Latest news with #MapleLeafs'
Yahoo
18 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Insider Says $1.85B Franchise Is Not the Favorite to Land Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner
Insider Says $1.85B Franchise Is Not the Favorite to Land Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As the future of Mitch Marner continues to dominate offseason discussion around the Toronto Maple Leafs, attention has turned to possible destinations should the forward hit unrestricted free agency on July 1. Advertisement With a valuation of $1.85 billion in Forbes' latest updated ranks and one championship already in their trophy cabinet, the Vegas Golden Knights are seen as a legitimate suitor for Marner if he gets to market this offseason. But in the eyes of NHL insider Chris Johnston, Vegas is not the leading contender for Marner. During a segment of "The Chris Johnston Show" shared by SDPN on X, Johnston made it clear that while the Golden Knights always operate aggressively, he believes their focus may lie elsewhere. "You can never take Vegas out of any major sweepstakes because of the DNA of the franchise (and) obviously the history of moves that we can point to," Johnston said. "But, when I look at this free agent class, I think it's more likely we see Vegas land a (Florida Panthers pending free agent) Sam Bennett than a Mitch Marner. Advertisement "Somehow, there seems to be this notion that they are the favorites — I wouldn't call them the favorites to land Mitch Marner. I think Vegas might be swinging harder for (Bennett) than (Marner) if both of those players end up going (to free agency)." Johnston's remarks come amid ongoing speculation about Marner's future, as contract talks with Toronto have yet to produce a final decision. Toronto Maple Leafs right wing Mitch Marner follows the play during a game at Scotiabank Turchiaro-Imagn Images Leafs GM Brad Treliving has acknowledged that changes may be needed, stating that the team's DNA must evolve. Marner, who could have been traded to Vegas last summer, stayed in Toronto for the 2024-25 campaign, where he put together his best season to date. Advertisement The winger scored 102 points in 81 regular-season games before notching 13 points in 13 postseason games. Related: Elliotte Friedman Reveals Why Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Trade to Vegas Never Happened Related: Maple Leafs GM Makes 'Emotional' Admission About Discussion With Mitch Marner This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 3, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
2026 Winter Olympics – Men's Ice Hockey Betting Odds & Team Outlooks
Betting Odds unveiled for Men's Ice Hockey at 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy As the IIHF World Championships work their way into the final rounds, we look ahead to the next international tournament with the 2026 Winter Olympics. Officially known as the Milano Cortina 2026, the Olympic games will be hosted in Milan and Cortina d'Ampezzo, Italy, from February 6 to 22 with NHL players returning to Olympic ice for the first time since the Four Nations Face-Off this past February. The men's hockey tournament promises to be one of the premier events of the Games. Official Venues: PalaItalia and Fiera Milano Pavilion, Milan. More NHL: Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner Next Team Betting Odds Revealed 1. Canada (+150) 2. USA (+200) 3. Sweden (+550) 4. Finland (+750) 5. Czechia (+1400) 6. Switzerland (+5000) 7. Slovakia (+5000) 8. Germany (+5000) 9. Latvia (+14000) 10. Denmark (+14000) 11. Italy (+25000) 12. France (+25000) More NHL: Conference Finals Betting Round-Up: Unlikely Heroes Emerging as Value Plays After Game 1 Canada enters the tournament as the favorite thanks to its world-class talent pool. Led by superstars such as Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby, Nathan MacKinnon, and Cale Makar, the Canadians boast a near-unmatched combination of speed, skill, and experience. While goaltending has been an area of concern in the past, Jordan Binnington showed at Four Nations that he can be a gamer and a reliable netminder when his nation needs him. Anything less than gold would be seen as a disappointment for this hockey powerhouse. The United States is poised to challenge Canada's dominance with one of its deepest Olympic rosters in history. Auston Matthews headlines a forward group supported by Jack Eichel, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk. On defense, Adam Fox and Quinn Hughes add elite puck-moving skills. With