NHL Rumours: Maple Leafs Asked for BriseBois, McAvoy’s Slash & Canucks Want McCarron – The Hockey Writers – NHL Rumors

In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start off with the Toronto Maple Leafs, who requested to speak with Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois as a part of their own GM search. Next, we look at the incident that took place at the end of Game 6 between the Buffalo Sabres and Boston Bruins.

Finally, we end with the Vancouver Canucks, who could have their eye on Minnesota Wild forward Michael McCarron as they look towards free agency.

Leafs Denied Permission to Speak With BriseBois

Sometimes you have to shoot your shot. While it appears the Maple Leafs are settling in on Mats Sundin and John Chayka to run the team moving forward, they did reach out to the Lightning to see if they could speak with BriseBois regarding the role.

Of course, the Lightning said no.

Active general managers are typically off the table when it comes to an ongoing search, but it certainly doesn’t hurt to ask. BriseBois has been with the Lightning in some capacity since the 2010-11 season and has been the general manager for eight seasons. Despite all of the success they have had, and currently are having, there is no reason BriseBois should be leaving the Lightning.

With that being said, sometimes things get stale. That is a long time to spend in one place, and if there was even the slightest chance that he could want a change of scenery, the Maple Leafs were going to jump on that opportunity.

Elliotte Friedman spoke on this on the latest episode of 32 Thoughts. He cited The Athletic’s James Mirtle, who wrote that the Leafs requested permission to speak with a current general manager but didn’t name who it was.

Friedman stated that the general manager in question was BriseBois, and followed that by saying, “I don’t think anyone is shocked to hear that the Lightning would say no…I do think they asked permission to speak to him and were rejected.”

Benson Trip & McAvoy Slash May Both See Suspensions

Over the course of the 2025-26 season, Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy dealt with quite a few injuries, which can develop some frustration. As the season came to an end for him and the team in Game 6, things didn’t close out without a bit of controversy.

Sabres forward Zach Benson was all over the penalty sheet, drawing four penalties and taking one himself.

With just 91 seconds left in the game, Benson and McAvoy were racing for what was called an icing, and Benson’s leg got behind McAvoy’s left skate, delivering a dangerous slew foot into the boards.

There were no apparent injuries on the play, but McAvoy took exception, skating over to Benson and coming down with a two-handed chop to the arms and torso. McAvoy was given a five-minute major penalty, as well as a game misconduct.

Again, Benson didn’t seem to have suffered any injury on the play, either, but those are two plays that could result in suspensions to both players.

If Benson is to receive a suspension, it would likely only be a one-game sentence, which would leave him out of Game 1 in the second round.

McAvoy may find himself in a similar position as Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig, who has a hearing scheduled for May 4 after delivering a sucker punch in their series-losing game against the Carolina Hurricanes.

If McAvoy does receive any suspension, it would carry into next season.

Canucks Set to Take Big Run at McCarron

It is no secret that the 2026 free agency class is expected to be a bit underwhelming. At one point, there were a large number of players who could have hit free agency, and it could have been one of the most exciting, but most of those big names have been given new deals already.

One name getting some attention already is McCarron. After starting his career with the Montreal Canadiens and evolving into an NHL regular with the Nashville Predators, the Wild opted to bring him in at the trade deadline to bolster their depth and add toughness for the playoffs.

Friedman, on his podcast, predicted that the Canucks will take a big run at him in free agency.

McCarron is a strong bottom-six centre who plays very physically, is reliable defensively, and is a right-shot who is strong in the faceoff dot.

With the Canucks leaning into the youth movement, they could benefit from having some toughness in the lineup.

While it wouldn’t be a perfect comparison, the Canucks could approach this with the memory of Kiefer Sherwood in mind. Another tough player from the Predators who could come in and make an impact on the roster.

While McCarron may not end up pushing for 20 goals with the Canucks, if he were to come in, he could be an important player for them.

Credit has to go to The Athletic’s Thomas Drance, who wrote about the Canucks and some free agent targets. He mentioned that the Canucks should bring in McCarron on a deal worth $3.5-$4 million annually. (from A radical approach Vancouver Canucks should take in free agency: Mailbag, part 1, The Athletic, Mar. 17, 2026)