NHL Rumor Mill – March 3, 2025
Check out the latest on Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Schenn, Erik Karlsson and John Gibson, plus updates on the Flyers, Blue Jackets, Senators, and Wild in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TEAMS STILL CALLING ABOUT MIKKO RANTANEN
TSN: Darren Dreger considers it “not very realistic” that the Carolina Hurricanes will trade Mikko Rantanen. Nevertheless, he thinks “there’s always the potential” that they’ll move the 28-year-old winger by the March 7 trade deadline.
Dreger believes it would “take something silly,” like an offer that Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon and general manager Eric Tulsky weren’t expecting. He thinks they’ll hang onto Rantanen, hope for a deep playoff run, and convince him that Carolina is a good long-term fit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We didn’t expect Rantanen to be traded by the Avalanche, but Tulsky swung a creative three-way deal to get him. It’s unlikely another club will swoop in with a mind-blowing offer, but we can’t dismiss that possibility.
UPDATE ON BRAYDEN SCHENN
St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).
Dreger also said that it looks unlikely that Brayden Schenn will be traded with the St. Louis Blues in the mix for a Western Conference wild-card berth. He noted that they don’t have to trade the 33-year-old center this season because he’s got three more years left on his deal. They could revisit this in the offseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s also been reported that the Blues set a high asking price for Schenn, making a move by the trade deadline unlikely.
PENGUINS HAVEN’T ASKED ERIK KARLSSON TO WAIVE HIS NMC
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Seth Rorabaugh reports that Erik Karlsson said he hasn’t been approached by Penguins management about waiving his no-movement clause.
Karlsson acknowledged it’s been a stressful time for his teammates with the trade deadline approaching and the Penguins considered to be sellers. “As for my situation, like I said, I’ll deal with that if it, and when it, comes. Until then, I’m not.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson’s strong performance for Sweden in last month’s 4 Nations Face-Off prompted some observers to suggest rival general managers could take an interest in him. However, his contract remains a big hurdle in the path to a trade.
The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual salary through 2026-27, plus his NMC gives him complete control over the situation. A rival team could pitch an offer to the Penguins’ liking that would make Karlsson agree to waive his clubs. However, it will take a creative proposal to do so.
THE FLYERS COULD HAVE A QUIET TRADE DEADLINE
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz wouldn’t be surprised if Scott Laughton and Rasmus Ristolainen remain with the Philadelphia Flyers after the March 7 trade deadline. The Flyers aren’t in any rush to move two players considered integral parts of their roster. Their asking price for Laughton could be too expensive for most suitors, while Ristolainen hasn’t generated much interest in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton is signed through next season and Ristolainen through 2026-27. There’s no need to move them to cut costs because they already did that by trading Joel Farabee to Calgary in January. Laughton and Ristolainen will remain in Philadelphia unless someone makes a significant offer this week.
THE LATEST ON JOHN GIBSON
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens noted recent reports indicating John Gibson is open to being traded by the Anaheim Ducks, but he wants to go to a team where he’d have a clear path to being the starting goaltender. It’s believed the Carolina Hurricanes and Edmonton Oilers are among the clubs on his list of trade destinations.
The Ducks prefer not retaining any portion of Gibson’s $6.4 million average annual cap hit, but they aren’t ruling it out completely. They also have the cap space to take on an expiring contract if it’ll enable them to move Gibson’s full contract. That would keep cap space clear down the road to re-sign their promising young players when they are due for new contracts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson’s been in the rumor mill for a while now with no indication that a trade is in sight. A move seems more likely in the offseason unless a contender with goaltending issues steps up with a suitable offer by March 7.
BLUE JACKETS BECOME TRADE DEADLINE BUYERS
RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports the Columbus Blue Jackets’ push for a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference makes them increasingly look like buyers as the trade deadline approaches.
A source told Biringer that the Jackets are looking at adding depth to their forward lines. They were active in talks with the Nashville Predators about forward Gustav Nyquist before he was shipped to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: After overcoming front-office turmoil and the tragic death of Johnny Gaudreau last summer, the Blue Jackets are the feel-good story of the season. General manager Don Waddell has no reason to be a seller now. He’ll likely keep an eye open for a player in the trade market who can help the Jackets maintain their current momentum.
ARE MORE MOVES COMING FOR THE WILD?
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report the Minnesota Wild don’t have much cap space after acquiring forward Gustav Nyquist from the Nashville Predators on Saturday. GM Bill Guerin is keeping an open mind leading up to the trade deadline. However, it would have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out move and the Wild don’t have many tradeable pieces on their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Russo and Smith suggest such a move would require salary retention or a three-team deal.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie reports Ottawa Senators GM Steve Staios continues working the phones but we shouldn’t expect his club to be a big player in the trade market. They lack sufficient cap space to make a major move.
If Staios makes a trade, it’ll likely be for an affordable veteran forward. Options could include Seattle’s Brandon Tanev, Chicago’s Ryan Donato, and Boston’s Trent Frederic.
Boeser seems pretty obvious for Columbus, in my opinion. They can absorb his full cap hit and probably trade back a young player and a pick, which is what Vancouver would want.