Connor Hellebuyck likely starting in net, the U.S. has a real chance to capture its first Olympic gold in the sport since 1980. Sweden always brings a balanced, technically skilled team, and 2026 is no different. Veterans like Victor Hedman and Erik Karlsson will anchor the defense, while William Nylander, Elias Pettersson, and Mika Zibanejad provide offensive firepower. If they can get consistent goaltending from Linus Ullmark or Filip Gustavsson, Sweden has the tools to make a deep run. Finland's reputation for structured, defensive hockey and team-first mentality makes them a perennial dark horse. Aleksander Barkov, Sebastian Aho, and Mikko Rantanen headline a solid group of forwards. On defense, Miro Heiskanen leads the charge. With their gold-medal win at the 2022 Olympics still fresh, the Finns can never be overlooked. Czechia brings a dangerous blend of scoring talent and grit. David Pastrnak is a game-breaking winger, supported by Tomas Hertl, David Krejci, and Martin Nečas. However, their chances will hinge on their defensive structure and whether Petr Mrázek or Karel Vejmelka can deliver elite goaltending. They're not favorites, but they have the potential to surprise. Switzerland has quietly developed into a competitive international team. Roman Josi is a top-tier defenseman, while forwards like Kevin Fiala and Nico Hischier can score in bunches. The challenge will be depth and consistency, especially against the elite teams, but they're capable of a quarterfinal upset. More NHL: Veterans First: NHL Insiders Pick Players Who Deserve Cup First From Each Contender Slovakia is relying heavily on its new wave of young talent. Juraj Slafkovsky, the top pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, will be a focal point, while veterans like Tomas Tatar bring experience. Goaltending and defensive depth are areas of concern, but the Slovaks are physical and determined competitors. Germany continues to rise in international hockey, following a silver medal finish in 2018. Leon Draisaitl is one of the world's best players, and Tim Stützle adds offensive flair. If they get strong play from goaltender Philipp Grubauer, Germany could repeat or even exceed its recent Olympic success. Latvia shocked the hockey world with a bronze medal at the 2023 IIHF World Championship. Though lacking NHL star power, players like Rudolfs Balcers and goaltender Elvis Merzļikins give the team credibility. They're physical, disciplined, and never an easy out. Denmark's rise in international hockey has been impressive. Nikolaj Ehlers and Oliver Bjorkstrand lead their offense, while goaltender Frederik Andersen could steal a game or two. Still, limited depth may keep them from progressing beyond the group stage. As co-hosts, Italy will be motivated to put on a respectable showing. While the talent gap is considerable, home-ice energy and experience from dual-national players like Alex Petan or Diego Kostner might make for a competitive game or two. France rounds out the field as an underdog. Pierre-Édouard Bellemare and Alexandre Texier provide NHL pedigree, but overall depth and defensive consistency are lacking. Gaining Olympic experience will be the main goal for this growing hockey nation. More NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs: Betting Odds For the Conference Finals
Winnipeg Free Press
23-05-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Pelley: Maple Leafs won't fill president's role after Shanahan's dismissal
TORONTO – The Maple Leafs' president's chair will remain vacant. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment czar Keith Pelley says the conglomerate doesn't plan to fill the hockey team's top job after announcing Thursday that Brendan Shanahan's contract won't be renewed. The Hockey Hall of Famer spent 11 seasons in Toronto and rebuilt the floundering Original Six franchise, but was unable to break through in the playoffs despite a boatload of offensive talent led by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Pelley, MLSE's president and chief executive officer, spoke to reporters at Scotiabank Arena on Friday afternoon. The Leafs won just two of 11 series under Shanahan's watch with six consecutive Game 7 losses. Thursdays Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter. The most recent defeat came at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in a second-round matchup that saw Toronto suffer 6-1 losses in its last two games on home ice to seal both the Leafs' and Shanahan's fate. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025.
