NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025
Check out the latest on Brad Marchand, Brock Nelson, Rickard Rakell, John Gibson, Jake Evans, Ryan Donato and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BRUINS ARE GETTING CALLS ABOUT BRAD MARCHAND
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an “NHL executive source” said the Boston Bruins are getting calls on captain Brad Marchand. The 36-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, raising speculation about whether he’ll be re-signed or moved by the March 7 trade deadline.
Murphy’s source claimed teams were wondering what the Bruins intended to do with Marchand. For now, they appear to be just listening rather than actively shopping him. He also noted that the Bruins haven’t squashed the rumors as they’ve done in the past. Another source close to the situation indicated they’re not shopping Marchand.
Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).
The sources’ opinions vary on the price the Bruins could offer Marchand. One speculates it could be a first-round pick and a top prospect. Another believes it depends on which team is asking. The sources mentioned the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild as possible suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand carries a cap hit of $6.125 million and an eight-team no-trade list. Interested clubs could ask the Bruins to retain some salary, which could raise their asking price. The Oilers and Wild are pressed against the $88 million cap, making them the least likely to land him. All five teams lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft.
BROCK NELSON BECOMES THE TOP TARGET IN THE RUMOR MILL
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias has a roundup of speculation from several insiders suggesting Islanders center Brock Nelson is the most coveted player in the trade market. Like Marchand, the 33-year-old is UFA-eligible on July 1. He carries a $6 million cap hit.
Macias cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, and TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the 33-year-old Nelson is garnering attention around the league. He claimed the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are “very interested” in the veteran Isles center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The points I raised about the lack of a 2025 first-rounder for the Avalanche and Wild also apply here. The Wild currently have Kirill Kaprizov and his $9 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve but he’s expected to return from surgery in a few weeks. Like the Wild and Avs, the Leafs and Lightning don’t have first-round picks in this year’s draft.
The Jets have the advantage over those clubs, provided they’re not on his 16-team no-trade list. They’re first overall in the standings and in “win-now” mode, have over $12 million in projected trade-deadline cap space and a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and they can also draw on their prospect pipeline for trade bait.
RICKARD RAKELL COULD BE AVAILABLE BUT EXPENSIVE
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t in a hurry to trade Rickard Rakell. The 31-year-old winger is playing well alongside team captain Sidney Crosby. He’s also signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million.
Nevertheless, Yohe believes the Penguins would listen if a team made a truly significant package offer containing a first-rounder and a blue-chip prospect close to NHL-ready. He claims GM Kyle Dubas hasn’t told teams that Rakell is untouchable, only that the asking price is high.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell’s trade value is very high right now. If a suitable offer isn’t possible at the trade deadline, they might wait for the offseason when the rising cap could entice teams to spend more than they currently would.
COULD JOHN GIBSON BE A FIT WITH THE OILERS?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting he’d heard the Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are the preferred trade destinations for John Gibson.
The 31-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. He’s been the subject of trade rumors for some time.
Friedman said he’d heard Gibson wants to go where he’d be “the guy”, as in the starting goaltender. However, he doesn’t know if partnering with Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner will work for him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples doesn’t think Gibson would be a good fit for the Oilers. Even if the Ducks retained half his cap hit, he believes it would still take a hefty chunk out of their cap space. Meanwhile, Staples colleague Kurt Leavins doesn’t see Gibson as an improvement over Skinner, saying he’s been “very mediocre” over the past five years.
WILL JAKE EVANS STAY IN MONTREAL OR MOVE ON?
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports Canadiens center Jake Evans knows he’s facing a murky future. The 28-year-old is due to become a UFA this summer and could be shopped by the March 7 trade deadline.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday that the Canadiens and the Evans camp exchanged contract numbers. However, the two sides remain far apart, suggesting he’ll be traded by March 7.
TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie claims Evans’s re-signing with the Canadiens is a real possibility despite the reported gaps in their contract negotiations. However, he didn’t go so far as to guarantee his signing.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports it’s “common knowledge” Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is in the market for a third-line center. He believes Evans would fit the bill.
However, the Canadiens’ asking price would be at least a second-rounder and there are plenty of suitors. Nichols noted the Devils have three second-rounders but lack a first-rounder, which would put them out of the bidding if the price goes up.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evans is the Canadiens’ best trade chip and could fetch a first-round pick if enough teams are interested leading up to March 7. They won’t hesitate to trade him if the two sides don’t agree to a new contract by then.
