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In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Brad Treliving commented on any plans the Toronto Maple Leafs might have regarding contract talks with Mitch Marner before the season ends. Meanwhile, the Montreal Canadiens confirmed they were looking for a top-six difference-maker at the deadline. Why did they not make a move to add someone? Finally, the NHL might not hold the All-Star Game next season after the success of the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. But does future international hockey include games against Russia?
Maple Leafs and Marner Not Talking Extension?
Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving was asked if the team will have any contract extension negotiations with Mitch Marner and his agent before the playoffs begin. Seeing as how Marner was reportedly asked to waive his no-trade clause at the deadline, fans and insiders are curious as to how that might affect negotiations. Treliving wasn’t spilling any secrets.
“We’re going to focus on the ice. Any updates that we have business-wise, we’ll be sure to share them if and when (the time comes). As we all know, Mitch has had a terrific year, and he’s a vital part of our team… he’s a big part we’re gonna try to accomplish the next 14 games and moving on beyond that. And that’s really where all of our focus is.”
This wasn’t a confirmation by the Leafs that extension talks have ceased, but it sounds like their current priority isn’t a new deal for their star winger.
Canadiens Tried to Find Solid Add Ahead of Trade Deadline
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he was eyeing a trade to bring in a player for Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook before the recent NHL trade deadline. However, there wasn’t a way to make that trade this season.
Hughes said, “If there had been somebody for us to get that could play up the lineup and help, somebody who could’ve played with Newhook and Patrik Laine, that was where we were testing the waters for.”
Ultimately, the Canadiens elected not to make a deal because the available players would have had to play further down the lineup, and head coach Martin St. Louis wasn’t going to change the lines he already had and liked. Hughes said, “…the cost for injury depth was really significant.”
Related: Montreal Canadiens’ 5 First-Round Targets in 2025 NHL Draft
The Canadiens do intend to go after a top-six forward in the offseason. It sounds like they’ll look at free agency, but Hughes doesn’t intend to overpay for a free agent on a long-term contract. He noted he wasn’t keen on the idea of walking into a deal the club will wish they hadn’t signed a couple of seasons after it’s offered. Instead, if he’s going to overpay, it would be in the form of assets needed to acquire one in the trade market.
Is The NHL Dumping the All-Star Game?
It sounds like the NHL is considering eliminating the All-Star game, at least for next season.
As per Chris Johnston, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman confirmed the NHL isn’t committed to holding the 2026 All-Star Game. There are ongoing discussions about where things go. He says the 4 Nations Face-Off “raised the bar.”
Meanwhile, Elliotte Friedman noted that there is a lot of brainstorming going on behind the scenes about what to do with the All-Star Game next season. He writes, “Harder to unwrap it now that Islanders have already announced it…but post-4 Nations, can’t have a flat performance in such a showcase. So, alternate plans are being discussed.”
Bettman confirmed the Islanders will get “an event,” but no one has “pinned down” what it is yet.
Bettman also stated that the NHL learned yesterday of Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin’s discussions about a U.S.-Russia hockey series: “I’m not going to speculate or anything else. It is what it is.”