It’s time for another round of NHL rumours. We’re closing in on the start of the 2024 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs Conference Finals, but there’s plenty to talk about on the rumour front. There may be some major moves coming this offseason as teams try to make a play at the Stanley Cup. Could we see a blockbuster deal this summer? Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Florida Panthers.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period speculated on a possible Mitch Marner for Nashville Predators goalie Juuse Saros trade to bolster both teams.
Analysis: Marner seems to the one singled out for the team’s most-recent playoff exit to the Boston Bruins. Both Marner and John Tavares are heading into the final year of their respective contacts. However, it doesn’t seem that Tavares will waive his no-trade clause this offseason. This leaves Marner as the possible trade chip, but the Leafs want talent that can play right away.
According to Pagnotta, some in Marner’s camp feel a change of location might do him some good. However, Marner also has a full no-trade clause and would have to approve any prospective deal. The main question is where would Marner want to play if he was open to a swap.
Enter General Manager Barry Trotz of the Predators, he might be willing to listen for a deal on his starting goalie, Saros. The Finnish netminder has one more year left on his deal, but there could be some complications. Nashville has Yaroslav Askarov waiting in the wings to be the future in goal. Trotz might be willing to give the crease to the Russian goalie.
This trade would help the Predators address some complimentary scoring issues. Filip Forsberg has done plenty heavy lifting, but needs help. Toronto does like Joseph Woll, but there are injury concerns about him. Getting Saros would ease some of that stress in the blue paint.
Florida Panthers
Rumour: Sportsnet’s Luke Fox released his list of the top-12 unrestricted free agents this offseason. Florida 50-goal scorer Sam Reinhart is at the top of the UFA wish list.
NHL's Top 12 UFAs of 2024: Latest rumours, reports https://t.co/NS43EW9cjD pic.twitter.com/e4JInQkWLr
— luke fox (@lukefoxjukebox) May 15, 2024
Analysis: Reinhart has really taken a liking to the Sunshine State with a monster 57-goal campaign. The Panthers have already stated that they will make a serious run at keeping the 28-year-old forward. General Manager Bill Zito has a lot of work ahead of him this offseason with 13 free agents on his roster. However, his main focus is trying to extend Reinhart. According to Fox, restricted free agent Anton Lundell is also in need of a well-deserved raise.
On the other hand, the Panthers do have salary cap flexibility to keep most of their group together. Florida is on the edge of making its second consecutive Eastern Conference Final. The key may be Reinhart taking less than Matthew Tkachuk and Aleksander Barkov, who make $9.5 million and $10 million, respectively.
Zito does have the advantage of Florida being a tax-free state, so a base salary does go a bit longer than it would in other places. Reinhart could start a major bidding war if he does get out into the open market. However, the veteran right winger has indicated that he wants to stay put in in Sunrise.
Talks have been ongoing for a while, but the hard part may not get started until after the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Florida hopes those negotiations might be later in the month of June after the team makes another deep playoff run. Reinhart and the Panthers hope a Stanley Cup is waiting for them at the end of this run.
Main photo by: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
