NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2025
Check out the latest on Blues captain Brayden Schenn, Flyers forward Scott Laughton, and Bruins forward Morgan Geekie in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford weighed in on the trade speculation surrounding St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn.
Rutherford believes the well-respected Schenn would be the Blues player drawing the most attention in the trade market. The 33-year-old center has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but that might not hurt his value given the projected rise in the salary cap over the next three seasons.
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).
Blues general manager Doug Armstrong plays things close to the vest. However, TSN’s Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger have reported he’s sent out feelers to gauge Schenn’s trade value. He has a full no-trade clause for this season but it becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1, prompting Rutherford to wonder if he’d waive it to join a contender.
Rutherford thinks the Blues would trade Schenn if they can get a first-round pick and move the remainder of his contract. However, he doesn’t think they’d move him just for the sake of doing so. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team he’s heard of thus far that could be interested in Schenn.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports Schenn said he hasn’t been approached by Blues management about waiving his no-trade clause nor is there any indication that they will.
The Blues captain admitted being surprised to hear his name is in the rumor mill. He maintained he loves living and playing in St. Louis.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong might be willing to consider offers for Schenn but it could take a significant offer to tempt him. He’s under no pressure to move his captain by the trade deadline because he’s under contract beyond this season.
If Armstrong doesn’t get any suitable offers for Schenn by March 7 he can wait until the offseason, especially with the veteran center’s no-trade protection being reduced to 15 teams on July 1. By that point, there could be more willingness from teams that miss out on the best free-agent talent to meet Armstrong’s asking price.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere wasn’t lying when he said he’s not shopping Scott Laughton. He’s set a high asking price for the 30-year-old forward because he remains more important to them than to any team that acquires him.
Kurz thinks Briere might consider moving Laughton if a team like the Maple Leafs offered its 2026 first-round pick and a decent prospect. He singled out the Leafs as the only club that makes sense as a trade destination for the Toronto-area native. Kurz also doesn’t see them moving Laughton to another city without his approval because they want to do right by their players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton lacks no-trade protection but the Flyers could leave the trade destinations to him. His $3 million AAV through next season makes him a more affordable target for the Leafs than Schenn. Whether they would pay the Flyers’ asking price is another matter.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins are still trying to figure out what to do with Morgan Geekie. The 26-year-old forward is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights. He’s in the final season of a two-year contract with an AAV of $2 million.
Murphy cited a source claiming there’s growing interest in Geekie from playoff contenders and clubs not likely to qualify for the postseason. He’s young enough to interest rebuilding or retooling teams. Geekie’s value has risen since being placed on a line with superstar David Pastrnak and center Pavel Zacha.
The Bruins would like to re-sign Geekie but he could price himself out of their market depending on their offseason plans.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Geekie’s matched his career-best for goals (17) and is only 10 points away from breaking his career-high 39 points set last season.
Looks like the asking price for just about anyone on March 7th is going to be a first round pick. Blues should be looking to move a forward, who isn’t worth his salary for the next three seasons.
My previous comment on wondering why Alex Steeves hasn’t been called up has now come to life ..
The hockey gods or the great gazzoo have read my post on here previously and found it legitimate
I still believe the answers are here with in the system or an alternative to explore another teams AHL prospects for now ?
I also feel Jake Evan’s, from the Canadians might be a nice addition
BUT , surrending a 2026 1st a decent prospect for Scott Laughton , I find mind boggling
Reminds me of Kyle Dubas de je vu all over again …
Auston Matthews’s isn’t 100% by any means , that IMO has to be rectified 1st before this “ All in Now” that is buzzing across social media …
Than again, if Woll and Stolarz can stay healthy , they can 4 sure steal “wins” for them ..
I am just stressing caution … Nobody knows what Treliving is up to… Maybe he has a game changer in the works ?!?!?
