NHL Rumor Mill – January 17, 2025
Should the Blackhawks trade for Elias Pettersson or move out Seth Jones? What the latest on Mikko Rantanen, Ryan O’Reilly and John Klingberg? What’s going on with the Devils, Jets and Blues? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST ON THE BLACKHAWKS
THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus believes the Chicago Blackhawks should do everything they can to acquire Elias Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks.
Lazerus noted the Blackhawks need to bring in help for young franchise star Connor Bedard. He believes the 26-year-old playmaking center could fit in well with the rebuilding ‘Hawks, suggesting they have the pieces to make a competitive trade offer to the Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks also have the cap space to absorb Pettersson’s contract with its $11.6 million annual average value through 2031-32. He’s the right age to play a long-term active role with their young players.
Pettersson’s no-movement clause begins on July 1. Whether the Blackhawks will take up Lazerus’ advice before then remains to be seen.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports teams are calling the Blackhawks about Seth Jones. The 30-year-old defenseman is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $9.5 million and has a full no-movement clause.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Seth Jones (NHL Images).
Dreger said Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson isn’t shopping Jones. Nevertheless, teams are inquiring about his availability.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those teams likely want Davidson to retain half of that cap hit or to take back an expensive contract. Another option would be to involve a third team to spread the cap hit around. This could become an offseason move assuming Jones agrees to be traded.
CONTRACT TALKS STALLED BETWEEN THE AVALANCHE AND RANTANEN.
THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting contract extension talks between the Colorado Avalanche and winger Mikko Rantanen have reached an impasse.
Seravalli claims the Rantanen camp seeks a contract in the range of the $14 million annual cap hit the Edmonton Oilers will be paying Leon Draisaitl starting next season. Avalanche management prefers the 28-year-old winger sign something close to teammate Nathan MacKinnon’s $12.6 million AAV.
The Avalanche have no interest in trading Rantanen if he’s not signed by the March 7 trade deadline. Contract talks are expected to resume following the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in early February.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers suggested the Avalanche might put Rantanen on the trade block before the deadline. This report should bring those rumors to an end. If the Avalanche hope to stage a Stanley Cup run this spring they need Rantanen in the lineup.
PREDATORS LISTENING ON O’REILLY BUT AREN’T SHOPPING HIM
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Nashville Predators aren’t actively shopping Ryan O’Reilly. The 33-year-old two-way center has two seasons left on his contract with an AAV of $4.5 million.
Given their placement in the standings, the Predators have no choice but to listen to trade proposals provided teams are wasting their time with low-ball offers. O’Reilly lacks no-trade protection but the Preds are treating him like he has a full no-movement clause, leaving the final decision up to him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: “So, you’re saying there’s a chance…” Seriously, it’s unlikely anyone will come up with a suitable offer that will make O’Reilly agree to be traded, and the Predators seem fine about that. Still, stranger things have happened.
SEVERAL TEAMS INTERESTED IN KLINGBERG
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports the Edmonton Oilers, Toronto Maple Leafs, Ottawa Senators and Dallas Stars are among several teams interested in John Klingberg. The 32-year-old defenseman is attempting to resume his NHL career after undergoing a hip resurfacing procedure in December 2023.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Nick Barden cites TSN’s Bob McKenzie reporting a decision about Klingberg could come within the next two days. He said the Oilers, Stars and Leafs are very much in the mix.
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes it’s a long shot the Leafs will gamble again on Klingberg. It would cost them a roster spot and Kypreos doesn’t see them moving Klingberg ahead of Philippe Myers or Conor Timmins. He thinks the Oilers have a more pressing need for him.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports the Oilers are kicking tires on Klingberg. He speculates the cost of signing the blueliner would be a one-year, prorated deal worth $800K. Matheson believes the Stars need a puck-moving rearguard like Klingberg more than the Oilers, who need another physical Mattias Ekholm-type defender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Klingberg began his NHL career with the Stars and spent his best seasons with them. They have limited cap space right now which would make him an affordable fit. However, they’re expected to spend big in the trade market when they place Tyler Seguin and his $9.85 million AAV on long-term injury reserve.
