The Toronto Maple Leafs and the Vegas Golden Knights are at the center of NHL rumors, with a potential tampering controversy brewing alongside discussions of a sign-and-trade deal involving Mitch Marner.

As the clock ticks down to free agency, speculation is rampant about Marner's future. While a sign-and-trade between Toronto and Vegas has been discussed, the Maple Leafs are reportedly prepared to pursue tampering charges against the Golden Knights if they sign Marner outright once he becomes a free agent. According to Elliotte Friedman, the NHL is eager to make an example of a team for tampering, and Vegas could be it. Friedman stated he has no proof of tampering, but has heard word around the league that this is a very real possibility.

A sign-and-trade would involve the Maple Leafs sending Marner to the Golden Knights, potentially in exchange for players like Nic Hague and Nicolas Roy. This arrangement would also allow Vegas to add an eighth year to Marner's contract. At one point, Shea Theodore was mentioned as a possible return to Toronto, but Vegas decided against trading him.

Maple Leafs General Manager Brad Treliving has acknowledged the possibility of losing Marner to free agency and is trying to get something in return for Marner. The Maple Leafs were reportedly asking for Nicolas Roy and Nicolas Hague in return for Marner's rights. Treliving said that the Leafs would prefer to get something for Marner rather than lose him to free agency for nothing, but declined to comment about the speculation linking the winger to the Golden Knights.

The Golden Knights would need to clear cap space to accommodate Marner's contract, which is projected to be between $12 million and $14 million annually. Moving Alex Pietrangelo to long-term injured reserve could free up $8.8 million in cap space.

Other NHL rumors include the Minnesota Wild's confidence in extending Kirill Kaprizov's contract and a potential stalemate between the Ottawa Senators and Claude Giroux.