NHL Rumor Mill – March 19, 2025
Check out the potential offseason plans for the Canadiens and Oilers in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.
CANADIENS COULD FAVOR THE SUMMER TRADE MARKET OVER FREE AGENCY
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he was “testing the waters” for someone to play with Patrik Laine and Alex Newhook before the recent NHL trade deadline. However, there wasn’t a path to accomplish that objective.
The Canadiens intend to pursue a top-six forward in the offseason. Hughes doesn’t intend to overpay for a free agent on a long-term contract that could prove regrettable. However, he indicated he’s probably closer to overpaying in terms of what he’s willing to give up in assets to acquire one in the trade market.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (NHL.com).
Hughes doesn’t want to risk missing a window of opportunity with Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki becoming an elite two-way center. Suzuki, 25, is entering his prime with five years left on his contract at an average annual value of $7.875 million. Sniper Cole Caufield (24) has six years left at just under Suzuki’s AAV, while Juraj Slafkovsky (20) will make marginally less than both over the next eight years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens need a reliable second-line center. Addressing that need is Hughes’ priority. He doesn’t want to waste the best seasons of Suzuki’s career.
TVA SPORTS: suggested the Canadiens have considerable trade capital. That includes two first-round picks in this year’s draft, two second-rounders, and plenty of prospects, including Logan Mailloux and Michael Hage. They also have plenty of salary-cap space.
It’s expected Hughes will attempt to acquire a second-line center this summer. Dallas Stars center Matt Duchene is UFA-eligible this summer but he won’t be among the options as sources indicate he has other priorities.
Marc de Foy believes Hughes’ comments about avoiding overpaying free agents means they won’t be going after someone like John Tavares if the Toronto Maple Leafs center hits the open market on July 1.
Hughes is right to be cautious in this year’s UFA market. Duchene and Colorado Avalanche center Brock Nelson are in their mid-thirties. Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett is 29 but his daredevil style makes him physically vulnerable. Ryan Donato is having a career year with the Chicago Blackhawks (23 goals, 28 assists) but has never been that productive in his previous NHL seasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staying away from this year’s UFA market is probably a wise decision. They could find better options in the trade market. Hughes has a pretty good trade record thus far and has plenty of tempting assets to use as bait, especially if he targets a rebuilding team or a cap-strapped club attempting to shed salary.
The Canadiens have over $11 million of projected cap space next season with 17 roster players under contract. He can place Carey Price and his $10.5 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve to give himself more space if he lands a high-salaried player.
Hughes must re-sign or replace pending UFAs Joel Armia, David Savard and Christian Dvorak, and re-sign restricted free agents like goaltender Jakub Dobes, defenseman Jayden Struble, and winger Emil Heineman. He could get bold and consider the offer-sheet route.
OILERS COULD GO GOALIE-HUNTING THIS SUMMER
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer saying he knows for a fact that the Oilers intend to address their goaltending in the offseason.
He believes they intend to bring in a “1B goalie” this summer to challenge Calvin Pickard for that role.
Stauffer added that he doesn’t want to see starter Stuart Skinner get driven out of town, only to see him recalibrate and go on to shine elsewhere like Devan Dubnyk with the Minnesota Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Several notable netminders could be available in this summer’s UFA market.
They include Frederik Andersen, Vitek Vanecek, Jake Allen, Alexandar Georgiev, Dan Vladar, David Rittich, Ilya Samsonov, and Alex Lyon.
Some, like Andersen, have injury issues. Some, like Samsonov, Georgiev, Vanecek and Samsonov, are inconsistent. Allen could be the best option given his solid play with the Devils this season.
Exciting to see Les Habs in a playoff spot , 2 games. In hand on the Rangers as well
Luv them or not , make playoff hockey exciting , especially when they are legitimate contenders
Danny Gallivan is missed , Best ever play by play guy and of course
Foster Hewitt !!!
Seems like Hughes could offer sheet an RFA center such as Vilardi, Peterka, or Rossi. There are others as well.
I don’t see an offer sheet as a realistic possibility. I would love to get Vilardi, who’s been at wing most of the season, but the Jets would match any offer. The Oilers were careless last year, believing that no team would go the offer sheet route. So they left themselves with no cap room. The Jets won’t let that happen to them, especially with the cap going up.
A young center about Suzukis age who has proven himself in the NHL would be the best option. But they are extremely difficult to trade for. Which is why a short term deal with a veteran UFA may be the best option.
Forget Tavares. He’s either giving the Leafs a hometown discount or signing with a team that has a strong shot at the Cup next year. Bennett is less likely as he’d want 7 years at too high a price. But Giroux, Granlund, Nelson or Duchene (TVA sources to the contrary notwithstanding) may be worth looking into.
Cap space won’t be an issue. Armia may be brought back but wouldn’t cost more than he’s getting now. Savard and Dvorak are likely gone but will be replaced by rookies on entry level deals. Their pending RFAs won’t cost much to re-sign.
Why dismiss an offer sheet option, Howard?