2ND thought, topic of Alex Steeves being called up
I.e. Maybe Buffalo is intrigued with this player , Leafs are showcasing him , as per a part of a potential trade ..:
The only kind of player the Sabres want is a player with high character that can infuse some confidence in this young team. Schenn fits that bill, if he would go to BUF.
Avalanche could use Schenn as second line center.
Yeah Casey hasn’t worked out
We’re more than willing to start with a 1st and plenty more for Geekie
Just let us know the asking price
We’ll see what we can do
Wow and you complain about Dubas being a bad GM
8787,Which Geekie,Morgan or Connor?
Neither are worth a first, let alone adding.
Morgan
And definitely worth a 1st plus
This season 52 games played, 28 points, plus 2, 26 (almost 27) years old. 6′ 3″ 208 center. The only good, but not 1st round pick “plus” worthy. items in there are the age and position. The rest of it is pedestrian.
Well if your willing to take just a 1st for him; we’ll do that immediately.
82 game pace of 26 goals is nothing to be sneezed at.
Size and Center that has and can play wing; still mid 20’s!
Compare him to sloth foot soon to be 33 year old ; 100’ player Hayes and it’s night and day
We’ll give you Hayes AND a 1st for Geekie
We have to get younger, faster, better
Hayes out, Geekie in, substantially improves team. Well worth a 1st (and more, but if you insist, just a 1st)
Oh, guess who else has equal production this year. Go ahead guess…
Your favorite Pens defenseman, and the crappy carnival prize (as you see it) in the Guentzel trade: Michael Bunting.
So we have first plus production for one, and equal yet kick ’em off the island production from the other two.
Take Grzylycyck , Hayes, and 1st for Geekie
That’s a huge upswing for us
I’ve never referred to (nor will ever refer to) Bunting as a crappy carnival prize.
My statements regarding that trade was that Dubas got far less than all in media had prognosticated(that being 1st (didn’t get); A level prospect (TBD); and good young NHL player (Bunting more a “fair” NHLer and a little older than media anticipated deal) ) end deal
Where can we sign on the Hayes + Grzylcyck + 1st for Geekie deal?
You need to stick to NHL 2K7 Be a GM Mode.
If Geekie is looking to double his salary bruins should sell while value is high
Agree MB4 and Yogi.
He has value to the Bruins as we lack offense, and he has some skill and can finish better than many of our forward group. Seems streaky.
But ya, he ain’t all that IMO. I also get why he would want to take advantage of a couple good seasons and not settle, it’s not like he has been playing on a big $ deal for 7 years.
We start at a 1st
What else do you need?
We’ll counter-offer if your offer is too high
My thoughts on the Leafs and their pursuit of a 3C. The Centres in Toronto’s top 6 organizationally are ALL left handed.
Laughton is a good player. Is he worth a 1st and a prospect? I don’t think so. Also, he’s left handed.
Schenn is also a good player. Also left handed. He has a $6.5M cap hit. Unless they’re sending back Domi and Kampf, I can’t see how Schenn fits under the cap and allows them to add anywhere else.
Players rumoured to be available that play C, and shoot Right include:
Evans from MTL
Bjugstad from UTA
Kunin from SJ
Not sure any of those players are getting a 1st round pick but they are useful 3rd line players.
There are two players that are rumoured to be available that will help the Leafs now and in the future. Dobson and Pageau
Could the Leafs get the NYI interested with a package centred around their 2026 1st pick, Cowan and a RHD like Niemela?
NO
Detroit could offer JT Compher at 50 % retained.
Doubt very much Yzerman would retain for 3 more years and the return still wouldn`t be much. Still not a bad option if the term wasn`t 3 more years
Compher at 50% for Robinson
Daryl why trade for a 3rd line center? Why not get a 2nd line center instead? That way the push JT to play 3rd line instead and use him in the top six to mix things up.
The team needs to go big or go home.
Ron Moore
I actually think they have a 2C already, maybe two in Marner or Nylander.
Both those two played C growing up.
I don’t know if there are many 2C options available for trade that the Leafs could fit under the cap