'Ultimate' Heel Turn in Free Agency originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Veteran Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand could be the most intriguing name to hit NHL free agency on July 1, if only for his background and potential destinations in the open market. Advertisement If Marchand's decision was up to former NHL player and current analyst Paul Bissonnette, however, the 37-year-old winger would do the unthinkable after spending nearly 16 years playing for the Boston Bruins and the last few months with the Panthers. 'Marchand should go ultimate heal turn and sign with the Leafs,' Bissonnette, an outspoken Toronto fan, wrote on X. "The league needs it. Not Boston. Not Florida. Toronto. Make Brad Marchand a Leaf. 'Would be an incredible start to the off season.' Marchand joined the Panthers at the trade deadline and helped them win their second straight Stanley Cup championship and his second of his career. Advertisement The winger scored 10 goals and 20 points in 23 playoff games. But it's the 15-and-a-half seasons he spent in Boston, and tormenting Toronto in the postseason, that make the idea of him joining the Leafs such a bold one. Marchand has knocked the Leafs out of the playoffs five times and has racked up 37 points in those series. Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand skates against the Toronto Maple E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images Boston selected Marchand with the No. 71 overall pick in the 2006 NHL draft. As a rookie in 2010-11, he helped lead the Bruins to their first Stanley Cup championship since 1972. Marchand has already played into the buzz of moving to Toronto, commenting on Instagram in response to Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos' prediction of him signing with the Leafs. Advertisement '(Expletive) dawg… the people wanna see it???' Marchand replied. Related: Brad Marchand's Seven-Word Comment on Maple Leafs Speculation Related: Maple Leafs 'Would Love' to Sign Brad Marchand, Claims Pierre LeBrun This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 30, 2025, where it first appeared.
Forbes
2 days ago
- Sport
- Forbes
Mitch Marner Set To Kick Off NHL Free-Agent Frenzy By Leaving Leafs
Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs will be the big prize in free agency. (Photo by Mike ...) The start of NHL free agency is at hand, and the biggest prize is Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Marner has been one of Toronto's 'Core Four' players for the last nine seasons, but it was deemed that he would be the player to go after the Maple Leafs were eliminated in the second round by the eventual Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Marner and the Maple Leafs have been regular-season winners since 2016-17 – Marner's rookie season – but they have gotten out of the first round just twice. As a result, general manager Brad Treliving and head coach Craig Berube have come to the conclusion that the era of the Core Four is over. Auston Matthews and William Nylander remain under contract, and it was expected that John Taveras would join Marner in free agency. However, he signed a team-friendly four-year, $17.5 million contract last week and will remain with the team after scoring 38 goals last season. Many expected Taveras to leave the Maple Leafs and end up with a deal that would have paid him at least $7 million per year Unless the Maple Leafs make a shocking trade involving Matthews or Nylander, Marner is the only member of that foursome who will end up with a new team. He is the best and most explosive free agent and he would make nearly every team better. However, the Vegas Golden Knights appear to have the best chance of reeling Marner in and pairing him with Jack Eichel on their top line. Free agency commences Tuesday at noon ET. Marner is coming off a career-best 102-point season and he has scored 97 points or more in three of the last four seasons. He will be able to take advantage of a salary cap that is increasing to $95.5 million and is likely to see a seven- or eight-year deal that approaches $15 million per season. Here's a look at six top unrestricted free agents that are about to hit the market: Defenseman Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers Aaron Ekblad (left) of the Florida Panthers receives the Stanley Cup from Dmitry Kulikov (No. 7) ... More after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by) The 29-year-old right-shot defenseman played a key role in the team winning back-to-back championships and he has been one of the team's core players for 11 seasons. Ekblad had a salary cap hit of $7.5 million last season and would seem to be the kind of player that the Panthers have to bring back if they want to make a run at three straight Stanley Cups. However, the Panthers acquired another right-shot defenseman in Seth Jones at the trade deadline. Unless Ekblad is willing to accept a discount, it seems likely that he will play for another team next fall. Left wing Nikolaj Ehlers, Winnipeg Jets Nikolaj Ehlers #27 of the Winnipeg Jets scores against the Minnesota Wild. (Photo by Darcy ... More Finley/NHLI via Getty Images) Ehlers is clearly one of the Jets' best players and many expected the 29-year-old to sign an extension with the Presidents Trophy winners during the regular season. That did not happen, and he is about to hit the open market after scoring 24 goals and 63 points last season. That came one year after he netted 25 goals and 61 points in 2023-24. The Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, Boston Bruins and Columbus Blue Jackets are likely to be in the market for this consistent scorer. He had a salary cap hit of $7.5 million last year, and a contract that pays him $7-8 million seems likely. Left wing Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 06: Brad Marchand of the Florida Panthers celebrates after scoring on the ... More Edmonton Oilers during the second period in Game Two of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final. (Photo by) The shocking trade deadline move of Marchand from the Boston Bruins to the Panthers could not have worked out better for the Stanley Cup champions. Marchand played with energy and passion throughout the playoffs and scored 10 goals and 10 assists in the postseason. He was arguably Sam Bennett's biggest competitor for the Conn Smythe Trophy as the Stanley Cup playoff Most Valuable Player. The Panthers want to keep the 37-year-old, but he has not