It costs the Habs draft picks, and they have more than they can possibly manage and sign. Offer sheets don’t cost current prospects so they could retain the ones most likely to be asked for in a trade.
Makes sense to me, if the target is attractive. I wonder if such a list is up your alley, George? Easy for me to suggest work for you, but you clearly have both a penchant and appetite for research.
Howard, forget Bennett,he is on record as saying he won t sign for any Canadian teams!
LJ, the other day I posted a view that the acquisition through the offer sheet process of Holloway and Broberg and their emergence as key elements up front and on D will not be lost on GMs around the league who a) have the cap space and b) are prepared to relinquish whatever draft picks it will take (I think Holloway, for example, is as good a 1st round pick as anyone is apt to get).
Ottawa has to relinquish one of their 1st round picks either this spring or next due to that Dadonov gaffe by Dorion, and both figure to be in or close the bottom third of the round anyway so, yes, I wouldn’t mind seeing Staios go after a young RD RFA that way.
With Yakemchuk figuring to be in the mix next fall at that position, the addition of an offer-sheet target would certainly shore up that side for the next while. And he has all summer to make whatever other adjustments would accrue.
I’m all for it.
Makes sense to me, George.
And as teams do what they think makes them better I don’t buy the revenge factor that some raise.
LJ,
Here’s a list of RFA centres.
https://www.spotrac.com/nhl/free-agents/_/year/2025/position/c/type/rfa
HF30: thanks for that. I see Valardi and Frost as possibilities, and McTavish as “if only.”
To this we should also anticipate centers with term. Hughes did use the word trade, I recall. Possible reasons for the other team giving up a good Center might include cap crunch, needed draft picks, and promisiprospects that meet their needs elsewhere on the roster.
Glancing through lists of potential offer-sheet RFAs the name Knies jumps out … the Leafs won’t want to allow him slip through the cracks caused by their preoccupation with the Marner and Tavares situations.
Sr., if that is indeed Bennett’s position – the entire country a no-go – then I’d also let him know not to expect an invite to any future Team Canada aggregations – Olympics included.
Same with any other who openly holds that attitude.
Peterka plays is not a center. Plays right wing. Sabres have more then enough cap space to sign him.More then likely going to re-sign him. If not,he will be involved in a big trade. Sabres need players not picks.
If Calgary don’t make it, I could see Kadri as a target. They probably would be considering a full rebuild.
A left-field thought: In the off-chance Nashville decide to blow it up already, I wonder if Stamkos would waive his NMC to go to Montreal? Age and timeline would fit really nicely with the Habs.
It would take some getting used to to see Khadri in a Habs uniform, Paddy. He’s not the hot headed punk he was earlier in his career, still …
Totally agree, LJ! When he was younger, he was one of my least favourites. Not sure I’d love him now, either, but he’s definitely seemed to cool off a bit (either that, or being in the west for years, I haven’t had as much opportunity to be annoyed by him lol)
Paddy, I am from the Calgary area. I think Conroy wasn’t expecting the playoffs this year. We will take it if it happens. I would call this year a success from any point of view. The problem of viewing Kadri as a target, he has a full no trade no move. He has publicly and emphatically stated that he wants to stay. Conroy has stated that he isn’t trading his vets. There will be no complete tear down. Flames have some great young players in the system. A rookie goalie that could win the Calder. The future is bright in Calgary. They are already way ahead of rebuilds like Buffalo and Philly. I vote for stay the course. If they make it in great. If they don’t then they still will have played in meaningful games well ahead of schedule. Go Flames Go.
Montreal,time to hit a vulnerable team like Boston and acquire Pavel Zacha as your center! Boston already traded with Fla.and Toronto so pounce! They are looking for younger players with term,prospects or high draft picks! You have all of them!
Good article about Hughes especially. He is doing a good job. Good to see Montreal getting better again. Reading “Original Six” @ present. Great reading about history of the league and game. The best 🇨🇦🇺🇸 !!!!
Why is it good to see Montreal getting better again?
Raybark,
The history of the franchise obviously. Like the Yankees, Celtics, etc. They have had a great history. Is this like hockey 101 ? I grew up with watching hockey and the great Montreal teams. They were the best to watch!!!
Just messing around tommyboy, it’s what we old Bruins fans do when discussing the Habs.
Watching those “great” Montreal teams sucked. As they always, and I mean always, for 35 effing years, beat my Bruins. Often in soul crushing fashion.
When I hear Danny Gallivan’s voice on a replay of those years, I get flashbacks, my mood gets sour, my dogs leave the room.
I often start drinking excessively.
My wife calls the Alberta health help line.
She tries to console me, I snap back at her, she goes downstairs to hang with the dogs.
Just talking about it now is a major downer.
F the Habs.
I got it Ray. Understood. And it made me smile.
But it seems that in addition to draft picks and prospects you need better dogs.
Nice one, Ray.
Ya LJ, when they were younger they would have stuck around and tried to help. They’re smart animals and have learned.
