Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
The July 1 opening date for the 2025 NHL free-agent market is months away. That hasn’t stopped some observers from speculating over the status of several notable players eligible for UFA status.
On Oct. 17, Nick Kypreos wrote in the Toronto Star that the Maple Leafs face two choices with Mitch Marner. They can come up with the money to sign the 27-year-old right winger to a lucrative new deal or treat him as their own rental player for the 2025 post-season and then let him depart as a UFA.
Marner and Leafs GM Brad Treliving agreed not to speak about their contract discussions with the media. That likely won’t change unless the two sides are ready to announce a deal.
If the Leafs and Marner part company, Kypreos believes they need a backup plan to replace him.
Options such as Mikko Rantanen of the Colorado Avalanche, Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, and Brad Marchand of the Boston Bruins could be available by July 1.
“I’m not here to talk about that. I’m here to talk about the season.”
Mitch Marner opens his media availability with a statement on his contract situation. pic.twitter.com/znKPg12VHR
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) September 18, 2024
Kypreos claimed Rantanen wasn’t close to an extension with the Avalanche as they wait for a clearer picture of Gabriel Landeskog’s health and future.
On Oct. 8, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland told NHL.com’s Ryan Boulding he had “no concern” about re-signing the 27-year-old Rantanen. However, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported negotiations had yet to produce a deal. He added that not everyone knows for sure if it’ll get done.
Signing Rantanen will be an expensive undertaking for the Avalanche, Leafs, or anyone else if he goes to market on July 1. The two-time 100-plus point right winger is earning an AAV of $9.25 million and could seek between $12 million and $13 million on his next contract.
Meanwhile, Florida Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting contract talks are underway between Bennett and the Panthers. It was expected Panthers GM Bill Zito would shift his focus to Bennett after re-signing left winger Carter Verhaeghe earlier this month.
As for Marchand, Kypreos wondered if Bruins president Cam Neely might come up with 25 or 30 million reasons why his captain should stay put.
Marchand has been underpaid on his current contract, earning an AAV of $6.125 million since 2017-18. The 36-year-old left winger’s days of landing long-term deals worth $25 to $30…