signed yet. After making $6.1 million last year, Marchand could get a short-term deal (2 to 3 seasons) that approaches $7 million. The Maple Leafs, the Bruins and others are likely to compete with the Panthers for his services. Defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, Los Angeles Kings Gavrikov has shown significant improvement over the last few seasons, and when you combine his six years of NHL experience with his excellent size at 6-3 and 220 pounds, he is going to be very desirable in free agency. He is coming off a notable 30-point season in which he had a rating of plus-36. The left-shot defenseman had a salary cap hit of just under $5.9 million last season. It would not be a shock if his next deal approaches $8 million, and the Columbus Blue Jackets and New York Rangers are the most likely suitors. Defenseman Ivan Provorov, Columbus Blue Jackets It appeared the Blue Jackets were going to move Provorov at the trade deadline last March, but they decided to keep him as they made a push for the playoffs. The Blue Jackets would like to hang on to him, but so far Provorov and his representatives have held off signing a new deal. The 28-year-old scored 7 goals and 26 assists last year and is solid on both ends of the ice. The Utah Mammoth, Ottawa Senators and Rangers all are likely to have an interest in Provorov Right wing Brock Boeser, Vancouver Canucks Boeser is certain to find a new home in free agency because the Canucks made a decision to trade him prior to the deadline. However, they could not find a partner that was willing to give them a decent return for his services. Boeser is a scorer and he can put the puck in the net from the greasy areas and he also has a good shot. He scored 25 goals last season and hit his career high of 40 goals the season before. He had a salary cap hit of $6.65 million last season and he should get close to $8 million this season. The Senators, Bruins, Kings, San Jose Sharks and Minnesota Wild are likely to be the most interested teams in his services.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
The Mitch Marner tampering drama between the Maple Leafs and Golden Knights, explained
Mitch Marner's time with the Toronto Maple Leafs is almost at an end and it seems as if the team wants something in return for him before the start of NHL free agency. After Maple Leafs bowed out of the Stanley Cup Playoffs in embarrassing fashion, again, it's been widely reported that Marner is set to take on free agency as an upcoming unrestricted free agent on July 1. Marner leads practically every NHL free agent big board as the biggest star player on the market who is going to earn well over $10 million a season, so his services are going to be in high demand from teams this July. Advertisement On Saturday, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs were in contact with the Vegas Golden Knights in regards to a trade for Marner ahead of free agency. The deal would reportedly be a sign-and-trade, with the Maple Leafs trading Marner to the Golden Knights with a shiny new contract to take him off the market. While there is no trade in place as of Sunday afternoon, the two sides are reportedly still talking and discussing the possibility before Tuesday. However, Friedman threw in quite a wrinkle to this story on Sunday morning on his podcast, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. According to Friedman's reporting, the Maple Leafs are considering filing for tampering against the Golden Knights if Marner signs with Vegas in free agency. "There's been some talk that if Marner goes to Vegas, the Maple Leafs will go after Vegas for tampering. Again, I have no proof that Vegas is guilty of anything, but it's a time around the league where teams are extremely sensitive about it. And — as a couple of GMs told me on Saturday — they think the NHL is itching to try and make an example out of someone. Once again, I'm going to stress, I don't have any proof that Vegas is guilty of anything. But, if they make a deal with Toronto — and send a good player or two to Toronto — I'm betting any chance the Maple Leafs file for tampering goes away." This news leaking ahead of July 1 absolutely feels like the Maple Leafs are putting pressure on the Golden Knights to make a trade ahead of free agency. Given their situation, Toronto has extremely little leverage here to get a deal done before Tuesday. Marner is walking away from the Maple Leafs on July 1 anyway, so the entire NHL knows they have a leg up on Toronto in a deal before then. Advertisement With this maneuver, the Maple Leafs seemingly gain a bit of leverage against the Golden Knights as they look for a better return than what was likely originally offered to them. According to NHL insiders, the Maple Leafs are looking at acquiring both Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague in this deal in an effort to get more fair value for Marner. That being said, will the Maple Leafs actually file for tampering if Marner signs with the Golden Knights in free agency and would the NHL actually levy punishment on them for it? Honestly, it's hard to say. The NHL is extremely sensitive to tampering after having to remind teams about the rules back in the fall of 2024. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly was reportedly "uncomfortable" with reports of teams and players agreeing to contracts before free agency officially opened in years past. As for the potential penalties the Golden Knights could face if found for tampering, it's a pretty hefty list which would include — at the very least — a termination of the signed contract. That plus the forfeiture of draft picks and the "offended" club getting compensation in return makes it clear that tampering a major no-no in today's NHL. Will this make Vegas think twice about acquiring Marner in free agency if this sign-and-trade falls through? Given the Golden Knights have a ruthless reputation for business, I'd have to say they'll still press their luck to get the best player on the market even with the potential risk. Plus, of course, all NHL teams tamper to some degree during this period and we all know it happens considering how many deals get inked immediately upon the start of free agency. Advertisement However, this story absolutely ups the drama surrounding the start of the NHL's free agent period in the most delicious way possible. This article originally appeared on For The Win: Mitch Marner tampering drama between Maple Leafs and Golden Knights, explained
