NHL Rumor Mill – February 27, 2025
Could the Kings trade Quinton Byfield? Is Brayden Schenn a fit with the Maple Leafs? What’s the latest on the Islanders and Flyers? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
IS BYFIELD A TRADE CANDIDATE?
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos included Quinton Byfield in his updated trade board. He thinks the 22-year-old forward could be in play if the Los Angeles Kings hope to âchange their look for an opening round playoff.â
Kypreos suggested trading Byfield to a seller would be necessary to obtain the type of return the Kings need to counter the Vegas Golden Knights and Edmonton Oilers in the postseason. The young center had 20 goals and 55 points in 2023-24, but his stats are down this season.
Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (NHL Images).
He claimed the Kings organization is wondering how high Byfield’s ceiling is and whether they should focus on the present by flipping Byfield for a more seasoned roster upgrade. There are rumblings that the Kings and Buffalo Sabres âhave held talks and both sides might be interested in a package that includes top assets coming from Buffalo.â
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byfield’s stats are down this season, but so are Anze Kopitar’s, Adrian Kempe’s and Kevin Fiala’s. That could be attributable to the Kings’ overall style of play this season. The absence of puck-moving defenseman Drew Doughty for most of the season could be another factor.
Trading Byfield would be a bold move by the Kings but it could blow up in their face if he achieves stardom elsewhere. As for those top assets from Buffalo, I don’t see a suitable seasoned roster upgrade coming to the Kings in that deal.
It’ll be interesting to see what the reaction will be to this speculation of Byfield as a trade candidate, especially from those who cover the Kings. I’m hoping to hear back from one of them shortly. Stay tuned…
**UPDATE***
I received the following response from John Hoven of the influential LA Kings blog Mayor’s Manor: “There are three people that are not being traded… Byfield, (Brandt) Clarke, Laffy (Alex Laferriere). That’s from the best sources I have…LA certainly can’t control outside teams calling and asking about players. However, that does not mean a player is available. As you know, two totally different things. The Kings have zero interest in trading the three I mentioned. They view them as three of the core they’re building around.”
COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS LAND BRAYDEN SCHENN?
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Joshua Kloke took note of recent speculation linking St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn to the Toronto Maple Leafs. They noted a recent report claiming the 33-year-old center was considered the Leafs’ primary target.
This could be a situation where teams are inquiring into Schenn’s availability rather than Blues general manager Doug Armstrong shopping his captain. Nevertheless, they feel that Armstrong has to be listening, suggesting the possibility of removing the remaining three years of Schenn’s contract from the Blues’ books while acquiring a valuable asset.
Schenn played for Leafs head coach Craig Berube during the latter’s tenure as the Blues’ bench boss. He would fit in well centering their third line, though Berube could shuffle him up to the second line.
The Leafs’ 2026 first-rounder would have to be the centerpiece of the return. One of their goalie prospects could also be included. A forward prospect like Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan might have to be included if the Leafs expect the Blues to retain part of Schenn’s $6.5 million average annual value.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This assumes that Schenn would waive his no-trade clause to go to Toronto. He told the media last week that management hasn’t approached him about waiving his clause. That could happen leading up to the March 7 trade deadline if the Blues get a suitable trade offer.
Toronto probably isn’t the only contender interested in Schenn. A bidding war could drive up the asking price and put him out of reach for the Leafs. The Blues also aren’t in a rush to move Schenn because he’s signed through 2027-28. If they don’t receive any suitable offers by the deadline, they can wait and try again in the offseason.
It might be better for the Blues to wait until the summer. Schenn’s full no-trade clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1. Teams that lose out on landing the best available centers in this summer’s free-agent market could set their sights on the Blues captain.
TIME FOR THE ISLANDERS TO SELL
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple is waving the white flag on the New York Islanders’ season following their 5-1 loss to the New York Rangers. They’re seven points out of a playoff spot and four points from the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.
