Bedard Buzz Builds, While Marner Keeps Stifling The Doubters

The chatter around Connor Bedard’s next contract is already starting to ripple through hockey circles, because nothing in this league stays quiet for long when a star is due for a payday. Meanwhile, Mitch Marner is doing the thing that annoys skeptics the most - making them look early and loud. This is the part of the calendar when front offices start reading tea leaves and fans start asking too many questions, and both stories have enough smoke to keep everyone leaning in.