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NHL Rumor Roundup: What Could The Off-Season Hold For Leafs' Mitch Marner?

Mitch Marner (John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images)

The trade deadline made Mitch Marner the top player in this summer's NHL free-agent market.

Eligible for UFA status on July 1, the 27-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs right winger is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $10.9 million.

The Dallas Starssigning Mikko Rantanen to an eight-year contract extension as part of his acquisition from the Carolina Hurricanes makes Marner stand out more among the pending UFAs with 82 points in 66 games.

If Marner goes to market this summer, Sportsnet's Luke Fox believes he could become the highest-paid player in the NHL. He prefers to remain a Maple Leaf, but his camp reportedly hasn't engaged in contract extension talks. 

Fox also noted the Carolina Hurricanes offered up Rantanen to the Leafs for Marner. Leafs GM Brad Treliving took the proposal to Marner, but he declined to waive his no-movement clause.

"I'm here to play hockey with this team. That's what I can tell you," Marner told reporters on March 8. "I want to be with this team. I want to play for this team."

'It's Not A Distraction': Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Responds To Reports Of Asking Mitch Marner To Waive No-Move Clause For Mikko Rantanen'It's Not A Distraction': Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving Responds To Reports Of Asking Mitch Marner To Waive No-Move Clause For Mikko RantanenSALT LAKE — One day after the NHL Trade Deadline came and went, multiple reports surfaced, revealing that Toronto Maple Leafs forward Mitch Marner was asked to waive his no-movement clause in an effort to land now-Dallas Stars forward Mikko Rantanen. 

Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun reported Marner didn't immediately reject the trade proposal, taking time to sleep on it. While he claims he wants to stay in Toronto, Simmons thinks his actions suggest otherwise. 

The Hockey News' Jim Parsons speculated that Marner not accepting the trade means he can increase his value in Toronto, which either forces the Maple Leafs to improve their offer to him or lands Marner a larger contract in free agency.

As Fox suggested, if Marner hits the open market on July 1, he will be an “in-demand talent.” 

TSN's Pierre LeBrun believes the Carolina Hurricanes will target Marner. He pointed out they'll have over $20 million in cap space even if they re-signed all their pending UFAs. That list includes Brent Burns, Dmitry Orlov and Taylor Hall. 

A reader asked The Athletic's Josh Yohe if the Pittsburgh Penguins might pursue Marner. He acknowledged Marner's ties to Penguins GM (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas and Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, the club's bountiful cap space for next season and Dubas' intent to stock his aging roster with younger talent. 

Nevertheless, Yohe doesn't believe the Penguins will sign Marner. He cited team sources claiming Dubas intends to wait until next summer before making a big move. It's also doubtful that Marner would want to join a rebuilding team. 

Meanwhile, Fluto Shinzawa of The Athletic suggested Marner would be an ideal fit as the Boston Bruins' second-line right winger. That's unlikely to happen because they'd have to pay him more than first-line right wing David Pastrnak's $11.25-million cap hit to come to Boston.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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NHL Returns To Sweden: Penguins And Predators To Face Off In 2025 Global Series

Filip Forsberg (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)

Sweden will once again host NHL regular-season hockey in November – and Sidney Crosby could be part of the action.

The NHL announced the 2025 Global Series is scheduled to feature the Nashville Predators and Pittsburgh Penguins facing off at Avicii Arena in Stockholm, Sweden, on Nov. 14 and 16. This is the first time the Penguins will play in Europe since 2008. The Predators played in Czechia in 2022 and Japan in 2000, but this will be their first time playing in Sweden.

Stockholm last hosted four games in November 2023 featuring the Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators, Detroit Red Wings and Minnesota Wild. The city’s hosted the most NHL regular-season contests of any city outside of North America with 16 games – next season’s Global Series will increase that total to 18.

As the rosters stand, there’s some high-profile Swedish talent on both teams. The Predators’ top scorer, Filip Forsberg, is from Ostervala, Sweden, and the team also has defensemen Andreas Englund (Stockholm) and Adam Wilsby (Stockholm).

“Every time we are selected to participate in one of the NHL’s marquee events, it’s a testament to Smashville’s passion for our team and our sport both at home and abroad,” Predators CEO Sean Henry said in a news release. “This event will be particularly special for Filip Forsberg, who adores his home country, and the other Sweden natives on our team and in our organization.”

Pittsburgh, meanwhile, has defenseman Erik Karlsson (Landsbro) and right winger Rickard Rakell (Sundbyberg) who played on Sweden’s 4 Nations Face-Off squad. Center Emil Bemstrom (Nykoping) has played for Pittsburgh and the AHL’s Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins this season. And while Sidney Crosby isn’t Swedish, Canada’s captain at the 4 Nations Face-Off could play in just his second and third NHL games overseas in the fall, months before the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Italy.