Staple believes Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will stretch his trade deadline decisions as long as he can, possibly up to March 7. He’s skeptical that pending free agent Brock Nelson intends to re-sign before then, suggesting Lamoriello should field trade offers up to March 7 and trade him then or field offers over the next several days, take the best one and set the market for the final deadline stretch.
Other moves could include peddling UFA-eligible winger Kyle Palmieri and center Jean-Gabriel Pageau, who has a year left on his contract. Staple also doesn’t rule out moving captain Anders Lee and one of their over-30 defensemen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There can be no more delaying the inevitable. The Islanders’ rebuild must start now. Nelson, Palmieri and Pageau should fetch solid returns for the future at the trade deadline. They can peddle the other older veterans with term remaining on their contracts during the offseason.
ARE MORE MOVES IN STORE FOR THE FLYERS?
NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Jordan Hall reports Flyers head coach John Tortorella admits there could be trade deadline casualties as part of his club’s rebuilding process. âWe have to get better,â said Tortorella. âAnd when you try to get better, there’s going to be some casualties.â
Hall noted that defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and forward Scott Laughton have frequently surfaced in the rumor mill. Teams covet Ristolainen because he’s a big, physical, right-shot defenseman. However, Flyers GM Daniel Briere has said he’s not in a rush to move him because he still has term on his contract. Hall believes the Flyers have set a high asking price.
Laughton has been the subject of trade chatter for some time. He said he’s going to continue going about his business. âIf they make a move, they make a move,â he said.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports it appears Ristolainen could remain with the Flyers past the March 7 trade deadline. He cited a team source saying they haven’t received many calls about him. That could change quickly if interested clubs miss out on other trade targets, but for now, it seems less likely that Ristolainen will be dealt.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers have set a high asking price for Ristolainen and Laughton. The big defenseman’s contract could be an issue, carrying an AAV of $5.1 million through 2026-27. Interested parties could want Briere to retain part of that cap hit, which he seems unwilling to do.
Laughton has a more affordable $3 million AAV but his leadership and experience have been invaluable for the rebuilding Flyers. It sounds like he won’t be moved unless someone is willing to overpay for his services.
Yogi, yes, yesterday’s post about the Stars acquiring both Karlsson and Jones for a bag of pucks was complete SARCASM…
Leafs fans always think they are going to get every single player that is available and only have to give up Nick Robertson and a 6th rounder to get Miko Ranntanen
The annual LeafsNet everybody to the Leafs deadline hype in a desperate attempt to draw viewers to a full deadline day of Freidmans I think, I feel, Im hearing drivel.
Nice one, Ron; believe me, Leaf fans get sick and tired of the same stuff.
However, if Tanev is injured long term, the need for a solid right shot defence man goes way, way up.
Starsfan Don t waste your money and years on Jones! Target Boston s Brandon Carlo at 4.1 for 2 more years!
Starsfan you`re full of it. There`s only a couple of Leafs fans that comment here and I`ve yet to see any of them make stupid trade posts. Every person on this site is bias towards their team, which is only natural, you included. The dumbest trade suggestions seem to come from non Leaf fans. Strange nobody seems to comment on the one`s that actually do appear and there`s been some doozies. Non Leaf fans bring up the Leafs 100 times more often than the actual leaf fans so if you`re sick and tired of hearing about the Leafs all I can say is shut up and quit talking about them then
Starsfan you so right just like fans of other teams know best for the Leafs or are quick to point out how all Leafs fans think.
đ¤
Everyone except Lou knows the team cannot contend as is. The owners should remove him or tell him to get the garage sale going.If by a miracle they make the playoffs they would be out in 5 games in round one. Everyone should be available if the price is right. If no changes come the owners should sell and the fans should boycott the games. Enough already.
Pete, Lyle, youâre both spot on. Many of the Isles core players are aging and change is needed. The rebuild must start now as their chances of making the playoffs are 5% at best. Even if they sign Nelson and Palmieri it wonât change anything.
