NHL Rumor Mill – May 31, 2025
An update on JJ Peterka, the latest Canadiens speculation, what’s next for the Stars and Hurricanes, and an update on Morgan Rielly in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD PETERKA BECOME AN OFFER-SHEET TARGET?
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston included JJ Peterka among his list of offseason trade targets. The 23-year-old Buffalo Sabres winger is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He’d draw plenty of interest if the Sabres decide to peddle him.
Buffalo Sabres winger JJ Peterka (NHL Images).
In March, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams called Peterka one of his core players. However, Johnston considers it unclear whether the winger is willing to make that kind of commitment to the club. He thinks Peterka could be an offer sheet candidate if he’s not traded before July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the players on Johnston’s trade targets list have frequently appeared in media rumors in recent weeks, which have been duly noted on this site. However, his comments about Peterka potentially getting an offer sheet echoed Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli.
The Sabres have over $23 million in cap space with Peterka, Bowen Byram, Jack Quinn and Ryan McLeod becoming RFAs on July 1. They’re reportedly gauging Byram’s value in the trade market, which would provide them with enough cap room to match an offer sheet for Peterka and still have enough to re-sign Quinn and McLeod.
However, Peterka could be worth watching over the next four weeks if he doesn’t see his long-term future in Buffalo. That could force the Sabres to put him on the trade block by the NHL Draft weekend (June 27-28)
THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont cited Johnston suggesting it wouldn’t be surprising if the Canadiens peddled one of their two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) in this year’s draft for more immediate roster help, like a center. Johnston also included defense prospect Logan Mailloux as a trade candidate, noting that the Canadiens’ prospect cupboard is overflowing with defensemen.
TVA SPORTS: noted the Canadiens reportedly had a chance to trade Mailloux to the Anaheim Ducks last year for Trevor Zegras. However, everything fell through when they selected Ivan Demidov fifth overall at the 2024 Draft.
Dumont doesn’t see the Canadiens being in a rush to move Mailloux, but they’re also not going to rush him or prospect blueliners David Reinbacher or Adam Engstrom into their lineup.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens could be willing to part with one or both of their 2025 first-rounders, or a first and Mailloux, if it’ll fetch a reliable second-line center, preferably one in his mid-to-late twenties.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE STARS AND HURRICANES?
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos looked at the notable offseason storylines for the Stars following their third straight elimination from the Western Conference Final.
Team captain Jamie Benn can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The front office has indicated there’s a place for the 35-year-old winger on their roster as long as he wants it, but his performance in this year’s playoffs (three points in 18 games) suggests he’s nearing the end of his playing career. If he does re-sign, it’ll be on a cheap one-year deal.
Other forwards to be re-signed or replaced include Matt Duchene, Evgenii Dadonov, Mikael Granlund, Colin Blackwell and Mavrik Bourque.
Stars GM Jim Nill must address the right side of his defense corps. Cody Ceci, Nils Lundkvist, Brendan Smith and Ilya Lyubushkin are free agents this summer. Matt Dumba is under contract for another year but could become a trade or buyout candidate.
DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk pointed out that the Stars only have $4.9 million in cap space for 2025-26. Frank Seravalli observed that their prospect pipeline has grown thinner because they’ve traded away a lot of draft picks for immediate roster help.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars GM Jim Nill has done a fine job building the Stars into a perennial playoff team, winning the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award in each of the last two seasons, and becoming a finalist this year. However, his management skills will be put to the test in addressing his club’s weaknesses, given his team’s limited cap space and few tradeable assets among their draft picks and prospects.
THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette looked at what could be in store for the Carolina Hurricanes after their elimination from the Eastern Conference Final.
The Hurricanes could move on from veteran defensemen Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov unless they’re willing to accept pay cuts and reduced roles to stay.
Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky will have over $28 million in cap space this summer and not many holes to fill on his roster. He could pursue a big-name player via free agency or trade. Mitch Marner of the Toronto Maple Leafs could be a good fit. Tulsky could also pursue a defenseman to skate alongside Jaccob Slavin on their top blueline pairing.
