NHL Rumor Mill – May 8, 2025
Could the Canadiens attempt to trade Carey Price’s contract? Which centers could they target in this summer’s trade market? Could the Rangers shop Alexis Lafreniere? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION
PUCKPEDIA: Marco D’Amico believes the Montreal Canadiens could attempt to trade Carey Price’s contract to free up cap space for next season.
A knee injury ended Price’s playing career in 2022. Since then, the Canadiens placed him on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to garner salary-cap relief. However, it could complicate things next season with promising youngsters like Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov carrying performance bonuses in their contracts. If those players hit those bonuses, the Habs will be tagged with an overage.
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has been sidelined since 2022 (NHL Images).
Price’s contract has one year left with a $10.5 million cap hit, but he’ll earn an actual salary of $7.5 million, of which $5.5 million will be paid out as a signing bonus on July 1. The Canadiens could peddle it to a team trying to reach the salary-cap minimum next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens did the same thing with Shea Weber’s contract in 2022, trading it to the Vegas Golden Knights for winger Evgenii Dadonov. The Golden Knights flipped it to the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth) in 2023. Utah sent that contract to the Chicago Blackhawks at this year’s trade deadline.
Price carries a full no-movement clause but he won’t block the Habs from moving his contract. The $2 million base salary would make it quite affordable for teams hoping to keep their payrolls near the league minimum.
TVA SPORTS: Vincent Duquette listed 10 possible trade targets for the Canadiens to address their need for a second-line center, examining the pros and cons of each player.
Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders top his list, followed by Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly, Minnesota’s Marco Rossi and Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras.
Boston’s Pavel Zacha, Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, Seattle’s Matty Beniers, Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers, and Dallas’ Mavrik Bourque round out the list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Isles aren’t trading Horvat or Barzal unless one of them wants out, and even then, the Canadiens might not be on their lists of preferred destinations. O’Reilly lacks a no-trade clause, but the Predators treat him like he has one.
Rossi has resurfaced in the rumor mill. He’s a restricted free agent coming off an entry-level contract and finished second among Stars scorers with 60 points. However, the Canadiens could prefer a more physically imposing center.
Injuries have hampered Zegras over the past two seasons. He’s been primarily employed as a winger.
The Bruins are unlikely to move Zacha because they’re already thin at center and hope to bounce back from this season’s disappointing performance. Malkin intends to retire as a Penguin. The Kraken won’t part with Beniers unless the Canadiens are willing to overpay.
Zibanejad’s decline over the past two seasons screams “Buyer Beware!” Bourque is a promising player. but hasn’t established himself as a second-line center.
Looking at the list, the Canadiens’ best option might be Rossi, but it means adding another small forward to their roster.
COULD THE RANGERS TRADE ALEXIS LAFRENIERE?
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker took note of a reader’s point suggesting Alexis Lafreniere didn’t come up as much for poor play compared to some of his teammates this season. She believes it’s because the 23-year-old is still considered in their younger players category.
Walker noted that Lafreniere caught his share of flak after signing a seven-year contract extension last October. She doesn’t think it would be off-board for the Rangers to trade him, pointing out he’s underperformed during his five-year career.
Lafreniere lacks no-trade protection until 2026-27. Walker suggested that might prompt general manager Chris Drury to do something sooner rather than later if that’s the route he wishes to go.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Veteran winger Chris Kreider remains the player most likely to be moved in a cost-cutting trade this summer. Drury could hang on to Lafreniere, hoping he improves next season. Nevertheless, we can’t dismiss the possibility that he moves the young winger if he fetches a better return than Kreider.
Habs
Keven Hayes would look nice in Red
He played 2nd line center a few shifts this year!!
Review his game tapes. No, they aren’t in slo-mo; that’s his speed.
Back checking? No worries, that’s what the other 4 skaters on the ice are for.
His size and strength for intimidation. He says you don’t need to use it if you appear big.
You may have to remind him where his own end is; but he is good on the dot.
