The NHL rumor mill is churning as teams prepare for the upcoming season and the free agency period. Several key players and teams are at the center of speculation, including Brad Marchand, the Florida Panthers, Lias Andersson, the Calgary Flames, and the Winnipeg Jets.

Brad Marchand's Next Chapter

Brad Marchand's future has been a hot topic ever since Don Cherry proposed a theory about a secret agreement between the Boston Bruins and Florida Panthers for him to return to Boston after 2025 season. According to Cherry, the arrangement allowed Marchand to temporarily play for the Panthers for their Stanley Cup push, with the plan being for Boston to reclaim him this summer.

After winning the Stanley Cup with the Florida Panthers, Brad Marchand's future remains uncertain, although signs point towards him staying in Florida. During the Stanley Cup celebration, Marchand declared, "I'm not f** leaving!" at a Fort Lauderdale bar. He also responded to a question about whether he would stay for another year by holding up four fingers. Marchand even thanked on Instagram each team that traded players to the Panthers.

Marchand's agent is reportedly seeking an $8.5 million annual salary. Panthers GM Bill Zito has expressed optimism about retaining Marchand, along with Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, despite the team's challenging cap situation. However, the Toronto Maple Leafs are reportedly planning to make offers to Marchand, Bennett, and Ekblad.

Florida Panthers' Offseason Strategy

Fresh off their Stanley Cup victory, the Florida Panthers face crucial decisions regarding their pending free agents. Sam Bennett has already indicated he intends to re-sign with the team long-term. The Panthers have around $19 million in cap space, but with 16 roster spots filled, they need to address their UFA's.

The team also has to consider re-signing Mackey Samoskevich and Sergey Bobrovsky, while the Panthers have several draft picks in the fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds. The team's GM has also made it clear that bringing back Marchand is still an option.

Calgary Flames' Roster Adjustments

The Calgary Flames are expected to undergo significant changes this offseason, with Rasmus Andersson being a key player in trade discussions. Although the Flames initially resisted trading Andersson during the 2024-25 season, a trade now seems likely. Andersson, 28, has one year left on his contract before becoming a UFA, and there is speculation about whether the Flames will offer him a long-term extension with a high salary. He was ranked sixth on Frank Seravalli's trade bait list. There are reports that the Flames and Andersson have begun exchanging contract figures for a potential extension.

The Flames are also reportedly interested in Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka, and the situation has "really heated up" recently. Buffalo is allegedly coming to terms with Peterka's dissatisfaction, making a trade more plausible. The Flames are considered one of the teams that could make a strong push to acquire Bowen Byram.

Winnipeg Jets' Moves

The Winnipeg Jets have made headlines by reportedly agreeing to a one-year contract with Jonathan Toews. With this signing, could this potentially entice Nikolaj Ehlers to stay with the Jets?

The Jets have also signed prospect Jacob Julien to a three-year entry-level contract. Before the trade deadline, the Jets acquired Chris Driedger from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Kaapo Kahkonen. Also, the Winnipeg Jets need a second-line center, and Ryan Mcleod has been mentioned.

Lias Andersson's European Return

Lias Andersson is set to play in Switzerland next season, ending his seven-year stint in North America. Andersson, a former first-round pick (seventh overall in 2017) by the New York Rangers, failed to meet expectations in the NHL, playing just 110 games.

In Summary

The NHL rumor mill is buzzing with activity as teams prepare for the offseason. Brad Marchand's potential return to the Panthers is a major storyline, while the Flames are likely to trade Rasmus Andersson. The Jets' acquisition of Jonathan Toews adds intrigue to their roster, and Lias Andersson's move to Europe marks the end of his NHL journey for now.