NHL Rumor Mill – March 4, 2025
The trade deadline is 3 PM ET on Friday, March 7. Check out the latest on the Flames, Panthers, Predators, Islanders, Penguins, Kraken, Leafs, Canucks and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor mill.
FLAMES
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports it sounds like the Calgary Flames have reached out to the Boston Bruins about Brandon Carlo. “Teams have yet to dive into the details, but CGY is interested.”
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Pierre LeBrun report Flames general manager Craig Conroy would love to add a young center and has shown interest in Dylan Cozens of the Buffalo Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy is a buyer this season. He’s established a reputation for making bold moves, with the most recent being his acquisition of forwards Morgan Frost and Joel Farabee from the Philadelphia Flyers on Jan. 31. We’ll learn by Friday if he has another up his sleeve.
PANTHERS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito may not be done making trades. Over the weekend, he acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.
The Panthers have placed winger Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to call up goaltender Chris Driedger. Zito hopes Tkachuk will return for the playoffs but it sounds like he’ll be sidelined for the remainder of the regular season. He has over $8 million in projected trade deadline cap room to make further acquisitions by the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun speculates Zito could attempt to add a forward. The Panthers GM also said he might consider adding a No. 3 goaltender.
PREDATORS
THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun report the Nashville Predators are listening to proposals for center Ryan O’Reilly. It’ll take an offer of a promising young player to compel them to move O’Reilly.
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty listed defenseman Luke Schenn and forwards Michael McCarron and Colton Sissons as the Predators’ most likely trade candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn, McCarron and Sissons seem more likely to move than O’Reilly. Still, never say never.
ISLANDERS
THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple cited a league source saying all options remain on the table for Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders ahead of Friday’s trade deadline. The 33-year-old center could sign a contract extension, get traded before the deadline, or remain with the Islanders without a new contract for the rest of the season.
New York Islanders center Brock Nelson (NHL Images).
Johnson and LeBrun report that no one knows for sure whether Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello will become a seller by the deadline. He could hang onto Nelson and fellow UFA-eligible forward Kyle Palmieri.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello could be trying to keep everyone guessing in the hope that it elevates the trade value of Nelson and Palmieri. Of course, that’s a guess on my part. We’ll just have to wait and see what unfolds for the Isles leading up to Friday.
PENGUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe expects Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas could attempt to make multiple trades but will not stage a fire sale. He anticipates that Dubas’ main moves could come a day or two ahead of the deadline to ensure he has a full roster for Friday’s game against the Vegas Golden Knights.
The Penguins are willing to move Erik Karlsson, but his hefty contract means a summer deal seems more likely. Winger Rickard Rakell is available, but the asking price is steep and Dubas feels no pressure to move him. Yohe claims some Western Conference teams are interested in Rakell. He also said there’s no indication that Dubas has asked Kris Letang and Bryan Rust to waive their no-movement clauses.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell carries an average annual value of $5 million through 2027-28. He also has an eight-team no-trade clause.
KRAKEN
THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte listed Brandon Tanev, Jamie Oleksiak, Andre Burakovsky and Oliver Bjorkstrand as Kraken trade candidates. Tanev has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill. As of Monday, he hadn’t been linked to any specific teams.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators could be interested in Tanev. Whether they’ve made inquiries or offers is another matter.
MAPLE LEAFS
THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun report the Toronto Maple Leafs have been attempting to find a suitable third-line center. They’ve looked at St. Louis’ Brayden Schenn and Philadelphia’s Scott Laughton while keeping tabs on fall-back options like Montreal’s Jake Evans, Seattle’s Yanni Gourde and Utah’s Nick Bjugstad. They’re also hoping to add a depth defenseman.
TORONTO STAR: Kevin McGran listed the Leafs’ potential trade chips, including prospects Fraser Minten and Easton Cowan, and roster players Nick Robertson and Pontus Holmberg.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs are also pressed for cap space, meaning they’ll have to shed salary to acquire a center and a defenseman. The Blues are listening on Schenn, as are the Flyers with Laughton, but they’re in no hurry to move those players and have set high prices for them.