You can have him for…. Well, how is FREE as the expected return.
You know, we’re feeling generous. Accari would also look great in red.
We’ll give you both PLUS a 3rd for somebody like say Anthony Beuregard of the Trois Riviere Lions (30 this year, 5 ‘ 6 1/2”, 160; a Dubas prototype)
Deal?
You should change your username to Shampoo: Lather, rinse, repeat.
I’ve never made that offer before
So will
Hayes+ Accari + 3rd to Habs for future considerations be considered “shampoo, rinse, repeat”?
This site … Yardbarker – suggests Claude Giroux might like to close out his career as a Hab.
Actually, I could see that happening. His expiring cap hit is $6.5 mil and if he re-upped with Ottawa, since he turns 38 in January, the most I could see him getting is $4.5 for 2 years.
Should he go to UFA status I could see Montreal offering him a comparable deal. He does have a bit left in the tank and has been a great veteran presence in the development of the younger Senators … and he is still excellent in the face-off circle for key draws (over 60%).
However, it could boil down to choosing between whatever Staios is prepared to offer and what he might receive from Montreal – IF they’re interested. If he goes that way, that’s another $4.5 mil (at least) Staios will have to spend elsewhere.
https://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/claude_giroux_would_like_to_play_in_montreal/s1_17387_42164732
I dont personally see Giroux signing with anyone but Ottawa. They finally made the playoffs and are expected to again next season. He loves the team and the city. The last thing he would want to do is uproot the family and go to Montreal where the Habs are not even guaranteed a playoff spot next season. That is a ton to gamble on. I see Giroux signing back with Ottawa. This rumour seems to be written by the same fellah that wrote Ottawa was looking at trading Batherson which was a pile of baloney.
Problem with Giroux is that they need a better/bigger/faster scoring option for the 1st line RW. So then Giroux becomes a 3rd line player at best on the Sens. Maybe event a 4th line. Would he accept that role? And would the Sens pay him $4 to be that kind of player going forward?
Lol…Ottawa is “guaranteed” a playoff spot?
If he moves closer to Montreal it will be faster for the car thieves to get his next LandRover to the port for shipping. 3rd time’s a charm right?
What do you think, Lyle. Any viability there in your estimation?
I’ve learned that anything’s possible in this business, but I consider the source doubtful. He supposedly cited one of Giroux’s friends “from youth” claiming he’d love to play in Montreal. However, as you well know, George, Giroux has made it clear he wants to return with the Senators, and I believe they want to keep him, albeit on a reduced salary given his age and the decline in his production as a result.
Thanks Lyle … and Scott Forrest … that’s more or less the way I’ve been seeing it. However, I have learned over the years to sometimes expect the unexpected ,,, like the time I posted in here that there was no way in Hades that Toronto would trade Phaneuf to Ottawa … a couple of hours later it was a fait accompli!
But Scott, while perhaps it’s true that “the Habs are not even guaranteed a playoff spot next season … ” then again, neither are the Senators.
A whole lot is going to depend upon if and how they can shore up that right wing position and, with the likelihood that Yakemchuk is going to need some AHL seasoning, the RD position as well. And not that far behind them are teams like Columbus, Detroit, NYR and NYI who will also be seeking to improve over the summer, so the race for a playoff spot isn’t going to get any easier.
Alexis Laf was not the same player last season he was the previous playoff run..and no explanation besides the new contract. He made plays in the playoffs that were on the verge of elite…and now….
But who can you trade him for that has equal potential?
Dylan Cozens? 🙂
I would keep Cozens if I was making the call George. Not so much that Cozens is killing it right now, just that I don’t think that Laf will be all that either. Keep the big young C. Kinda of reminds me of the draft debate.
Ranger fans and LA fans – Would you trade Lafreniere for Byfield?
There was the debate that year about who should go first. The proven scoring winger vs the raw, bigger, faster C, who was more athletic.