To your point though, the real life Ray Bark (a big burly black and brown dog that has since passed) would have hung with me through the pain.
You’re right no walk for Bob tonight!
If I was a GM I would get my RFA s signed asap! If not you could lose them or if you sign a player from another team,they will come back after you!
Habs
I have your 2nd line Center answer cheap
Good face off guy. 6’ 5”, 220 lbs
Trade after July 1st , and actual cash owed is only $2M; just one year remaining
Cap hit a mere $3.6 M
We are feeling generous.
You can have him for a 7th rounder.
KD will be awaiting your call.
Buyer Beware!!!!!😣🤭
Tell that to Dubas!!!
All Pens’ fans beware OUR own “buyer”
Are you angry with Habs fans, 8787?
No no LJ
just hoping to get a deal done.
After that deal; you can hate me.
8787,that has Hayes all over it!
Shhhhh
Don’t tell them who it is until the deal is closed
Paddy, I am from the Calgary area. I think Conroy wasn’t expecting the playoffs this year. We will take it if it happens. I would call this year a success from any point of view. The problem of viewing Kadri as a target, he has a full no trade no move. He has publicly and emphatically stated that he wants to stay. Conroy has stated that he isn’t trading his vets. There will be no complete tear down. Flames have some great young players in the system. A rookie goalie that could win the Calder. The future is bright in Calgary. They are already way ahead of rebuilds like Buffalo and Philly. I vote for stay the course. If they make it in great. If they don’t then they still will have played in meaningful games well ahead of schedule. Go Flames Go.
Ash – totally agree, Flames have far exceeded expectations! Been a really solid year and a bright future ahead, especially with Wolf. I had wondered if shedding some vets for young talent might help the Flames avoid the multi-year mediocrity my Habs went through; one step back for two steps forward, etc.
I didn’t know Kadri had said he wanted to stay, so that would answer that! I can see why he’d want to be part of that bright future, too!
I still think Trocheck is the most solid trade option for MTL. Providing the Habs aren’t one of the 12 teams on his no trade list, he’d be a perfect fit on the 2nd line.
Trocheck is 3rd in faceoff wins this season and is 59 percent in the face off circle this season. On top of that he’s put up 46 points thus far on an underperforming NYR team. It’s for all these reasons however that the Rangers won’t trade him.
If they were looking to move him though, I’d see if they’d move him for Oliver Kapanen, Jayden Struble and Pittsburgh’s 2nd in 2025. That is, if I were Kent Hughes, of course.
I think Hughes will surprise everyone by the player he goes after, he may not get them but it won’t be the names thrown around now.
If I were Hughes I’d hook back up with my buddy Don Waddell. CBJ have a wealth of young fwds listed as C and I would think going forward their depth would be Fantilli, Monahan (signed long term) and Jenner. Not to mention they have Sillinger and Chinakov plus Cayden Lindstrom developing and on the way. The target for Hughes should be Voronkov, a young (and huge) Russian that would be a fantastic linemate for the soon to be in Mtl Demidov.
CBJ IMO have a couple areas to address that Mtl could help. They have very few R shot fwds so Mtl sends them Dach (to play RW since he’s shown he’s not a C). They have a shallow pipeline of D, especially RD, since trading Jiricek so Mtl can send Mailloux who looks almost NHL-ready. As well CBJ could use some contracts to get to the cap floor next year, so enter Price and his $10.5M plus Dach would also help in that regard. Mtl also has prospects and picks to make it worth CBJ’s while.
If I were Hughes I’d offer Price, Dach, Mailloux, and 2 2nd rounders (one from 2025 and send CBJ’s 2026 back to them) for Voronkov and any contracts CBJ want to dump (keeping in mind the 50 contract limit) that Mtl could send to the AHL.
I’m interested to see what impressions this proposal will get in the other replies.
Not trying to dominate this site but the alternative is cutting the lawn.
Your proposal comes to a dead halt when you want to acquire Voronkov who is listed as a left winger. Not a priority for the Habs and to acquire a sub optimal need you would delete a lot of trade capital that is better used for what the Habs do need.
I would stay away from Lindstorm. The kid was supposed to be out after “minimal” back surgery and he is out for the season. Danger, Will Robinson.
Besides, the Habs need an established 2C, not another prospect.
Zacha might be the guy for the Habs, shoots L, decent faceoff, pass first kind of centre.
Considering what Coyle went for, probably wouldn’t cost much.
He’s a consistent and decent unspectacular player HF30. Plays the right way and doesn’t cheat for offence. Could do worse than him and on a good contract for what he brings.
Depends what the Bruins strategy is, quick retool or major surgery. If the former, gotta keep some good players.
I’m on board with this, habfan. Very solid 2C, defensively sound, which is what Laine & Demidov will need. I dig it.
It only took Oilers management a “YEAR” to understand the problem is goaltending.
It all starts at the top. We have to rid ourselves of JJ and Stan before we can rid ourselves of the rot in the bottom. Don’t get me wrong. The goalies are not to blame. Management is.