In total, 9.7 percent of NHL players this season were born in Sweden, the highest representation of players of any country outside North America. Rakell and Forsberg are tied for the fourth-most points of any Swede in the NHL this season, with 59. New Jersey Devils left winger Jesper Bratt leads the way with 80 points, while Maple Leafs right winger William Nylander (71) and Red Wings right winger Lucas Raymond (69) follow suit.

Raymond was at the last Global Series games at Avicii Arena before its renovation in 2024. The modernization project was meant to improve sightlines and bring seating closer to the action, according to the arena’s website. They also maintained the arena’s architecture, which includes the well-known dome that stands out in the city’s skyline.

The first opportunity for fans to buy tickets is at the first-ever Hockey Day In Sweden on March 21 and 22 in Linkoping. After that, ticket presales open on March 25 at 6 a.m. ET, and general sale begins on March 26 at 5 a.m. ET.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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White Sox infielder Josh Rojas is dealing with a hairline fracture in his right big toe

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Chicago White Sox infielder Josh Rojas has a hairline fracture in his right big toe, putting his availability for opening day in question.

Rojas is batting .313 (10 for 32) in his first spring training with the White Sox. He left a split-squad game against Colorado with toe soreness.

“We’re just kind of going to give him treatment and see where it goes,” first-year manager Will Venable told reporters. “I think we just kind of get him doing his treatment and his rehab and kind of take it day by day and see where he’s at. Hopefully he’s back here with us soon.”

The 30-year-old Rojas batted .225 with eight homers and 31 RBIs in 143 games with Seattle last year. He became a free agent in November when Seattle declined to offer him a 2025 contract.

Rojas finalized a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Chicago in January. The White Sox host the Los Angeles Angels for their season opener on March 27.

Chicago optioned outfielder Dominic Fletcher to Triple-A Charlotte. Catching prospects Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero were among 10 players reassigned to minor league camp.

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How to watch Dodgers-Cubs in the Tokyo Series: Start time, TV info, pitching matchups

How to watch Dodgers-Cubs in the Tokyo Series: Start time, TV info, pitching matchups originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Los Angeles Dodgers are going for the sweep in Tokyo.

The reigning World Series champions started their title defense Monday with a 4-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs in the opening game of the Tokyo Series.

Shohei Ohtani went 2-for-5 with two runs scored and Yoshinobu Yamamoto allowed one run over five innings in front of 42,365 fans at the Tokyo Dome.

The two teams are set to conclude the two-game series, with the Dodgers looking to return to the states with a 2-0 record.

Here’s how to watch the finale of the Tokyo Series.

When is the Dodgers vs. Cubs game?

The Tokyo Series began Tuesday, March 18 with the Dodgers defeating the Cubs 4-1. The second and final game of the series will be played Wednesday, March 19.

What time is the Dodgers vs. Cubs game?

Set your alarm clock for first pitch — or just stay up really, really late. The second game between the Dodgers and Cubs is set for 3:10 a.m. PT/6:10 a.m. ET.

What channel is the Dodgers vs. Cubs on?

The second game of the Tokyo Series between the Dodgers and Cubs will air on FS1.

How to stream Dodgers vs. Cubs

The game can be streamed live on the Fox Sports App, FOXSports.com and MLB.TV.

Who is pitching in the Dodgers vs. Cubs game?

The Dodgers’ starting pitcher for the second game of the Tokyo Series will be Japanese phenom Roki Sasaki, who will make his MLB debut. Pitching for Chicago will be Justin Steele, who went 5-5 with a 3.07 ERA in 24 starts for the Cubs last season.  

The 23-year-old Sasaki, who transferred from Japan’s Nippon Professional Baseball league, signed with the Dodgers in January as an international amateur free agent.

While pitching for the Chiba Lotte Marines, he posted a 2.02 ERA and racked up 524 strikeouts in just over 414 innings.

In two spring training outings, one in relief and the other as a starter, Sasaki combined to throw seven scoreless innings, allowing three hits and three walks with seven strikeouts.

When is Opening Day?

Opening Day for most other MLB teams is officially scheduled for Thursday, March 27. The 14-game slate begins with the Milwaukee Brewers against the New York Yankees at 12 p.m. PT/3 p.m. ET.

The Dodgers will also be in action for their home opener, facing the Detroit Tigers and reigning American League Cy Young Tarik Skubal at 4 p.m. PT/7 p.m. ET. The Dodgers have not yet announced their starting pitcher for the game.

The Cubs will travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks at 7:10 p.m. PT/10:10 p.m. ET.