UPDATES ON RYAN DONATO AND PAT MAROON
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently reported that it is expected the Chicago Blackhawks could trade pending UFA forward Ryan Donato by March 7. However, it’s not a certainty that he’ll be moved as management hasn’t ruled out re-signing him.
DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek reports Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon is drawing some attention in the trade market. Marek suggests the Florida Panthers and Maroon’s former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as possible fits.
LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports injuries to forwards Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko has GM Don Waddell shopping for a top-six forward. “We had some irons in the fire,” Waddell told Portzline. “But no action yet.”
Waddell is willing to move one of his club’s two first-rounders in this year’s draft but it would only be for a player with term on their contract. He also wouldn’t rule out moving one of his extra mid-round picks for a player on an expiring contract.
The Blue Jackets GM also said talks continue with pending UFAs Ivan Provorov and Mathieu Olivier. He also wants to re-sign defenseman Dante Fabbro.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline noted the Blue Jackets have two second-round picks in the 2027 draft, two third-rounders in 2026 and two in the 2027 draft, and two fourth-rounders in this year’s draft and three in 2026.
Some high priced well aged crappola up for grabs as usual at the trade deadline.
I’m on the “not likely” side of Marchand being traded. But I feel like he’s almost a Giroux now. And that management staff has shown just enough indifference towards Bruin legacy and “culture” (I hate that word as it pertains to sports)
As a closet Islander fan – trade Lee. Trade Nelson. Trade Dobson. Burn it to the ground. Get someone to take Pageau. Fire Lou. It’s been a bunch of mediocrity playing 90’s Devils hockey and even Isles fans are done with it.
I have always been a Brock Nelson fan, north&south player! However, if he is available I would only want the Avalanche to make that trade if he was willing to sign extension. To me if the Avalanche are going in that direction and lose good assets: roster player, picks or top prospect, then they need to ensure Nelson will want to remain an Avalanche!! Otherwise, if that isn’t in the cards, I would hope they might look @ donato, frederic or possibly Evans to shore up some needs. Also, another defenseman but not certain who that would be? I have read a lot about Seth jones but watching black hawks play, I’m not sure if that is good? I know he is good but would rather have a defensive defenseman! Ferraro?
Didn’t stop the Canes with Rantanen. Should not scare suitors for Nelson .
I like the fit in Minnesota
We will all know in about 3 weeks of who lands where.
Gibson should find a new address. Buffalo Carolina Columbus Detroit
Re ;oilers Trades needs
I don’t think the Edmonton Oilers need another goaltender last night Gibson from the duck said they’d rather go to Carolina than Edmonton if it was his choice at 6.3 million. We don’t need an expensive goaltender like that who’s over the hill..🤙🤙
Conor Murphy from the Hawks and the second pairing right would be a good pick up for the oil.
Or
Another good trade would be Kris Letang who has 3.2 years left at 37 years old 6.1 million if Pittsburgh Hold back instead of one and a half million maybe or 2 million whatever that could be a trade that works well I think he’d like to go to Stanley Cup contender if he was moving
Along with that, Brian Rust A 32-year-old right winger which we need the right winger who can Score…would really work well for the oilers. He also has 3.2 years left in his contract. He is 42 points and 48 games this year which is Great.
What would you have to trade to get these two?❓
First round pick in 2006
A second drone pick 2027
Going another way work would be two of these three
Players
1/ Adam Henrique $3.M
Or
2/
Jeff Skinner @ $3.M
Or
3/
Averson @$4.M
2&3 would my 2 to move…👍🏿
What are Your thoughts on the oilers Trades……❓
Or Sugestion’s
🙂↔️
Years ago Boston traded Ray Bourque to give him a chance to win a cup!Why not move Marchand for a 1st round pick and a NHL ready prospect! This team is in dire need of young talent!other than Poitras their best young forwards have been in Providence for 3 years waiting for an opportunity! Wink at Marshy as he goes out the door and sign him in July to a 2 yr/ 5 million AAV salary!
Exactly. Ottawa did that last year with Tarasenko, and he won a cuo before signing as a UFA with Detroit.
And if they’re falling out of the race between the end of the break and trade deadline day, they could deal Giroux, only in that event it would also be a wink-wink and a re-sign as a UFA in the summer to finish things off here.