And they must rebuild with a younger GM. Louâs been a solid GM throughout his career and he did a great job of lifting the team after losing Tavares but his time is past. A true rebuild will not start until a younger GM takes over.
The asking price for Braden Schenn is ludicrous
Include Parayko and Leafs will include a sweetener
Regarding Schenn–we’ll find out
Regarding Parayko–THAT is ludicrous
IP
IP, yep.
If Leaf fans think the rumored return for Schenn is expensive (I do too BTW), they will have serious sticker shock on Parayko.
He would fit the Oilers like a glove and is from St Albert (where I live) just outside Edmonton. Just not sure the Oil have what the Blues want in return, Armstrong took those assets already during the off season for sweet FA.
Here is a risky and crazy one for ya, Parayko + Neighbors for Bouchard. IMO the Oilers get better short term, long term risky as f….
@Ray; Boosh bomb for Parayko + Neighbors
Avoiding Bouchard’s new contract would probably be a good thing for the Oiler’s future and the McDavid new contract.đ
Ray I doubt the Blues and Oil will make any deals in the near future. Itâs a symptom of the offer sheet, but times it by two! LOL. đ
As for the sticker price on desired players, people need to remember the window is open now for this team to go for it and win the cup. All their stars are in their primes now. A guy like Cowan most likely wonât help them win it now or maybe even 4 years from now. No matter the value a fan places on a prospect it takes time to get to their potential, if they ever get there, but also where would theyâd fit in the current roster to be effectively used and be able to move the teamâs needle. After all, that is why your contemplating a trade in the first place: to improve your teamâs chances of winning the cup while your teamâs window currently wide open with your best players in their prime.
First step in the NYI rebuild: a GM not named Lou.
If parayko and neibors is on the table for Bouchard bowman would be an idiot not to jump all over that.
Uncle Bob, I pulled that out of my arse. No idea, and ya Armstrong may struggle with that one. But he is supposedly looking to change his core. Probably doesn’t apply to Parayko though.
Bouchard is a young and very attractive piece, just a frustrating one for Oiler fans this year. Was an absolute star in the playoffs last year and down the stretch.
This year looks like he is going through the motions too often. Whole team looks like that for the last 4 games and most of Feb.
Never gonna happen, Bowman has taken heat over the the Broberg and Holloway offer sheet loss to St Louis. If he lost a trade to Armstrong after that debacle with Bouchard Oiler fans would run him out of town.
Like I said risky as F…. for both teams.
Lamariello hasnât been a good GM since his Hall of Fame goalie retired.
Ray Bark
Agreed 100%
I would never Trade Evan Bouchard for Colton Parayko evern if he is a Local boy from St albert….âď¸
I would trade for him but not with 25 yr old Bouch.. way to much up side there.
Daryl
Lou Lamariello needs to Retirer before the NHL 2025 Draft…., his curent team are a bunch of Old Guys Again at 25th … with a bunch of Mediocor old player that are going No Wear….The Re-build can start any time…..
The Oilers need to go after 26 yr old
Noah Dobson The RD/man with picks and a couple of players so they can fix this
for the next 7-8 years as there is No Chance of winning a stanley cup in NYI….â
@Ray I mentioned a very similar deal for St. Louis a few days ago. I love CP however the guy seems to really want to play in Edmonton before his career is over. Watching him play in the 4 Nations, he was playing at a level I haven’t seen from him since the cup run in 2019. It was very apparent that he and McDavid have some sort of connection on and off the ice. Been a Blues fan all my life but always have followed the Oilers as well. Would love to see Edmonton win it this season.
…and a coach not named Patrick. He’s a junior A coach with a famous name. Go away.
Highmore and a 2nd round pick to NYI for J.G Pageau. Sens need experienced help. He has one more year on a wonky deal. But he’s shockingly a plus player on a bad team. And he’s well liked in SensLand.
