However, the meeting doesn't necessarily mean an offer will come to fruition. Portzline sees no indication that Marner wants to leave Toronto, and the Jackets are convinced the Maple Leafs would match any offer sheet, perhaps by trading fellow young forward William Nylander, he added.
Nylander inked a six-year, $45-million contract on Dec. 1, 2018 with the Leafs after a well-documented holdout. He struggled after rejoining the team, tallying 27 points in 54 games.
Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas said previously it's not a foregone conclusion he'd match any offer sheet for Marner.
The Maple Leafs have $3.8 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly, but that'll increase by $5.3 million when Nathan Horton is placed on long-term injured reserve. They could add slightly more cap space by optioning players to the minors, as they currently have 23 on their roster.
Regardless, the Maple Leafs would be hard-pressed to match an offer sheet exceeding $10.6 million. The Blue Jackets have the required draft pick capital to submit an offer sheet with a cap hit either below $1,395,053 or above $10,568,589. An offer sheet with a cap hit exceeding the latter would cause the club to forfeit four of its next five first-round picks.
The Blue Jackets have a projected $15.8 million in cap space but have some internal housekeeping to take care of; fellow RFA Zach Werenski remains without a contract, while Pierre-Luc Dubois and Josh Anderson are also due for raises next summer.
Marner would undoubtedly reinvigorate a fan base that just watched Artemi Panarin, Matt Duchene, and Sergei Bobrovsky walk as free agents on July 1. The 22-year-old winger tallied a career-high 94 points for the Leafs in 2018-19.
The club's former top prospect was chosen 14th overall by Dallas in the 2014 draft. As a right-handed, mobile blue-liner with offensive instincts, Honka has many qualities teams covet, but it appears he's fallen out of favor with the Stars.
In 87 career NHL games, the 23-year-old has yet to leave his mark, tallying just 13 points. He was scratched for the final 35 games of the 2018-19 regular season and didn't appear in the playoffs. He would have to pass through waivers to be sent to the minors.
Honka has been productive in the AHL, tallying 108 points in 201 career games with the Texas Stars.
Most marquee names in 2019 unrestricted free agency are off the board, so the majority of offseason excitement is behind us, aside from potential trades, offer sheets, and big-ticket RFA signings.
Without an idea of when said transactions may come, the hockey world doesn't have much to cling to at the moment. With that in mind, we can look ahead to next year, where a deep class of UFAs could make for a very interesting July 1.
Naturally, these players are eligible to sign extensions at any time, and some won't make it to the open market. Still, we can dream of a world where such a star-studded group of players find themselves on the move, so let's dive in.
(Player's age as of July 1, 2020)
Forwards
Taylor Hall, LW, Devils Age: 28 2019-20 cap hit: $6 million
Hall is the crown jewel of the 2020 class and will have no shortage of suitors if he hits the market. The former MVP made it clear that his priority at this stage of his career is winning, so if the Devils' big offseason moves don't pay off this upcoming campaign, Hall could be good as gone.
Nicklas Backstrom, C, Capitals Age: 32 2019-20 cap hit: $6.7 million
The Washington Post / The Washington Post / Getty
It's hard to imagine Backstrom anywhere but in Washington feeding Alex Ovechkin one-timers, and it's unlikely the Capitals let him get to next July 1 without an extension. Backstrom is on the back nine of his career but has been so integral to his club's success for so long that it's difficult to imagine the Caps not rewarding him with another lucrative contract.
Mikael Granlund, RW, Predators Age: 28 2019-20 cap hit: $5.75 million
Granlund is a useful middle-six player at both ends of the ice and would surely draw interest from teams looking to bolster their forward group. He could also see a production spike during his contract year, as he may be slotted onto a line alongside Predators newcomer Matt Duchene.
Mike Hoffman, LW, Panthers Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $5.187 million
Hoffman is one of the NHL's most underrated snipers and would add goal-scoring punch to any lineup at both even strength and on the power play. Since 2014-15, Hoffman ranks 19th among all players in goals, and that's a fantastic way to earn yourself a hefty payday.
Brayden Schenn, C, Blues Age: 28 2019-20 cap hit: $5.125 million
Centers are always in demand during free agency, and Schenn could be one of the best pivots available next summer. His departure would leave a big hole in the Blues' lineup, so the reigning Cup champs will likely provide him a nice incentive to stay. If he's available, his blend of physicality and offensive touch will attract plenty of bidders.
