NHL Rumor Mill – February 12, 2025
Could there be some trade activity during the 4 Nations Face-Off? What’s the latest on Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson, Brad Marchand, Jeff Skinner and Jared McCann? Who are the Senators’ trade targets? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THERE BE SOME TRADES DURING THE 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman isn’t ruling out the possibility of some trade activity during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The league has paused its schedule from Feb. 10-21 to accommodate the tournament.
During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Friedman said he believes some players have been told by their teams or their agents that they think there could be some action. The players don’t return to practice until Feb. 18, and there’s a feeling that “some guys will not return to where they are.”
Friedman cited the lack of a roster freeze during this period. He also pointed out that Linus Ullmark was traded last year on the same day as Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. He doesn’t believe there’s been any direction from the league against making trades, but they might prefer that those moves be kept away from game days during the tournament.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chris Johnston of The Athletic recently reported a sense around the league that no one wanted to take the spotlight off the tournament by making trades. We’ll find out soon enough.
BRAYDEN SCHENN LINKED TO THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS
VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman earlier this week suggesting the Vegas Golden Knights as a destination for Brayden Schenn.
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).
Friedman indicated St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong isn’t happy with his club’s performance and is unafraid to make big moves. He noted there would be a lot of interest in the 33-year-old Schenn but the Blues would set a big asking price for him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million and has a full no-trade clause for this season. Assuming he’d accept a trade to Vegas, the Golden Knights lack sufficient cap space to acquire him.
That hasn’t stopped Golden Knights management from making bold moves in the past. However, their salary cap constraints and limited trade capital could make it difficult to win a bidding war for Schenn.
BROCK NELSON UNDECIDED ABOUT CONTRACT EXTENSION
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Brock Nelson’s comments about a potential contract extension with the Islanders will do little to dampen trade speculation swirling around him. The 33-year-old center is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.
Nelson is interested in an extension but said there are many factors to consider, such as what’s best for him, his family, and the team. He praised Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, adding his agent has a great relationship with him.
Sears cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported Nelson’s agent will continue contract discussions with Lamoriello during the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, there’s a risk Nelson will depart as a free agent on July 1 if there isn’t an extension in place by the March 7 trade deadline.
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias suggested several contract-extension scenarios for Nelson. One is a two-year, $14 million offer, another is three years at $21 million and four years at $24 million. There’s also a seven-year, $35 million paying him $5 million annually.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson sits atop most pundits’ trade boards as the player most likely to be moved by March 7. Lamoriello declined to discuss his plans for the trade deadline with the media, saying his focus was on his team’s efforts to make the playoffs.
A lot will depend on the Isles’ performance in the two weeks between the resumption of the regular-season schedule on Feb. 22 and the deadline on March 7.
The long-term option suggested by Macias would provide the Isles with the most salary-cap flexibility while providing Nelson with the most security. However, it will become a cap headache in the final years when his performance inevitably declines.
MARCHAND DISMISSES TRADE RUMORS
THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas reports Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand isn’t worried about his name popping up in recent trade rumors. “That’s just fans having fun with it all,” he said during an appearance on the “What Chaos!” podcast.
Marchand acknowledged his pending UFA status and the Bruins’ struggles this season have stoked speculation about his future in Boston. He said he tries not to pay attention to it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The conjecture will increase if Marchand remains unsigned when the calendar flips to March.
OILERS NOT SHOPPING JEFF SKINNER
THE ATHLETIC: Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman told Daniel Nugent-Bowman that he doesn’t intend to trade Jeff Skinner. The 32-year-old winger signed a one-year, $3 million contract last summer with the Oilers.
Skinner has struggled at times this season with 10 goals and 20 points in 49 games. Bowman cited the winger’s positive attitude and willingness to work through his difficulties, adding that he’s shown improvement in recent games.
KRAKEN COULD MAKE MCCANN AVAILABLE
SPORTSNET: Jacob Stoller reported hearing the Seattle Kraken could make Jared McCann available at the trade deadline. He noted the 28-year-old is a versatile scoring forward who can also play center and kill penalties.
