NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2025
The latest on the Canadiens and Senators, potential destinations for coach Rick Tocchet and the Canucks’ search for a new head coach in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT WOULD IT COST THE CANADIENS TO ACQUIRE SIDNEY CROSBY?
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels was asked what it would take for the Montreal Canadiens to acquire Sidney Crosby if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain became available in the trade market.
Engels prefaced his response by citing Crosby’s intent to retire as a Penguin, and no indication that this will change. The future Hall-of-Famer grew up a Canadiens fan, prompting a perception among some Habs fans that he might want to finish his career in Montreal.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
If Crosby became available, Engels believes the Canadiens would be better-positioned to meet the Penguins’ asking price than, say, the Colorado Avalanche or Los Angeles Kings. They have the cap space to take on his contract, plus depth in draft picks and prospects to make a competitive pitch.
Engels suggested packaging their two first-rounders (16th and 17th overall) as part of the return. They could also offer up one of those picks and their unprotected 2026 first-rounder, plus one of the two second-rounders they have in each of the next two drafts. They could also throw in “any combination of two prospects not named Demidov, Reinbacher, Fowler, or Hage” in the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Engels ended his piece by reminding everyone again that Crosby might never request a trade from the Penguins, adding it’s difficult to gauge what his value in the trade market would be and what it would take to get him to Montreal.
The Canadiens need a reliable second-line center. Finding one will be difficult because there aren’t that many available in the trade market. Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild could be available, as could Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils.
Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks is often mentioned, but he’s more of a winger now, and his stock has tumbled due to injuries and inconsistency. Teammate Mason McTavish has also been mentioned, but that seems like wishful thinking.
Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche, John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars are the top centers eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Bennett would be the ideal fit, but he’d draw the most interest around the league if he hits the open market. The rest are in their mid-thirties with their prime years behind them. It’s doubtful any of them will consider the rebuilding Canadiens a prime destination.
COULD THE SENATORS TRADE DRAKE BATHERSON?
THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie was asked about a recent rumor suggesting Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson might become a trade candidate.
McKenzie doesn’t see the logic in moving Batherson unless they’re getting a bona fide top defenseman or a young goal-scoring forward. He pointed out that the 27-year-old winger is in his playing prime with a team-friendly annual cap hit of $5 million through 2026-27.
Dealing away Batherson would only exacerbate the Senators’ need to add more scoring. If they do trade him, McKenzie believes it’ll mean they’re making a full-court press on somebody through trade, free agency or other means to supplement their scoring.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Batherson rumor appeared in the Ottawa Sun last month after the Senators were eliminated from the playoffs. I concur with McKenzie’s take. Batherson isn’t going anywhere unless the Sens are clearing cap room to add a better scorer.
THREE POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS FOR TOCCHET
TSN: Darren Dreger reports of “strong indications” that Rick Tocchet will soon be hired by a new NHL team. The 2024 winner of the Jack Adams Award, Tocchet stepped down last month as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.
Dreger claimed the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken were among the leading contenders for Tocchet’s services.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers are seen as the favorite given Tocchet’s ties to the team during his playing career, spending 11 of his 18 NHL seasons in Philadelphia.
CANUCKS NARROW DOWN THEIR REPLACEMENTS FOR TOCCHET
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the Vancouver Canucks are getting close to finding their replacement for Tocchet behind their bench.
He listed Manny Malhotra, Adam Foote and Marco Sturm as the leading candidates. Malhotra is seen as the front-runner, partly due to his success coaching the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malhotra took over as Abbotsford’s head coach last season, earning praise for guiding them to a franchise record 44-24-2-2, finishing second in the AHL’s Western Conference with 92 points. They’re in the division finals against the Colorado Eagles, starting on Friday.
Not only would the Senators need to add scoring if Batherson were to be dealt, they’d have absolutely zilch at RW – easily the worst position, in terms of depth, for the franchise.
Giroux turns 38 in January and Gaudette and Amadio are, at best, 4th liners in terms of sustained offense. After that it’s a bunch of names wallowing in the AHL or ECHL.
The right side – including another D if they intend to part ways with Zub – is where Staios has to focus his attention this off season, if not off the UFA heap, then through trade.
George O
Completely agree regarding Batherson. 5 Mill player in his prime with 26G, 42A for 68 points in 82 games is not going anywhere.
Would love to see the Sens trade Perron and Zub and clear his 4 mill. Sign Giroux for 1 year and make a Free Agent splash and sign Bennett and Ekblad
Thoughts
Scott, with $75,180,714 committed to 8F (Stutzle, Tkachuk, Cozens, Batherson, Perron, Pinto, Amadio, Greig, $24,700,000 to 4 D (Chabot, Sanderson, Zub, Jensen), and $8,250,000 to 1 G (Ullmark), and $1,875,000 in dead cap, Staios has $18,445,000 to sign 10, considering a $95.5 mil cap.
