This should worry Maple Leafs fans, as without Auston Matthews in the future, the Maple Leafs will more than likely have to begin a rebuild, something Leafs fans haven't seen in nearly a decade. Making the playoffs over the next few seasons will be a deciding factor for Matthews. Matthews is in the heart of his career, and does not want to waste his prime sitting on a non-playoff-contending roster.
The Leafs, along with several other teams, have been linked to the defenseman. With how well the Maple Leafs have played, they have put themselves back in a position to be buyers. They have won eight of their last 11 games and are one point back of the Bruins for the final wild card spot in the East. Hamilton is a player who will not just help the Leafs this year but for the foreseeable future.
The Seattle Kraken have traded forward Mason Marchment to the Columbus Blue Jackets, six months after acquiring him from the Dallas Stars. The Jackets are sending two draft picks to the Kraken, a 2026 fourth-rounder originally owned by the New York Rangers and a 2027 second-rounder, an NHL source told ESPN. "Mason is a player I know very well, and I think he will add a great deal to our team," said Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell. "He is a physical, hard-nosed competitor with proven offensive ability and we are very excited to have him join the Blue Jackets."
On June 27th, 2025, the New York Islanders made a massive roster changing move. They sent their young star defensemen Noah Dobson to the Montreal Canadiens, in exchange for two 2025 first round picks, 16th and 17th overall. They also picked up somebody who Isles fans would have assumed to be a 4th line winger this season, a Swedish hockey player who goes by the name of Emil Heineman.
With the Colorado Avalanche, the main stars of the show are Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. However, a new young star has made his presence known and he is making big plays. Forward Gavin Brindley is in his first year with the Colorado Avalanche but he is already fitting in nicely. A player with relentless energy, he is showing that he can be a reliable bottom-six player who shows up in big games. While he is still young, he is proving he belongs in Colorado.
I was kind of a Caps fan ever since. I just love the colors, love the eagle, everything about it. And I even remember back in 2018 when they won the Cup, I was overjoyed. And I was super happy to see them get one.