Also. Lyle. How dare you actually site reputable sources on legit NHL trade info. Completely undermines your site as being a reputable place for people to throw poop at walls at and hope it sticks. (like every other trade rumor site) Yes Massive sarcasm implied.
where’s the cap room to sign Pageau. Sens are right up against the cap, so much so that they’ve been dressing 7 D the last few games. As much as I would love the Sens to make a move, they are pretty constrained by their lack of cap space. Maybe if they could get a taker for Forsberg that might help, but as it stands, I think they’ll probably roll with the guys they have for the remainder of the year.
As a Habs fan, I admittedly look through most rumours with a Habs-centric lens, but if (BIG if) Byfield is actually available, I could see a deal between the Habs and Kings:
Montreal has lots of strong veteran presence to trade that would be great in the playoffs – Savard, Evans, Armia – and a surplus of prospects & picks they could throw in to help offset the loss of Byfield’s upside.
Kings get more playoff ready, Habs upgrade their forward core.
(All that said, I don’t see Byfield getting traded)
I think a lot of teams would be all over Byfield Paddy. I wish my B’s had what they wanted.
Definitely have the playoff battle tested vets to offer, but not the young upside MTL does.
The way it looks to me is LA needs scoring, B’s don’t have enough of that either. Not sure MTL does.
Fair point, Ray! If what the Kings want is more scoring, that’s exactly what we don’t have, unfortunately.
And you’re right – LOTS of team would be in on Byfield. For a team wanting futures, we are looking great (excellent prospects, lots of picks) but for teams who want scoring depth, we can’t help that much!
And I don’t see Byfield for Montreals left overs they will have to dish out more than over the hill and less than average players…same story all over again for Haabs and Leafs fans….elite player going their way for nothing…just wish even dreamers getting real
Don you may have not noticed that Byfield is hardly an elite player, Yet. He may become one down the road, but not elite yet. He logged a lot of minutes last night, but that doesn`t make one elite, posting superior numbers does and that he has yet to do. He`s young, he`s good, he`s big and still has lots of potential. Since you have no clue if LA is trading Byfield and no clue what LA would be looking for if they were to make him available. Paddy`s offer of veterans, picks and prospects is reasonable to me, what else can he offer, considering that`s all any team can offer. Keep in mind Byfield will not get you another teams star, not right now and probably never. I have yet to see any Leaf fans even mention Byfield`s name yet
High five, Yogi! Appreciate the backup and reasonable discourse.
Not that you necessarily agree or disagree with my offer, but that it at least seemed pretty reasonable to me (decent veterans on decent contracts + futures, as opposed to castoffs on bad contracts)
Buying you a virtual beer, wherever you are!
I would bet $100 LA doesn’t trade Byfield for a pending UFA that isn’t a star like Rantenan.
Maybe they do it for what Paddy suggests as he includes “prospects and picks”. Best be at least one excellent one.
Byfield is already a very effective player at 22. And he is a very large man who can skate, hits with purpose and brings decent offence. Seems to be back at C most nights too since they traded PLD. Takes a lot more draws anyway.
He’s putting up good points for a young big man, they take longer. On a good contract, that could turn into a great contract. Likely never going to be a top 10 or 20 scorer, but a very good player is very likely IMO. LA doesn’t score much, if he had offensive talent on the wing, I think his point total would go up considerably.
I think the return for Byfield would be significant or they don’t move him. They need scoring and are strong down the middle.
I agree with Don that there’s no way LA would trade their best up and coming center for spare parts. I guess if they start with first rounder, but Byfield was 2nd overall….so they’re going to have to add some quality to even get the conversation started.
If the acquisition cost for Braden Schenn is as high as rumoured, the Leafs should pass.
Several reasons include; his age, cap hit, left handed.
How about a trade for a duo like Evans and Armia from MTL ?