I was on Byfield for the Rags because I like big C’s who can skate. Same reason I want the B’s to take one in June.
@Ray
I was always high on Stutzle but Laf when i saw him play WJ etc looked levels offensively above everyone on the ice… like he was slowing down the game. but now you see he does lack so speed and intensity which makes it hard for him to do what he did as a teen.
Rangers stalled his game too and he still never developed any NHL powerplay skills
@George
Sens need the big center
Ya forgot he went 3 in that draft ds, good point. Definitely the most productive points wise of the 3.
You could make the argument he is the best forward to come out of that draft.
I agree with Bark…always liked Byfield, should have gone first over Lafrenière but no; wish the Jets would have traded for him in the Piere Luc Dubois trade but Winnipegs’ haul was excellent anyways
The comparisons between Lafrenierre and Alexandre Daigle, admittedly by me, aren’t so far-fetched after all.
Actually, Some Old Guy you’re pretty well bang on.
In his Major Junior career in the Q, Daigle played 137 games with 94g 187a 287pts for averages of 0.7gpg and 1.4apg.
Lafrenière in his 173 games in the Q scored 114g 183a 297 pts for averages of 0.7gpa and 1.1apg.
Over 380gp in the NHL, Lafrenière has 92g 101a 193pts for 82-game averages of 20g 22a 42pts.
Over his first 401 NHL games (a difference of just 21 games), Daigle scored 87g 123a 210pts for 82-game averages of 18g 25a 43pts.
Very similar. And the criticisms are beginning to sound alike. Another # 1 overall comparable is Nail Yakopov. In 107gp with the Sarnia Sting of the OHL he had 114g 183a 297pts for averafes of 0.7gpg and 1.1apg.
Over his350 NHL career games he posted 62g 74a 136pts for 82-game averages of 15g 17a 32pts, so both Daigle and Lafrenière at least surpassed that monumental # 1 bust.
Daigle got a good chunk of his points on the powerplay. Alexis is a step above Daigle imho but still not a first overall
ds, Daigle got lots of pp time simply because there were so few other legitimate NHLers on those Ottawa teams thanks to the screwing they got in the expansion draft compared to Vegas and Seattle.
@george
of course… he was best option
my point was points….. if Laf was on the first powerplay unit he is getting 15+ more points a season just by being there.
Daigle had 93 even strength goals in 616 games.
Lafy has 85 in 380 games
I don’t watch many Minny games, but why does it seem that Rossi is always on the chopping block there?
He’s young and his first 2 full years produced 21 and 24 goals, plus 60 total points this year.
I get he’s not big and physical, but for a team lacking a ton of offensive skill, I don’t understand why he’s more often talked of as trade bait as opposed to a solid offensive piece moving forward.
foleyd7, I have to agree with you there. No, he isn’t a big physical presence at C, but he’s rugged enough for his size – and productive. I saw him a lot when he played for the ’67s in the OHL and he gave as good as he took.
In that 2020 draft they took him 9th overall and I guess we’ll never know for certain if they were specifically picking who they thought was the best C available, or were simply picking on the basis of the best player available. But if the C position was their target, these are the 4 they passed on to take Rossi – in order of seasonal games played to date:
Dawson Mercer 6″ 185lbs – 18th by New Jersey – $4 mil to 2027-28 – 378gp 83g 84a 167pts for 82-game averages of 21g 21a 42 pts – 17 playoff games 5g 4a 9pts
Seth Jarvis 5′ 10″ 185lbs – 13th by Carolina – $7,420,087 to 2032 – 304gp 96g 117a 213pts for 82-game averages of 26g 32a 58pts – 46 playoff games 15g 17a 32pts (so far)
Anton Lundell 6′ 1″ 200lbs – 12th by Florida – $5,000,000 to 2030 – 295gp 60g 97a 157 pts for 82-game averages of 17g 27a 44pts – 61 playoff games 9g 27a 36 pts (so far)
Cole Perfetti 5′ 11″ 185lbs – 10th by Winnipeg – $3,750,000 to 2026-27 – 222gp 47g 78a 125 pts for 82-game averages of 17g 29a 46pts – 9 playoff games 3g 2a 5 pts (so far)
So, the guy they picked 9th overall – 5′ 9″ 182lbs – has spent the least amount of time in the NHL (for various reasons I suppose), and is an RFA this year coming off his ELC of $863,334. But if you look at his production in 185gp of 45g 56a 101pts and 82-game averages of 20g 25a 45pts (6 playoff games 2g 1a 3 pts), he’s been every bit as productive as all except Jarvis.
