Latest news with #Leafs
Time of India
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL Rumors: Insider reveals money tension rising in Matthew Knies deal as Maple Leafs struggle with cap space
NHL Rumors: Insider reveals money tension rising in Matthew Knies deal as Maple Leafs struggle with cap space (Image via Getty) There is a lot of noise coming out of Toronto, but no one knows the full truth yet. While sources are saying different things, the Toronto Maple Leafs are developing a new contract for young forward Matthew Knies. Although certain people think an agreement is near, others claim the two sides are yet far apart. Then then, what is actually happening? Matthew Knies and Toronto Maple Leafs facing gap in contract numbers NHL insider David Pagnotta revealed an update in The Fourth Period on Thursday, June 20, 2025, on contract talks between Matthew Knies and the Toronto Maple Leafs. Though both sides are trying to reach a new arrangement, they are not yet aligned. Some sources close to the team believe the deal is almost finished. But other people close to the situation told Pagnotta that there's still a big gap to fix. 'It could go either way,' said one source familiar with the talks. That's why fans are getting mixed messages right now. Knies just finished his entry-level contract after scoring a career-high 29 goals and 58 points in the 2024–25 season. He played 78 regular season games. The 22-year-old forward also had five goals in 13 playoff games this year. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Over his two full NHL seasons, he has played 161 games with 44 goals and 50 assists. Knies is one of three restricted free agent (RFA) forwards still unsigned by the Leafs, along with Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg. The Leafs want to keep all three players but are taking things one step at a time. Matthew Knies asking for more money than Toronto Maple Leafs are offering According to Pagnotta's report, the main issue in the talks is money. The Toronto Maple Leafs want to offer Knies a deal worth $4–$5 million per year. But Knies and his agent are asking for closer to $7 million per year. Also Read: BREAKING: Matthew Knies Contract Talks Get Bold Tkachuk Comparison From NHL Expert Craig Button The final amount depends on how long the contract will be. If it's a long-term deal, Knies might accept a smaller yearly amount. But if it's a short contract, he could get a chance to become a free agent around age 26 or 27. That would give him a better shot at a big contract later. The Leafs have around $25 million in salary cap space, based on data from PuckPedia. So, they do have the money to keep Knies. But both sides need to agree on the length and salary before anything is made official. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Edmonton Journal
20 hours ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Free-agency 'fun' for Maple Leafs in swing with July 1 still over a week away
Article content Well, isn't that bleepin' great. With the Mitch Marner door expected to slam shut on the Maple Leafs once National Hockey League free agency begins on July 1, a few other doors are being closed. Article content And that's still with more than a week to go before we get to the annual NHL festivities on Canada Day. For those who figured, or were hoping to any degree, that perhaps Leafs general manager Brad Treliving might entice Sam Bennett or Jonathan Toews to sign in Toronto once the market opened, you're going to have to look elsewhere for your free-agent fix. Article content Hours after Bennett indicated that he's going to re-sign with the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, the Winnipeg Jets on Friday said announced that Toews will be signing with them on July 1, when he is eligible to do so. Toews hasn't played in an NHL game since April 13, 2023, for the Chicago Blackhawks, before stepping away for health reasons. The Leafs had some initial interest earlier this year when Toews' desire to return to the NHL went public. His hometown Jets were always thought to be heavily in the mix, however, and now the 37-year-old Toews will get a chance to wear Winnipeg's colours on a one-year contract. Bennett caught the hockey world's attention late on Thursday night — or early Friday morning — when he said, while on a nightclub stage during a Cup celebration party in Miami, that he 'ain't f–ing leaving,' indicating to a frenzied crowd that he's going to re-sign with the Panthers. Article content Via text on Friday morning, Bennett's agent, Darren Ferris, told us a new contract with the Panthers was not done. 'It was an incredible and emotional night for the Panthers and well-deserved,' Ferris said. 'The celebrations have been amazing to see, and Sam's just taking it all in with his teammates right now. 