Chris Kreider, LW, Rangers Age: 29 2019-20 cap hit: $4.625 million
Jared Silber / National Hockey League / Getty
Kreider has a style of play that coaches, general managers, and fans adore. He's essentially a bowling ball on skates, easily capable of potting 20 goals per season, and is useful in all situations. But with the Rangers' influx of young talent on the wings, Kreider is one of the likeliest candidates to hit the open market.
Charlie Coyle, C, Bruins Age: 28 2019-20 cap hit: $3.2 million
Coyle looked like a tremendous fit in Boston after being acquired via trade last season, and the Bruins will probably want to keep him in-house as Patrice Bergeron and David Krejci get older. That said, it wouldn't be surprising if an outside team throws a ton of money at the 6-foot-3, two-way center.
Alex Galchenyuk, C/LW, Penguins Age: 26 2019-20 cap hit: $4.9 million
Galchenyuk is one of the more interesting cases of next summer's crop. Already on his third club, the former third overall pick can choose a team he's comfortable with. His skill set has always been enticing, but the consistency hasn't been there through his first seven seasons. Perhaps a year alongside Evgeni Malkin or Sidney Crosby could help rekindle Galchenyuk's 30-goal form as he looks to boost his stock.
Honorable mentions: Wayne Simmonds (NJ), Carl Soderberg (ARI), Michael Frolik (CGY), Evgenii Dadonov (FLA)
Defense
Alex Pietrangelo, Blues Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $6.5 million
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
The Blues not extending Pietrangelo is borderline unfathomable, but opposing GMs would salivate at the opportunity to acquire his services. While the length on his next deal is difficult to determine, one thing is crystal clear: he's definitely getting a nice raise.
Roman Josi, Predators Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $4 million
Josi is in the same category as Pietrangelo. Nashville's captain is too valuable for the club to let walk, and he's also in line for a gigantic payday.
Torey Krug, Bruins Age: 29 2019-20 cap hit: $5.25 million
Same thing here. Krug has already expressed his desire to stay in Boston forever, which is rather unfortunate when you consider just how stacked this group of free-agent blue-liners could have been.
Tyson Barrie/Jake Muzzin, Maple Leafs Age: 28/31 2019-20 cap hit: $5.5 million/$4 million
If you thought there was uncertainty surrounding the Maple Leafs' D-corps in the past, wait until next summer. Both Barrie and Muzzin are on expiring contracts, and it's unlikely that Toronto will have the funds to retain both. It's worth a shot, though, as the club only has one defenseman signed beyond next season.
Justin Schultz, Penguins Age: 29 2019-20 cap hit: $5.5 million
Matt Kincaid / Getty Images Sport / Getty
There's a decent chance that Schultz reaches free agency. The Penguins have undergone plenty of turnover lately and it feels as though no one but Sid or Geno is completely safe. As a right-handed shot with good offensive instincts, Schultz should draw a lot of interest.
Justin Faulk, Hurricanes Age: 28 2019-20 cap hit: $4.833 million
Faulk has been a topic in trade rumors for a while now, and the 2019-20 campaign could very well be his last in Carolina as the Hurricanes have a bevy of serviceable right-handed defensemen. Faulk should find a new home pretty easily - players of his ilk are extremely valuable in today's NHL - and he still has some of his prime years ahead of him.
TJ Brodie, Flames Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $4.65 million
Brodie is another intriguing option in next year's class. He's flown under the radar a touch in Calgary but is one of the best puck-movers in the league and has no issue logging over 20 minutes per night.
Jared Spurgeon, Wild Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $5.187 million
The Wild own one of the NHL's hidden gems in Spurgeon, whose game is heavily supported by both the eye test and sterling underlying numbers. He's a great fit in Minnesota, but any team that could potentially pry him away would be adding an outstanding piece.
Honorable mentions: Sami Vatanen (NJ), Chris Tanev (VAN), Cody Ceci (TOR), Travis Hamonic (CGY), Radko Gudas (WSH)
Goalies
Braden Holtby, Capitals Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $6.1 million
Patrick Smith / Getty Images Sport / Getty
Holtby is up for a new deal two years removed from backstopping Washington to a Stanley Cup. He hasn't been at his best over the past two regular seasons, and attaching term to a 30-year-old netminder is a risk, but it's hard to imagine the Capitals simply letting him walk away.