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Mookie Betts returns to U.S. to recuperate from illness, will miss 2 games in Japan

TOKYO — Shortstop Mookie Betts has returned to Los Angeles to continue recovering from an illness that will cause him to miss the Dodgers’ first two games of the regular season at the Tokyo Dome.

Manager Dave Roberts said that the eight-time All-Star wouldn’t play against the Chicago Cubs because of an unspecified illness that’s caused him to lose nearly 15 pounds. The 2018 AL Most Valuable Player is feeling better, but Roberts said Betts needed to return home and recuperate ahead of the team’s domestic opener on March 27.

“Mookie flew home early evening, late afternoon yesterday and arrived safely,” Roberts said. “It just made the most sense for him to get back to a regular routine. That’s kind of where we’re at and we all support it.”

The Cubs and Dodgers open the Major League Baseball season with two games at the Tokyo Dome.

Miguel Rojas is in the starting lineup at shortstop.

Betts started to feel sick the day before the team left for Japan but the shortstop still made the trip. He went through a workout but quickly became tired.

Betts is making the full-time transition to shortstop this season after playing most of his career in right field and second base. The 2018 AL MVP hit .289 with 19 homers and 75 RBIs last season, helping the Dodgers win the World Series.

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Sabres Send First-Round Pick Back To AHL

Isak Rosen (© Timothy T. Ludwig-Imagn Images)

The Buffalo Sabres have re-assigned forward Isak Rosen to their American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Rochester Americans.

It has been a busy few days for Rosen, as the Sabres first re-assigned him to Rochester back on March 13 and then called him back up to the NHL roster on March 16. Now, he is again heading back to Rochester after not appearing in a game during his latest brief call-up with the Sabres. 

Rosen, 22, has appeared in three games this season with the Sabres, where he has zero points and a minus-2 rating. He is in the middle of an impressive season with Rochester, however, posting new AHL career-highs with 27 goals and 51 points in 52 games.

The Sabres selected Rosen with the 14th overall pick of the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. In 10 career NHL games over two seasons, he has zero points, two hits, and 10 shots on goal. 

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What is 'the difference' at Rangers under Ferguson?

If there ever was a Rangers man in the dugout, Barry Ferguson is that.

The former midfielder and ambassador was drafted in the take the reins on an interim basis as there was a strong belief he'd be able to galvanise and, in his own words, "put an arm around some players and give some others a clip behind the ear".

It's safe to say so far, he's succeeding.

But former striker Rory Loy believes there's much more to this Rangers revival than simply having "a man who gets it" in charge.

"A lot of people put it down to Barry Ferguson being an ex-Rangers man, someone who knows the club and who has this heart and drive to take the team," Loy said on the Scottish Football Podcast.

"That's all a small added bonus, to me.

"I think he's able to convey clear instructions, that's the difference.

"It's almost like the players know the gameplan now. They know the instruction and they just need to go and carry it out.

"Under the previous manager, the last couple of managers, it was almost like they just didn't know what they were doing.

"The difference now is Barry Ferguson has been able to convey a clear message that players can understand and follow."

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[BBC]
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Steph ruled out of Warriors-Bucks game due to rest; Giannis probable

Steph ruled out of Warriors-Bucks game due to rest; Giannis probable originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

The Warriors will try to bounce back against the Milwaukee Bucks on Tuesday night, and they will have to do so without their best player.

Steph Curry will miss the second night of Golden State’s back-to-back after playing close to 36 minutes in the Warriors’ 114-105 loss to the shorthanded Denver Nuggets on Monday, per the NBA’s latest injury report.

After Monday’s loss, Warriors coach Steve Kerr was honest with reporters about Curry’s fatigue.

“He’s tired,” Kerr said. “Steph has been carrying us for a month; he’s been amazing. He’s tired, so we got to get him some rest. You can see it — he doesn’t have his energy right now.”

Curry, who has been playing lights out in recent weeks, finished Monday’s loss with 20 points on 28.6-percent shooting from the field and 28.6 percent from 3-point range, with four rebounds, seven assists, three steals and seven turnovers.

“We got to absolutely consider giving him a night and getting him rejuvenated for the sake of him and the remainder of our games,” Kerr admitted, adding that he would discuss with Warriors’ director of sports medicine and performance Rick Celebrini.

The Warriors are 6-3 without Curry this season.

Brandin Podziemski is questionable after missing the last five games with a back strain, but NBC Sports Bay Area’s Dalton Johnson reports he is expected to return Tuesday night. Quinten Post also is questionable with a right ankle issue.

For Milwaukee, Giannis Antetokounmpo (right patella tendinopathy) and Damian Lillard (right groin soreness) are probable.

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