According to multiple reports, the Vegas Golden Knights are emerging as a very realistic landing spot for top free agent Mitch Marner. 

When speculation first started that the Toronto Maple Leafs could be seeking a trade with Marner, insiders like Elliotte Friedman immediately threw the Golden Knights' name into the mix as a possible landing spot. A trade was never formulated, and reports indicated that Marner nixed a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, which would have seen Mikko Rantanen head the other way. 

Fast forward to another disappointing playoff run, the Maple Leafs could be looking to change their DNA, and a press conference held by Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving indicates just that. 

"I had a meeting with all the players, individually, we have our exit meetings. Mitch and I had a discussion. My discussion with Mitch was, let's all take a step back. Let's take a deep breath. I got to decompress a little bit," Toronto's GM said.

"I'm going to be in touch with Mitch's representative, and all our player's representatives, and determine what's best, right? Now, Mitch has a say in this as well, so this isn't the world according to Brad. I think he's a great player. He's been a great player here. We'll have to see. We'll have to see how this all works."

Maple Leafs head coach Craig Berube stated that he would "100 percent," want Marner back on his team, answering the question without an ounce of hesitation.

But as Treliving said, the decision isn't being made by just the Maple Leafs. Marner is an unrestricted free agent, garnering significant attention from numerous teams. 

The San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and Anaheim Ducks have been thrown into the mix due to the cap space they have at the moment, but the Golden Knights, Florida Panthers and Hurricanes have emerged as favorites because of their cup-contending rosters. 

NHL insider Darren Dreger recently stated on TSN Radio that the expectation is leaning towards Marner testing the waters of unrestricted free agency. Dreger identified the Vegas Golden Knights as a team harboring "serious interest" in acquiring his services. Additionally, former Leafs GM Gord Stellick wrote in a piece for the Toronto Star, stating he believes that should Marner become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 the Golden Knights will pursue him "aggressively."

Signing the 28-year-old would be a very difficult task for the Golden Knights' GM Kelly McCrimmon. While he's no stranger to making bold moves and finding ways around the cap limit, Marner could be looking for an AAV north of $12M and factoring in Jack Eichel's eventual extension, the Golden Knights could be paying two players more than $12M while still paying Mark Stone, Alex Pietrangelo, Noah Hanifin and Shea Theodore top dollar. 

Golden Knights Prioritizing Jack Eichel Contract ExtensionVegas Golden Knights forward Jack Eichel is under contract for the 2025-26 season but becomes eligible for a contract extension on July 1. The franchise plans to prioritize this business this offseason. 

Marner would quite easily make the Golden Knights a much better hockey team, and with HC Bruce Cassidy's comments about possibly changing their offensive philosophies, Marner could help the transition be a lot smoother. He set a career-high in points this season with 102 and is widely regarded as one of the best playmakers in the NHL. Although he's not known for being a physical forward, his defensive game and penalty killing are great, finishing as a Selke finalist in 2022-23. 

Multiple moves would need to be made for the Golden Knights to pull this off, but his skill set could put the Golden Knights over the top.

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Accroding to a report from Daily Faceoff's Anthony DiMarco, the Philadelphia Flyers have agreed on a two-year contract extension with forward Tyson Foerster, worth $3.75 million AAV. 

The move that solidifies one of the team’s most promising young offensive pieces as they continue building toward long-term contention.

Foerster, 23, has quietly become one of the Flyers’ most reliable scorers, notching back-to-back 20-goal seasons in his first two full NHL campaigns. He took a noticeable step forward in 2024–25, recording 25 goals while solidifying his role in the team’s top six and emerging as a trusted contributor in key situations.

At his exit interview following the season, Foerster didn’t leave much to speculation. 

“Yeah, if they want to [give me a new contract], I’d love to be here forever,” he said. “I love it here. It’s great to play here, the guys are great, so I just want to get better every day. It could be a short-term deal, it could be a long-term deal, but whatever it is, I’m happy to be here.” 

For the Flyers, locking up Foerster now offers a number of advantages. His offensive upside is real—his shot is heavy, his instincts are sharp, and his game has grown more complete since his days in Lehigh Valley. While he may not always play with flash, his impact is undeniable. In addition to his 25 goals, Foerster logged strong two-way minutes and developed noticeable chemistry with players like Noah Cates and Bobby Brink. That line, at times, was one of the Flyers’ most consistent.

The Flyers’ front office has made it clear that the next phase of the rebuild hinges on developing and retaining their young talent. Foerster fits that mold perfectly—drafted and developed in-house, he’s become a player head coach Rick Tocchet and GM Danny Brière can trust. A short-term bridge deal gives the Flyers cost certainty now while potentially setting the stage for a longer-term commitment if Foerster continues his upward trajectory.

In addition to wanting to work on his consistency, Foerster is also committed to improving his all-around game. With more power-play time and continued experience, 30 goals may not be out of the question in the near future.