Lavalette doesn’t rule out the unexpected, suggesting they could move out a goalie like Frederik Andersen or Pyotr Kochetkov if an upgrade emerges.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes attempted to acquire Marner from the Leafs at the trade deadline. While he declined to waive his no-movement clause, he might find the Hurricanes an acceptable destination as a free agent.
UPDATE ON MORGAN RIELLY
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving has no intention of asking Morgan Rielly to waive his no-movement clause. LeBrun said the 31-year-old defenseman loves being a Leaf. “I don’t think that needs to be a talking point going forward here,” he said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly surfaced in the rumor mill following the Leafs’ second-round elimination by the Florida Panthers. That sparked plenty of speculation about big changes, especially after the club parted ways with team president Brendan Shanahan.
The decline in Rielly’s performance as a puck-moving defenseman prompted some pundits to suggest trading him or buying out his contract. However, Treliving’s comments indicate neither option is on the table.
if the Canes trade Anderson, there are no free agent goalies better than him, and no available goalies by trade better than him. Gibson may be a tad better but with his contract and injury history, that would be a lateral move at best
I was thining of a trade that may help both teams:
To BUFFALO
K’Andre Miller
Alexis Lafrenniere
to NY Rangers
JJ Peterka
Byram Bowen
I would say no as Buffalo GM
In capital letters!
Buffalo wants no part of that Miller who we have not seen play his offside and would be behind Dahlen/Power on the left.
They would swap JJ for Lafy as at least he has played in to ECF
At first glance Peterka for Laf is enticing. Mostly due to Laf’s contract. But. Peterka could be in line for a similar deal. And with kind of north south game Rangers are looking to play, Laffy is wayyy more physical player. A little bigger and just below Peterka as a goal scorer per 82. (20-23). Rangers probably hoping last season was an outlier. If Laf does get traded, I think it would be for a young center or LD with high ceiling. I think Miller ends up elsewhere, but probably not Buffalo.
No way BUF makes that deal. Jarmo may have a word with any of these guys before they make their decision.
I still believe Buffalo would take Schneider for Byram
but Drury has held him back from trades in the past(rumors teams asked for him..i know nothing 100%)
you cant dismiss Schneider(23) Miller Laf(23) already playing in 40+ playoff games and 2 ECF.
A team like Buffalo could use young players who have been there to an extent
What if Oettinger wants out of Dallas after being pulled the last game? I would love to see him with Carolina, he would improve the goaltending situation.
Swap Swayman. Simple
If that becomes true, due to the decades-long situation at the goaltender position in Philly, you can expect the Flyers to try and make a play for him, too. Says Captain Obvious!
to bruins UPL Byrom and peterka to Sabres Zacha Lorhei and sayman
100% declined by Adams & Co.
There is a loyalty to Benn for sure, but at what price? He’d have to sign for 1-2 million to make it worth it… even Modanno played in Detroit his last season in the league.
Duchesne is still getting paid for another year from Nashville, so I hope he stays at his 3 million, that he’s been playing at for the last few seasons. Yes, he was a no show in the playoffs, but other than Rantennen, who wasn’t a no show for the Stars, in the playoffs?
Granlund, Cici and Dadanov not coming back.
Maverick Borque, I belive il will talk him into a bridge deal to keep him on the team… Hopefully, no one offer sheets him, they just don’t have the money.
Dumba- good God his playing days are over… after he gets bought out, don’t let the door hit ya in the arse.
Honestly, I’d love to see Toews come in for a year and play 3rd line center for 1-2 million… as would most teams, I think
Hey Starsfan, how would you feel about firing Peter DeBoer? Jim Nill has done a good job at assembling the roster but they haven’t been getting to the finals. From someone who doesn’t follow the Stars closely, I’d say tweaks to the roster and a coaching change are in order.