'At this time, no contract has been signed — when there's something official, we'll share it accordingly.' Panthers general manager Bill Zito said on Tuesday night after Florida beat the Edmonton Oilers to repeat as Cup champions that he thinks he can bring back all three of the club's bold-face potential free agents — Bennett, Brad Marchand and Aaron Ekblad. At the very least, expect Bennett talks between Ferris and Zito to pick up. As of now, it would be rather surprising if Bennett signed anywhere but Florida. After winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP, Bennett is line for a major bump in pay. The centre, who celebrated his 29th birthday on Friday, is coming off a four-year contract that carried an average annual value of $4.425 million US. Article content Another substantial name came off the free-agent board on Thursday when Matt Duchene, who had 82 points in 82 games last season with the Dallas Stars, signed a four-year pact to remain in Dallas. Whether the Leafs would have any chance to sign Bennett, Toews or Duchene is just part of the point, With three fewer forwards available in free agency, the competition for those remaining will only increase. After he had 20 points in 23 playoff games for the Panthers, making a strong run at winning the Conn Smythe himself, Marchand certainly should be firmly in the Leafs' sights. Even at the age of 37, Marchand would be of great assistance to a Leafs team that needs a DNA change, as Treliving himself said. Though Marchand might love to re-sign with the Panthers, Zito probably doesn't have the money to keep all of his free agents. Marchand has been having fun on Instagram since the Panthers' Cup title, trolling NHL teams that in one way or another had players wind up with the Panthers, and on Friday weighed in on the idea of signing with the Leafs. Article content Latest National Stories
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Depth in picks won't necessarily turn into draft gold for Maple Leafs
Toronto has six picks in next week's draft with the earliest coming at No. 64 overall. Get the latest from Terry Koshan straight to your inbox Ben Danford is selected by the Toronto Maple Leafs with the 31st overall pick during the first round of the 2024 NHL draft. Getty Images Dig into that draft depth, Maple Leafs. 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 Currently with no selection in the 2025 National Hockey League draft until the last pick of the second round, Leafs amateur scouting director Mark Leach and his staff will have to bide their time next weekend. Barring trades by general manager Brad Treliving, the Leafs are about to embark on a run of three consecutive drafts without a first-round choice. Consider that since 2011, there have been only three drafts that the Leafs didn't announce the name of a prospect in the first round. In 2022, Toronto picked Fraser Minten with their first selection at No. 38; in 2021, Matthew Knies was snagged at No. 57 and, in 2019, Nick Robertson was taken at No. 53. There might be a good prospect available when the Leafs make their first choice at No. 64. Whether they get it right, we're not going to know for several years. 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. As for organizational needs, they're not really applicable without a first-round pick. Taking the best player available (as deemed by you and your staff) would be the most prudent route. With this in mind, we take a look forward and a glance back to see where the Leafs stand heading into the draft. WHERE DO THE LEAFS PICK? The final order of the draft was set once the Stanley Cup final between the victorious Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers finished on Tuesday night. The Leafs will have six picks: Nos. 64, 86 (third round), 137 and 153 (fifth round), 185 (sixth round) and 217 (seventh round). The Leafs have known for a while they weren't going to have a first-round pick this year, going back to the Kyle Dubas era. In February 2023, in the trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in which defenceman Jake McCabe was the centrepiece coming to Toronto, a conditional first-round pick in 2025 was sent to the Blackhawks. The pick was top-10 protected and when the Leafs qualified for the playoffs early in April, it became Chicago's selection. It's going to be the 25th pick overall. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The choice at 64th came via the Panthers in a swap of picks between the teams last June. Originally, the Leafs would have had the 57th pick. Now owned by Seattle, the pick has changed teams several times since the Leafs traded a conditional pick to Arizona in February 2022 in a deal that brought defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin to Toronto. The Coyotes had a choice between the Leafs' third-round pick in 2023 or the second-round pick in '25 and went with the latter before trading it (now in Utah) to Tampa Bay. The 86th pick was acquired in the trade last October that sent defenceman Timothy Liljegren to San Jose. The Leafs would have had the 89th pick, but traded it to Anaheim (which then sent it to the New York Rangers in the Chris Kreider trade last week) in a February 2024 swap for forward Kirill Slepets. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Leafs' fourth-round pick, which would have been 121st, went to the Minnesota Wild in a three-team trade (including the St. Louis Blues) in February 2023 that saw forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari land in Toronto. The 137th pick was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in March for forward Connor Dewar and defenceman Conor Timmins. The 153rd pick is the Leafs' own, as are the 185th and 217th picks. WHAT IS THE LEAFS' HISTORY WITH LATER PICKS? If you have your hopes high for the potential for the Leafs to find greatness in what picks they have, you might want to temper them. The fact is, it really does become a crapshoot the deeper the draft gets and there's no player that will be a slam-dunk blue-chipper by the time Toronto gets to No. 64. He might become that, but he won't be of that ilk next Saturday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The Leafs have chosen 64th four previous times and got it right once: In 1994, forward Frederik Modin was snapped up by Toronto and played three seasons with the Leafs before