The Athletic's James Mirtle generated some buzz earlier this week [https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6409782/2025/06/09/free-agency-nhl-offseason-rumors-mitch-marner-mirtle/], reporting the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights discussed a three-team blockbuster with the Carolina Hurricanes that would've sent Mitch Marner to Vegas before the March trade deadline. Following the deadline, it was reported that the Leafs [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs] and Hurricanes [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/carolina-hurricanes] talked about a swap of Marner for Mikko Rantanen, but Marner declined to waive his no-movement clause. The Hurricanes instead shipped Rantanen to the Dallas Stars [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/dallas-stars] at the deadline. The Hockey News' Nick Barden [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/latest-news/report-mitch-marner-was-in-three-team-trade-talks-with-leafs-hurricanes-and-golden-knights-ahead-of-deadline] wrote that Marner returning to the Leafs is possible, but it feels unlikely. That means many clubs could be getting ready to try to sign him. Mirtle cited reports claiming the Golden Knights [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/vegas-golden-knights] have been interested in Marner for a while, including trade talks last summer. They lack the cap space to sign the 28-year-old right winger if he goes to market on July 1, with a projected $9.6 million available [https://puckpedia.com/team/vegas-golden-knights] with 18 active roster players under contract. Mirtle suggested they could free up room by trading William Karlsson, but Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported sources [https://www.sportsnet.ca/podcasts/32-thoughts/the-panthers-set-the-coppertone-in-game-3/] around the league believe he's not available. Meanwhile, Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reported [https://torontosun.com/sports/hockey/nhl/toronto-maple-leafs/wanna-bet-vegas-landing-spot-mitch-marner] there are some around the league who believe defenseman Alex Pietrangelo ($8.8-million cap hit) could end up on long-term injured reserve for the remaining two years of his contract. If Pietrangelo goes on LTIR, it would give Vegas over $18 million in wiggle room to pursue Marner. However, there's no confirmation that the veteran blueliner's playing days are over. Mitch Marner (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) [https://deweb-519a7.b-cdn.net/post-images/105553b6-1e82-45a3-8854-9fa1f27577fa.jpeg] Mitch Marner (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images) Meanwhile, Nick Kypreos of the Toronto Star claimed [https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs/there-are-many-layers-to-john-tavares-future-with-the-maple-leafs-this-one-isnt/article_bdd1af37-2bf7-44b2-a9dd-6ef06f66e693.html] Nicolas Hague could become a cost-cutting candidate for the Golden Knights. He's an RFA with arbitration rights this summer and is a year from UFA eligibility. The 26-year-old defenseman completed a three-year deal [https://puckpedia.com/player/nicolas-hague] with an average annual value of $2.294 million. Kypreos claimed the Montreal Canadiens [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/montreal-canadiens] and Pittsburgh Penguins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/pittsburgh-penguins] were “hot on the trail” for the 6-foot-6, 240-pound Hague. However, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now doesn't think he moves the needle for the Canadiens [https://montrealhockeynow.com/2025/06/09/montreal-canadiens-trade-rumours-nicolas-hague-habs-vegas-report/]. The Golden Knights could move Hague if unable to reach an agreement on a long-term deal. However, if Pietrangelo's career could be over, they might want to hang onto him rather than further deplete their blueline depth. Meanwhile, the Marco Rossi trade speculation keeps rolling along. Contract talks between the 23-year-old RFA center and the Minnesota Wild [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/minnesota-wild] are reportedly stalled, raising the possibility he'll become an offer-sheet target if the Wild don't sign or trade him before July 1. NESN's Jay Pritchard thinks the Boston Bruins [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/boston-bruins] should consider acquiring Rossi [https://nesn.com/2025/06/why-marco-rossi-makes-sense-as-a-bruins-trade-target/], who is coming off a 60-point season. He believes his youth, skill and upside would make him a good fit with the Bruins. Bruins GM Don Sweeney could be watching the Rossi situation. He has over $26 million in cap space next season [https://puckpedia.com/team/boston-bruins] with 14 active roster players under contract. Rossi reportedly seeks a seven-year deal worth $7 million annually. That would be a significant investment for the Bruins on a promising player from another club who has not yet fully established himself as a top-six center. Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News [https://news.google.com/publications/CAAqBwgKMK-q0gsw7sXpAw?hl=en-CA&gl=CA&ceid=CA%3Aen] and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here [http://eepurl.com/i7OC4I]. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.