McCann is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5 million. Stoller believes he’d make a lot of sense for the Winnipeg Jets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann has 42 points in 57 games this season, leading the Kraken in scoring as he’s done in their three previous seasons. Shopping him would be a big move by GM Ron Francis, signaling he’s starting a major roster overhaul. He would draw plenty of interest around the league, increasing the likelihood of fetching a significant return for the Kraken.
LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are believed to be interested in Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato and Kraken forward Brandon Tanev. Another trade option could be Gustav Nyquist of the Nashville Predators.
Vegas needs a volunteer to get himself injured and go on LTIR till the playoffs start.
Vegas wants to win the this honest cup o no i mean the stanley cup
NYI , Lamoriello
The GM needs to Re-tire By the end off the Season
And get a new GM in there to fix the NYI
They are way too old and he seems to be out of touch with today’s current NHL
Maybe you should look at making Patrick Roy
the general manager…❓
Your thoughts on who the New could be there GM
What do you think 🤔
Any Names…❓❓
If I was a fan of the Knights, I’d be thrilled my team will do anything to win. I wish my team thought that way and had the balls to do moves like they have.
Who would you be targeting, and who would you give up?
Mark Stone, I’m looking at you.
You ain’t getting squat from Lamoriello
In terms of information
Who would want J Skinner ?
. Likely have him for free this summer. Oil will use him as their own playoff depth unless they get a D for him- not moving .
Same with Donato could have had him for free on multiple occasions . Having a nice season…this year
The Isles owner should fire Lou instantly if there is any hint of a 7 year offer going to Nelson. He’s been a great player, but he’s 34 next year and already showing signs of inevitable age-related decline. Are they really going to give him a contract that goes to age 40?!!
Even signing him to a shorter, 2 year deal isn’t going to get this team over the hump based on how the roster is currently constructed (and paid).
Isles absolutely need to retool and Nelson is their best available chip to get it done.
Foleyd7 do you mean a full rebuild or just a retool? Do the Isles have quality assets in their cupboard or are they empty? It seems to me the Isles should do a scorch earth type of rebuild starting with the GM…after he clears the way.
I’m asking because depending on what they do will determine the returns on any trade if they do make any. The younger or bigger mystery box it is, the longer and more thorough the rebuild will be. The isles look like a team to watch.
I say retool because I think they are locked into some way too long (and untradeable) contracts that will prevent a full rebuild.
Barzal $9.1m through 2031
Horvat $8.5 through 2031
Anders Lee $8M through next year
Pageau $5M through next year
Engval $3.5M through 2028
Pulock $6.2M through 2030
Pelech $5.8M through 2029
Nelson $6M and Palmieri $5M expire this year and should be traded for picks or prospects.
Dobson is free agent after his year, so he’ll get a big bump.
They probably need to slowly retool these next 2 years after getting rid of Nelson, Palmieri this year and then Lee and Pageau after next year.
I don’t think Lou can retool. He’s in the mess by giving out these long term deals.
It is a shame Lou is still around. he is over the hill the team cannot win now. If they get lucky and make the playoffs they will be out fast. Too old to slow. So tired of it. Sell everyone if the deal makes sense. The fans should boycott the games let the owners see an empty arena. Fire Lou. Nelson, Palms, JGP, Lee all need to go.Dobson only if they bring back a young proven scoring wing who is under contract. Not giving him away like they did with Toews.
Speaking as an Oilers fan, be careful of what you wish for. You can get a decade of darkness if you get the wrong GM and wrong coach just like the Oilers.
Or a never ending rebuild like the Sabres
I can see a flurry of deals during the tournament and/or immediately thereafter considering the interesting races for playoff spots in both Conferences.
Based upon their points % achievements to date, and with 25 – 27 games left in the schedule, barring devastating injuries or some inexplicable deterioration in their performances, virtual locks to make the playoffs somewhere among the top 8 in the East, and without any apparent need to shore up at any position through trade, are Washington, Carolina and Florida, while in the West that would include Winnipeg, Dallas Edmonton and Vegas. That’s not to suggest they won’t be involved in deals, just that there appears to be no real need.