DEVILS INTERESTED IN A CENTER
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald would like to add a center to his roster before the March 7 trade deadline. He wouldn’t reveal which players he’s targeting but he will be assessing his options. LeBrun noted that Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly, Seattle’s Yanni Gourde and Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton (who’s played mostly on the wing this season) are among the notable names in the rumor mill.
UPDATES ON THE JETS AND BLUES
Darren Dreger speculates the Winnipeg Jets might not need to go shopping for a center before the March 7 trade deadline. They like what they’ve seen of captain Adam Lowry filling in for sidelined Vladislav Namestnikov as a second-line center. They could have the flexibility to pursue the best forward available if they stay healthy.
Dreger reports that St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong has told his players that he expects a better effort from them this month. He’s not making threats but has let them know he could shake things up if things don’t improve soon. The Blues are currently battling for a wild-card spot in the Western Conference.
I dont mind Rantanen getting paid more than McKinnon, but Im not paying 14, maybe 13. Lets say he gets 14 in july, its still 6m less than 13 when you consider the term. And yes I would trade him depending on what I get back.
WPG doesn’t usually go big game hunting, I bet the acquire Yanne Gourde from SEA, who can play center or wing.
I think Ryan O’Reilly will be the target for the Devils. Because he has some term on his deal, I bet the Devils trade one of their defensive prospects (Seamus Casey) in a deal in which the Preds throw in cash or a pick
I bet the Leafs get Scott Laughton, he fits the flexibility the Leafs like in moving around he lineup and at center and wing. Berube probably loves ex Flyers as well
Good idea,
Help Bedard with a grossly overpaid underperforming disinterested “star”.
Skinny Pete – 11.6 million x 8.
Who in their right mind would trade for that?
A marshmallow like Pettersson is not what the Hawks or Bedard need.
I feel like the Hawks would be better served by obtaining JT Miller.
After last night seeing Miller pretty much quit on his team and get benched for it, I don’t think any team would want him.
Wasn’t he Miller having issues with Horvat the reason why Horvat was traded? I think Miller isn’t all that easy to get along with.
JT Miller isn’t waiving his NMC, For the worst team in the NHL. Yeah not happening.
You never know what might happen. Nashville put Dante Fabbro on waivers intending to send him to the AHL for further seasoning, but the Jackets claimed him. All he’s done is become the Jackets #2 defenseman, playing nearly lights out and freeing Zack Werenski to become part of the conversation for both the Norris and Hart trophies.
Re; Rantanen
With the cap going up from $88.M to $94.M it sounds like, and $6.M more the following season
i dont see why they would not pay him that..?
Rantanen has ben a top goal scorer for years now,
with Leon getting 14.M per, McDavids contract sounds like its 99% done here in Edmonton…?
So Rantanen Agent ( Andy Scott ) is the same as Leon’s.. He says closer to July 1st, its No less than $13.5M to $14.M….🤔
Thoughts…❓
mikeP
I don’t think the Leafs should pursue Laughton.
Nothing wrong with the player, it’s just that all current Leafs centres are left handed except Kampf. Also think that acquisition cost would be high as PHI doesn’t really want to move him.
Bjugstad or Evans might be better fits as they’re RH, cheaper cap hit, and likely cheaper to acquire.
The Leafs definitely need somebody to run their PP from the back end (and bench) as a team with this much talent should be top 5 in PP%, not middle of the pack. Rielly is not the answer.
If they had to overpay to get Andersson or Weegar from CGY that’s a move you make.
Does anyone think they’ll try to gauge interest on Rielly?
i don’t think flames are moving either guy unless they get a ridiculous offer, which the leafs probably can’t make.
Pettersson is the worse deal out there. A total fluff weakling on a 6’2” frame. Hes soft and even if he took to taking the body he wouldn’t last. He has no muscle mass and easy to take off the puck. He’s over paid and lazy on his professional preparation.
Evans would be a good fit with the Leafs but I doubt Hughes trades him to Toronto if the Habs are in a wild card spot come deadline day.
Leafs should try and trade Rielly, even if they had to take Miller back from Vancouver. I’ve watched the Leafs for a long time and he always has been bad defensively. This year he’s -16 and it’s time to move on. Leafs will not make it out of first round this year with him on defence
Thinking the Hawks would be better off to acquire a winger like Rantanen, Marner, or even Huberdeau (retained salary) to play with Bedard than getting Skinny Pete. I don’t see a trade for Rantanen or Marner, so they will need to see if they hit FA.