If pending RFAs LD Kleven ($916,664), RD Matinpalo ($775,000) and goalie Merilainen ($820,000) get bridge deals totalling around $4 mil and LW Zetterlund gets a nominal raise to $2 mil from his expiring $1,450,000, he’d then have just over $12.4 mil to sign 6. Giroux, whether it’s for 1 or 2 years, will likely cost $4.4 per to re-up here, and now he’s down to $8 mil, with 5 to go.
With none of the other UFAs being re-signed – with the possible exceptions of Cousins (exp. $800,000) and Gaudette (exp. $775,000) costing no more than $2.5 mil together, he’d have $5.5 mil to sign 3. Dealing Perron and Zub would free up $8.6 mil, so the combined $16 + mil would certainly leave room for the type of shopping you suggest.
Should be an interesting summer with plenty of reasons for discussions – one way or another.
This reminds of years ago when the Oilers were needing d-men and there were these supposed rumors that Nurse or another top 4 Oilers d-man were on the trading block. LOL
Some of these Athletic guys create their own rumors just so they have something to write.
“McKenzie doesn’t see the logic in moving Batherson unless they’re getting a bona fide top defenseman or a young goal-scoring forward.”
So to translate, they should only trade Batherson for the D they already have (Sanderson, Chabot) or a player like Batherson himself.
Makes no sense to trade him away given his age, production, and salary.
They’d be a heck of a lot stronger if they put Cozens on RW where he belongs.
I think the Batherson thing started when he was the only one, not injured, that seemed to do nothing in the playoffs.
There you go – my thoughts exactly Dark G. Cozens at # 1 RW – Batherson # 2 – Giroux line 3, Amadio line 4 with Centers Stutzle, Pinto, Greig and maybe a good 4th line-type C through trade or whatever.
Zetterlund is a 40-50 point guy of which 20 are goals, you are not getting that for 2m. To me he is a prime candidate for an offer sheet(if eligible), one or two year deal at 4,5 costs a second which is cheap
If he gets an offer sheet – see ya.
In 4 seasons with NJ and SJ he reached 44 points once – in 2023-24. This past season, with SJ and Ottawa combined, he had 41 points. In 247 NHL games he’s had 52g 64a for 82-game averages of 17g 21a 38 pts.
Since coming to Ottawa, and getting time on the 1st line when Tkachuk was out, he played 20 seasonal games with 2g 3a 5 pts and in 6 playoff games contributed zeros across the board – so, 26gp 2g 3a 5 pts.
I think a $2 mil show-me bridge deal is being generous.
Crosby will retire a Penguin. Period! Any speculation is merely to provide filler for a slow rumors day. Tavares is unlikely to leave Toronto.
However I still see some of these UFAs, like Duchene, Nelson or Granlund, as possibilities. They would likely get contracts of 3 or 4 years, which is fine. I would not classify the Habs as a rebuilding team now. They have moved into playoff contention stage and are a team on the rise, it’s certainly not a stretch to say that they could be a contender in 3 years. Which would provide incentive for a veteran UFA.
Howard – Dont be to quick to call the Montreal Rebuild over. Sens made the playoffs in 2017 thinking we ended our playoff drought only to miss them the following seasons. Montreal was very fortunate to make the playoffs this year edging out Blue jackets, Detroit and NYR by 2 points, 5 points and 6 points due to their 11 loser points.
One could argue a better Detroit team and better Columbus team and Mtl doesnt make it. Will be interesting season for sure.
The difference is we have the #1 prospects pool in NHL and what is coming is far better than what Sens have. Sens only made it this year due to Ulmark and have the most PP opps in NHL
You are going on what ifs. Det had 8 loser pts as you put it NYR 7, CLB had 9. MTL rebuild is not over but now they can see what they need to take the next step. Maybe MTL’s management will learn from the Sens mistakes after 2017.
I did not say that the rebuild was over. Just that the Habs have graduated to the next level.
Rebuilds are gradual processes. Starts with tear down and trading of veterans for picks, prospects and younger players. The Habs are past that stage. Then comes the stage where the team is contending for and perhaps even making the playoffs. Such a team would want to add pieces to take the next step. But not depleting their futures of course. Finally comes Cup contention.
The Habs are at that middle stage now. Hopefully, 2 or 3 years down the road, they will be contenders. That’s what they’ll have to sell to veteran UFAs looking for 3 or 4 year deals. And I think there’s confidence they Hughes can get it done. Obviously, nobody knows for sure where any team or player will be in 3 years.
