NHL Rumor Mill (Trade Deadline Edition) – March 7, 2025
The trade deadline is 3 pm ET today. Check out the latest on Mikko Rantanen, Brad Marchand, JJ Peterka, Brock Boeser, Kyle Palmieri and more in the NHL Rumor Mill.
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli reported overnight that the Dalla Stars were actively negotiating a contract extension with Mikko Rantanen’s camp with the Carolina Hurricanes’ permission, “and a trade is conditioned on an extension.”
Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).
Seravalli reported sources claiming the Stars and Hurricanes had agreed to a trade in principle on the condition that an agreement on a contract extension was reached before Friday’s 3 PM ET trade deadline.
However, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports there is no deal between the two clubs, suggesting the Hurricanes might have to go back to the drawing board. “Doesn’t mean a deal/extension with Dallas can’t materialize, but it’s not there as of now.”
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa reports that a league executive claims the Boston Bruins are serious about trading Brad Marchand. They have set a high asking price of a first-round pick, a roster player, and an A-level prospect.
The two sides have been talking contract extension throughout this season. However, the differences may be too great to overcome.
SPORTSNET: Ian MacIntyre reports the Vancouver Canucks are taking offers on winger Brock Boeser, center Pius Suter, and defenseman Derek Forbort.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports there are rumors that the Carolina Hurricanes could trade Mikko Rantanen. He indicates the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars are believed to be among the suitors, but they could also have an interest in Boeser if they miss out on Rantanen.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports of a rumor that connected Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen, and Devils forward Dawson Mercer and defenseman Simon Nemec in a potential three-team deal.
Murphy cited a Devils source say the club was in talks with the Carolina Hurricanes and Vancouver Canucks but didn’t specify which players, picks or prospects might’ve been involved.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports the Devils have expressed interest in Rantanen, Ryan O’Reilly and Brock Boeser. They also had an interest in Brock Nelson before he was traded to the Avalanche.
JJ PETERKA
THE BUFFALO NEWS’ Lance Lysowski reports the New York Rangers are among the teams trying to acquire JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres. However, a deal like this is unlikely at the deadline. The Sabres seek NHL players, not draft picks and prospects.
NEW YORK POST: With Brock Nelson traded by the Islanders to the Avalanche, Ethan Sears reports the focus shifts to Isles winger Kyle Palmieri. The lack of a contract extension for the pending free agent suggests he could be moved by the deadline.
NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports the Rangers aren’t shopping Chris Kreider, who has a 15-team no-trade list. They are listening to offers, but there are concerns over his physical condition after missing 13 games with three separate issues.
PENGUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that multiple teams are interested in Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell, especially Western clubs. A Penguins source said the asking price is “immense.”
It’s not impossible that Erik Karlsson could be moved by the trade deadline. However, it’s unlikely to happen until the summer.
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus report the Chicago Blackhawks are getting plenty of calls about Ryan Donato, but they’re mostly checking in to see what their asking price will be for the 28-year-old forward. The Blackhawks are open to keeping him past the deadline and attempting to sign him to a contract extension.
Reports are the deal between Car and Dal is done (supposedly Stankoven primary piece going back), but is contingent on a sign & trade deal being in place. Its now up to Dal to get an 8 year deal done with Rantanen.
Supposedly Car was offering 8x$12.4M but it was declined.
where did you hear Stankoven?
I’ve been wondering what the return is going to look like and haven’t been able to find it anywhere.
At this point I see no reason for Rantanen to sign with anyone.
It’s in his best interests to wait until the off season when teams have more cap space. This gives him more choice in terms of teams and $.
This is looking like maybe one of the more unpredictable deadlines that we’ve seen in a while. With very few clear sellers and some teams looking to position themselves for next year, I wonder if we will see more “hockey deals” than usual this year
Why trade for Petreka, when you can just wait until the end of the season and sign him to an offer sheet.
Because an offer sheet doesn’t guarantee you anything.
I can t believe at 1:45 that Boston has not done anything! This groups run is over!We will look like the geriatric Pittsburgh Penguins in 2 years!Wake Up Sweeney and Neeley!
Rangers don’t have the draft capital compensation for an offer sheet.
Successful signing sheets demands cap issues and Buffalo can match any offer
With the Bruins trading JB & TF it’s possible Coyle & Carlo are also out the door ..don’t see them moving BM cause it wild most likely a UFA for UFA trade toss in a draft pick … Bruins have a lot of work to do and I for one don’t think Sweeney is up to it
Joe, if you mean turning the Bruins into a Cup contender, not only is Sweeney not up to, I don’t think anybody is. Can’t just create elite/high end players out of thin air that folks will trade away, or become UFA’s. And the Bruins don’t have enough of them.