Sounds reasonable, he might even stay since they are moving up and can pay
Clb has a lot of younger and cheaper players currently outplaying Boeser. Not sure why Clb would give up any assets to get him as a rental.
CLB has been playing really well for quite a while now. They have younger guys like Johnson, Fantilli and, Marchenko and Voronkov who are getting bigger opportunities and contributing.
Lots to like for the future as they also still have a deep prospect pool.
Great story, impossible not to root for them.
Will probably add a bit without giving up too much. Want those young players to get real playoff experience playing a significant role.
You got to give cbus credit. Solid fan base despite the awful track record and no history of true superstars. The fans in that town deserve to see some playoff success.
Since my Bruins seem to have mailed it in this year, I’ll be rooting for the Jackets in the playoffs. What a story that would be if they win it all.
So many teams in the mix this year, you wonder if the only guys that move by Friday are UFAs. Get something for guys who won’t be with you after July.
Regarding Schenn: I’m not sure that the Blues are a playoff team (they made up significant ground in the past 10 days), but I don’t think Schenn will be traded either–still too valuable on the ice AND locker room!! We can revisit these trade rumors at next years deadline. I can see Schenn being shifted to a 3rd line checking role in his upcoming years (much like Steen during Cup run). It would allow more Top 6 time for the younger additions ie. Snuggerud, Dvorsky…
I think the deadline moves this week could/should include: 1. Faksa, 2. Joseph, 3. Suter, 4. Leddy, 5. Faulk. Each of these moves would help with the Blues retool/rebuild.
I personally would shop Binnington while the fire is hot.
IP
I don’t think the Blues are a playoff team either. That won’t stop them from putting together their yearly end of the season run for the wildcard that falls just a little short though.
Might be time for another ridiculous round of Lets Go Petey chants in Vancouver.
Pretty humiliating for the Home Alone Kid.
Wonder who is willing to trade actual assets for Brock Lesser? No speed, no forecheck, no backcheck, zero physicality and he doesnt drive play in any way.
Good luck to Alvin and the Chipmunk moving out either one of them.
Skinny Pete :
$11,600,000.00 x 8 years.
Gazoo isnt going anywhere any time soon.
Enjoy Vancouver, lol.
Sweeney offers. Lindholm and Zadorov. For Petey and Soucy
to kings rantanen to bruins byfield and clarke to hurricanes swayman
@ Peter;
Canes have no cap space for that deal
Well if they send Freddy the always injured goalie. Would help the deal
Peter I do like that trade! Interesting! Boston does need to get younger!La and Carolina both get what they need!
So swayman is gonna get byfield and Clarke? Like… Jeremy swayman? Is there another swayman out there? Like… one that has significant trade value?
The Kings have a nice Moore/Laferriere /Spence/Turcotte combo plate. You make select any 2.
Interesting. I wonder what it would cost the Sens to pry JJ.Peterka out of Buffalo.
Funny I reported Forsberg as an option for Edmonton and Vancouver. That got poo’poo’d with people I spoke to…until it was suddenly on rumor sites. I didn’t think it was that big of a stretch at the time.
I think he Re;
Signs with. The Avs for $12.M
For 7 yrs….🤙
JJ from BUF. In the real world, that would never happen, but their management is so bad you never know.
There really are a heck of a lot of buyers. This may be the year that most trades are AHLers and fringe guys.
I suspect only a major injury will make some teams into sellers.
Jack Hughes injury! Where does NJ do now,to replace him?
Get another cream puff to replace Hughes
At this stage, and with the team at least still in the mix for a WC slot – even if shaky – and Belleville really not going anywhere in the AHL, it make sense to clear Forsberg’s cap space ($2,750,000) and elevate Merilainen as the back-up the rest of the way, with the difference of $1,930,000 added to the current $850,000 in cap space giving Staios at least something to work with (approx. $2,780,000).
Ottawa needs to rid themselves of the Perron contract
David Perron has a goal, 3 assists and a plus-minus of -7 in 10 games in his last 10 games in his career.
This is not nearly good enough for a proven goal scorer. Either its a bad fit or he doesnt want to play here. That 4 Million could go a long way to addressing Ottawas needs to ensure we make the playoffs this season.
I see both sides of it Forrest. Including the fact that he’s had some big time family issues, then injuries then the break…one reasons “excuse” after another. But they got him for the playoffs. Pure and simple. If he finds his legs and his scoring touch and IF they make the playoffs then the 4 million is justified. To this point it hasn’t been. That’s for sure.
Perron is interesting to me. I guess he isn’t playing well in Ottawa! But he is also a guy that can get you goals at strategic times in the game; especially in the playoffs. I believe he was good on st.louis and was he on Minnesota/or Vegas before? I know he was on Detroit but previously? …..
I think St. Louis should hang onto schenn, too. I would like to see the Avalanche make at least 1 more move but I appreciate the effort that MacFarland has made to try and help Colorado. He has done a really good job overall of helping the club and he might have @ least another deal going before the TDL!!
Marchand is your guy,tommyboy
I agree Dar G, plus, it’d be a helluva lot easier to find a taker for Forsberg and his $2.7 mil deal which expires at the end of the season than it would be to find someone willing to take Perron and his $4 mil deal with another year to go without one big sweetener.
I have a feeling there will be a lot of dead air this Friday.