The hockey world has been abuzz since Saturday following reports claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights were discussing a “sign-and-trade” scenario involving Mitch Marner. The 28-year-old right winger is expected to become a UFA on July 1. TSN's Darren Dreger reported talks were expected to continue [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/talks-ongoing-between-vegas-golden-knights-toronto-maple-leafs-regarding-mitch-marner-1.2328571] throughout the weekend, indicating there was work to do regarding the return for the Maple Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs]. A Postmedia report claimed the Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights] would send defenseman Nicolas Hague [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/golden-knights-trade-nic-hague-to-predators-what-it-means-dor-maple-leafs-and-mitch-marner-trade-talks] and forward Nicolas Roy to Toronto. So far, there is no sign of a deal. Meanwhile, the Golden Knights reportedly sent Hague [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/nashville-predators/latest-news/nashville-predators-acquire-golden-knights-defenseman-nicolas-hague-in-trade-lauzon-sissons-dealt-to-vegas] to the Nashville Predators, where he signed a four-year, $22-million contract. There's also speculation that the Leafs could pursue tampering charges [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/if-mitch-marner-leaves-in-free-agency-could-the-maple-leafs-pursue-tampering-charges] against the Golden Knights if Marner signs with them, but Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-trying-to-salvage-sign-and-trade-with-mitch-marner/] reports the Maple Leafs are trying to salvage something from the situation. Mitch Marner (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/698d0230-c213-4427-a28a-8100ce35d83b.jpeg] Mitch Marner (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) The Buffalo Sabres [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/buffalo-sabres] shipping JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/utah] last Thursday sparked rumors that Bowen Byram could be their next trade candidate. The 24-year-old left-shot defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights after completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.85 million. Byram's been a fixture in the rumor mill [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/nhl-rumor-roundup-notable-trade-candidates-before-the-2025-nhl-draft] since the end of the regular season. He's become the top defenseman in this summer's trade market. TSN's Darren Dreger reported Thursday that the Los Angeles Kings [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/los-angeles-kings], Vancouver Canucks [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vancouver-canucks], Golden Knights, St. Louis Blues [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/st-louis-blues] and Colorado Avalanche [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/colorado-avalanche] were among the teams interested in Byram [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-isles-listening-to-offers-for-dobson-leafs-inching-towards-tavares-extension-1.2327747]. However, he subsequently claimed [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-signings-trades-and-more-as-free-agency-approaches-1.2328263] the Sabres weren't feeling pressured to move him. Mike Harrington of The Buffalo News believes Byram may be the best trade chip [https://buffalonews.com/sports/professional/nhl/sabres/article_d503bdbd-60fa-4ecf-922f-d294cc0f60c0.html] the Sabres have to land a top-six winger to replace Peterka. He wondered if the blueliner might fetch someone like Quinton Byfield of the Kings, Jordan Kyrou of the Blues or Bryan Rust of the Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins]. Turning to Montreal, it's believed the Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] aren't done making moves following Friday's acquisition of Noah Dobson [https://thehockeynews.com/news/latest-news/montreal-canadiens-build-an-elite-dynamic-defense-corps] from the New York Islanders [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-islanders]. TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported [https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/insider-trading-signings-trades-and-more-as-free-agency-approaches-1.2328263] they'd like to add a top-six forward. Sportsnet's Eric Engels believes [https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-trade-for-dobson-sets-blue-line-foundation-opens-other-possibilities/] the addition of Dobson could make Mike Matheson available. The 31-year-old defenseman has a year remaining on his contract [https://puckpedia.com/player/mike-matheson] with an average annual value of $4.875 million and an eight-team no-trade list. Meanwhile, K'Andre Miller is another defenseman who remains the subject of trade conjecture. Like Byram, the 25-year-old New York Rangers [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/new-york-rangers] rearguard is an RFA with arbitration rights. Mollie Walker of the New York Post believes [https://nypost.com/2025/06/27/sports/potential-kandre-miller-trade-hangs-over-rangers-nhl-draft-weekend/] the Rangers' off-season plans hinge on what happens with Miller. She explained [https://nypost.com/2025/06/28/sports/rangers-stand-pat-in-quiet-first-night-at-nhl-draft/] that the Blueshirts have been linked to Kings defender Vladislav Gavrikov, who is expected to become a UFA on July 1. It would be challenging to have both blueliners on their payroll without freeing up additional cap room. 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