CANUCKS
THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun believe the Vancouver Canucks’ most pressing decision surrounds Brock Boeser. The 28-year-old winger could depart as a free agent this summer unless he’s re-signed or traded by Friday. Management would also like to find an upgrade at center.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Canucks continue to evaluate all their options with Boeser. They made a contract extension offer earlier in the season, but it’s no longer on the table.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vancouver shipped J.T. Miller to the New York Rangers on Jan. 31. It’s looking like Boeser will be the next notable Canuck to be traded this season.
JETS
THE ATHLETIC: Johnston and LeBrun believed Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff seeks a bottom-six forward and a depth defenseman. They’re among the teams linked to Montreal Canadiens forwards Jake Evans and Joel Armia and Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato.
Murat Ates wonders what the Jets will do with Nikolaj Ehlers. If they keep the UFA-eligible winger, they risk his departure on July 1. If they trade him, they remove a big piece of their power play and second line. Ates believes they’ll retain him and rely on their existing team chemistry.
The Isles best bet would be to trade Palmieri and Nelson for picks. Signing them to reasonable extensions before Friday would at least be defensible. Keeping them without extending them would be reckless and foolish.
Staple is a genius…Nelson could be traded or signed to a contract or just let the season play out as is….this is big news and realistic options and just to add nothing really new
Cut the guy a break, Don. He’s got Islanders fans asking for updates on Nelson’s status. He’s just letting those fans know what the options are, and each of them are as likely as the next.
Lyle that is understandable but not all fans have no idea (though I don’t know how they can’t) the only options, ie, trade, sign, or play out their current contract and have them walk – which this option would be the worse of the lot.
Reporting however is reporting on the team’s actual plans, ie trading either or both. One can speculate on the return and write about how it will benefit the team or weaken it based on previous similar situations which either this team or another in a similar situation.
I know that’s a lot to ask but fluff pieces that point out obvious are exactly the type of writing I’m sure most would rather not waste time reading… and in no way am I blaming you since you cull all this nonsense for our consumption and allow us to post about how inept the reporting is. 😃
Oh I blame the Mackenzie’s, Dreger’s and others like them for this type of reporting.
Ron, actual reporters report what they know to be true. “The best achievable version of the truth” is how Carl Bernstein put it. That’s what Staples did.
The others like Kypreos etc speculate, or talk about rumors. Not to be confused with “reporting”.
Looks like teams are getting better at keeping info from leaking, which I would do too if I was them.
That’s one of the better assessments on hockey news I’ve read, Ray.
I get weary of the baloney that is published just to fill deadlines, but as you allude to there are a lot of legit and diligent media types who have their calls to teams and their GMs taken, and who have their inside sources.
The Aquilinis won’t allow Allvin and Rutherford to trade away more players as long as Vancouver is in the race. Boeser will stay and the team will have to hope they can come to an agreement on a new contract around the draft.
Given his past history involving the annual trade deadline, it would not surprise me to see Lamoriello – IF he’s intending to deal – conclude his transactions either tomorrow or Thursday.
Never seen a GM just be status quo his whole career and hope for the best. These are mid level players- what can he hope to succeed by continually running the same roster out year after year. Makes you wonder if he had not drafted Niedermayer and Brodeur – what he really would have accomplished.
still mind boggling he won back to back GM of the year awards with the Isles. he barely made any moves and let Toews go…
The Penguins are willing to move Erik Karlsson,
Dubas has asked Kris Letang and Bryan Rust to waive their no-movement clauses.
I think the Oil would would be interested in both as they they need to fill both
Has not. Not.
Chrisms is right … there is absolutely NO indication anywhere – anywhere serious that is – that Dubas has requested Letang and/or Rust to waive their NMC.
