NHL Rumors: Woll Trade Timing, Tortorella Done in Vegas, Carlson Plans

In today’s NHL rumors rundown, John Tortorella will not be back with the Vegas Golden Knights next season. What is their plan? What is his? Meanwhile, John Carlson has decided to test free agency and is likely leaving the Anaheim Ducks. Finally, why did the Toronto Maple Leafs trade goaltender Joseph Woll so quickly into the offseason?

Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit Traded to Flyers for Andrae and Ersson

The Toronto Maple Leafs and Philadelphia Flyers pulled off a pretty big trade early in the NHL offseason. On Tuesday, both teams announced that they were moving goaltenders and defensemen. Joseph Woll and Simon Benoit were going to the Flyers. Emil Andrae and Samuel Ersson are coming back to Toronto with a third-round pick.

As for why the two teams made a trade so quicky into the offseason, this has been in the works for a bit. Darren Dreger reports: “Yesterday, I was told teams are doing their due diligence on Woll and Knies. The fact the Woll trade materialized so quickly is a bit of a surprise to some. Philadelphia emerged as best option for Woll in the last few days.”

New Leafs GM John Chayka said, “What we like about this opportunity is that it allowed us to create some flexibility.” He noted that Andrae is a young defenseman in the age range the team values and someone they’ve been tracking for some time. The move also brings in additional draft capital, while Woll carries a $3.66 million cap hit for the next two seasons.

Tortorella Won’t Be Back With Golden Knights

As per an announcement by the Golden Knights organization, John Tortorella will not return to coach the team next season. Elliotte Friedman writes, “As Tortorella said before the Cup Final, his contract expires June 30. He still wants to coach. Vegas had indicated they wanted him for the rest of the season and had a plan for next year.”

As for who takes the job, that might already have been determined. “We will see if that plan is Ryan Craig — current AHL Henderson head coach, former Golden Knights assistant and played for Kelly McCrimmon at WHL Brandon.”

Questions will immediately shift toward the Edmonton Oilers or Toronto Maple Leafs to see if either teams shows interest in Tortorella as the team’s next head coach. The Oilers are waiting on results from the Mike Babcock investigation, but word is leaking that players are already hesitant to join a Babcock-led team. Maybe Tortorella is a safer option.

Carlson Likely Leaving the Anaheim Ducks

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic is reporting that defenseman John Carlson is headed to free agency. After joining the Ducks at the trade deadline, he’s going to test the market and see what kind of offers are out there.

LeBrun explained, “John Carlson is headed to market. His agent, Rick Curran, has informed Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek of that. Both sides talked about a potential extension, but Carlson is moving on.”

He adds:

“I’ve had good discussions with Pat,” Curran told The Athletic on Tuesday. “I told him how much John enjoyed his time in Anaheim. But his preference is to return and play in the East, closer to family and the familiarity with it. Pat was naturally disappointed but completely understood.”

source – ‘NHL rumblings: Last thoughts on the Cup, plus the latest on Carlson, Rielly, Hischier and more’ – Pierre LeBrun – The Athletic – 06-16-2026

Carlson is expected to draw significant interest on the open market, with several Eastern Conference teams in the mix. After prior extension talks with Washington fell through, he could land a two-year deal worth around $10 million annually, with Tampa Bay a potential fit if they lose Darren Raddysh.

LeBrun also notes that with Carlson leaving Anaheim, the Ducks may circle back on pending UFA defenseman Jacob Trouba. “The sides have already had talks over the past two months. There’s mutual interest there.” Trouba may choose to test the market as well.