NHL News & Rumors: Maple Leafs, Oilers, Capitals & Canucks

Welcome to Inside The Rink’s latest News & Rumors column. In this episode of the series, we will be focusing on the Toronto Maple Leafs, Edmonton Oilers, Washington Capitals, and Vancouver Canucks.

Maple Leafs Stun Lightning; Take Commanding Series Lead

The Toronto Maple Leafs were down 4-1 to the Tampa Bay Lightning with just over 10 minutes left to play in the third period. It seemed like a foregone conclusion that the Lightning would tie up the series 2-2, but the Maple Leafs picked up their play immensely and scored four unanswered goals to steal the win in overtime.

Related Story: NHL News & Rumors: Maple Leafs, Canadiens, Penguins & Sharks

It was stunning to see Andrei Vasilevskiy and the three-time reigning Eastern Conference champions blow such a large lead with such little time left in the game, but alas, now the Leafs have put a stranglehold on the series. They now have three chances to win one more game and finally end their first-round curse.

Oilers Could Be Forced to Make Trades This Summer

The Edmonton Oilers are heading into the offseason over the salary cap. As a result of this, Allan Mitchell wrote in a recent piece for The Athletic that players like Jack Campbell, Kailer Yamamoto, Brett Kulak, and Cody Ceci “might be in play” this summer.

It ultimately would make sense for the Oilers to move at least one of these players to become cap compliant. It will be interesting to see what GM Ken Holland does this offseason.

Capitals Expected to Listen to Offers for 2 Forwards

The Washington Capitals had a disappointing 2022-23 season that saw them miss the postseason. They were expected to be a playoff team, and changes could be on the way this offseason because of it. The Athletic’s Tarik El-Bashir wrote that the Capitals will likely listen to offers for Evgeny Kuznetsov and Anthony Mantha.

Related Story: NHL News & Rumors: Oilers, Flyers, Canadiens, Senators

Kuznetsov has been in the rumor mill before, and there should be a market for the top-six center. In 81 games this season, the 30-year-old had 12 goals and 55 points. Mantha, on the other hand, posted a 27-point campaign in 67 games. The 6-foot-5 winger has shown in the past that he can produce like a top-six forward, so perhaps a change of scenery could help him get things back on track.

Multiple Canucks Players Becoming Trade Candidates

In a recent article for The Athletic, Harman Dayal and Thomas Drance discussed a handful of players who could be on the move this offseason. In it, they named Anthony Beauvillier, Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, and Tyler Myers are the four Canucks who could be traded to help free up cap space. With that, they also wrote that they believe that Travis Dermott will be traded.

Related Story: NHL News & Rumors: Maple Leafs, Canucks, Penguins, Senators & Lightning

The Canucks are going to need to move out salary, as they are already over the cap for the 2023-24 season. Out of the handful of players who they wrote could be on the move, Boeser is the biggest name. However, Beauvillier, Garland, and Myers could certainly generate interest as well.

Stanley Cup Aspirations Cue’ the Duck Boats Pod

The boys are back after a long break but have plenty to talk about as the playoffs are in full swing. We go series by series, looking at how teams have fared so far and who will come out on top. Thanks for listening! Please rate and review our show on your favorite listening platform. Check out our partner's website at www.insidetherink.com for all your latest hockey news.
  1. Stanley Cup Aspirations
  2. The Final Countdown
  3. Here Come the Playoffs
  4. Home Stretch
  5. Kevy Cooks

Discover more from Inside The Rink

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Leave a Reply

Stuart Skinner

Opinion: Oilers’ Stuart Skinner Showing Some Steadiness Between the Pipes

When it comes to Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner, one never knows what they are going to get. On one hand, one might see a version of Skinner, 26, who stands tall, comes up with big saves, does not get out of position, and does not allow soft goals. When this version of Skinner is […]

Read More

3 Takeaways From The Florida Panthers & Carolina Hurricanes Game 5 | 05/28/2025

“Big players make big plays at the biggest moments when you need them too.” That’s what Sam Reinhart had to say about his captain, Sasha Barkov, in his post-game interview. The Cats rallied from a disappointing first period to score three unanswered goals in the second. The eventual game winner scored by Verhaeghe developed from […]

Read More
Edmonton Oilers

Edmonton Oilers Playoff Thoughts: Round 3, Game 5

Happy belated 9th Birthday, Ben Stelter. Tuesday night’s win was for you. We’re just one win away from a second straight Finals appearance. We always wish Ben were still with us and imagine how joyful he’d be to watch the Edmonton Oilers in these Playoff runs the last couple of years. A really nice gesture […]

Read More