Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs have made a massive trade on Tuesday, signalling major change within the organization on Tuesday. The Maple Leafs sent starting netminder Joseph Woll along with depth defenceman Simon Benoit to the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for Samuel Ersson, Emil Andrae, and a 2026 third-round pick. This is the first major move from general manager John Chayka and senior executive advisor Mats Sundin. When you first look at the deal, it looks like a risk being taken on both sides. In terms of the Flyers, they are getting a solid goaltender who has established himself in the NHL; however, he has dealt with inconsistent play and injury troubles over his time with the Maple Leafs. They are also acquiring Simon Benoit, who has played solidly at times with the Maple Leafs and can play serviceable minutes on the bottom pair. The Flyers are looking to solidify their goaltending tandem as they also have Dan Vladar, who enters the offseason as a restricted free agent. When you look at it from the Maple Leafs' perspective, the big piece coming back to Toronto is Emil Andrae, a young puck-moving defenceman who is starting to establish himself in the NHL. He played his first full season in the NHL during the 2025-26 season and posted 13 points in 61 games. They also acquired Samuel Ersson. It is tough to see where he fits within the organization, as he has struggled at the NHL level, and with the Maple Leafs having Dennis Hildeby and Artur Akhtyamov in the minor league system, many aren't sure who is going to be the backup behind Anthony Stolarz. Both players coming back to the Maple Leafs way are restricted free agents, but will likely be able to gain cap flexibility due to the trade heading into free agency. This is the first deal of many that the Maple Leafs are expecting to make this offseason, with lots of rumours surrounding the team, many are excited to see what comes next in Toronto.

Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images The Detroit Red Wings continue to work through one of the biggest storylines of the NHL offseason involving captain Dylan Larkin. When reports surfaced earlier this month that Larkin had requested a trade, it immediately changed the outlook of Detroit's offseason. Not only is Larkin the face of the franchise, but he remains one of the league's top two-way centers and is signed long-term through the 2030-31 season with an $8.7 million cap hit. Reports suggested Larkin provided the Red Wings with a limited list of teams he would be willing to join, making a potential trade complicated given his full no-trade protection. However, new information from Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic suggests the situation may be becoming more flexible behind the scenes. "As one would expect, the Dylan Larkin situation is ever-evolving as the parties try to find a solution that works for everyone," LeBrun reported. According to LeBrun, Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman has remained engaged throughout the process and continues to communicate regularly with Larkin's representation. "One might think that Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is spitting mad that this trade request has come his way, but my understanding is that he's kept an even keel and has kept in constant communication with Larkin's agent, Pat Brisson," LeBrun said. One of the most significant developments involves the list of potential destinations. LeBrun reported that Detroit approached Larkin's camp about expanding the number of teams that could potentially be involved in trade discussions. "Yzerman went back to Brisson and asked to expand their original list of three teams, and I sense that Brisson was receptive to that to some degree," LeBrun reported. That could be a major step toward finding common ground between the two sides. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers were previously reported as teams believed to have interest in Larkin, but the landscape now appears more open than it did when trade discussions first began. LeBrun also noted that a deal of this magnitude could require creative solutions. "A trade could involve a third team in a transaction to make the assets work for Detroit," LeBrun wrote. That possibility is not surprising considering Larkin's contract, leadership value, and importance to the organization. Any team acquiring him would be adding a first-line center capable of playing in all situations. While no trade appears imminent, the situation remains one of the most closely watched stories around the league. With communication continuing between all parties, Detroit and Larkin appear focused on finding a path forward that benefits both sides. Whether that ultimately leads to a trade or a reconciliation remains to be seen, but it is clear this situation is far from resolved.

Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images Plenty of players on the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes know how difficult it is to reach hockey’s mountaintop. Veterans such as Taylor Hall, Frederik Andersen, and Shayne Gostisbehere all captured their first Stanley Cup after years of coming up short. Meanwhile, captain Jordan Staal added a second championship to his resume nearly two decades after winning his first. While veteran leadership was a major part of Carolina's championship run, the organization's future appears to be in excellent hands. One of the biggest reasons for that optimism is 23-year-old forward Logan Stankoven, who emerged as one of the Hurricanes' most impactful players throughout the postseason. Logan Stankoven following the win Following Carolina's Stanley Cup-clinching victory, Stankoven reflected on achieving a childhood dream and why he believes this championship could be only the beginning for the Hurricanes. "It's what you dream of as a kid, and I didn't think it was going to happen this fast. But I think when you prepare like that and you put the work in, good things will come. And you just got to be patient sometimes. Our group is just getting started." Those comments should excite Hurricanes fans. Carolina's roster is built around a strong mix of experienced veterans and young stars entering their prime years. Players like Andrei Svechnikov, Seth Jarvis, Jackson Blake, and Stankoven are expected to remain foundational pieces for years to come. On the back end, young defenders such as K'Andre Miller and Alexander Nikishin give the organization additional reason to believe its championship window is far from closing. Stankoven on his departure from Dallas Stankoven also discussed the trade that changed the course of his career. Acquired from the Dallas Stars in the deal involving Mikko Rantanen, the young forward admitted that leaving Dallas was difficult at the time, but he now views the move very differently "I was obviously very upset to leave Dallas. And I think it was one of the best things that could ever happen to me. Just looking back on that, I was very thankful for what Dallas did for me. But I think just coming here and how welcoming everyone was right off the bat and how great this team was. We were able to add some key pieces, and everyone stepped up at different times." For Stankoven, the trade ultimately led to the highest achievement in hockey. For Carolina, it may have secured another cornerstone player capable of helping the franchise compete for multiple championships. The Hurricanes finally reached the summit this season, but if Stankoven's comments are any indication, the organization believes this could be the start of something much bigger rather than the end of the journey.

BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Creek Battle swept the Rockford Rivets as they won 7-2 on Sunday. Strong performances all around help turn the momentum heading into the middle stages of the first half. The Battle Jacks loaded the bases in the fourth and scored on an error as the Rockford Rivets’ third baseman, River Lindsey, was not able to catch the ball. They later added to that total off an RBI single from Brendan Thompson to make it a 4-0 Battle Jacks lead. The Battle Jacks received solid pitching throughout the game as Connor Williar threw 44 pitches, allowing two hits, and striking out two. The Battle Jacks extended the lead in the sixth, scoring three runs highlighted by Owen Larrigan and Thomas Cooper’s RBI single, as they stormed out to a 7-1 lead. The Rivets broke the scoreless streak in the seventh as they scored two off of a putout and a sacrifice fly, as the Battle Jacks led 7-2. The Battle Jacks finish the evening with eight hits and seven runs, while committing one error. With the win, the Battle Jacks sweep the Rockford Rivets and are set to hit the road for a two-game set against the Richmond Flying Mummies and a three-game set against the Traverse City Pit Spitters.

BATTLE CREEK, MI — The Battle Jacks snapped the six-game losing streak on Saturday with a dominant 9-5 win over the Rockford Rivets. The Battle Jacks got the offence going early as they struck for two runs in the first inning off Jonny Marquez and Brendan Thompson’s RBI’s. The Battle Jacks extended the lead in the third as they added another run to take a 3-0 lead on Jake Stedman’s sacrifice fly. The fifth inning proved to be critical for the Battle Jacks as they tacked on three more runs to take a commanding 6-0 lead, highlighted by Jake Stedman’s third RBI of the contest. Brady LaViolette’s sacrifice fly also added to Battle Creek’s total. Both teams struck in the sixth as the Rivets broke the hitless streak, scoring two; however, Battle Creek answered with one run of their own to take a 7-2 lead. The Rivets began chipping away at the lead in the seventh as they added three runs to close the lead to 7-5. The Battle Jacks added an insurance run in the seventh off Brady LaViolette’s RBI after Brendan Thompson stole two bases, while Brady LaViolette scored on a wild pitch. The Battle Jacks headed into the eighth inning leading 9-5. The Battle Jacks snapped the six-game losing skid on Saturday and are set to close the series on Sunday against the Rockford Rivets.

WISCONSIN RAPIDS, WI — The Battle Jacks dropped their fifth game in a row on Thursday to Wisconsin Rapids following a rain delay, 9-8. Dayne Wimberly and Jake Stedman’s RBI’s gave Battle Creek an early lead that didn’t last long, as Wisconsin Rapids struck in the bottom half of the inning with two runs of their own, highlighted by runs from Nico Defazio and Zachary Gingrich. The Battle Jacks continued their offensive surge in the second inning, plating four runs to extend their lead to 6-2. Brendan Thompson highlighted the inning with a three-run homer to center field, while Hunter Morgan added an RBI to cap off the scoring. Wisconsin Rapids came firing back in the bottom half of the inning, cutting the deficit to just one as they scored three runs in the inning. The top of the fourth inning saw the Battle Jacks extend their lead to two, but it wasn’t long-lasting as Wisconsin Rapids came firing back in the bottom half, scoring two runs to tie the game. Whenever the Battle Jacks looked to have separated from the Rafters, it seemed as though they always had an answer, which ended up hurting Battle Creek in the long run. Heading into the fifth inning, the ball game was tied at 7. The Rafters took their first lead of the contest in the sixth inning when Jax LeGrand’s home run gave them an 8-7 lead. The ninth inning saw Jake Stedman come up clutch with a sacrifice fly to tie the game 8-8 before Connor Harvie doubled in the bottom half of the ninth, walking the Rafters off as the Battle Jacks lost their fifth game in a row. The Battle Jacks are back in action on Friday as they closeout their two game set with the Rafters, with first pitch scheduled for 7:05 pm.

Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Toronto Maple Leafs' coaching search has been extensive, with John Chayka and Mats Sundin reportedly interviewing more than 50 candidates for its head coaching position. But it seems like they're narrowing down their search and an NHL legend is reportedly a finalist for it. The Maple Leafs have looked down every avenue when it comes to picking their next bench boss, considering both experienced coaches and less experienced candidates for the position. They have reportedly spoken with Peter Laviolette, whom the Los Angeles Kings just hired on Monday, Patrick Roy, Derek Lalonde, Jay Woodcroft, and a surprising name, including Joe Pavelski. Joe Pavelski named as finalist for Leafs coaching job Joe Pavelski is a name that is in the final stages of the interviews, as the Maple Leafs have narrowed their search down to five. When Pavelski began to come up in talks, many Toronto fans entertained the idea of him taking over behind the bench; they believe it could be what the organization needs to get back into the postseason picture. Elliotte Friedman reported the Maple Leafs speaking to Pavelski, saying, “I don’t know what this last group is going to be, what the number of finalists is going to be, three, five, whatever it is. But I think Pavelski is gonna be one of them. Based on what I’ve been told, I’m sure he’s going to be one of them.” Friedman said on The Fan Hockey Show. Later that day, NHL insider Pierre LeBrun backed up this information from Friedman, while also providing some clarity behind where the Maple Leafs are at. “It’s been confirmed to me in the last few minutes that Joe Pavelski is among those five remaining candidates who are scheduled for in-person interviews with the Maple Leafs today.” LeBrun told TSN’s Overdrive. “We know Peter Laviolette is out, being the head coach in LA today, but Pavelski is among those five final candidates for the Toronto job, is what I’ve been told.” Could this be the right move for the Maple Leafs If Pavelski were to be the man behind the Maple Leafs bench, it would spark the conversation of a Martin St. Louis-esque hiring in Montreal. However, I believe that while there are similarities, it wouldn't be quite the same. When looking at Montreal's roster, it is a young, up-and-coming core who are only going to be getting better, with the Maple Leafs, on the other hand, being more of an older core in a win-now scenario, with Auston Matthews' contract expiring following the 2027-2028 season. This is definitely an intriguing candidate from many around the hockey world; however, with where the Maple Leafs are at, it may not be the best decision moving forward. If they were a younger core, such as the Montreal Canadiens, it would feel like a no-brainer decision. However, a new fresh face in hockey with no prior experience could be the best move for the Maple Leafs as the media would be more in agreeance of the hiring rather than putting Pavelski down right from the beginning.

Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images | Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images The NHL Draft Combine is well underway, and Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka took to the media and touched on many topics, including Max Domi's injury and surgery complications. The Maple Leafs announced the injury on May 25th; however, they did not go into the details involving the injury. There has not been a timeline released on when the injury was suffered and where it is located. When asked about the injury, Chayka kept his answer very vague. John Chayka provides injury update on Max Domi "He had a procedure, but it didn't go the way we had hoped. He played through some injuries, tough kid, but ultimately we'll get to training camp and assess him from there. Max is in a tough situation; obviously, he's a special person and loves the Leafs, and we love him." Chayka said on Friday. "Ultimately, we’ll get to training camp & assess him from there. He’s making great progress every day, which is the main thing." If Max Domi is not able to begin the season for the Maple Leafs, it will leave a massive hole in their lineup. When you look at the current Maple Leafs roster, obviously, things are going to change, and they are expected to have a big offseason with major changes to get back into playoff contention. Maple Leafs need Max Domi heading into 2026-27 season Toronto is in dire need of a top six forward, along with a top four defenceman, and not having Domi can prove to be costly. The Toronto native had a difficult season with the Maple Leafs in 2026; he suited up in 80 games and produced 12 goals and 24 assists, but got minutes on the top line alongside Auston Matthews for a period of the season. John Chayka understands that Domi plays a larger role than just goals and assists. "He embodies being a Toronto Maple Leaf and cares and really wants to be here for the good times, so we're going to support him, like all our players, and make sure he's in a good spot." Max Domi will continue to recover as he will be next evaluated during training camp.