Being their leading points producer from the C position – where they aren’t that deep – it doesn’t make much sense – unless their overall assessment of his play so far suggests to them that his lack of size might be a budding problem down the line.
My take on Duquette’s list of possible centers:
Barzal is likely better suited at wing. I can see the Isles trading Horvat as they may be setting out on a rebuild and I’d definitely be interested.
O’Reilly is a possibility but I’m not sure they’d trade him. I wouldn’t trade for Zegras now and he’s also better suited at wing. Definitely interested in Rossi and he’s also may very well be moved. Would be interested in Zacha too but doubtful he’ll be moved.
Malkin is as unlikely as Crosby. No way Seattle is trading Berniers. No to Zibenijad unless the Rangers retain a big chunk. And Bourque would be another Dach at this time. A high draft pick that hasn’t established himself yet and might never.
Rossi might be the best trade option. There are a few UFA possibilities even aside from Giroux.
Howard, two thoughts:
Firstly, you are responding to a list of 10 that one writer has come up with,and as has been pointed out most suggestions have been made without thought to practicality.
The second is that you and HF30 step past the Habs’ comments that they want to get bigger, and they want to do so without signing a player to a 4 + year contract which takes a spot away from one of the several viable Laval prospects.
Rossi is 23. He’s not going to be signed for 2 years, and he’s not so good that he is worth overcoming the considerations Hughes and Gorton have listed.
You could fill a large book with examples of me being wrong, but IMO this Rossi talk is another example of us being enflamed by a quoted suggestion of some scribbler filling a deadline. Just a few days ago Tavares was all the conjecture. Malkin? The often injured Zegras as a back up for the often injured Dach?
Just watched Sullivan intro presser. Spoke highly of veterans and core guys he coached during 4 nations. I get feeling Kreider could be back. Mika sold TH in city and is buying a new home in burbs. Don’t look like he’s going anywhere. Laf? Rangers have a ton of wingers. I’d trade him for another young player that needs change of scenery. Zegras? Cozens would be nice too. Maybe for a high pick in this years draft? IMO, I’d try to move Panarin if he agrees. Sullivan not really an east-west coach.
under 30 forwards that are top 9 for the Rangers.
Laf, Cuylle, Perreault….maybe Othmann..maybe Berard 3rd line?
Trading Kakko and Chytil took away chunk of the younger forwards.
I would love to add Zegras or Rossi without losing Laf.
ds. I’d add Kaliyev and Edstrom. Vets aren’t going to all disappear at once. If Zib stays at RW, adding a 3C seems logical. A top pair LD probably biggest need. I really like Samberg. Maybe if Jets lose Ehlers they inquire about Laf. Ducks have a couple young LD. Again, Panarin has value. 1 year left on contract. Another value if Rangers pay his bonus there’s only a million left for another team to pay. Will Drury approach him about waving?
Will they resign Kaliyev? he does not have NHL wheels imho.
Can Edstrom be a 3rd liner? he is a smart player for sure
Wow. Coach Q returning to bench. Ducks hiring him.
Dubas couldn’t outbid the Ducks??
He wasn’t dumb enough to bring that turd to the burgh
Watch that proverbial excrement hit the fans around the league when the Ducks visit next season. Be interesting, in fact, to see how they react in Anaheim.
Print around the Boston area has Tocchet possibly being the next Bruins HC ..
