As the regular season comes to a finish, it’s time for another round of NHL speculations. We have the Stanley Cup Playoffs on our minds. However, we may always think about the off-season, as many executives do. Some major decisions are looming ahead of the July 1 free agency period. In certain circumstances, we’re already planning for the 2025 offseason. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the New York Islanders.
All NHL rumors originate from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: Erik Duhatschek of The Athletic theorized about what the future holds for Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares. Following this season, the Mississauga, Ontario native will enter the final year of his contract.
Tavares is one of four Maple Leafs forwards who earns more than $10 million, along with Auston Matthews, William Nylander, and Mitch Marner. Both Matthews and Nylander’s big-money deals will begin at the start of the 2024-25 season. Marner and Tavares are both scheduled to become unrestricted free agents at the end of next season.
However, both parties can sign contract renewals on July 1. Tavares is 33 years old and presumably in the final phases of his career. Marner is approaching his peak and is likely looking for a deal similar to Matthews and Nylander’s. However, Toronto general manager Brad Treliving has a limited budget.
This could be a difficult scenario for Tavares, but Duhatschek offers some solutions for the lifetime Leafs fan. Tavares might accept a more team-friendly deal, giving the franchise the option to add more players. Toronto may potentially let Tavares leave and find another team. Duhatschek noted that money may not be an issue in the next deal because Tavares has earned $121 million in his career.
Treliving and the Leafs will have some decisions to make in the coming months. However, if he so desires, the Toronto captain has the opportunity to do a huge favor for his hometown team.
According to Ethan Sears of the New York Post, Cal Clutterbuck, a veteran forward with the New York Islanders, has not decided whether to retire.
Analysis: Clutterbuck stated that he has not yet considered retiring from hockey. The Welland, Ontario native believes he can still play a key role for an NHL team. Clutterbuck has seven goals and twelve assists through 78 games this season.
The veteran forward stated that if he had been hurt, he would have had to consider his options. However, the 36-year-old is certain to play all 82 games this season. He’s played a consistent role at the bottom of an Islanders lineup that has making a strong push to reach the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Clutterbuck is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season. He presently earns $1.75 million and might be a cost-effective alternative for a team. He’s also a strong physical player who can hurl his body around. The NHL began tracking hits in 2005-06, and Clutterbuck leads the league with more over 4,000 since then.
Clutterbuck recognizes that he has no control over whether general manager Lou Lamoriello wants him back for next season and/or thereafter. However, Clutterbuck believes he has much to offer a team. He might help a bottom-six forward group. The veteran will not score many goals, but he is a reliable veteran and role player that any team might need.