“Try to beat defenders one-on-one,” he said when asked what he’s working on. “Like, in overtime, when it’s a one-on-one or something or three-on-three, it’s a lot of open ice. I just try to beat a guy to the net and try and score off of that, not just my shot.”

This move won’t make the same headlines as a blockbuster trade or splashy free-agent signing—but it’s a crucial step for the Flyers. In Tyson Foerster, they have a player who wants to be part of the rebuild, has proven he belongs in the NHL, and still has room to grow. Keeping him around is as much about culture as it is production—and the Flyers are betting on both.

The Washington Capitals are in damage-control mode after an email suggested the 2025-26 season would be Alex Ovechkin's final year in the NHL. The Capitals quickly denied that report, saying Ovechkin has not made a decision on his future.

Reports emerged Thursday claiming the Capitals sent out an email that referred to the 2025-26 season as "Alex Ovechkin's FINAL NHL SEASON." That entire statement was highlighted in red, with the final three words appearing in all-caps in the email.

The Hockey News reached out to the team, which said those reports were not accurate. The team then issued a statement of its own, confirming an email was sent out, but saying Ovechkin's plans are undecided at this point in the offseason.

The team said the email came from "an individual with the corporate sales department," but did not provide any additional details on why it was sent or how many people received it.

An Ovechkin retirement announcement wouldn't come as a major surprise for a number of reasons. While he's still playing at a high level, Ovechkin is 39. He's already played 20 seasons in the NHL — all of which with the Capitals — and is nearing the end of his playing days. 

There's also a strong argument that retiring after the 2025-26 season is the right move. It will mark the final year of the five-year, $47.5 million extension Ovechkin signed with the Capitals in 2021. The completion of that contract could mark a natural stopping point for Ovechkin. 

While there are reasons to believe next year will be Ovechkin's final year in the NHL, he is apparently not ready to make that call just yet. Either that, or a Capitals employee ruined Ovechkin's announcement by sending out an email too soon.

Whenever Ovechkin calls it a career, he'll leave the game as one of the greatest players of all time. Ovechkin is a 12-time All-Star, nine-time Maurice Richard Trophy winner, three-time Ted Lindsay Trophy winner, three-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner and the 2017-18 Conn Smythe Trophy winner. He also led the Capitals to a Stanley Cup championship during the 2017-18 NHL season and surpassed Wayne Gretzky to set the NHL’s all-time goal-scoring record last season.

The Hockey Hall of Fame is undoubtedly in Ovechkin's future once he hangs up his skates. While he and the Capitals weren't ready to make an announcement on that front Thursday, it probably won't be long before Ovechkin is ready to call it a career.

The Florida Panthers not only are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but they also represent the best-built organization in the National Hockey League.

"They are the gold standard," says defeated Canes' coach Rod Brind'Amour.

For local consumption, The Cats From Dixie should offer the Rangers organization ideas on how to lift the Blueshirts out of their NHL morass and into the big league hockey mainstream. The following are tips for Chris Drury:

How The Rangers Can Be Just Like The PanthersWatching the Panthers maraud their way to the Stanley Cup Final round, some

COACH: The Panthers' Paul Maurice is a genius. Period! Unlike other retreads, Maurice has learned how to refresh his style – remember that's why he quit the Winnipeg Jets – and adjusted his coaching to the present. 

Mike Sullivan now has the same opportunity and we'll only know whether it works once the season starts. Part of the equation is extreme smarts and a unique personality. The Maven is not so sure that Sully has those qualities.

GOALTENDING: To defeat Florida, Sullivan employed two different goalkeepers – both from mediocre to average – a longtime Carolina bugaboo that never gets the Canes over the hump. Nor did it this time. 

Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky continues to display elite. clutch puck-stopping. The Rangers are paying Igor Shesterkin to play as well as Bob but Iggy has not been up to the challenge yet. Good for him; Shesty has the years and the loot to show that he still can do it. (We're waiting, pal, we're waiting.)

THE DEFENSE: Drury-Sullivan now have the same opportunity to build a better defense to match Carolina's. But that will require deft wheeling-dealing and there's no assurance that Drury's even close to being up for the task.

THE OFFENSE: Florida plays a smart, simple, creative "If You Can't Beat 'Em In The Alley,

You Can't Beat 'Em On The Ice"  style. Key: The Panthers have the personnel to make it work and added Brad Marchand just to be sure. Drury has minimal muscle and must find a couple of Sam Bennett-types to regain a measure of respect that is egregiously not there now. Good luck to Drury.

SPIRIT: As Joe Micheletti emphasizes, "lack of spirit" was the most glaring Ranger weakness. It's funded by a lineup that last season was pockmarked with quitters. The Champs have nothing of the kind. 

Now you know why Drury-Sully have the challenge of a lifetime on their hands! They might learn more if they pay attention to the Cup Final.