Global News
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Global News
Pelley: Leafs won't fill president's role
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook TORONTO – The Maple Leafs' president's chair will remain vacant. Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment czar Keith Pelley says the conglomerate doesn't plan to fill the hockey team's top job after announcing Thursday that Brendan Shanahan's contract won't be renewed. The Hockey Hall of Famer spent 11 seasons in Toronto and rebuilt the floundering Original Six franchise, but was unable to break through in the playoffs despite a boatload of offensive talent led by Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. Story continues below advertisement Pelley, MLSE's president and chief executive officer, spoke to reporters at Scotiabank Arena on Friday afternoon. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The Leafs won just two of 11 series under Shanahan's watch with six consecutive Game 7 losses. The most recent defeat came at the hands of the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers in a second-round matchup that saw Toronto suffer 6-1 losses in its last two games on home ice to seal both the Leafs' and Shanahan's fate. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 23, 2025.
Toronto Sun
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Player-by-player final look at 2024-25 Toronto Maple Leafs
The Maple Leafs' expectations in the playoffs fell short again, this time in the second round against the Florida Panthers. Get the latest from Terry Koshan straight to your inbox Toronto Maple Leafs' Max Pacioretty (67) and teammates Auston Matthews (34), William Nylander (88) and Max Domi (11) look on in the final moments of third period NHL Stanley Cup playoff hockey action against the Florida Panthers, in Toronto, Sunday, May 18, 2025. Photo by Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS For the 2024-25 Maple Leafs, the pain of losing yet again in the Stanley Cup playoffs and falling short of expectations is sure to linger through the summer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account We're taking a final look at the group as the players head off for the summer. Contracts are listed with remaining term and the players' salary cap hit. GOALIES Anthony Stolarz Remember when there didn't seem to be much available among goalies in free agency last summer? Stolarz established himself as a true starter after signing a two-year contract. He played in a career-high 34 games and led NHL goalies with a .926 save percentage during the regular season. Rare was the game Stolarz allowed a soft goal. A knee issue kept him out of the lineup for nearly two months, but he went 12-4-1 after returning on Feb. 6 and was the clear No. 1 when he suffered a concussion in Game 1 against Florida, ending his season. Contract: One year, $2.5 million This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Joseph Woll Like Stolarz, Woll didn't tire while hitting a career-high. For Woll, it was 42 games, and he had a .909 save percentage, 13th in the NHL and tied with his pal Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars. Woll had a good regular season on the whole, but couldn't overtake Stolarz, who simply was better. Woll would've had to have been close to perfect to match Florida's Sergei Bobrovsky in the second round and we know what happened. All things considered, expect Woll to take a good run at the starter's job when training camp opens in September. Contract: Three years, $3.66 million DEFENCEMEN Simon Benoit The 26-year-old developed into what a team should want out of a third-pairing defenceman: Few concerns, in general, when he's on the ice and a steady physical presence. Not only was the 6-foot-4, 211-pound Benoit a Game 3 overtime hero against Ottawa after he scored once in 79 regular-season games, he led Leafs D-men in the playoffs with 42 hits and led the team in blocks. Despite where he lands on the depth chart, Benoit should have no worries about trying to hang on to his job in camp. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract: Two years, $1.35 million Brandon Carlo In 20 games after he was acquired from the Boston Bruins, Carlo eventually settled into a pairing with Morgan Rielly, providing a presence on the right side that was influential in the defensive zone. Carlo probably didn't have as good of a performance in the playoffs that he would have liked, especially against the Panthers. Key with the 6-foot-5, 220-pound Carlo is that he wasn't a rental and has two years remaining on his contract. Starting fresh with the Leafs in camp should be a benefit. Contract: Two years, $3.48 million Oliver Ekman-Larsson There was a little bite to Ekman-Larsson's game after he signed a four-year pact with the Leafs in free agency. He'll turn 34 in July and, if you're among those who don't like that he has another three years, keep in mind the increasing salary cap will make his contract more digestible. Slotting in on the right side on the third pair with Benoit turned out to be the best spot for Ekman-Larsson. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract: Three years, $3.5 million Jake McCabe The 31-year-old is heading into his five-year extension coming off his best season in the NHL and it was no coincidence that McCabe's step forward came while paired with Chris Tanev. After leading the Leafs in ice time during the regular season, McCabe was second to Mitch Marner in the playoffs. Strong at five-on-five and on the penalty kill, McCabe's steadiness and awareness in his second full season with the Leafs, after he was acquired from Chicago in February 2023, were major positives for the group as a whole. Contract: Five years, $4.5 million Philippe Myers After some stops and starts — Myers played in only one game with the Leafs before December — the big right-handed shooter proved to be a respected depth piece. Does he become anything more than that going forward? Unlikely. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract: Two years, $850,000 Morgan Rielly The longest-serving current Leafs player continued to come under criticism for his defensive play, but that didn't penetrate the walls of the coach's office. True, for the first time since 2017-18 Rielly didn't lead the Leafs in ice time, but he played just eight seconds less on average than McCabe. After scoring seven goals in 82 games, Rielly had four in the 13 in the playoffs. A question next season: Can Rielly and Carlo find enough chemistry together that would allow the former to take better advantage of his offensive instincts? It's possible. Contract: Five years, $7.5 million Chris Tanev To sum up Tanev: He does his job. To further sum up Tanev: He does his job extremely well. In his first season after signing a six-year contract, Tanev's impact spread through the entire defence corps and the team was a lot better off for it. Positionally, there aren't a lot more NHL D-men who are better. When Tanev has the puck, more often than not a crisp breakout is the result. He absorbs hits and doesn't flinch. His shot-blocking ability tells just part of the story. Easily the Leafs' blue-line MVP, he couldn't have more respect in the room. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract: Five years, $4.5 million FORWARDS Max Domi After signing a four-year contract, his longest in the NHL, Domi struggled to live up to it. Domi didn't score until Dec. 15 — his 23rd game of the season — and had just six assists at that point. He finished with 33 points in 74 games, the second-lowest total in his 10 NHL seasons. In both of his seasons with Toronto, Domi has led the club in penalty minutes. Lack of discipline was an issue at times in the playoffs. Domi's ability to pass the puck is clear, but the question remains: Where does he fit best among Leafs forwards? Contract: Three years, $3.75 million Pontus Holmberg A full season with the Leafs — 68 games in the regular season and 12 in the playoffs — provided concrete evidence that Holmberg belongs in the bottom six. His defensive mind is fine, but providing offence is challenging and he was miscast whenever coach Craig Berube used him on the second line with John Tavares and William Nylander. The qualifying offer for Holmberg will be $866,250, but though he has arbitration rights, he's not worth much more than that. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract: Restricted free agent Calle Jarnkrok Jarnkrok didn't make his season debut until March 3 after he needed months of recovery following sports hernia/groin surgery. One goal and seven assists in 19 games came afterward; he had one assist in 12 playoff games. Perhaps a proper start out of camp and into the regular season will be good for the usually energetic Jarnkrok, though he will turn 34 in September. Either way, he's bottom-six material only. Contract status: One year, $2.1 million David Kampf Despite being cleared to play after recovering from an upper-body injury, Kampf was a healthy scratch for most of the playoffs and played only in Game 5 against Florida. Whether his impact has diminished isn't the point. He's a depth centre and a player of that ilk can easily be replaced (by, in this case, Scott Laughton). A mistake by GM Brad Treliving was signing Kampf to a four-year, $9.6-million pact in June 2023. It wasn't necessary. Per , the Leafs would be on the hook for $1.68 million for each of the next two years and approximately $358,000 in each of the two years afterward if Kampf is bought out from the final two years on his deal. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract status: Two years, $2.4 million Matthew Knies Knies has become the poster boy for anyone unconcerned about the Leafs' dearth of first-round picks in the next three years. You're not always going to get a player with this kind of impact in the second round, but did the Leafs ever get it right with Knies at 57th overall in 2021. Coming off a 29-goal season, Knies is on his way to being one of the top power forwards in the NHL. If he does get an offer sheet this summer, there are few, if any, reasons to think why the Leafs would not match. Re-signing Knies is a top-level priority. If Toronto can get longer term between $7 million and $8 million a year, great. Contract status: Restricted free agent Scott Laughton Something that came as a surprise after the Leafs acquired Laughton from the Philadelphia Flyers: The 30-year-old veteran never got to a point where he was fully comfortable, certainly not during the regular season, when he had four points in 20 games after the trade. Laughton might have been a bit better in the playoffs, but providing a spark remained elusive. The Leafs will require much more from him in 2025-26. With the Flyers having retained 50% of his contract, he should be a bargain. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract status: One year, $1.5 million Steven Lorentz In our 25 years covering the Leafs, we don't recall a more genial player in Toronto. Lorentz was exactly what we thought he would be: An enthusiastic fourth-line winger (he led Leafs forwards with 199 hits) who contributed every so often and carried himself with confidence after winning the Stanley Cup with Florida. He made the NHL minimum $775,000 on a one-year deal signed in free agency and should get a bump in salary. The Leafs would be wise to re-sign him. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent For the fourth time in nine playoffs with the Leafs, Marner averaged at least one point a game (13 in 13). In the final four games against Florida, though, he had one assist, marking another failure on his part to make a true difference when it was absolutely required. There's no denying the wizardry and the production in the regular season and Marner finally reached 100 points in 2024-25. The post-season is where the true evaluation comes and Marner has not excelled. It's at the point where it will be surprising if he re-signs in Toronto. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent Auston Matthews Playing through an injury limited the first-year captain to 67 games, during which he scored 33 goals, his lowest amount in nine NHL seasons. He said he expects to be 100% when camp opens and, for the sake of both him and the Leafs, Matthews better be right. One goal and three assists in the seven-game series was all Matthews could muster. His secretive nature regarding his injury didn't endear him to many, but that shouldn't matter. What does is his production and, as one of the highest-paid players in the NHL, it wasn't good enough. Contract status: Three years, $13.25 million Bobby McMann A year ago, McMann didn't get a chance to suit up in the playoffs because he was hurt. This year, he played in the post-season and was a head-scratching disappointment. McMann didn't score one goal, finishing on a 24-game goalless skid, including the last 11 games of the regular season. That took shine off his first 20-goal year in the NHL. He maintained a physical presence in the playoffs, but much more was expected. McMann should be hugely motivated once camp rolls around. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract status: One year, $1.35 million William Nylander We respect Nylander's gift for flicking pressure away and, frankly, some of his teammates should take a hint. It might be more palatable, though, if Nylander came through when the spotlight shone most. Like Marner and Matthews, Nylander was not impactful in crunch time, as he had no points in Games 4-7 against Florida. The crushing ending came after Nylander scored a career-high 45 goals during the regular season and was the only Leafs forward to play in all 82 games. Nylander's talent for playing with the puck on the string in the offensive zone will be on display in Toronto for a while, as he is under contract until the end of the 2031-32 season. Contract status: Seven years, $11.5 million This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Max Pacorietty Are the Leafs going to miss an aging, injury-prone veteran who played in just 37 games in the regular season? We think so. When he was healthy, Pacioretty played with a physical zeal that put him directly on Berube's good side. In the playoffs, Pacorietty had eight points in 11 games as his savvy and knowledge guided him. He said he will need time to think about his playing future and, if he does retire, his brief time with the Leafs will be remembered. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent Nick Robertson Following an off-season trade request, Robertson played in 69 games, scoring 15 goals. Did he get the true chance that he sought when he figured life might have been better on another team? He averaged 12 minutes a game after averaging 11 minutes 23 seconds in 2023-24. Robertson is not in the mould of Berube-preferred wingers such as Knies and McMann, a factor that is not going to change. We'll be curious to see how Robertson's situation plays out this summer. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Contract status: Restricted free agent John Tavares If Tavares has played his last game with the Leafs, his seven-year tenure in Toronto petered out. After Tavares scored a goal in Game 4 against Ottawa, in the nine games that came after, he scored two goals (in Game 3 against Florida) and had no assists. For a veteran second-line centre, those are harsh numbers. It was especially disappointing because Tavares had some zest in the regular season with 38 goals, tying his second-highest total in the NHL. If the Leafs re-sign him, though it might be best to thank him for his service and say goodbye, it can't be for more than three years. Two would even be better. Contract status: Unrestricted free agent tkoshan@ X: @koshtorontosun Canada Toronto Maple Leafs Sunshine Girls Editorial Cartoons Toronto & GTA