Mandatory Credit: Bob Frid-Imagn Images | Bob Frid-Imagn Images The NHL Draft Combine is officially well underway, and Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka made an appearance in front of the media on Friday. John Chayka had a lot to discuss regarding the Maple Leafs' future, especially with the 2026 NHL Draft first overall pick being held in Buffalo on June 26th; however, a topic of discussion was 2016 first overall pick Auston Matthews and his future with the Maple Leafs organization. John Chayka speaks on his conversations with Auston Matthews "We’ve had several conversations with him & his representatives & what I saw was a happy captain. Someone who’s got a lot of pride to be the captain of the Leafs. Someone who wants to win in Toronto, which aligns with how we’re thinking about it." Chayka said on Friday. Since the offseason has begun, there have been a lot of different narratives surrounding the Maple Leafs' captain. Many believed Matthews was not happy with the state of the organization and wasn't able to commit to the Maple Leafs heading into next season; however, this does not seem to be the case. Matthews may no longer be the player Maple Leafs fans are accustomed to, but he still plays a major role in the Maple Leafs lineup and can take over games at any point. Auston Matthews on his future with the Maple Leafs "I can't predict the future," Matthews said in April. "There are steps that have to take place. They have to hire new leadership and management. I don't know what's going to happen. I think that's kind of ... like I said, I can't really predict the future." The Maple Leafs still have major changes to make within the organization as they are currently in search of their next head coach, while they are looking to return to contention during the 2026-27 season. Matthews has two seasons remaining on his contract at $13.25 million per season, before we truly see if Matthews wants to be a Toronto Maple Leaf.

Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images | James Guillory-Imagn Images Jack Eichel and many around the NHL believe Mitch Marner was treated unfairly during his tenure with the Toronto Maple Leafs, especially during the times of hardship of the Maple Leafs' playoff failures. "As a teammate and a friend of his, and somebody that cares about him and his family, of course I do. I think the world of Mitch. Anybody who has negative or bad things to say about him, obviously I disagree with, because I think highly of him." Eichel said on Monday during the Stanley Cup media day. Mitch Marner's playoff failures with the Maple Leafs Mitch Marner had a lot of bright moments with the Maple Leafs. During the regular season, he was an absolute superstar in the NHL, posting a 100-point season, consistently making plays and taking over games; however, once the postseason came around, he was flat-out terrible. While he was not the sole reason the Maple Leafs never went on a long playoff run, he played a massive role in it. In 70 career playoff games for the Maple Leafs, Marner scored just 13 goals over that span. For someone who was supposed to be a top NHL player, that is very disappointing. His game seemed to change when the playoffs arrived; Marner became a smaller player who could not bring the same magic people had seen during the regular season. While the games got tighter and more physical, he was never able to find how to elevate his game to the next level until this season with the Golden Knights. Marner's actions with the Maple Leafs raises questions about his time with the Maple Leafs I believe there is more to this. Marner and his team, including his father and agent, were very demanding in Toronto. When things did not go his way with the Maple Leafs, Marner became selfish and believed he deserved better instead of being a team player and just playing hockey. During his first negotiation with former general manager Kyle Dubas, Marner threatened to leave and go play in Switzerland unless a contract was reached. Instead of trying to find ways to get a deal done, he was planning on leaving and finding other places to play, but it was only until a few days prior to training camp that Dubas finally folded and signed him to what seemed like an overpay at the time. During Marner's last season with the Maple Leafs, the Markham native was already speaking with former teammates Max Pacioretty and Ryan Reaves about playing in Vegas, as well as with teammates who currently played for the Golden Knights at the Four Nations Face-Off. When the Maple Leafs reportedly wanted to move on from Marner and make a trade including Mikko Rantanen, he declined and wanted to stay in Toronto, despite knowing he was on the way out. Jack Eichel acknowledges Marner's hardships with the Maple Leafs Eichel later spoke towards there conversations, gearing up for the postseason as he acknowledged that Marner understands the tough times he has gone through in the postseason. "Mitch has opened up to me about some of the things that he went through, and I've opened up to him about some of the things I went through. I think it's probably good for both of us to have done that," he said. "Mitch is a big boy. He's got some scar tissue to show for it. I don't like people saying bad things about him because I care about the guy." Marner said following game three of the Eastern Conference Finals that the Golden Knights "we don't turn on each other." When things go wrong on the ice, however, this can be seen as contradictory because during game seven of last season's second round against the Florida Panthers, Marner screamed at the bench to wake up while he was playing one of the worst games of his career. Was Mitch Marner treated unfairly in Toronto? I don't believe he was. While some fans are frustrated seeing him find success in Vegas, those feelings are understandable. Marner's tenure with the Maple Leafs was filled with memorable moments and individual accomplishments, but it was also marked by repeated playoff disappointments and unmet expectations. The Golden Knights currently hold a 1-0 series lead heading into game two on Thursday.