NHL Rumor Mill – May 24, 2025
What’s the latest on the Blues and Kings? Which teams might be willing to part with their 2025 first-round picks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BLUES COULD SEEK A CENTER THIS SUMMER
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford believes the St. Louis Blues must address their depth at center and right-side defense this summer, with the second-line center position being the priority.
Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers would be the best option in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market. John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs would be another, but he’s optimistic about staying in Toronto. Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche is another option, but consistency is an issue.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).
Former Blues center Ryan O’Reilly, now with the Nashville Predators, has been mentioned in trade rumors. Others include Shane Pinto of the Ottawa Senators, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, and Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks. Rutherford doubted some of them would be available and believes the Blues should avoid Pettersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett will be the most-pursued center in this summer’s UFA market if he doesn’t re-sign with the Panthers. He could prove too expensive for the Blues in a bidding war. Recent rumors suggest Rossi as the most likely to be available of those trade candidates, but he could also draw a lot of interest.
KINGS COULD BE AGGRESSIVE IN THIS SUMMER’S TRADE & UFA MARKETS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Los Angeles Kings will try to be aggressive this summer under new general manager Ken Holland.
LeBrun believes Holland intends to go “big-game hunting”. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Kings get into the Mitch Marner sweepstakes if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger heads to the open market on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have a projected cap space of $21.7 million for 2025-26 with 21 active roster players under contract. Re-signing pending UFA defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov and RFA forward Alex Laferriere will take up a significant chunk, but they should have enough to make a big splash this summer.
BLUE JACKETS, SHARKS, AND CAPITALS OPEN TO MOVING FIRST-ROUNDERS
SI.COM: Nick Horwat reports the Columbus Blue Jackets hold two picks in the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft. GM Don Waddell indicated he’s willing to use both picks as trade chips for more immediate roster help.
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier will keep his options open with the second-overall pick in this year’s draft. That could include moving down from No. 2 in the first-round order if the return fetches an additional player who can help the Sharks improve now.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick isn’t ruling out moving his first-round pick, which is 27th overall. “I think you have to be open to all options,” said Patrick.
Panthers cap space around 19 million, can they resign both Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblab?
After adding Jones, I think Ekblad expendable. Unless he signs a team friendly deal
Just looking at roster, After Jones, Ekblad is only RH dman on current roster.
Every D currently signed on the Panthers team can and has played on the RS except for Forsling.
Speed Kills, the fact that, while they do have around $19 mil in cap space, with the new limit of $95.5 mil, they are committed to just 16 players, meaning they need to either either re-up their expiring UFAs, or find replacements just as good – if not better – than the ones they let walk in ordfer to get to 23.
They have just the one RFA – RW/C Mackie Samoskevich – coming off an ELC of $925,000 and, following a season where he played 72 games and potted 15g 16a 31 pts, he should shave at least $2.5 to $3 mil off that reserve. Re-signing both Ekblad and Bennett would easily use up most of what’s left – and they’d still have to sign 4.
Thinking Bennett gets $9M AAV…maybe more as he WILL be the most sought over C on the open market! I don’t think the Panthers can afford that!
Ekblad may stay at an affordable $7M AAV.
Marner would be a really nice talent upgrade for Columbus (to replace the lost offensive talent from Johnny hockey), and teaming with Fantilli would make for a great line
but Waddell really needs to concentrate on moving on from Elvis in goal to a better goalie, if the team wants to make the playoffs
I see where the Marner camp has ruled out going to ANY other Canada-based team.
Wherever he goes, if I were Hockey Canada I’d suggest to him that he take out U.S. citizenship, then, since he can forget being selected to play for Canada at the Olympics.
i think Fla lets Ekblad walk (considering his PED suspension and injury history) and concentrates on resigning Bennett. Why mess with the winning two headed monster of Barkov and Bennett if you don’t have to?
MikeP.
Lundell is 23 and signed thru 2030. He could bump up to 2C. They have others that have played center in past. Bennett has been on a bargain contract and will be looking to cash in. Can probably get Ekblad on a reasonable deal, but hard to say. Everyday rumors seem to be a team looking for right D and center.
Ekblad resign for less than his previous 7.5?
Well, if money alone is immaterial to him, I suppose that’s a possibility, given they are a powerhouse team and playing in a State with no tax.
But this is a 6′ 4″ 220lbs RD who is just 29 y/o and in 56gp this season, had 3g 30a 33 pts and in 10 playoff games so far has 3g 6a 9 pts.