ApWright, Montreal – in terms of prospects – is where Ottawa was – as the # 1 prospect pool – before they elevated/incorporated the likes of Stutzle, Pinto, Sanderson, Norris (since turned into Cozens), Greig, Kleven. This coming season they’ll likely elevate Yakemchuk.
Montreal, if and when those top prospects are elevated and they start picking later in each round in keeping with a higher position, they won’t be among the top prospect pools for a while.
The Leafs have 26.8 in cap space with 16 players signed. Will that be enough to sign Knies, Marner & Tavares?
Marner would take up half of that. Tavares would have to take a big cut to stay in Toronto. But I think at this point he’d be willing to. Leafs may still have to dump some salary though.
I agree Howard, ALMOST 100% with you on this
However, there is that small window of chance
I would not blame Crosby for jumping ship. Not a try all
Dubas made promises (publicly and to Crosby) that he was going to make thr team better.
He has not done so
If Dubas does not do substantial improvements in next 2 months; I will be very sad but not be totally surprised if Sid requests a trade
He will d uber competitive
Zero chance he wants to end his career with 5 straight years out of the playoffs
Without marked changes; zero chance Pens make playoffs in next two years
There are relatively easy moves to make that WILL get Pens in playoffs
It’s all on Dubas
Crosby as 2C on Habs would seriously move their playoff success odds
Let me see if I have this right: IF Dubas does what you’re suggesting they WILL make the playoffs – leaping over the NYI (who have the 1st pick overall), the NYR, Detroit and Columbus BEFORE getting to the 2nd WC spot, held this year by Montreal, then Ottawa and perhaps NJ in their Division.
Meanwhile, the GMs of all those teams just mentioned – most of whom have far better prospect pools than do the Penguins, will have conveniently sat on their duffs all summer, doing nothing to improve their teams.
And you base that on improving the support of an aging core and suspect goaltending with unidentified moves that the other teams will supposedly agree to simply because they’re coming from a juggernaut like Pittsburgh?
All teams eventually reach a brick wall at some point – some take loner to recover than others – but no one completely escapes Father Time, and when a team has frittered away multiple picks over the past 5 seasons in futile attempts to forestall the inevitable for one last grab at the brass ring … well, what the Penguins are facing is a long, painful recovery.
This is not a team that just missed being there. They were 24th out of 32 in the League, just 3 points from 29th Philadelphia and with a whopping minus 50 in goals differential.
There is NO quick fix for them.
Yes there is! Bettman gifts us McKenna next year. Duh. 😛
Yes George,
You have my conclusions correct.
Pens WILL make playoffs IF Dubas does those previous (stated a few times) suggestions I made.
Status quo/minimal change; Pens drop in standings further
Minor/mid changes; miss playoffs again next year and year after year
Two significant trades(see below); two dump trades , plus below AND Pens WILL make playoffs:
1) Retain 50% of remaining on Karllsson; return is current young NHLer WITH term AND a prospect that is expected to play in the NHL next year
2) Retain 50% of remaining on EITHER Rust OR Rakell (NOT both) return is current young NHLer WITH term AND a prospect that is expected to play in the NHL next year
3) Hire a seasoned and proven Head coach (in Dubas’ control) ; a great suggestion is Gallant
4) use some of the many extra mid rounders Pens have and dump BOTH Hayes and Accairi
5) Re-up (at least qualify) all current Pens RFAs(completely in Dubas’ control)
6) Do NOT re-up Nietto or Grzylcyck (completely in Dubas’ control)
7) Any UFA signings: nobody over 28; nobody slow; nobody under 6’; nobody under 195 (completely in Dubas’ control))
8) Bring up AT LEAST 3 from farm system; at least Katchouk, Pickering, Poulin; and maybe Howe and/or Koivenen
9) Sit and/or bury and/ortrade Nedjelkovic and give Murashev a shot (again; in Dubas’ control)
Doing #’s 3 to 8 and Pens pretty LIKELY to get in
Do as well both # 1 AND #2; Pens definitely IN
The team needs to get: younger; bigger; faster; and much better defensively
Keeping Karllsson is an insane move
Keeping Hayes, Karllsson. Accairi and re-upping Grzylcyck; Dubas would be clearly making those moves (non moves) to basically force Sid to ask for a trade; as those moves guarantee a further drop in the standings; and create zero chance for Sid to play another single playoff game AS A Penguin!!
And, of course, you’re assuming those “changes” will over-shadow anything the other teams they’d have to climb over will do.
Dream on 8787.
Lather. Rinse. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat.