As for who will be sellers on Friday, as of today there are just 6 teams – East and West – that are more than 6 points out of a playoff spot and still with roughly 20 games left to play – San Jose, Chicago, Nashville, Seattle, Buffalo and Pittsburgh – almost certain to be sellers. It is conceivable that, with the games tonight, Wednesday and Thursday, that number could rise to 10 with the NYI, Flyers, Bruins and Ducks seeing no sense in becoming buyers.
Many among the remaining 22 will likely be seeking to shore up somewhere and it’s equally conceivable that that could be more like 26 if the last 4 teams mentioned above are still within reasonable striking distance.
The Penguins are DESPERATE to move Erik Karlsson.
Fixed it for you.
Why desperate? Moving him frees up cap space and might bring back an ok asset. But moving him isn’t a make or break either way. Now Jarry or graves….
Palmeri is OLD….he can go for a 7th round pick. I would like to see JG.Pageau come back to the Sens. Some money retained. A 3rd round pick or Tyler Boucher or some other middling prospect. Sens are hard against the cap. I think Perron was brought in for the playoffs so if he can get himself going and they make the playoffs he might be an own-trade, same as getting Cousins back.
Also. I think there might be a market for Forsberg and Varlamov.
Dark G, Pageau is 5 million, and he is signed for 1 more season. Why would Lam trade away a solid 2 way center WITH salary retained for a player that will probably never play in the NHL or a 3rd pick which has a low probability. Even is Sens had cap room, it makes no sense. There would be much better offers out there than that I’m sure.
Leafs need to steer clear of Schenn. Evans, Bjugstad, or Kunin
They need to call NYI and ask about Dobson. They absolutely need a good puck moving defenceman. If he’s not available Mathewson from MTL would be a good option even though he’s LH
With the Panthers having all that cap space and defending Cup champs that is a huge concern for Eastern Conference teams
Open the oilers trade for Dobson could cost them quite a bit, but he would solve a lot of problems that oilers have on the second period right….❓🤙
Trent Frederick would definitely help them upfront with both Line toughness 100%
Open the oilers trade for Dobson could cost them quite a bit, but he would solve a lot of problems that oilers have on the second period right….❓
Trent Frederick would definitely help them upfront with both Line toughness 100%🤙
Is it me or did jake evans sell himself short.?
$2.85 for 4 years.
He must love montreal could have got more i. Free agency.
Palmieri may be old, only 34, but the guy can put the puck in the net when you need it.
He’d be a good add for Edmonton.
He could work HF30, or somebody like him. The Oil could also us some energy with size up front. Someone to pull them into the fight as they can be very workman like this season. I get it, all about the playoffs, but it seems the only guy getting them engaged up front is a 39 yr old Perry.
Nurse does it on the back end, but also can’t be spending time in the box unless it is 100% required. Kane does that and should be close to healthy enough come playoff time, but he hasn’t played a game all season. Hopefully comes back just in time for a 3 game conditioning stint in Bakersfield. Word is they are making calls about trading him as well.
Jordan Greenway would be my choice if BUF is unsuccessful in re-signing him, which they are reportedly trying to do. Play him and Kane along side Henrique on 3rd line, bang the opposition D around, hard, chip in some goals.
How could Scooby Dubas even hold a fire sale?
Outside of Crosby all he has to offer is broken down hasbeens or never weres.
Penguins circling the drain and this time theres no Mario or Sid coming to the rescue.
Not yet there isn’t. The hockey gods will make sure one does in the relatively near future. I take solace in the fact the pens will win another cup before those bozos from across the state though.
Rackel is in no way is one of the “broken down hasbeens or never weres”
Definitely has good trade value
I’d keep him though. Dubas has already pissed off Crosby enough. Trading Rackell and that just might be the straw that broke the Camel’s back; leading to Crosby asking out.
I don’t think Dubas asks Rust to waive; but if he does and does tradd him; there is some value there
You are right, Most of the rest that are late 20’s or older are “broken down hasbeens or never weres.”