If you mean getting into the playoffs, yes, he has a shot at that, but it will be barely. IMO
Agree ….the SC window for the Bruins closed 2 years ago ..also you don’t make the NHL playoffs your team has serious issues
Canucks “taking calls” on Derek Forbort.
Really?
One of K. Miller or Jones will be moved from NY today. Praying it’s Miller!
But for reasons I’ll never understand, my gut tells me Jones. He just can’t find his way out of healthy scratch when NY is healthy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwfdbTvJDaQ
George Cousins for Norris what do you think
Seems like a change of scenery deal for both of them. They both had one good offensive season. They’re more or less the same size. I kinda like Norris’s game this season. I guess given the draft capital you could say Couzens is supposed to have higher upside. I dunno. Seems like a same for same kinda deal and upsets the room in Ottawa.
Yogi, looks like a done deal – change of scene for both sort of trade, although by including Bernard-Docker Staios now has $2,505,000 in cap reserve to make another deal. One thing it does do for Ottawa is to make them a bit tougher to play against as Cozens has more of an edge to his game.
Now they have Cozens and Cousins – spelled differently but pronounced almost exactly the same. lol.
Wow, a straight up hockey trade!
Pretty fair deal, some risk for both. I think OTT wins it in the long run? Have been a Cozens fan for a long time, character guy, or a least he sure was as a JR.
But total guess.
Or have they included Bernard-Docker? All I’ve seen reported is Cozens for Norris
Norris and Bernard Docker on way out of Ottawa. Both being held out of practice. Weekend thinks something with Buffalo
Latest scuttlebut here in Ottawa reports that Norris and Bernard-Docker were not on the ice for morning practice and that talks are under way with Buffalo to send those two to the Sabres for Cozens.
If that goes down, Ottawa sends $8,755,000 to Buffalo for $7,100,000 – giving Staios an additional $1,655,000 to up his cap reserve to $2,505,000
The funny part is reading all the comments from both fanbases. Most Sabres fans can’t stand Couzens and want him gone. They also thing Norris is injury prone and soft…and I would mostly agree except he’s kinda bounced back this season and was leading the team in hits (with a bum shoulder)
This deal just kinda seems like it didn’t need to get done.
Dark G, the one upside for Ottawa is that Cozens does bring a harder edge to his game than does Norris.
I wish them both well
Sounds like it`s heading towards a deal, the only knock I can see on Norris is his health. The numbers just don`t support Cousins as worth his money he gets. Is Buffalo a bad team with good players year after year or are they a team with a bunch of over rated players. I`m leaning to the over rated, can`t believe a team can look that bad year after year and not blame the players.
Well it`s done, Buffalo giving up the 2nd round pick sure tips it towards Ottawa
Is Teliving on a cruise
Maybe he’s fallen asleep
Tough to make trades when you have no cap space and few assets to move. The big question for me is Matthews health. Do you want to go all in if his health isn`t there and it doesn`t look like it is. The window isn`t closed after this year and you can`t go all in every year. The player/players you go after has to put you over the top. A trade just to say I tried is a waste of assets they have few of
If Sweeney is firm in his demand for a 1st, A level prospect, and roster player for Marchand, he isn’t getting traded.
He might get close Ray especially if he retains half, seems to be a sellers market so far
@Yogi
U R absolutely CORRECT
1. I am worried about Matthew’s health as well
2.Cap space – assets -No cap space and only month and Cowen , in which Treliving is reluctant to part with
Treliving just gave up a 1st and Grebenkin for Laughton (50% retained) a 4th and a 6th. Not really in favour of this because Laughton doesn`t put them over the top
A former 5th round pick, who will probably hit but will need time and likely won’t have a long career (historically 5th rounders don’t have long careers if one at all) and the 2027 first. It will be a good trade for the flyers who also have another bullet with that pick.
The Leafs now have someone to play were Domi, Holmberg or whoever else they’ve tried and be good at it. Character guy and a fan favorite isn’t bad. I’d would have liked more but the return is about right considering the initial ask was rumored for Minton who I thought would eventually become a Laughton in 3-5yrs, maybe.
To me I see this as a C+ grade of a move would have been a B+ if a 2nd pairing D was added in a bigger move either with Philly or another team being involved.
I really hope they improve that D. If not, I think this trade deadline exposes what the Leafs brass think of their chances in the postseason being lower than expected.
Scott Laughton to the Leafs haven`t said what the Leafs gave up
It’s 3:03 CT
I was hoping for a defence man as well , maybe not filtered through yet …
Torts will luv Grenenkin , as well as a good fit for flyers prized Russian 1st round pick …
I just hope Toronto doesn’t have to play Tampa in the first round
Welcome to Toronto Carlo…btw, why such a small return for him? Not a bad add. Tampa…sure gonna be fun.
Ron watch out for Carlo s 7th concussion!I hope not but he has had issues most of his career!