If the Canadians have some good trading pieces wouldn’t be better to try and trade for a second line center with some term instead of over paying an old UFA? Ryan O’Reilly was rumored to be on the trading block last TDL. The Predators are also a team that is needing to get younger.
This would also give the Canadians time to see what they have in Owen Beck and Michael Hage.
I agree Kevjam. I’d prefer a trade for a young center with term and/or team control. Oreilly isn’t a young center but he’s an option worth looking into.
O’Reilly wasn’t on the trade block. Teams were calling about him but the Predators treated him as though he had a full no-movement clause. They also set a very high asking price.
Hans management, coaching staff and pro scouts have some big decisions to make.
Do Reinbacher and Mailloux fill the void on RD or do they need to look outside?
Do Owen Neck, Jared Davidson, Kapanen challenge and push Dach and Newhook or do they have to look outside?
If you they are not projected to make it then they should be combined with draft picks to be in the hunt for new blood.
My personal opinion is Beck and Reinbacher will push through and the only 2c worth looking at are Rossi and Zach’s.
It’s a little premature to be projecting the growth of the Habs best prospects in Laval, although you will see some indications with their AHL playoff performances. And don’t give up on Roy just yet.
As for the other comments above on the Habs, we all know a # of clubs are in the hunt for a legit 2C. We have also heard Habs mgmt say that they are wary of signing non current Habs to long contracts as it takes away an opportunity for the prospects they have now. Which is why despite his good play down the stretch Dvorak won’t be re-signed.
IMO the only way that changes is if they pull off a trade where they get a young bona fide 2C and pay big with picks and prospects.
Finally, rebuilds seldom grow in a 45 degree angle. There are always bumps and dips. As I have opined before, it is possible that the Habs might take a step back at the start of the season as they audition and integrate young players. The Habs had 4 rookies in the line up their last game against the Caps. They will also be seeing how all those HF30 lists, pls Fowler and Roy. That would make them even younger.
Habs should be looking at Mason McTavish and Marco Rossi if they lack confidence in filling the 2C from within.
A package of Dobes, 1st round pick and Owen Beck might be enough to pry them as they have both dropped in their respective depth chart and both need goaltending.
Of course that would mean it’s Cayden Primeau’s time to take on an NHL role as he has done down in Laval.
You can look at my comment and Howard’s reply in the May 12 rumors about making a possible trade with the Islanders; I liked Howard’s reply of sending Dach, a first and a prospect (not named Demidov, Fowler, Hage, Reinbacher, Dobes) to make a play for Horvat, if the new Islanders GM decides on a rebuild. Or send an offer sheet to McTavish. Crosby is a pipe dream, also unlikely to land Tavares, but I wouldn’t object to Brock Nelson. I like Rossi, he’s a great player but respectfully, the Habs already have enough ‘smurfs’ in Caufield, Gallagher, and Hutson. Rossi might help the team take a step forward and consistently get to the playoffs but all of them together won’t get you a Stanley Cup. And isn’t that the ultimate goal?
The Ducks have the cap space to match an offer sheet for McTavish, so it is better for the Habs to make a trade in which they know what price they are paying.
Chrisms, I think YC’s “any prospect not named” comment is best understood as shorthand for saying Roy, Davidson, Mailliou etc, are expendable. That’s flexibility, not ambiguity.
And, for pity’s sake, enough of Rossi, HF30, unless you think Hughes was just kidding about needing to get bigger. And if you do think he was kidding, why?
I would do the package for Bo Horvat although his age and length of contract is a concern.
Horvat is 30 y/o and has 6 more years on his contract which is NTC and in two years becomes a NMC.
McTavish is 22, Rossi is 23 so I prefer them.
LJ, Hughes mentioned a few things, bigger being one, he also wants a scorer and set-up man as well as better defense, he did NOT say that he wants it all in one player.
For size he can release Pezzetta and sign UFA Tanner Jeannot
I also explained last week that Rossi plays a big game.
Tochett going to Flyers
Read that too… Bruins Strum
Boston was never going to pay for Sullivan or Tocchet, not to mention the years either.They will hire a young cheap coach as his first experience as a head coach at the NHL level.
Foote going to Vancouver.
that works for him, he probably still has his booky’s number in his phone!
You know… I realize it’s all fantasy. But anytime you want to put a proposal out there for a premium asset and it includes the language of “prospects not named” you know it’s not serious.
If Crosby wasn’t comfortable with missing the playoffs for the rest of his career, he would have never signed that 3 year extension/retirement packageb with Pittsburgh. He wants to be a Pen for life, even if that means no playoffs again, and the media needs to get over it already.
Bingo!