Joe I would be OK with that!
I m OK with Tocchet Joe!
George O – While I agree neither Ottawa or Montreal are ” guaranteed ” a playoff spot. I feel people are giving to much weight behind Montreal. People seem to forget that in 2017 when Ottawa made the playoffs they didnt the follow few years. I also think Montreal was lucky and fortunate to make the playoffs this year and next season will be tougher for them. As for Ottawa, we were the 10th best team after the 4 Nations. Personally slight biased being a Sens fan but would have to acknowledge the Sens have a far deeper and better roster currently than Montreal has. I dont feel Ott is as dire need of a RW that most suggest. Batherson has the ability to move up to the top line and Giroux slides to the 2nd line.
I also dont see tha panic on the Defense. Kleven and Mattinpalo played very well together. Zub is my biggest question mark for the defensive corps. I feel Ott would could replace him with a stronger, bigger more physical shutdown Dman but his salary makes him tempting to keep. Im still not sold on Perron at 4 Mill and Cozens needs to be far better on the faceoff dot. 50.8 % is not bad but also not great. But combined with Stutzle with his 47.8% that is not a recipe for success for your top 2 centers.
Who would you look at replacing on the Sens Roster?
Scott: I agree that the Canadiens benefitted from several teams floundering down the stretch. However, they were among the hottest teams in the league following the 4 Nations Face-Off, going 15-5-6, ranking among the top five in the Eastern Conference over that period. A lot of that was due to their determined play over that period after captain Nick Suzuki convinced GM Kent Hughes not to trade away pending UFAs like Savard, Dvorak and Armia.
The bar will be higher for the Habs next season, but it was more than luck that got them into the playoffs.
Scott, George and I are not the only ones who think both te Sens and the Habs may have trouble making the playoffs. I don’t see the teams above them regressing out of the playoffs.
I push back on your statement that the Sens have a deeper roster than the Habs but next year’s playoffs will be determined by next year’s rosters. Optimism and speculation are important for engagement but let us also acknowledge that.
Joe I would be OK with that!
Scott, since seldom does a team show improvement by standing pat, I think they can improve by getting a solid bottom 4 RD. As much as I was surprised by the generally solid play of Matinpalo (literally out of nowhere), he was victimized on at least 3 occasions by the Leafs in that series, and a bit more AHL seasoning won’t do him any harm (he’s only had around 90gp in that league), and the modest extension he just signed – $875,000 AAV through the 2026-2027 season – suggests just that. He’d also likely be a first-call-up and so will see significant NHL time anyway . That will also apply to Yakemchuk as it’s very rare for a young D to jump right from Junior to the NHL
After Batherson and Giroux (if he’s re-signed), what do they have at RW with any offensive talent? Amadio and Zetterlund are OK as checkers and will pot the odd goal here and there – same with LW Nick Cousins – but none consistently enough to make anyone have to pay special attention to the bottom 2 lines. Gaudette is an opportunist with a scoring touch at C – but again, too inconsistent and not nearly tough enough to be an effective every day bottom 6 C.
Perron was unfortunate this season, first with time missed due to an ailing child and then injuries when he did get back in regularly some 2 months into the season. He only has a season to go on his deal, and I think this versatile veteran F can – if he can remain healthy for the most part – be a key component in the bottom 6. He just can’t be a top 6 LW. After Tkachuk, unless Staios can find another either through trade or off the UFA heap, that 2nd line spot is likely Greig’s.
Marchand might be available for the Sens. Getting up there a bit, but can still contribute offence. Not sure where he wants to live, but Florida won’t have a bunch of cap space to keep him either.
From NS and not sure where he plans on living long term. His wife is from NE USA I think.
Ray, – along with MacKinnon and Crosby – Batherson is also in that group from the same NS area who get together in the off-season work-outs. I certainly wouldn’t mind seeing Marchand here. But I believe he’ll likely head back to Boston to finish his career there.