Toronto, Tampa and New Jersey are only marginally more vulnerable in the East due to shortcomings at certain positions, which is why I think all three will be active leading up to trade deadline day, while three similar situations exist out West with Minnesota, L.A. and Colorado.
The real dogfight in the East for the last 2 playoff spots will involve Detroit, Ottawa, Columbus, NYR, NYI and Boston, each of which could be very active at or near the deadline. In the West, where just one WC slot looks to be available, the only two teams with a reasonable chance of grabbing that are Vancouver and Calgary – and I expect to see significant trade activity involving both to that end.
The trading partners in most of the deals figure to involve the teams least likely to get into the playoffs which, in total, have 48 pending UFAs, some of whom could, of course, be intended re-signings – but most won’t and in a number of those cases, the teams won’t want to lose them for nothing: Montreal (5), Pittsburgh (5), Philadelphia (3), Buffalo (6), Utah (8), St. Louis (3), Anaheim (3), Seattle (3), Nashville (2), Chicago (4) and San Jose (6).
There are, as well, a number of pending UFAs among the teams in – or competing for – playoff spots, and as we draw closer to trade deadline day, those with the teams sure to make the playoffs likely won’t be dealt as in many of those cases, their status will be left until the off-season. That could, in a few instances, lead to the platyer leaving for nothing in return.
Among those fading from the scene by the trade deadline, their UFAs could – and likely will – enter the trade market.
Given the # of sellers – you have 11 teams, 48 players – I agree that teams with real needs will get in early to get the best selection.
There are few gems available and after the cream of what is available is gone, I expect things will cool down and remaining trades will both underwhelming and for late round picks.
By the by, did you enjoy George Appreciation Day yesterday? 😉
LOL … yeah, LJ, the support was greatly appreciated. I know when I post those long team lists and data that it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, as some understandably stated, but I only do so in the interest of generating back and forth suggestions on which teams – based on the way their seasons are progressing – one way or another – within the overall structure, could or should be actively involved in deals.
Among the UFAs among the seemingly non-playoff-bound teams I see being targets and likely gone through trade include
Montreal – right-shot C Jake Evans, RW Joel Armia and RD David Savard
Seattle – LW Brandon Tanev & left-shot C Yanni Gourde
Pittsburgh – left-shot C Anthony Beauvillier
Chicago – left-shot C Ryan Donato & LW Pat Maroon
Utah – right-shot C Nick Bjugstad & goalie Karel Vejmelka
Buffalo – LW Jason Zucker & RD Henri Jukiharju
San Jose – right-shot C Luke Kunin
As difficult as it would be to see this trade I realize how much my Bruins need a reboot. How about a trade such as Marchand and Carlo to the Leafs for domi Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten with the Bruins holding 50 % of Marchands salaty. I realize Leafs are giving up their future but it would definitly make them cup contenders it would be hard for me to cheer for the Leafs though .
Unless Toronto`s sending some salary back no chance the deal works and I seriously doubt Toronto would send both Minten and Cowan in a deal unless it`s for a young impact player that`s going to be a fixture for a few years
Peter, I don’t mind teams trading away their best prospects but if they do, it should be for players of what you expect that prospect will eventually become or fill a need that prospect won’t currently help. If you trade with that mentality, you’re basically trading away their cheap cost-controlled years for a player who best fits into your team now while their competitive window is wide open.
Personally, I like my team keep all their can’t miss prospects which I feel Minten will be (a good 3rd line center or at best – but a long shot, 2nd line center). Cowan has a lot of hype around him so I don’t buy into much of what’s said of young unproven players until you see them play against NHLers so I can’t rate him high at this time…aka nice looking mystery box.
