Insider Trading: Matthews, Marner, McDavid to rest before playoffs

TSN Hockey Insiders Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger join host James Duthie to discuss resting Mitch Marner, Auston Matthews and Connor McDavid for the remaining games, an update to the status of Predators goalie Juuse Saros and the impact of COVID-19 on the 2021-22 regular season with it coming to a close.

With just a couple of days left in the regular season for teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers who are locked into their current positions, the only question remains: who play and who doesn’t. Are some of the superstars leaning toward sitting out?

Johnston: That’s what it sounds like. And certainly, you know, Mitch Marner in particular I think was an interesting discussion and decision because he’s got 97 points. There’s still a chance for him to hit that 100 milestone had he played on Friday against Boston. Ultimately it was decided for him not to do that and Mitch Marner himself was part of the decision. And, you know, the message from him was simply he wants the best chance to chase a Stanley Cup, that’s what this season is about more than any personal achievement. So he was very much on board with the Maple Leafs’ decision. Connor McDavid it sounds like won’t be playing Friday as well. Auston Matthews will too be held out. So obviously there’s big pressure on these teams now for their performances to start next week, not what they can do at the end of this week.

Both Andrew Copp with the New York Rangers and Evander Kane with the Edmonton Oilers have been huge additions to their respective teams. What is the likelihood of them re-signing over the summer?

Dreger: Well I can tell you that both the New York Rangers and the Edmonton Oilers are going to try as hard as possible to extend the contracts