Rumour Roundup: Latest on Marner, Byram and Islanders’ GM search

For the second time in three seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs head into the off-season fresh off a second-round defeat at the hands of the Florida Panthers.

This time, though, significant change seems to be coming for the blue and white. Since their season-ending defeat on Sunday, speculation has swirled regarding the future of the Maple Leafs’ core, particularly the question of whether Mitch Marner will still be playing for his hometown club next season.

On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman weighed in on the latest regarding Marner’s future, cautioning fans not to read too much into the star winger’s comments during the club’s locker cleanout day on Tuesday.

“I wouldn’t jump to conclusions based on anything he said. It’s emotional, they just lost, and he and everyone else there needs a timeout,” Friedman told co-host Kyle Bukauskas. While much of the discussion around Marner has focused on the likelihood of him moving on from Toronto, an exit isn’t yet a foregone conclusion, Friedman said.

“I think in a perfect world, Toronto would keep him. There are two hurdles to that. Number one: It can’t be at all costs — the two sides have to find a contract that works, and so far, they haven’t been there. So, there’s that. And that’s not an insignificant hurdle, last we heard. Number two: Does Marner think it’s time? Does he in any way, shape or form think it’s time to go somewhere quieter? You can’t make an emotional decision. You shouldn’t make life decisions in the aftermath of as hard a defeat as that.

“I do believe that the Maple Leafs recognize how big a loss he will be, because he’s not going to be an easy guy to replace. But if you can’t reach an agreement — and he and his family feel it’s time — then that’s where we’re going to be. So that’s the biggest question — when he decompresses, how’s he going to feel?”

The 28-year-old, who led the Maple Leafs in regular-season scoring in 2024-25 with his first 100-point campaign, just played out the final year of a six-year, $65.4-million deal that carried a $10.9-million cap hit. A raise to the $12-14 million per year range would move Marner up among the five highest-paid players in the game — alongside linemate Auston Matthews, whose $13.25-million cap hit ranks as the second-highest in the league next season.

Toronto has another key decision to make regarding former captain John Tavares, who just concluded a seven-year, $77-million deal himself. Amid questions of whether his own tenure in blue and white will continue, Tavares turned in a quality 2024-25 campaign, posting 38 goals and 74 points for the Maple Leafs.

“Tavares talked glowingly about Toronto, and said he wanted to return,” Friedman said of the veteran centreman. “I think there was some negotiating during the regular season, I don’t think it was close. But now everybody will get serious, so we’ll see where it goes.

“I don’t think the Maple Leafs are going to make him the biggest offer, but he clearly wants to stay. And where there’s a will, you generally have to think there’s a way.”

Bo Byram looking for new contract, bigger role

Elsewhere in the East, the Buffalo Sabres have a key decision of their own to make regarding defender Bowen Byram. Acquired by the Sabres in March 2024 — in a deal that sent forward Casey Mittelstadt to Colorado — Byram now finds himself a restricted free agent.

“The Sabres are gauging his market value,” Friedman said of the 23-year-old. “Byram needs a contract. He’s got two more years until he’s an unrestricted free agent, so Buffalo doesn’t have to do anything here, with two more years of team control. Whenever a team trades for a player, like Buffalo did a couple years ago, you know they see value in him and they like him. So, you always have to keep that as part of your overall thinking. But there is no doubt that his name is out there. 

“There’s just been an agent change, so that always leads to a conversation of, ‘What does this mean?’ But there’s no doubt his name is out there, there’s no doubt they’re gauging market value on him, and we’ll see where this takes us. There is definitely noise around the Byram name and the Buffalo Sabres.”

At the centre of the Byram situation, it seems, is the future role for the talented rearguard, who found himself playing behind Cale Makar in Colorado, and now behind Rasmus Dahlin in Buffalo.

“He’s a confident lad, Byram — and I say that in a positive way,” Friedman continued. “I think confidence matters. And I think he would like a bigger role. It’s tough in Buffalo, with who’s ahead of him and who’s around him. So, I think that absolutely is part of the decision-making process here.”

Islanders closing in on general manager decision

After seven years, the New York Islanders decided to move their front office in a new direction in 2025, opting not to renew the contract of veteran president and general manager Lou Lamoriello. 

While a month has passed since the club began their search for the franchise’s next GM, it seems the process is nearing its end.

“The Islanders fans are getting impatient, they want an answer. I think we’re getting closer,” Friedman said. “A couple of days. Not immediate, a couple of days, I think.”

Friedman confirmed recent reports of Marc Bergevin and Mathieu Darche each getting a second interview for the position, and also suggested Jarmo Kekalainen has been in the mix, too.

Bergevin served as general manager of the Montreal Canadiens for a decade, and most recently served as a senior advisor to the Los Angeles Kings. Darche has served as director of hockey operations for the Tampa Bay Lightning for the past six seasons and as assistant general manager of the club for the past three. Kekalainen spent the past two seasons as a senior advisor for Finnish club HIFK, after serving as GM of the Columbus Blue Jackets for more than a decade.