NHL Insiders Elliotte Friedman, Chris Johnston, Darren Dreger, and Pierre LeBrun are all reporting that there are talks between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights that involve a potential sign-and-trade of pending unrestricted free agent Mitch Marner. Friedman indicated that if a deal is consummated, it would involve Vegas center Nicolas Roy. Roy, 28, has two years remaining at a $3 million salary and had 31 points (15 goals, 16 assists) in 71 games last season.
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The Toronto Maple Leafs completed one of their biggest offseason contract dilemmas by re-signing center John Tavares on a very economical four-year, $17.5 million contract extension, but now they are hoping to get another key contributor signed before July 1. Winger Matthew Knies scored 29 goals last season playing on the top line with Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner, and with Marner departing next week, getting the 22-year-old forward locked up on a long-term deal is extremely important to GM Brad Treliving’s off-season plans.
Based on a report from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, there has been slow progress on a new deal, but there does not seem to be any great fear of an offer sheet possibility with Knies based on the Leafs having significant cap space to match any offer and Knies public pronouncements of wanting to stay in Toronto. That being said, Treliving would prefer to get a deal done before the outset of free agency at Noon on Tuesday, so he knows how much cap room he has to work with.
Based on the five-year deal signing of 23-year-old winger JJ Peterka in Utah, coming off his entry-level contract, there are indicators that the Leafs are looking for a contract of similar length, which would cover the four years that Knies is retainable and buying one year of unrestricted free agency. It would allow the big winger to become a UFA at age 27.
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Leafs Draft Results
64th Overall – Tinus Luc Koblar – F (Leksands Jr – Sweden) The 6’3″, 197 lb. forward had 21 points in 43 games with Leksands last season and played for his native Norway at the IIHF Under 18s. According to EliteProspects, Koblar is a big-bodied yet raw forward with a good mechanical base and intriguing offensive flashes; he could have more untapped potential.
86th Overall – Tyler Hopkins – C (Kingston – OHL) The 18-year-old Campbellville, ON native had 51 points (20 goals, 31 assists) in 67 games in his second OHL season with the Frontenacs. According to EliteProspects, the 6’1″, 181 lb. Hopkins is a two-way center who plays like a professional already. His tools enable him to make plays both away and on the puck on defense.
137th Overall – William Belle – RW (US Nat’l Development Program) – A physical specimen at 6’3″, 219 lb., Belle is committed to Notre Dame next season. EliteProspects describes him as a powerful winger with a strong motor. A hard-hitting forechecker who launches himself into opponents, forcing steals and pushing the breakout back. He’s also a determined defensive player.
153rd Overall – Harry Nansi – C (Owen Sound – OHL) One of the youngest players in the 2025 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old Nansi played 67 games in his second season with the Attack. According to EliteProspects, Nansi is a non-stop worker, he pursues opponents, pushes them off the puck, and holds it until he finds a play, always wanting to attract and beat pressure to create scoring opportunities for linemates. Nansi’s passing skills are at the forefront of his skill set.
185th Overall – Rylan Fellinger – D (Flint – OHL) A big right-shot defenseman, Fellinger (6’4″, 201 lb) had seven points (3 goals, 4 assists) in his second full season with the Firebirds.
217th Overall –