I’m torn on this one…I think he was doing what was best for the team in game 5, to win. However, I don’t know what that move might do to the team and his relationship with the players.
I just don’t think you can put the blame on the coaching staff for not making to the Stanley Cup in this case. The systems have been in place all year, and when the players don’t execute the system, well, we saw how that effects the outcome. It would be different had they played evenly and still lost…Unfortunately, every narrative played out as last year. Skinner was better than Oettinger, The Oilers D was better than the Stars D, The Oilers scored, The Stars couldn’t.
I also don’t think there is a better coach out there for the Stars…lot’s of ex-coaches out of work, but I’m not sure any are better than DeBoer.
Starsfan, when you say Granlund, Ceci and Dadanov won’t be coming back, that Benn – if retained – will have to do so for $1 or $2 to make the cap work, and hope that Duchesne will re-up for the same $3 mil cap hit – it raises several questions.
Assuming the 8 forwards, 6 D and 2 G committed to for next season are all back, their cap hits combined will leave the GM with just under $5 mil to sign 7, and that includes the 2 RFAs needing new contracts – Bourque and Lundqvist – whose combined expiring cap hits total $2,144,167. Their new combined deals alone will likely range around $4 mil, which would leave about $1 mil to sign 5.
Granlund, Ceci and Dadonov, and their expiring cap total of $10,500,000, clearly can’t be re-upped without some massive term contracts being dealt.
So, as you say, they’re gone. But gone with them are 46 goals 84 assists 130 pts, and if Benn says no to a drastically-reduced deal, add in his 16g 33a 49 pts also needing to be replaced. As for Duchene, his 30g 52a 82 points commands a LOT more than $3 mil, so why wouldn’t both test the UFA market.
And if they’re gone, that’s a total of 92 goals 169 assists 261points in total that Nil will have to find elsewhere, and to do so, he will absolutely need to move one or two of the high-ticket term players.
Just trade Rantanen back to the Avs for Necas, 2027 1st, 20026 4th and 5th (Philly and Boston)
Now they have $5.5M more cap space for signing critical players! Your welcome! ☺️
LOL.
You mean the $12 mil Rantanen who contributed all of 3 assists in the 5-game series against Edmonton? Now that’s a clutch performance!
George O, I agree 100%…
As for Benn, I think the writing is on the wall for him, unfortunately. He’s a great leader, but his days of being able to produce, even on a 3rd line, are well behind him. So, while he’s, technically, “earned” the right to make more at the latter stages of his career, in order to remain a Star, he’s have to take a serious pay cut or hit free agency (again, happen to Modanno)
Duchesne, I believe is still getting 6 million from Nashville through next season…He’s rumored to really like Dallas and isn’t worried too much about the money, so I’m hoping for that to play into his decision…but I do agree that he’s earned a bigger payday if he decides to chase the money.
Nil is in a pickle for sure…not sure where he’s gonna come up with the money for anyone to be honest.
I really doubt Toews is a 3rd line C, 4th line maybe. He will soon be 38 and hasnt played for 2 years
I cant believe Dumba got a contract after the terrible play on his last one. Best guess is that he is bought out
I’ve got a feeling Granlund signs with the Sharks. He and Sharks management expressed an interest in his staying, and he was enjoying playing with them. And with his experience, it’ll help the younger guys develop.
Flames fans have talked about offer sheets but I’m of the opinion that teams will be reluctant to give up their firsts with McKeena and others being available in the draft.
I’d trade Mailloux and a draft pick in a heartbeat.
Reinbacher, Engstrom and Trudeau all play better minutes than Mailloux.
He’s big but gets bumped around, he has a shot but doesn’t know how to use it.
Cut bait while people in the league like him.
Send him to Boston with a pick for Zacha.
I’d trade BOTH 2025 1st round picks + Mailloux if there was a better 2nd line Centre to be had. Folks talk about “centres that could be available”… I think the Habs should be aggressive and start exploring centres not typically considered available by uping their offer.
