NHL Rumor Mill – May 17, 2025
Check out the latest on the Wild, Islanders and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith speculated the Minnesota Wild could attempt to land Brock Nelson this summer. The 33-year-old Colorado Avalanche center is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.
Smith pointed out that Wild general manager Bill Guerin indicated his priority is to improve his club’s depth at center. They could use a second-line center if Guerin decides to trade Marco Rossi.
Agent Ben Hankinson recently told KFAN that his client (a Minnesota native) was intrigued by the idea of playing at home and he could see a fit. However, Hankinson also expected the Colorado Avalanche will attempt to re-sign Nelson.
Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other center free-agent options could include Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars, and John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Nelson could be the Wild’s main target if he goes to market on July 1, depending on what happens with Rossi, who’s coming off his entry-level contract.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner believes Minnesota’s Marco Rossi and Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi could be offer-sheet targets for the New York Islanders.
The Islanders are currently searching for a new general manager. Rosner believes that GM could attempt to improve the roster while getting younger, suggesting an offer sheet could be a great way to do it.
Rosner suggested offering Rossi a deal similar to the seven-year contract (with a $6.5 million average annual value) that Matt Coronato recently signed with the Calgary Flames. For Vilardi, it could cost just over $7 million annually on a three to five-year contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s assuming either player would entertain offers from rival clubs once they become restricted free agents on July 1.
Rossi could be the more likely candidate, reportedly rejecting an offer from the Wild earlier this season. The oft-injured Vilardi could prefer the stability he enjoys in Winnipeg, but that will also depend on his contract talks with Jets management.
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman believes landing a top-four, big-minute defenseman is among the Detroit Red Wings’ priorities to address this offseason. Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings would be the most intriguing name on the free-agent market.
Bultman was asked if Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would consider pitching his first-round pick (13th overall) to acquire prospect Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He doesn’t think so, suggesting that it would be too much for the Hobey Baker Award winner.
“Howard is still a 5-foot-11 wing who isn’t an explosive skater, “ he wrote, predicting the youngster could become a middle-six NHL winger.
Wings could probably use a top 4 dman, but they aren’t going to improve in the standings until they get a #1 goalie, and get rid of Talbot, Lyon and Mrazek
Goalies are voodoo. Improving the Wings’ D is paramount! Which should have been the priority last year.
Why spend the money on a true #1 goalie when they have Cossa and Augustine. Cossa should make the team next season with Augustine up within 2-3 seasons. Spend the money on a top D-man and a high end scorer
I can see, sometime in the not-too-distant future, big Leevi Merilainen becoming Ottawa’s # 1 goalie. He will certainly start next season as the back-up to Ullmark with the UFA departure of Forsberg, and I would bet he sees at least 25 to 30 starts.
This past season, when Forsberg and/or Ullmark were not available, he played in 12 games with a 1.99gaa and a 0.925 save % with 3 SOs. In
37 AHL games he posted a 2.37gaa and 0.913 save % with 4 SOs.
At some point – not too far way – the thoughts could turn to finding a new home for Ullmark.
No way I’d give up the 13th pick for rights to a player that might not even sign with you. Even then, Tampa isn’t should be happy if they could get a 2nd or 3rd.
The Hobey Baker award used to be a curse as it translates to the NHL
Why does it have to be Nelson in and Rossi out ? Wild should sign both
SS. I don’t get it. Seems like everyone but Wild interested in Rossi.
I’m not sure everybody is Slick62, nor that the Wild aren’t.
He turned down a contract offer, that’s about it. Will he and his agent play hardball? I dunno.
So writers for the teams that are out of the playoffs have to write columns almost daily, so they speculate. I am sure they would much rather talk about an upcoming series or game 7.
I’m with S7, if the Wild want to improve at C, keep Rossi and try and sign Nelson.
Sign Nelson
Sign Rossi
Sign Fredric
Buy out Spurgon
Move Trenin
Bank the rest