The Leafs like many other teams are shallow (thumbs up to expansion) in areas and can use upgrades. If the Leafs move one of those assets, it should be for a guy who will bump a current player either off the team or bumped down in the line up. I don’t think they should get a 3rd line player but rather a tweener 2nd line player or middle pairing D. Anything else will be equal to shuffling the deck chairs hoping a sideways safe move will work out. We’ve all seen it before…it won’t.
Agree. That would be short-term gain for long-term pain. with absolutely no guarantee that it would result in the ultimate goal.
Ya winning the cup is a maybe George et al, but so are Minten and Cowen.
Carlo is 28, has this year and the next 2. Big RD who can skate, defend, kill penalties and has a bunch of playoff experience. He would be your 2nd pair RD, maybe even the Leafs top pair. You could argue Tanev is better, but also way older so will he continue to be?
Neither Minten or Cowan gets you Carlo, so that would mean Marchand is coming on the cheap.
IMO Sweeney doesn’t make that deal. And Yogi’s right the cap $ don’t work anyway.
So who are the Leafs gonna trade to make an impact? They don’t have their 2025 1st. Or just depth guys, like bottom 6 fwds and 3rd pair D?
Depends how Tre feels about their chances I guess.
Ray Carlo isn`t what Toronto needs. He may be a RHD but he`s not very mobile and useless on the PP. The big difference between Tanev and Carlo, Tanev makes goalies look good, whereas goalies make Carlo look decent. Carlo`s present contract tells you how much Boston values him
Not sure how you can tell who makes a goalie look better Yogi? But OK.
B’s tenders have has some really good #’s over the years Carlo has been there, so could make the same argument about Carlo. He also gets the shutdown assignments and has for years. So think you may be wrong about that point.
Regarding their cap hit, Tanev a UFA when signed, Carlo an RFA with 2 years to UFA.
Carlo signed in the flat cap era, Tanev signed coming out of it.
Also, Carlo can skate for a big guy, and would suggest is more mobile than Tanev.
Tanev probably plays tougher though. Neither brings offense.
Do we agree that the Leafs need a RD and you think PP/puck mover guy, and I am on the defend first guy?
Doesn’t matter, the B’s have no reason to trade Carlo unless they are thinking rebuild, which would be a big surprise to me and most B’s fans. It’s not what they do, unless is is super obvious. It isn’t, not yet anyway.
It`s called blocking shots Ray, I didn`t think I`d have to elaborate considering that`s what Tanev is noted for and leads the league in. Tanev is way more mobile than Carlo. While neither player is noted for his offence and Toronto`s need is a mobile RHD that can play on the the PP play. If I was going to trade a 1st or a Cowan/Minten prospect, I`d be aiming a lot higher than Carlo. Ullmark/Swayman has made Carlo look a lot better than he is
With all due respect, Yogi, you are pretty far away from the truth. I dont have time to explain right now, but every single gm in the league would tale Carlo over Tanev…….and I’m a big Tanev fan. Carlo is a much better skater than Tanev, and it isn’t even remotely close.
Tanev eats more shots, but that’s about the only place he’s superior to Carlo.
No Black and Gold glasses here. Just spittin facts.
P.S
Mittin = Kyle Chipchura.
Cowan = Mike Bunting
Jared McCann and Jamie Oleksiak for Colby Barlow, Logan Stanley, Ville Heinola and a third round pick.
Yogi
I agree with your statement about Cowan and Minten not going anywhere for a rental.
From a Leafs perspective, and McCann apparently available, is Cowan and a 2nd enough to get that done? Can the Leafs expand that deal to get Larsson too? Send Domi and Reaves the other way to make the money work.
The Leafs must take a risk with a big swing instead of tinkering.