Why not in both his case and that of Marchand’s?
How often has this scenario actually happened? Trade pending ufa. They resign with old team.
The difference is Ottawa “paid” Florida to take Tarasenko. Not vice-versa. Easily one of the most stupidliest trades Ottawa made. Oh look there’s a guy Ottawa is paying to win for another team. Should we get a replica ring for that ?
Not often, chrisms, but it has happened – here’s 5 that I found
In 2997 Keith Tkachuk was traded by the Blues to Atlanta for Glen Metropolit, a 1st and 3rd round pick in 2007 and a 2008 2nd round pick. Tkachuk played 18 games with the Thrashers, potting 7 goals 8 assists and added a goal and 3 assists in the 4 playoff games where Atlanta was swept by the NYR.
Matt Moulson and Cody McCormick deal on March 5 to Minnesota for Torey Mitchell a 2015 and a 2016 2nd round pick, and in 20gp with the Wild in 2013-14 Moulson contributed 6 goals 7a along with a goal and 2a in 10 playoff games. On July 1 Moulson and McCormick BOTH re-signed with the Sabres as UFAs.
In 2013 Arizona sent D-man Zbynek Michalek to St. Louis for prospect Maxim Letunov and he re-signed with the Coyotes in the off-season.
In Feb 2015 Arizona dealt Antoine Vermette to Chicago for a 2015 1st round pick and D-man Klas Dahlbeck. After winning a cup with the Blackhawks, Vermette re-signed with Arizoina.
In 2016 Toronto traded D-man Roman Polak and F Nick Spaling to San Jose for a 2nd round pick in each of the 2017 & 2018 drafts and F Raffi Torres. In the off-season, Polak re-signed with the Leafs.
Now that’s research I am interested in reading. Thanks George!
Heh … y/w … by the way that Tkachuk entry should say 2007 and not 2997 ,,, I GOTTA get a new keyboard where the damned letters aren’t all faded away on the keys! Or proof red before I hit “send” – lol
A more recent one is Nick Bjugstad. ARI traded him at the 22/23 TDL to the Oilers. He re-signed with the Yotes the following off season.
Methinks he gets moved again at this years deadline. Big useful C for your 4th line who can be physical if required and defends well.
Plausible, except that Bourque requested a trade to play for a contender, having yet to win a Cup. He did, the season after, and then retired.
Marchant has already won a Cup. And got a misspelled tattoo to celebrate.
Bourque did NOT request a trade from Boston. Management went to him and said they were going into a rebuild and asked if he wanted to be traded to try for a cup. He spoke with his family before deciding that he didn’t have enough time for a rebuild and agreed to be traded.
Who knows what BOS does with Marchand. He only has a 8 team no trade list, so most of the league is available to deal with.
Having said that, I think Sweeney has a heart to heart with Marchy to see where his head is at. He is their captain and leader. Seems like a guy who would like to compete for another cup so I see him dealt.
SR while I wish the return is what you speculate, I have my doubts. He isn’t the player he was a couple years ago. I think one quality asset, be it a first or quality prospect.
I will root for him at the 4 nations, but gotta say, I was surprised he made the team.
Ray, when it comes to rooting for one team in particular at the 4 Nations, as a Senators fan I’d have a hard time picking one.
On that basis, Team Canada would be out since they don’t have one rep in that team.
But they do have Ullmark with Sweden, Matinpalo with Finfland and Brady Tkachuk and Jake Sanderson with the U.S.
Ya, I look at it a bit differently George. Don’t care where players from my favorite NHL team are playing. Team Canada all the way.
2 B’s are playing for USA, including our best player in McAvoy. I think he has an “A” as well.
I think the tourney will be intense right from the get go, and once the nerves settle. It’s short and you sure don’t want to lose game 1.
Must watch TV IMO.
Ray
You underestimate the trade value of 63
Still doubt he goes anywhere Sweeney no got the ⚾️ ⚾️ for that unless63 asks
Sr. I am good with that idea but I don’t think 63 going anywhere unless they fall right out of it after the break
Lj so give him and his tattooist another cup and a chance to rectify his mistake!
Why not? I think Ray has it right: Sweeney probably has had a talk with him. We’ll soon see.
George, please Don’t give that old keyboard to Willie! Lol
LOL … maybe he’s got one already
🤔❗️👍❓
😂😂