If, however, he’s looking ahead to long-term security and IS interested in money (like most of us) and so chooses to test the UFA market, he is certain to get offers exceeding $7.5 by a big enough margin to overcome the lure of Florida.
agree. but he also hasnt played a full season in a long time and has already made 63million playing hockey.
3x his current 7.5mil would not leave Florida much to fill in the gaps
Thought Bennett ruled out playing in Canada?
I think Bennett could get more than that. I’d think Ekblad more a need
Jones is getting 1st pair minutes and Ekblad 2nd pair, but he plays a lot for 2nd pair guy. Low tax state, great team, maybe they can get him for $7 if they give a year longer than they would like?
Good point Ray. I believe both he and Bennett will stay – especially if they win a back-to-back
Leafs and Bruins could go hard on Bennett if he doesnt want to stay in Florida(and yes he has been underpaid for a 2C so he should be looking for a payday)
Florida cant love the idea he plays against them in the 1st or 2nd round next spring
Why you think the leafs and/or bruins make it to the playoffs?
While I realize Matthews had an off year and will rebound next year, missing marner and possibly Taveras will not make the leafs a better team unless they upgrade – I would take Bennett over both these guys
Bennett is a Craig Berube-type player, but if Tavares resigns I don’t see Bennett going to TOR
Good free agents usually get overpaid in bidding wars. With so many teams looking for a centre this year there is likely to be overpaying in trades as well as July 01 signings for them as well. It’s going to be a seller’s market this off season.
Funny you should mention that, LJ. On that very topic I posted this earlier in the Headline thread:
As for the UFA heap, former player and now analyst Jason Bourne foresees some singularly dumb signings in an article that says, in part
“The NHL’s salary cap prepares for a significant jump this offseason and teams across the league are getting their pens ready to ink some top players. But according to former NHLer and hockey analyst Justin Bourne, this offseason might not be a gold rush — it could be a trap.
On Wednesday, Bourne posted: “The more I look at this offseason in the NHL the more I’m sold there’s gonna be just a raft of horrific contracts handed out. Cap way up, tons of desperate teams looking to take a step, weak UFA class. Perfect storm.”
Bennett would be a perfect fit in Boston- he is tough, can score and is excellent defensively, Bruins won’t spend the money though so forget it. Too bad because they have tons of money when they unloaded Marchand and Coyle etc. at the deadline.
Hey Flames got two seconds for Bennett .
Let Marner go , $6m to Tavares for whatever term he wants for the lower dollars and sign Bennett and Ekblad.
Reinhart signed a team friendly. I think they want to keep the band together. We will see.
I could see the Leafs signing Ryan Lindgren
Will Bennett really be the best C on the market this summer. Sounds like a weak market then. The Dude has only broken the 50 point mark once and has only played a full season once in his career. He is very physical and an absolute playoff gamer, but he isnt that offensive and has issues staying healthy. Folks are overrating him a bit right now it seems.
If Bennett leaves FL, his most likely landing spot is the hockey team from Boston. I’d love to see him in Buffalo, but the Sabres would have to overpay – probably grossly -,to have a shot at landing him.
Tavares at $ 5.5 M gôd deal. He had 38 goals
I would keep it no more than 3 years
I’m going to pipe in again on Rossi and only because I see Granlund’s name pop up as a 2C.
Granlund- 5’10 185, 33y/o 22G 44A
Rossi- 5’9 182, 24y/o, 24G 36A
Bennett- 6’1 193,29y/0, 25G 26A
I just think that the size isn’t the issue being made out to be and Rossi is being looked at as a slight 162 like Lane Hutson.
I can see this kid between Demidov and Laine as a second line that could light it up.
If Rossi is available it’s because of Guerin liking and wanting “bigger” as that’s his DNA. and Rossi has turned down $5 million offer, getting demoted to 4th line doesn’t exactly motivate him to want to stay there.
One thing I do know from decades of hockey that the old expression of the size of the fight in the dog is perfect for hockey.
Rossi is a fire hydrant. He walks around at almost 200lbs.
Excellent hands and a good skater with good edges. Perfect age.
I’d give Billy G a call if I was Sweeney. There’s recent history and a solid report between both men.
I think O’Reilly returning to Blues for just a couple years would give Dvorsky and others time to develop.
I would really like to pull in Trent Frederic as an option.
AND I’d take a shot at Rossi!! {he’ll probably grow 6 inches during off season}
IP