Daryl if Seattle`s retooling they won`t take Domi and Reaves back in a trade. They just resigned Larsson to a 4 year extension, so it`s unlikely he`s going anywhere soon. McCann`s age and contract kinda says Seattle sees him as a declining asset, so I`d rather see Toronto throw a 1st rd pick than Cowan and a 2nd for him. You also have to remember McCann hasn`t played a lot of centre in Seattle and he`s left handed which hurts his value for Toronto. Toronto`s top 2 needs RHC and a RHD
Boston should trade Marchand with the assumption that teams that have a legitimate chance to win will react,or be afraid that someone else will!Fla. Toronto,Tampa Bay,Wash.,Carolina,NJ,Winnepeg,Dallas,Colorado,Edmonton,Vegas all seem to be the front runners! Once one of those teams jump,it could be a free for all!Don t sleep on all the UFA S that Gerorge O mentioned!
I like the Jared McCann – Jamie Oleksiak proposition
I think Leafs can offer a more intriguing pkg
My number “1” wish would be Dylan Cozens , whom hasn’t arrived to achieving his full potential …
Leafs need to make the right move to overcome Washington or Florida , or wait until the off season and dust the closet
I think a good fit for Winnipeg would be Carlo and Fredrick Cole perfetti and a 1st if they can sign Fredrick. If not it becomes a 2nd.
Jeff I am almost positive that Winnepeg like with several other players is on his NTC!Carlo that is ! Frederic has no protection!
True but with being a contender you don’t think he would consider Winnipeg? All the core pieces are signed long term so should be contender for the next several years
Marchand doesn’t bring anybody the cup, Toronto, Tampa Bay, Washington, Carolina, NJ, Winnipeg, Dallas, Colorado, Edmonton, Vegas all have plenty of firepower and don’t need a guy who’s pat his best before date.
The usual add ons are shutdown guys with SC backgrounds who understand the sacrifice.
I read somewhere that Marchand is a pretty decent penalty killer. If i remember correctly, he’s even scored whilst shorthanded.
That might be worth as much as idk, Savard or Matheson gets in return?
Marchant is worth more than Savard, or Evans or Armia for that matter. Not Matheson, as he has one more year left on his contract and is still an elite skater.
I’d take Marchand over three of those guys combined.
You’re right about Matheson though, LJ.
His value is high.
Habfan30,yea like guys like Kane and Tarasenko!
I don’t see where I mentioned Savard, Evans or Matheson in relation to Marchand.
I said Marchand was past his prime and the offense he brings isn’t needed on already stacked scoring teams.
I reiterate that help on the back end and depth is looked for on cup contending teams.
As for guys like Kane and Tarasenko, they sure brought a lot to the table, you make my case.
Marchand is a career Bruin, loved in Boston, hated most everywhere else, and should end his career there.
@8787
I hope you are doing well and I’m looking forward to the 4 nations playoffs series starting today.
The Penguins aren’t done making moves and I know they will move Grzelyck but I hope they don’t The the last 2 months after a bad start he has been a top 4 defenseman. He is the reason the Penguins power play has climbed to 6th best in the league when last year it was at the bottom. He is running the 1st unit not Letang or Karlsson.
Plus Dubas has stock piled 29 draft picks in the next three years most in the nhl…and 15 of them are in the top 3 rounds…so well done.
The Penguins continue to get younger.
They have stock piled draft picks
They will have $29 million this off season to spend and the Cap is up to $95 million.
They have a solid group in Wilkes Barrie the Baby Penguins……Tanner Howe 18 juniors national team, Ville Koivunen up to 15 goals, Rutger McGroarty has beefed up and is starting to score in the AHL, Tristan Broz has been terrific, Owen Pickering has already been up and the goalie Musharev has been excellent and is the best goalie in the system.
They can quickly retool ala the Washington Capitals….
Except their core is nowhere near as solid as Washington’s at the end of last season – from goaltending out through the D and down the middle. That does make a difference.
And I wouldn’t think too many top-level UFAs will look at Pittsburgh’s situation as a quick route to success, especially those wanting to be on a contender.
George.
I will take Crosby Malkin Letang
Over Ovechkin Wilson Karlsson
Where washington is better bottom six forwards defense overall defense goaltending.
Pittsburgh will address this in the off season
Capitals retooled they were awful last year pittsburgh can retool too
Canada. Mckinnon Crosby McKinnon. Wow