NHL Rumor Mill – May 30, 2025
The latest on the Devils, plus updates on Bryan Rust, Marco Rossi and Rasmus Andersson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE DEVILS
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh reports New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald isn’t expected to move out any of his big-name players this summer. If he wants to shed some salary, he could explore deals for someone like middle-six forward Dawson Mercer, who carries an average annual value of $4 million.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports the Devils were close to signing Jonathan Marchessault before he opted to join the Nashville Predators. With the 34-year-old winger believed to be open to a trade, Nichols wondered if the Devils might revisit their interest.
DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton believe Jake Allen will be among the most coveted unrestricted free agent goaltenders. The market is thin on quality goalies, putting the 34-year-old Devils netminder in a good position.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fitzgerald wasn’t happy with his club’s offensive depth this season. It’s expected he’ll attempt to remedy that through a trade or a free-agent signing. Mercer could have value as a trade chip to address that issue.
Fitzgerald might revisit his interest in Marchessault, but he could insist the Predators retain part of his $5.5 million AAV in the deal.
BRYAN RUST DRAWING INTEREST IN THE TRADE MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports teams are calling the Pittsburgh Penguins about a potential trade for Bryan Rust. The 33-year-old winger’s no-movement clause expires on July 1.
Yohe would be surprised if the Penguins move Rust. He’s an alternate captain, Sidney Crosby’s favorite winger, and a terrific player on a very good contract. Rust also has a good reputation for working well with younger players.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million. He’s consistently exceeded 20 goals and 40 points in each season since 2019-20.
On the one hand, it would make sense for the rebuilding Penguins to move Rust while his value remains high. On the other hand, they’re still trying to be a competitive club by rebuilding on the fly. Unless they get a terrific offer, they’ll likely hang onto him for another season.
THE LATEST ON MARCO ROSSI
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports the Penguins are a potential suitor for Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old Minnesota Wild center fits the young profile they want. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas doesn’t appear interested in adding players over 30.
Yohe believes the draft picks the Penguins have accumulated give them plenty of ammunition to pursue a trade for Rossi.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild could prefer a player-for-player swap where they get another young forward in return. Then again, they could use whatever draft picks they acquire from the Penguins (or whoever they might send Rossi to) as trade bait to pry a forward away from another club.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco doesn’t think the Philadelphia Flyers would be a fit for Rossi. His sources claim the Wild would want forward Tyson Foerster or one of the Flyers’ late first-round picks in this year’s draft. The Flyers have no interest in either scenario.
Di Marco also reports that Rossi’s contract demands are said to be too expensive for both teams.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers re-signed the 23-year-old Foerster yesterday to a two-year bridge deal. It doesn’t appear to be a “sign-and-trade” situation, as they very much want to keep him.
Rossi reportedly rejected a contract offer from the Wild earlier this season. There’s no indication yet what type of deal he’s seeking. His situation will be worth monitoring as the calendar flips to June and activity in the trade market resumes.
SENATORS REPORTEDLY ON RASMUS ANDERSSON’S “NO-TRADE” LIST
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco cited a rumor linking the Ottawa Senators to Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson. However, a Flames source told Di Marco that the Senators are on the 28-year-old defenseman’s six-team “no-trade” list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Di Marco noted there was speculation suggesting the Flames were gauging the trade market for Andersson. However, he added that a source claimed they’re now considering keeping him.
The McKenna tank a thon might start early this year.
I still maintain Anderson stays in Calgary as long as they do not try to low ball him. Not sure of an exact comparable but he has to be worth around $8m on a longer term. Hanifin left for $7m Reilly $7m
Sabres will target any right handed defenseman that looks to be available. They have the assets to make a trade appealing to the Flames.
George O, the Canucks are looking for a 2nd line centre. With the trade that brought Cozens to Ottawa it looks like Shane Pinto is now your third line centre. Would Pinto be available? What do you would it take for the Canucks to trade for him.
The Canucks should call Boston about Pavel Zacha as 2nd line center.
The Canucks should call Boston about Pavel Zacha as 2nd line center.
Gored1970 – while there’s nothing substantial emanating in the rumor mill about Staios looking to move Pinto, there is plenty of pundit speculation.
That being, if he were to be dealt, it would be for either a top 4 RD (due primarily to Jensen’s questionable availability to start the new season following hip surgery) OR a 2026 1st round pick (probably top 10 protected) to make up for the one Staios has to relinquish thanks to the Dadonov trade screw-up by Dorion.
But I reiterate: that’s pure speculation. After RD Carter Yakemchuk almost made the team out of camp last season, but went back to Major Junior in Calgary where he reportedly showed marked improvement in his skating and defense, along with the unexpected emergence at RD of Nicholas Matinpalo and the return of Zub, the RD situation may be fine for the early going waiting for Jensen’s return.
RW is another area they need to shore up but the hope among some of us in the fan base is that Cozens moves to his natural RW side on the top line with Tkachuk at LW and Stutzle at C.
Batherson would then move to RW on the 2nd line with Pinto at C and right-shooting LW Fabian Zetterlund.
The 3rd line would have Ridley Greig at C between Perron at LW and re-signed veteran Claude Giroux at RW.
The 4th line could see Adam Gaudette back at C between Amadio on RW and, perhaps, a re-signed Nick Cousins at LW.
But, in the end, that’s a fan’s scenario … who the heck knows what’s going through the mind of the GM and his brain-trust.
We should get a better picture of that following the draft and the annual UFA over-spend.
George O.
Rangers will give you Braden Schneider. We’ll throw in Lafreniere and Othmann. And the 12th pick in this years draft. All I ask in return is Brady. Deal?
LOL.
@slick
Schneider for Byram makes sense for all
ds. I’d take Schneider over Byram. Besides, he’s a LH played on right side. I’d swap Kandre for him.
It’s an interesting trade idea, but wouldn’t Rags have to add a bit? Schneider is a good young D first defender but Byrum, now that’s healthy, is a dynamic player.
Does every thing good, has an edge and attitude as well. Maybe I’m biased as I have always been a big Byrum fan.
@ray
NHL loves a big RHD with some edge like Schneider.
Byram has had a bunch of injuries by 23…..
I say its a toss up
and @ slick
Id swap Miller straight all day but Buffalo has no need with Dahlen+Power both being better at everything Miller can do
Thanks!
IMO it doesn’t make sense to trade Andersson now. Calgary was 1 point from being in playoffs. More likely to keep and if season goes south move him at deadline.
Disagree. Parekh has nothing to gain going back to the OHL. Weegar is better on the right side Bruz is a hair away from making the jump to the bottom pairing. Andersen doesnt fit the age group when we are finally going to be a legit contender. Yeah we missed by 1 point but we were a Wolf injury to being a top 10 pick. We have a long way to go. Giving Andersen an 8 year $8.0 mill per deal is insanity. Our window isnt even close to being open. Trade him & get that younger center or younger LHS D to play with Weegar like Byram. Parekh with Bahl would be an excellent fit.
Jarmo hire. It’s about time, too bad he’s not the GM.
I see where the NYI re-signed Palmieri to a 2-year, $9.5 million deal today.