Corey Crawford, Blackhawks Age: 35 2019-20 cap hit: $6 million
Health concerns have erased Crawford's production over the past two seasons, so his next move is a mystery unless the 2019-20 season offers a clearer picture of what he has left to give.
Robin Lehner, Blackhawks Age: 28 2019-20 cap hit: $5 million
If Crawford is out of the picture beyond next season, the Blackhawks have a safety net in Lehner, who recently joined the club on a one-year deal. If the Vezina finalist repeats last season's form, Chicago will surely try to convince him to stick around.
Jacob Markstrom, Canucks Age: 30 2019-20 cap hit: $3.66 million
Markstrom has been pretty solid as the Canucks' starter over the last two seasons, but the club has Thatcher Demko waiting in line to take over the reins in goal. As a result, Markstrom is likely to spend his 30s in a new home.
Honorable mentions: Jimmy Howard (DET), Craig Anderson (OTT), Jaroslav Halak (BOS), Cam Talbot (CGY)
The club signed the first overall pick of this June's draft to a three-year, entry-level contract Friday. The deal carries a maximum average annual value of $925,000 plus performance bonuses.
Hughes, 18, led the U.S. National Development Team with 112 points in 50 games this past season. The shifty center set the program record for points with 190 over two campaigns.
"I feel confident we're going to get the deal done and everything's going to work out," Boeser said, according to Jessi Pierce of NHL.com. "I love Vancouver. The organization, the city, the fans, everything's great there, and I want to be there for a long time."
Boeser finished as runner-up for the 2017-18 Calder Trophy after breaking onto the scene with 29 goals in 62 games during his rookie campaign. The 22-year-old marksman followed that up with 26 goals and a career-high 56 points last season.
Vancouver has just over $5 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly, and may need to get creative in order to accommodate Boeser.
On the plus side, the Canucks won't have to worry about any outside pressure from opposing teams. The 6-foot-1 winger is not eligible to receive an offer sheet from another club because he played fewer than 10 games in 2016-17.
"He's a core player and a building block for our group," general manager Jim Benning said. "We have a plan in place and we're going to continue to talk with Brock and his agent and get that figured out.
"If we can move players, it makes it easier, but if we can't move players we still have a plan in place to be (cap) compliant. One option is to go into (long-term injury reserve) with (Antoine) Roussel because with his injury he is probably not going to be back until November, December."
The Canucks selected Boeser 23rd overall at the 2015 draft.
Del Zotto began the 2018-19 season with the Vancouver Canucks before being traded to the Ducks in January. He was flipped again to the St. Louis Blues at the Feb. 25 trade deadline.
The 29-year-old was selected by the New York Rangers with the 20th overall pick at the 2008 NHL Draft. He's recorded 221 points in 608 career games.
Longtime Philadelphia Flyers executive Paul Holmgren is stepping down as team president and will transition into a position as a senior adviser, the team announced Thursday.
General manager Chuck Fletcher will add president of hockey operations to his title and report directly to chairman and CEO Dave Scott.
Holmgren just completed his 40th year with the organization. He played for the Flyers from 1975-84, was an assistant coach from 1985-88, head coach from 1988-92, general manager from 2006-14, and president from 2014-19.
"It's been an honor to serve this franchise in many different roles throughout my life and I look forward to this next chapter," said Holmgren. "I approached Dave about my idea to step aside to spend more time with my family. I have complete confidence in Chuck in his new role, leading the Flyers to great things."
The Flyers missed the playoffs just twice under Holmgren's reign as general manager, reaching the Stanley Cup Final in 2010.
Holmgren was unafraid of big moves - for better or worse. In 2009, he signed Chris Pronger to a massive seven-year extension. On June 23, 2011, he shook the hockey world by trading away core pieces Mike Richards and Jeff Carter and signed Ilya Bryzgalov to a nine-year contract. He also inked Shea Weber to a 14-year, $110-million offer sheet in 2012, which the Nashville Predators matched.
Lehkonen was a restricted free agent and had an arbitration hearing scheduled for Aug. 3.
The 24-year-old set career highs with 20 assists and 31 points in 82 games with the Canadiens last season. Selected by Montreal with the 55th overall pick in the 2013 NHL Draft, Lehkonen has tallied 41 goals and 80 points in 221 career contests.
The Habs also inked forward Joel Armia to a two-year deal Thursday and now have $4.84 million in projected cap space, according to CapFriendly.