Huberdeau with $2.5M retained would not cost much compared to the others, or even Brock Boeser, if they could extend him.
Draisaitl – Hart, Ted Lindsay, and Art Trophy winner.
Rantanen – No awards.
How does Rantanen think he compares to Draisaitl?
How about Stanley Cup?
Bazinga. And there were no “voters” for that ultimate award.
Not one player has won a Stanley Cup single handedly. That is a team award, not an individual award.
yes but i think you forget who he plays with. i know mackinnon is no slouch, but mcdavid hands down the best player on the planet. but you give me the choice i take draisatl all day.
Would Rantanan have a Stanley Cup ring if MacKinnon, Mackar, Landeskog, Toews, or Kadri weren’t on the team?
This is why IMO the whole “but he hasn’t won a Stanley Cup” comment is weak when talking about individual players and their accomplishments.
IMO Draisaitl has more value than Rantanan.
And no, Draisaitl doesn’t play on a line with McDavid very often. They are together on the PP obviously, and other than break glass in case of an emergency they C different lines. If I had to guess on Draisaitl’s most consistent winger it would be Podkolzin. And he’s done pretty good up there, digs up pucks. Plus having Makar generating like he does from the backend is huge. Oilers don’t have that, nobody does really.
Plus Drai plays C a more demanding and valuable position.
Cups take an entire team, like KevJam said, and it’s not like the Oil haven’t had a lot of playoff success in recent years, they have. I would say they are the betting favorite to win it this year as well.
Not saying Rantanan won’t get paid more, who knows, and he is an elite winger, but he isn’t a more valuable player than Draisaitl.
What is it with guys like Mogilny and Rantanan? Both have identical 0.5 goals and 0.6 assists per game career averages (Rantanan still working on his), and nether – like Rodney Dangerfield – can get any respect! 🙂
Rantanen is the kind of player teams should open up their checkbooks for. Skinny Pete, or The Alien, or whatever other cute names Pettersson might have (Sleestak, Stay Puft, Slender Man?) is the kind of player teams should ask “how much salary are you gonna hold” if they are intending to add him.
And Tavares is in the running for the Calder!!!
I don’t know how Chicago could get Pettersson from Vancouver but he’d make a huge difference and would change Bedard’s game completely.
Second line is being centred by Lukas Reichel, doesn’t strike fear into anybody.
Bedard’s line is the only one that has to be game planned for.
Dealing with two elite centres like Bedard and Pettersson is a whole different animal to deal with and contain.
Wow no mention of Evans in Montreal
A very good all round center
No mention of Evans because he has no real value above and beyond what mot teams have.
Solid defensively responsible, good on the pk, decent on the face off.
Shows all kinds of offense potential but can’t hit the broad side of a barn.
He’s well liked in Montreal and he likes being a Hab, trading him would be pointless unless somebody does a stupid overpay.
Heh. Sounds like you just described Jim Roberts who divided his career between Montreal – St. Louis – Montreal again – and St. Louis again.
Skate like Hell, ferocious checker – and could stand at the inner extent of the tide and not put a ouch in the ocean.
Don;t know how many times, following the Habs in those days, I’d sit up straight at the sight of a Montreal player smashing through on a breakaway, only to sit back and sign “crap – it’s Roberts.” And more often than not he’d fail to score.
But then, neither did too many of his checks. And 5 Stanley Cups attests to that to some degree.
Good post George.
You need to get back to your hockey roots … 😉
Klinger signs with Oilers. Nice fit
They have been healthy and need that experienced depth . If he can still play that is. Likely starting as a 6-7 regardless
I like the Pettersson nickname “ Skinny Pete”. Definitely a lightweight and has shown that he can’t take the heavy sledding. A good player for Chicago who won’t be in the playoffs for a number of years.
Evans would be a good fit with the Leafs but I doubt Hughes trades him to Toronto if the Habs are in a wild card spot come deadline day.
What do you see Toronto offering up to get Evans that the Habs would fit right into their line-up? I doubt they’re interested in picks and secondary prospects at this stage.
The Habs traded Plekanec to the Leafs so there is precident.
But George has it right. Besides, Hughes has stated he wants to keep his dogs in the fight. Until it is clear that the Habs are not going to make the playoffs I see no one being traded.