he went on to better things in the NHL, winning the Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004. Modin played in 898 NHL games with six teams. More recently, the Leafs chose defenceman Topi Niemela at 64 in 2020. He doesn't factor in Toronto's future. Perhaps that would have been different had Dubas still been in charge. The best showing the Leafs have in the three times they have had the 86th choice came in 2011, when they took Sudbury Wolves winger Josh Leivo. He scored 42 goals in 265 NHL games with five teams and is coming off a 49-goal season with Ufa of the KHL. The 64th and 86th picks haven't borne much NHL fruit in the past 25 years. Since 2000, three players taken 64th — forward Vincent Trocheck (Florida , 2011), defenceman Tyson Barrie (Colorado, 2009) and goalie Jimmy Howard (Detroit, 2003) — made an impact in the NHL. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. At 86, you're looking at defenceman Colton Parayko (St. Louis, 2012) and not much else. Regarding the later rounds, you can count on two hands the number of players the Leafs have taken since 2000 that made a dent with the team. We don't include the most recent drafts in that thinking, as those players remain in the developmental stages. From 2000 to 2018, the Leafs had 63 picks beyond 137th overall. The best recent example would be forward Pontus Holmberg, chosen 156th in 2018. Read More You also have forward Pierre Engvall (188th, 2014); forward Andreas Johnsson (202nd, 2013); goalie Garret Sparks (190th, 2011); forward Connor Brown (156th, 2012); defenceman Carl Gunnarsson (189th, 2007); forward Leo Komarov (180th, 2006); defenceman Anton Stralman (216th, 2005) and defenceman Ian White (191st, 2002). With respect to each one, it's not a bunch of difference-making all-stars, is it? The best outlier in Leafs history would be defenceman Tomas Kaberle, chosen 204th in 1996. We'll be curious to see what comes of the six-pack of picks that the Leafs own, provided no further trades are made. We do know that we won't be able to say whether Leach and his staff was right or wrong on any of them for years to come. tkoshan@ X: @koshtorontosun MMA NHL Canada Toronto & GTA World
Edmonton Journal
2 days ago
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
Depth in picks won't necessarily turn into draft gold for Maple Leafs
Article content Dig into that draft depth, Maple Leafs. Currently with no selection in the 2025 National Hockey League draft until the last pick of the second round, Leafs amateur scouting director Mark Leach and his staff will have to bide their time next weekend. Article content Barring trades by general manager Brad Treliving, the Leafs are about to embark on a run of three consecutive drafts without a first-round choice. Consider that since 2011, there have been only three drafts that the Leafs didn't announce the name of a prospect in the first round. Article content In 2022, Toronto picked Fraser Minten with their first selection at No. 38; in 2021, Matthew Knies was snagged at No. 57 and, in 2019, Nick Robertson was taken at No. 53. There might be a good prospect available when the Leafs make their first choice at No. 64. Whether they get it right, we're not going to know for several years. As for organizational needs, they're not really applicable without a first-round pick. Taking the best player available (as deemed by you and your staff) would be the most prudent route. With this in mind, we take a look forward and a glance back to see where the Leafs stand heading into the draft. WHERE DO THE LEAFS PICK? The final order of the draft was set once the Stanley Cup final between the victorious Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers finished on Tuesday night. The Leafs will have six picks: Nos. 64, 86 (third round), 137 and 153 (fifth round), 185 (sixth round) and 217 (seventh round). Article content The Leafs have known for a while they weren't going to have a first-round pick this year, going back to the Kyle Dubas era. In February 2023, in the trade with the Chicago Blackhawks in which defenceman Jake McCabe was the centrepiece coming to Toronto, a conditional first-round pick in 2025 was sent to the Blackhawks. The pick was top-10 protected and when the Leafs qualified for the playoffs early in April, it became Chicago's selection. It's going to be the 25th pick overall. The choice at 64th came via the Panthers in a swap of picks between the teams last June. Originally, the Leafs would have had the 57th pick. Now owned by Seattle, the pick has changed teams several times since the Leafs traded a conditional pick to Arizona in February 2022 in a deal that brought defenceman Ilya Lyubushkin to Toronto. The Coyotes had a choice between the Leafs' third-round pick in 2023 or the second-round pick in '25 and went with the latter before trading it (now in Utah) to Tampa Bay. Article content The 86th pick was acquired in the trade last October that sent defenceman Timothy Liljegren to San Jose. The Leafs would have had the 89th pick, but traded it to Anaheim (which then sent it to the New York Rangers in the Chris Kreider trade last week) in a February 2024 swap for forward Kirill Slepets. The Leafs' fourth-round pick, which would have been 121st, went to the Minnesota Wild in a three-team trade (including the St. Louis Blues) in February 2023 that saw forwards Ryan O'Reilly and Noel Acciari land in Toronto. The 137th pick was acquired from the Pittsburgh Penguins in March for forward Connor Dewar and defenceman Conor Timmins. The 153rd pick is the Leafs' own, as are the 185th and 217th picks. WHAT IS