Kunin from SJ
Bjugstad from UTA
Please try to unload Domi. How about Domi + a 1st and 2nd to PHI for Laughton and Cates?
Dream on. Cates is not going anywhere.
As per trading with St.Louis ..
The more I look at it , itâs not going to in the buyers favour in anyway , shape or form, dealing with Armstrong .
Hopefully the Leafs find another trading partner ⌠I.e. Seattle, Montreal ? Buffalo would be my WISH – Tuch or Cozens
Matthews over all health is CONCERNING ?
Broadcasters are blaming it on fatigue ???
Matthews has been playing with some kind of strain for most of the season and likely wonât be rectified , until the off season , HOPEFULLY, a Solution
Ken wish all you want. The Sabres are not trading Tuch or Cozens for a bag of pucks especially from the Leafs.
Hi Gary
Maybe Leafs would have to relinquish a player off their starting roster , Nick Robertson plus future superstars – Cowan and Hildeby
Bet U R licking your chops now !!!
Hi Gary
Maybe Leafs would have to relinquish a player off their starting roster , Nick Robertson plus future superstars – Cowan and Hildeby
Bet U R licking your chops now !!!
Plus there is a very loyal following in the Buffalo area , as per Leaf fans – All would be much appreciated !
Toronto is a poor trading partner for the St. Louis. Toronto has nothing outside of Cowan maybe Danford, that is very attractive other then their 1st in 2026. IMO moving Schenn to Vancouver, FL, NJ, or Washington makes more sense for the Blues. Those organizations have actual prospects that are going to make an impact in the NHL at some point.
I am dead against unloading 1st round draft picks , especially the 2026 draft year which is very deep with immense take talent .
The draft is a passion of mine , my favourite time of year
Prime example âŚ
This used to be Sam Pollocks recipe for success , trading players later in years for 1st round draft picks !!!
From 1969 – 1974 – Canadians had 18 picks in the 1st round
Shutt , Gainey , Lafleur to name a few – not bad hockey players !!!!
Of course , Lafleur was drafted 1st over all , Marcel Dionne going second
Dubas traded a first for Karlsson , that 1st is a London Knight defenseman – Sam Dickinson – that trade is going to haunt the Penguins for years to come , as Dickinson should turn out to be a top pairing defence man
“should…”
Should and will are two different things.
It would be a mistake to trade Byfield, they will need him when Kopitar retires
Cozens for Byfield straight up?
Fpr te Habs to be in on Byfieldm UFSs and prospects won’t o it?
Would you trade Slafkovsky for UFAs nd prospects?
Not a chance.
Slafkovsky for Byfield is something to think about thpugh.
Geez how many typos can I make in one post???
edited.
For the Habs to be in on Byfield, UFAs and prospects wonât do it.
Would you trade Slafkovsky for UFAs and prospects?
Not a chance.
Slafkovsky for Byfield is something to think about though.
If I was GM of Toronto, I would NOT be realistically asking about the STL Schenn. The asking price for the Blues 33 year old captain does not match up with his stats, nor his salary.
Luke Schenn is a possible, but it will be entirely up to Luke. I think the Leafs could offer up a fair price for both teams.
More likely, I think Treliving looks to a name off the board.
Maybe it is San Jose for Toffoli or Kunin and a dman. I think the Leafs have the system depth to offer up fair prices for these kind of guys.
Charlie Coyle could be a good option too, though I doubt Boston offers him to Toronto for a fair price.
Laughton talk made sense 3 years ago, but in 2025? I it being a mistake to offer up a first for a bottom 6 guy.
doktordave
Great post!
I think the Leafs should target a player in the same age range as Matthews and Nylander. Evans would be a great idea.
If theyâre giving up their limited A prospects, they need to get a premium return. Braden Schenn hasnât won his minutes in years.
Like Schenn might be a better target but at what costâŚ
Good post Dave