We will begin to see if the chatter surrounding the Toronto Maple Leafs in recent days is based in truth or complete balderdash (look it up), but some NHL insiders are reporting some interesting items regarding the Leafs in the midst of the Stanley Cup Final.
In his recent Rumblings column in The Athletic, Pierre LeBrun had items on pending UFAs Mitch Marner and John Tavares. The Carolina Hurricanes are reportedly ready to make a big splash with their $30 million in available cap space. They are expected to inquire about Marner, who they were interested in as a possible get in a Mikko Rantanen, but when asked whether he would waive his no-movement clause, Marner said no.
The UFA’s
Not many hold that against Marner, after learning that his wife was eight months pregnant at the time, but if he ends up signing with the Hurricanes next month, don’t expect a rational reaction from many in the GTA. The odds of there being a sign-and-trade deal involving Marner appear to be unlikely unless he goes to a club with limited cap space like Vegas.
Regarding Tavares, LeBrun indicates that Toronto and agent Pat Brisson continue to talk and that there remains mutual interest in getting something done, but he believes it is doubtful that the 34-year-old signs for something like $5 million per season based on his coming off a 38-goal season. The Colorado signing of Brock Nelson for three years at $7.5 million per season likely skewed the market regarding Tavares, but LeBrun admits that the term on the deal is part of the negotiation.
At this time of year, teams and agents leak like sieves to promote a particular narrative, and the rumor that $5 million is not enough is being used in the media to sell that narrative. It seems hard to believe that the two sides will not reach an accommodation on an extension, but for the Leafs to keep the cap hit down, they will likely have to give Tavares a deal similar to Chris Tanev that will pay the former Toronto team captain in the first three years, but that spreads the AAV out over a longer term.
The Offer Sheet
The other item was from Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff, who listed Leafs forward Matthew Knies as one of the five restricted free agents to receive an offer sheet.
Understanding that Knies would be a prime target of teams looking for a power forward, there are two problems with this scenario. The player has to be willing to sign an offer sheet, and the team has to be unwilling to pay said RFA. Neither is the case here. Knies said that he wants to sign with the Leafs, and GM Brad Treliving sounded as if signing the 22-year-old was his top priority in his end-of-season availability. The only unknown is how long and for how much, but it would be shocking if Toronto and Knies do not get a deal done before July 1.
