NHL Rumor Mill – April 26, 2025
What’s the latest Blue Jackets speculation? Are the Bruins about to part ways with Joonas Korpisalo? Why haven’t the Hurricanes signed prospect defenseman Alexander Nikishin to a contract? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline expects to see the Columbus Blue Jackets make changes to their goaltending and defense corps this summer.
Goaltending demands the most attention. Starter Elvis Merzlikins improved over last season, but the temperamental netminder struggled down the stretch. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.4 million. Meanwhile, the coaching staff has lost confidence in backup Daniil Tarasov, who is a restricted free agent.
General manager Don Waddell goes into the offseason with a projected $41 million in salary cap space. He also has two first-round picks in this year’s draft, one of which could be used as a trade chip.
Waddell has been willing to pursue other clubs’ RFAs with offer sheets. However, his club doesn’t have its second-round pick in this year’s draft, which limits what kind of offer he could make, as he’d need that pick as compensation for a successful signing.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov (NHL Images).
Portzline asked Waddell if he might consider buying out Merzlikins or defenseman Damon Severson, who was a healthy scratch 10 times this season. The Blue Jackets GM said he couldn’t say how the summer will play out, but it wasn’t something they were looking at.
Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He seeks a seven or eight-year contract but the Jackets could be unwilling to go that far. They’d also like to re-sign pending UFA blueliner Dante Fabbro.
Forward Yegor Chinakhov was sidelined by an injury for most of this season. Given Waddell’s tendency to ship out oft-injured players, Portzline wondered if he might become a trade candidate.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets narrowly missed the playoffs this year. They’re loaded with young talent up front but they must improve between the pipes and on the blueliner. Expect Waddell to be among this summer’s busiest general managers attempting to bolster his roster.
Fixing the goaltending will be a challenge. The best potential UFA options are Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils and Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.
Anaheim Ducks netminder John Gibson’s been a fixture in trade rumors over the last two years, but injuries, inconsistent play and his $6.4 million AAV through 2026-27 have kept him in Anaheim.
COULD THE BRUINS SHOP JOONAS KORPISALO?
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that numerous sources said the agent for Boston Bruins goalie Joonas Korpisalo told the club’s management that his client would welcome a trade this summer if he doesn’t get more starts next season.
Korpisalo started 27 games this season, with 11 wins, a 2.90 goals-against average, and a save percentage of .893. Agent Markus Lehto was unavailable for comment, and there was no official confirmation that a trade request was made.
“He’s not happy and thinks he’s earned more playing time,” one source told Murphy. “He’s more than open to exploring trade options.”
Teams reportedly checked on Korpisalo’s availability before the March 7 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Korpisalo was traded to the Bruins by the Ottawa Senators last summer in exchange for Linus Ullmark. He has three more seasons remaining on his contract with an AAV of $4 million, of which the Bruins carry $3 million annually and the Senators $1 million.
Korpisalo had starter opportunities with the Senators, Los Angeles Kings and Columbus Blue Jackets. However, his inconsistency has made it difficult to remain in those roles. He’s the backup for Jeremy Swayman in Boston and might not get more playing time next season if the latter rebounds from his disappointing performance this season.
HURRICANES HAVING DIFFICULTIES SIGNING ALEXANDER NIKISHIN?
RG.ORG’s Sergey Demidov cited the agent for Carolina Hurricanes prospect defenseman Alexander Nikishin had harsh words for the club’s efforts to sign his client to an NHL contract.
Earlier this month, Nikishin was released from his KHL contract with SKA St. Petersburg, enabling him to sign his entry-level deal with the Hurricanes. His agent, Alexander Chernykh, called the Hurricanes “one of the most complicated teams to deal with regarding management.” He added that his client would return home or request a trade if this issue wasn’t resolved.
Demidov believes Chernykh is trying to justify himself. “It seems he wasn’t able to bring Nikishin to Carolina before the end of the season, as the Canes’ coaches wanted.”
SPORTSNET’s Elliotte Friedman reports Ryan Barnes, Nikishin’s North American agent, said they continue working on his client’s status with the Hurricanes. “Our Russian partners are simply excited to see Alexander play for the Hurricanes and so are we.”
Elvis Merzlikins for John Gibson would work, both goalies seem to need fresh starts. CBJ has Jet Greaves to fill for the inevitable Gibson injury, and EM can rotate with Dostal in goal for ANA
any Devils fan could see what was coming with Severson, he is talented but way too inconsistent, and doesn’t give much effort defensively (no effort in front of his own goal). It would be a very expensive buyout though for CBJ.
Lol to Korpisalo, who has been too inconsistent throughout his career to warrant the top goalie spot. B’s have enough issues rebuilding their roster, will they trade Swayman, who wasn’t the same since his contract issues last summer?
I don’t know if the Jackets are interested in Gibson. There are hints and rumors that they want to try out Jet Greaves as their starting goalie. If that’s true, a platoon with someone like Korpisalo or Andersen would be more likely. If so, perhaps Boston would be interested in a Merzlikins for Korpisalo deal.
GIVE KORPI MORE STARTS BY TRADING HIM TO CBJ!!
Korpi for Elvis at $2.7M for 2 more years ($2.7M retained) and the Leafs’ 2026 4th for Korpi, who has $3M x 3 left
Bruins sav a little bit of cap and 1 less year of contract, CBJ gets a less temperamental goalie that may be better as well.
Nikishin’s North American-based agent, Ryan Barnes, downplayed Demidov’s comments per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. Per Friedman, Barnes shared that Nikishin’s camp continues to work on a deal with the Hurricanes – and chalked Demidov’s comments up to Nikishin’s Russian representation being eager to see him at the top flight. The additional comments may not totally alleviate the tension between Nikishin and a lineup role, but they will ease fans’ worries of a star prospect being traded.
I don’t see the Canes wishing to get their future blue line star too worked up. In fact he has traveled with the club to NJ and is enjoying himself!
Korpisalo to SJ makes sense to me. Gorgi isn’t being resigned. They have cap room. Grab a pick from Boston for it
Askarov/Korpisalo combo
Would Korpisalo for Severson work for Boston with the cap going up?
I think Waddell would jump at that, maybe even retaining some salary. Problem is I don’t think Sweeney would consider it.
Inc,have you seen Seversen contract!
Devon Levi seems ready for prime time, wondering if the Sabres would make UPL available for trade? Young goalie on a favorable contract. He may fair better on a real hockey club and he may bring a handsome return.