Karllsson in no way can be moved at current Cap
Before his nightmare game 2 days ago; he was moveable , and at a reasonable return; if @ a Cap hit of $5M ; Doobie must ask him to waive AND retain 50% of remaining
Grzylcyck could get a 3rd from any GM that has NOT watched any tape of him playing in his own end; otherwise 4th/5th
Beauvillier. 3rd or 4th
Bunting without retention likely a no go; at best 3rd (as he has term)
Lizotte may get a 4th
Shea maybe a 5th/6th
That’s about it for any trades that don’t require a Sweetener from Pens
Looks like we’re stuck with Accari, Hayes, Graves
The only thing we have to look forward to, have Nedjelkovic literally play all remaining games; finish 4th worst; with 19% chance of picking in top 2
Hilarious how Toronto media keeps hyping Robertson as trade bait.
No speed, no forecheck, no back check, zero physicality and he doesnt score.
Trade Value : 1 small bag of used pucks.
who is hyping him? I read the Toronto writers usually and he’s mentioned as someone they’d trade, especially since he whines about ice time and how many games he gets into, but nobody here thinks he’s more than a throw-in for a minor deal. I’m only asking because it’s so rare that you post such negative comments about a team or player.
I completely agree Ronnie! I wish there was a rule against media owning a sports franchise…the Sportsnet and TSN coverage both on-line and on-air is embarrassing, and does a huge disservice to Canadian hockey fans in general.
Agree there was a time when TML fans thought that Robertson and Topi where major trade chips. You know its bad when Pitt’s prospect pool ranks higher then Toronto’s…..
Coming from a guy who bases his observations from watching Leafs games regularly but not a fan of the team…complete waste of air on this guy.
Let’s break it down, shall we?
No speed? Wrong. No forecheck (you must mean ineffective or something) still, wrong. He’s not the biggest or strongest but acts like a dog (small one) on a bone. To be expected since he’s 5-9 and 23. Doesn’t score… 11goals so far in his first full season and not being in the lineup every game playing bottom six minutes isn’t exactly terrible.
Maybe your one of those people that think you know a lot about a lot of things, which may be true, but you’re completely wrong with this player’s evaluation as you are with most things hockey.
Uses numbers and fair comparisons. It’s a lot better than… duh he’s barely worth a bag of pucks.
Hey Ron what do you think (not that I really care) of Frederic then? Former 1st round pick in 2016 and has 8g and 17pts in 55 games. That’s less than Robertson! Smaller bag of really used pucks?
I would make space for him on my team. I don’t know a lot about him but what I’ve seen, he’s got the right tools and can play effectively if used correctly. Too bad he’s a Bruin, I can’t see them trading him to the Leafs.
He was just traded for a 2nd and 4th along with jones.
Yep. I figured Lou would be involved days before the deadline
“Trade 1: Boston Bruins trade Trent Frederic (50% salary retained) to New Jersey Devils in exchange for unsigned draft choice Petr Hauser.
Trade 2: New Jersey trades Trent Frederic (50% salary retained) to Edmonton in exchange for unsigned draft choice Shane Lachance.
Trade 3: Boston trades Max Jones and unsigned draft choice Petr Hauser to Edmonton in exchange for Max Wanner, St. Louis’ second-round pick in 2025 (owned by Edmonton) and Edmonton’s own fourth-round selection in 2026.”
Just to clarify, I didn’t mean to imply that Lou was involved in any way with the above deals … poorly worded way of saying I was surprise he WASN’T involved some way. But, still the rest of today, tomorrow and Thursday to pull the trigger.
Most of what I have read or watched on Robertson has been negative vs hyping him. Mostly about wanting a trade as he wasn’t getting played enough, vs earning your ice time. Seems like he has learned as he isn’t talking and is playing hard.
Frederic is the type of player the Oilers needed. I suggested Greenway above, but they get more playoff experience and some flexibility as Frederic can play C in a pinch. Does the same stuff they need and can skate.