THE LEAFS' HISTORY WITH LATER PICKS? If you have your hopes high for the potential for the Leafs to find greatness in what picks they have, you might want to temper them. Article content The fact is, it really does become a crapshoot the deeper the draft gets and there's no player that will be a slam-dunk blue-chipper by the time Toronto gets to No. 64. He might become that, but he won't be of that ilk next Saturday. The Leafs have chosen 64th four previous times and got it right once: In 1994, forward Frederik Modin was snapped up by Toronto and played three seasons with the Leafs before he went on to better things in the NHL, winning the Cup with Tampa Bay in 2004. Modin played in 898 NHL games with six teams. More recently, the Leafs chose defenceman Topi Niemela at 64 in 2020. He doesn't factor in Toronto's future. Perhaps that would have been different had Dubas still been in charge. The best showing the Leafs have in the three times they have had the 86th choice came in 2011, when they took Sudbury Wolves winger Josh Leivo. He scored 42 goals in 265 NHL games with five teams and is coming off a 49-goal season with Ufa of the KHL. Article content The 64th and 86th picks haven't borne much NHL fruit in the past 25 years. Since 2000, three players taken 64th — forward Vincent Trocheck (Florida , 2011), defenceman Tyson Barrie (Colorado, 2009) and goalie Jimmy Howard (Detroit, 2003) — made an impact in the NHL. At 86, you're looking at defenceman Colton Parayko (St. Louis, 2012) and not much else. Regarding the later rounds, you can count on two hands the number of players the Leafs have taken since 2000 that made a dent with the team. We don't include the most recent drafts in that thinking, as those players remain in the developmental stages. From 2000 to 2018, the Leafs had 63 picks beyond 137th overall. The best recent example would be forward Pontus Holmberg, chosen 156th in 2018. Article content You also have forward Pierre Engvall (188th, 2014); forward Andreas Johnsson (202nd, 2013); goalie Garret Sparks (190th, 2011); forward Connor Brown (156th, 2012); defenceman Carl Gunnarsson (189th, 2007); forward Leo Komarov (180th, 2006); defenceman Anton Stralman (216th, 2005) and defenceman Ian White (191st, 2002). With respect to each one, it's not a bunch of difference-making all-stars, is it? The best outlier in Leafs history would be defenceman Tomas Kaberle, chosen 204th in 1996. We'll be curious to see what comes of the six-pack of picks that the Leafs own, provided no further trades are made. We do know that we won't be able to say whether Leach and his staff was right or wrong on any of them for years to come. Latest National Stories
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
NHL Trade Rumors: Toronto Maple Leafs eye Sam Bennett as potential Mitch Marner replacement in free agency shake-up
Toronto Maple Leafs are planning roster changes and Sam Bennett of Florida Panthers is a target (Getty Images) As the Toronto Maple Leafs gear up for another offseason overhaul, the team's front office is already feeling the pressure to shake up the roster following another disappointing early playoff exit. With major names potentially on the move — including the much-speculated departure of Mitch Marner — Toronto could be setting its sights on a proven postseason performer to reshape its identity. Veteran Sam Bennett linked to Toronto as possible free agent target Among the top names being floated as a target is Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett, who has quietly established himself as a clutch performer and postseason asset. With the Panthers making deep playoff runs in recent years — including three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals — Bennett's battle-tested experience would provide a new dimension to Toronto's forward core. — TorontoStar (@TorontoStar) NHL analyst Joe Yerdon of Bleacher Report has already connected Bennett to the Leafs in a recent column. 'History and money have a way of working out sometimes,' Yerdon wrote. 'But if the Leafs added Bennett while also losing Marner, the way Toronto plays and responds to teams will change drastically. Bennett addresses a desperate need in the Leafs lineup and they may have a lot of money at their disposal to make an offer. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Costco Shoppers Say This $7 Generic Cialis Is Actually Worth It FridayPlans Learn more Undo ' A gritty, playoff-proven addition Toronto desperately needs While Bennett may not carry the star power of Marner, what he brings to the table is exactly what Toronto has lacked in recent playoff failures — physicality, grit, and reliable two-way play. His 15 goals and 7 assists this postseason for the Panthers highlight his ability to deliver in critical moments — something that would be welcomed in Toronto's locker room. Bennett's current contract with Florida expires July 1, and although many expect the Panthers to work hard to retain him, free agency is unpredictable. If negotiations falter, Toronto could be ready to pounce with a strong offer. Also Read: NHL Rumors: Conflicting reports spark controversy over Evgeni Malkin's Penguins future as retirement rumors grow louder Should the Leafs move forward with a pursuit of Bennett, it may mark a deliberate shift in strategy — away from finesse and toward a more physical, playoff-ready core. Whether this direction can finally lift Toronto out of its postseason rut remains to be seen, but adding a battle-hardened veteran like Sam Bennett would be a bold first step. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
