What happened: Yahoo NHL’s offseason roundup notes that the top unrestricted free-agent defenseman was taken off the market through a sign-and-trade involving the Toronto Maple Leafs. The same signal also points to New York Islanders-related UFA coverage as the league moves from the Stanley Cup aftermath toward draft week.

Why it matters: The move thins an already limited July 1 market and shifts attention toward trades before free agency opens. For the Maple Leafs, it signals an aggressive offseason push on the blue line before the 2025-26 season.

What to watch: Watch whether more defensemen come off the board before the draft. The Islanders’ next moves around their own UFA decisions remain part of the offseason picture.