NHL Trade Talk Weekend Rumors: Canucks, Maple Leafs, Bruins

It was a busy day in the NHL on Friday with a couple of big trades, a signing, and more talk that NHL GMs are treating the Four Nations Face-Off like an early trade deadline. J.T. Miller was dealt to the New York Rangers, and Marcus Pettersson wound up with the Vancouver Canucks. Is there anything else cooking? Today, our first installment of the NHL weekend rumors looks at talk surrounding the Canucks, Maple Leafs, and Bruins.

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Brock Boeser Being Traded by Canucks Next?

Rumors Boeser May Hold Firm on Ask

With the NHL salary cap estimates being released on Friday, there is some belief that Brock Boeser is not going to come down on his ask. He’s holding firm on a contract extension and wants a certain number. The fact the estimates for the next three seasons proved GMs will have more money to spend is going to give players like Boeser a reason to wait and test the market.

Patrick Johnston of The Province believes the projected hike in the salary cap to $95.5 million means Boeser should hold firm and it could lead to the Canucks trading him ahead of the deadline. Boeser, 27, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Contract extension talks between the two sides have been lukewarm, at best.

Marner and the Maple Leafs Contract Update

Will Marner Be More or Less Difficult to Sign With New Salary Cap Estimates?

James Mirtle of The Athletic believes the new salary cap projections might change the Toronto Maple Leafs’ ability to re-sign Mitch Marner.

Mirtle thinks the extra room should make it easier to get deals done with John Tavares and restricted free agent Matthew Knies, but it’s not clear if Marner will hold firm on a certain number, knowing that other teams now have a lot more money to throw this way this off-season.

Mirtle writes that the challenge might be in forecasting what one of the best wingers in the game is worth now, and then again in two or three seasons. He explains:

“The three highest-paid wingers league-wide (Artemi Panarin, David Pastrnak and William Nylander) were making between 13.1 percent and 14.3 percent of the cap when their deals kicked in. That’s the right neighbourhood for Marner, for sure, but there’s a wide gap between what those percentages mean in 2025-26 and 2027-28.”

Marchand Talks About Future with Bruins

Marchand Hears the Rumors, Knows He Could Be Traded

Nick Goss of NBC Sports Boston writes, “If the Bruins decide to become sellers or re-tool ahead of the March 7 trade deadline, one player who could draw interest from other teams is Brad Marchand.” Marchand has been in the rumor mill for a good chunk of the season, but it always seems to go back to the idea that he wants to be a Bruin, and the team wants him to stay one.

That said, things have been dicey in Boston, and while Marchand has spent his entire career there, his contract expires after this season. When asked about the team’s struggles and a possible trade, he responded, “The only thing we can do is focus day to day.” He added, “They’re going to do what they feel is necessary for the team. And all we can do is worry about our play and what we can control.”

He seems to know that a trade is possible. “I have no control over that. So I’m gonna worry about what’s going on here and play for this group. And as long as I’m here, I’m a Boston Bruin and that’s what I’m worried about.”

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Rangers, Flames, Oilers, Maple Leafs