The fact that they got a team to eat some of the cap suggests they aren’t done yet.
The type of return one would expect for the B’s, happy to see they are moving the assets they don’t expect to re-sign vs still giving it a go. They can still get in, but they’re not a legit contender even if they do.
Jake Evans signed with the Habs, a reasonable 4×2.85.
Sensible number for the guym cementing his future with the team.
Good, sensible signing … by both sides.
Great deal on Evans. Reasonable term and coin. It came down to Jake wanting to stay a Hab.
Now it’s Armia’s turn. Say two years, maybe 3, at $2.5n. or so AAV. Let’s keep that solid fourth line together.
Ya Howard, agree it’s because he wanted to stay, which is a positive sign for a rebuilding team.
Fewer positive signs for the Habs would be nice.
Works for me.
I saw that Ray.
I think jake could have got more..
Love him in pittsburgh i would give him $3 -million timex 4 years.
He must love.montreal
Bingo!
Re Oilers/Bruins/Devils trade
Devils just paid $140 K (retention on Frederic) to flip the 141st pick (unsigned) in ‘22; for the 186th pick (also unsigned) in ‘21???
That I don’t understand
For Oilers, Frederic (at less than League min. Cap hit) + Jones + unsigned (141st pick in ‘22) for 2nd + 4th + Wanner …. Fair deal. Frederic good big depth add. And only $575 K annual Cap hit!!!
For Bruins, UFAs and 50% retention (Frederic) for 2nd, 4th, Wanner… Fair deal. They’re now on the rebuild wagon.
Devils; 140 K for no guarantee of signing???
Simple, the Devs traded a player who has NO current potential for some one who has some potential. Draft status years ago is meaningless. Also, he is the son of Devs US scouting, so there is that connection, non-hockey related.
Hi Redmondters
Thanks
It has to be that he is the son of the scout
Both unsigned; both as at now; from all the posts( have equally rated future
With the father connection; ability to sign is much much higher
That (higher ability to sign) is obviously worth $140 K to Devils
Without that father/son connection issue (giving the edge to get a contract in place) ; the $140 K made no sense
Thanks for that info
Cheers
You’re not understanding rebuilding either, it seems. The Bruins are far from rebuilding. They have a lot of serviceable good players. Teams rebuild when they don’t have such players. They can easily retool like the Caps have done or make big changes like Vegas or the Panthers has done. It just takes a witty GM with big brass ones to pull it off, especially on an original six team.
Ya Ron, the Caps (Maclennan and Patrick) deserve a ton of credit as does their coach. But one benefit the caps had was $15M in LTIR. Boston doesn’t have that type of space. The guys they lost were older and getting less effective: Backstrom (37), Oshie (38). Traded Kuemper for a guy labelled a cancer in PLD.
But what the caps did with that space and some of those other trades was get way younger: with PLD (26), Chychrun (26) and Thompson (28). A year earlier they added Strome who is playing great as well as the guys I mention. PLD is killing it on a line I would not want to play against in a 7 game series. They hit, they defend and they produce.
Super impressive. GM and coach of the year I would have to think live in Washington.
With Ray on this
Retool was viable because of all that LTIR space
Bruins don’t have that
An effective and successful Retool (over rebuild) would always be preferred by any team due to length of time to return to success on ice
I just can’t see Bruins getting the space to do a true retool
Could happen. I’m just not on the side of being convinced that it could happen
TBD
Proposal
Arviddsson, Akey, Savoie, 1st (‘26)
For Rackell , Beavillier, lowest WBS (for contract balancing, goes to Bakersfield) , 3rd (‘25)
Matthew Savoie to the Penguins would not be a bad trade.
Akey as well
Jake Evans is off the board now.
Will the Leafs show interest in Luke Kunin from SJ? How about Tyler Toffoli for more secondary scoring?
Leafs still need defensive depth. Top 4 RHD and another depth defenceman. Matheson from Montreal is an excellent puck mover but plays the left side. Jokiharju from Buffalo might be an option.