The start of the 2023-24 NHL season is almost upon up and that means plenty of NHL rumours. We’re a mere two days away from the start of play, but teams are thinking about the future. The cap number going up by around $5 million will give teams more room to play with. However, clubs will still have to manage their money carefully. NHL rumours aren’t just confined to teams as the league is also trying to figure out how to grow the game. Today’s NHL rumours focus on the Toronto Maple Leafs and the location of the 2024 NHL Draft.
All NHL rumours come from the original source and are subject to change.
NHL Rumours
Toronto Maple Leafs
Rumour: The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel took a look at a possible Mitch Marner extension among other questions.
ICYMI: William Nylander is willing to keep contract talks going during the season — on one condition: https://t.co/mmcnd9AWnk
— Jonas Siegel (@jonassiegel) October 7, 2023
Analysis: Marner is eligible for a contract extension on July 1, 2024. However, the talks hinge on what happens with William Nylander. If the Swede doesn’t re-sign with the Leafs or is traded, this gives Marner more leverage. The former London Knights standout makes over $10.9 million per season and will probably get a raise.
Marner has scored 30 goals and approached 100 points in each of the last two seasons. Nylander is trying command over $10 million it seems in his contract talks. Auston Matthews recently got an extension that will see him get $13.25 million until 2028-29. Marner will likely want to keep pace with these contracts.
One other factor is the John Tavares contract that also ends after 2024-25. The Leafs captain makes $11 million, but is approaching the end of his career. Tavares just turned 33 on Sept. 20, but may feel he has something left to give. Letting Tavares go or getting a hometown discount could free up some money to keep Marner around. However, general manager Brad Treliving will know more once the Nylander question is answered.
2024 NHL Draft
Rumour: TSN’s Chris Johnston said the NHL is exploring the option of holding the next draft at the Las Vegas Sphere.
Analysis: Johnston mentioned this on the latest edition of Insider Trading on TSN. The league said they’re exploring a number of options for the next draft. However, Johnston didn’t mention which places the NHL have looking at. Many NHL drafts are usually held at the home city’s hockey arena, but the league could be taking a page out of the NFL’s playbook. The NFL has been holding big block parties for their drafts and they’ve gone over very well.
The Sphere is one of the newest and premiere venues that cost $2.3 billion. Bands like U2 and others are going to play at the venue and have generated a lot of buzz. Booking The Sphere would be a massive win for the league, but both sides have to figure out the logistics.
The draft will be in June, but the league usually has a venue figured out nearly a year in advance. Johnston said the league must really want the venue if they haven’t announced the location of the 2024 NHL Draft in October.
Main photo by: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