Habfan30 ,you guys have a nice problem to have. To many players and draft picks in the organization.Have you given up on Dach as a second line center?Newhook reminds me of Middlestadt,a little soft for my liking. Boston does need some depth at RD so maybe Zacha trade might work!
That’s a tolerable price to pay for Zacha, I like his size but note he has never hit the 60 point season. Bruins fans, what do you think of Zacha, would you keep him or make the trade HF30 suggests?
HF30: I read that Mailloux got benched and then sent to the dressing room during the last Laval game. What have you heard?
And not to keep going on about Rossi, but one writer pointed out he got 11 minutes of ice time in the playoffs this year for the Wild. Rumors suggest he knows it is a seller’s market and is asking for 7 X 7. Neither encouraging.
Lj, Boston started to play Lindholm with Pasta and Geekie the last 10 games of the year.I think they want to play Poitras on a scoring line. They need to do something with Middlestadt and Minton.They still have Beecher and Kastellac so Zacha will probably get moved in the right deal.
LJ,
What does that stat tell you about Rossi? 4th line minutes played 6 games but hda 2 G.
Joel Eriksson Ek the 1C 6’3 207 lb, his toi was 20.
How many goals? 0
Watching the last Rocket game Mailloux was caught up ice behind Charlotte’s net for 2 G, gave up the puck at the blue line for a shorthanded goal.
Benching him was a mercy move.
It isn’t that I have “given up” on Dach but he still hasn’t proven he can take the 2C role.
Zacha comfortably would slide into 4th in scoring among forwards. Zacha has been nothing but consistent on the faceoff, assists and bringing the Habs what Dach and Newhook haven’t been able.
Mailloux isn’t ,McDonagh Sergachev or Romanov, he’s a prospect that is sought after in the league and rightly or wrongly I have never liked his game.
Zacha is a legit 2C and worse case scenario getting him gives Hughes more trade chips to join the RD chase.
Aside from prospects and picks, Dach and Newhook join the available assets to tempt Darche, Conroy or Drury.
Habs don’t need a star RD, maybe a Will Borgen slots in like Carrier did for example.
Re the silly musings on Morgan Rielly, which is in keeping with the sort of speculation and suggestions which surface following another early elimination, I found this article yesterday by Jason Bourne to be the most balanced, reasonable overview on the team that I’ve read in a long time, and I’m curious as to how the Leafs fans in here view it
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/why-torontos-front-office-must-get-creative-this-off-season/
Toronto needs to get creative, now that`s a new one. Washington faded badly in the last 3rd of the season and Nashville simply made too many changes in one season, rarely works. He goes on to say that Marner won`t improve because he had a perfect year despite playing with an injured Matthews and Tavares at 35 won`t get 38 goals again. I`d bet a good chunk of money against them hitting those totals again too, since few players manage to do it each year. Bourne just kinda states the obvious, no concrete ways to replace either Marner`s or Tavares`s contributions to the team. You might notice that he seems to suggest next year everything hinges on what Treliving does with those two contracts. Mark Shannon suggested that the difference between Florida and Toronto was the leadership and Matthews being moved should be considered. Matthews throwing his teammates under the bus sure painted him as a bad leader. Matthews has yet to clarify that comment. The fact that Toronto has a better winning % without Matthews. Stinking the joint out in games 5 and 7 while playing a near perfect game 6 in Florida, points, in my opinion, to bad leadership https://youtu.be/z_TTh7YFinY?si=A690XDKP2eCjbl3N a link to the Mark Shannon comments
My hope is that MTL hangs on to Maillioux and Reinbacher as they have been historically weak on the right side. I get that you can’t hang on to every prospect you draft, but to put all that time and effort into Maillioux only to run the risk of having him flourish on another team, would simply be a repetition of frustrating patterns. Top many times we’ve given up solid future pieces for quick fix solutions to the offense only to not have them work out (ie; McDonaugh, Sergachev, Romanov). I would much rather Hughes exercise patience with their to top right shot prospects.