NHL Rumor Mill – June 13, 2025
What’s next for the Rangers and Ducks following the Kreider trade? Should the Golden Knights pursue Mitch Marner? What’s the latest on the Sabres and Bruins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS AND DUCKS?
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes the New York Rangers will attempt to improve their roster by addition this summer after trading Chris Kreider to the Anaheim Ducks. He considers it very likely that they’ll trade defenseman K’Andre Miller, and also noted there is speculation they could pursue Vladislav Gavrikov if the Los Angeles Kings blueliner becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
RG.ORG: Daria Tuboltseva reports a source claiming the Rangers are looking at the possibility of signing Ivan Provorov. The 28-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman is UFA-eligible on July 1.
New York Rangers defenseman K’Andre Miller (NHL Images).
It was reported that Provorov’s agent, Mark Gandler, met with Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell during the NHL Draft Combine last week. However, it’s unclear if any progress was made between the two sides.
Provorov is completing a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6.75 million.
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens looked at what the Anaheim Ducks might have in store this summer following the acquisition of Kreider. He pointed out that general manager Pat Verbeek faces pressure from Ducks fans who’ve had their patience tested by poor seasons, trade-deadline selloffs, the slow development of prospects, and a general lack of material progress.
The Ducks have nearly $39 million in salary-cap space, and team owner Henry Samueli is willing to invest wisely to improve the roster this summer. It’s rumored they could get into the bidding for Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger hits the open market this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers and Ducks aren’t done making moves this summer.
Trading Kreider cleared his $6.5 million AAV through 2026-27 off the Rangers’ books. With nearly $15 million in cap space, GM Chris Drury has the room to re-sign Will Cuylle and have enough to make a significant addition via free agency, especially if they opt to trade Miller instead of re-signing him.
The Ducks showed signs of improvement last season, reaching 80 points for the first time since 2018-19. They’re loaded with good young talent that will only keep getting better, and the addition of Kreider brings another measure of veteran experience and leadership. Nevertheless, they must make an addition this summer via trade or free agency that will help them take the next step toward playoff contention.
WILL THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS PURSUE MITCH MARNER?
LAS VEGAS SUN: Case Keefer observed recent speculation around the league suggesting the Vegas Golden Knights could pursue Mitch Marner. However, Keefer believes they should think twice if they’re considering that option.
Keefer points out the Golden Knights have limited cap space (nearly $10 million) this season. Signing Marner would require shedding salary that would deplete their roster depth.
Daily Faceoff suggested a sign-and-trade scenario whereby Marner is shipped to Vegas in exchange for a combination of Mark Stone, William Karlsson and Shea Theodore. However, Stone has a full no-movement clause while Theodore and Karlsson are on team-friendly contracts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve become accustomed to the Golden Knights making major acquisitions via the trade and free-agent markets. However, Keefer is correct that signing Marner would sacrifice any semblance of depth on their roster.
The only scenario in which this works for Vegas is if defenseman Alex Pietrangelo and his $8.8 million AAV wind up on long-term injury reserve for the remaining two years of his contract. Some pundits wonder about the 35-year-old defenseman’s health after he skipped the 4 Nations Face Off tournament to prepare for the playoffs. There is no word from Pietrangelo or the Golden Knights regarding his status.
THE LATEST ON THE SABRES AND BRUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn believes that the idea of the Buffalo Sabres trading their first-round pick should be on the table. However, several other clubs are also willing to consider moving their first-rounders, plus there aren’t many teams committed to collecting draft picks and rebuilding.
Teams are continuing to call the Sabres about restricted free agent winger JJ Peterka, but he’s not a player they’re eager to trade. RFA defenseman Bowen Byram is also generating interest, but the Sabres remain high on him.
Fairburn noted the possibility of Peterka signing an offer sheet this summer. However, he pointed out that it could backfire on the winger if he wants out of Buffalo if the Sabres match, especially if it’s a long-term offer. They have the cap room to match any aggressive offer.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that multiple sources claim the Boston Bruins are actively entertaining offers for their first-round pick (seventh overall) in this year’s draft. It’s believed GM Don Sweeney would like to move up into the top five in the draft order. Failing that, he could include that pick in a trade package for a player who could help their roster right away.
Rangers need to decide on Panarins future. Entering last year of deal with a cap hit of 11.6m. I’m going to keep banging the drum on him waiving nmc to join his buddy Bobrovsky in Florida. Same agent as well. Also wonder if Vegas could be a fit. 1 m base salary after bonus is paid. Wouldn’t be hard for another team with cap space like Chicago to get involved. Can see Rangers retaining 15-20% and 3rd team retaining 50% of what’s left. 1 year of Panarin for less than 5m cap hit? Would Rangers then be interested in Marner? Put Laf back at LW. Also like the idea of Provorov replacing Miller.
Neither Florida or Vegas has the cap room and what would it cost for NYR to take 50% and another team 25% to take on Panarin even if they wanted to . Add to that that the UFA pool of forwards is very shallow so taking 50% of his cap they wouldnt get a forward that is better at that cap saving som I dont see the gain for anyone except for a middle man team who takes the cap hit
Kent. As I wrote: Rangers would retain 15-20 %. Not 50! A 3rd team would then get a pick or player along with Panarin. That team then trades Panarin and retains 50%. That would leave an approximate cap hit between 4-5 mil. There’s no actual financial burden. Also to repeat… Rangers need to decide if they’re keeping Panarin beyond this season.
I’d rather have Gavrikov or Provorov over Miller for defensive purposes, but they will both be more expensive than retaining Miller.
I don’t think Florida would want Panarin. Doesn’t fit their style. If Panarin waives to go anywhere my guess would be Detroit.
Even with Kreider gone, I don’t see the Rangers making any big moves. Cuylle could get over $4M and it will cost the Rangers anywhere from $5M – $7M+ depending on what they do between KAndre/Gavrikov/Provorov. And they would still need to sign a couple more D on top of that plus other RFW forwards (Rempe, Edstrom, maybe Kaliyev, etc).
The only way they can realistically make a big move for offense is if Panarin, Zib, or Laf are moved as part of the deal. But I would honestly give Sullivan a chance with all of them to start the year and see how it goes. Maybe he can mix the right lines to shelter Zib and maximize Laf.
Then use all the remaining cap space after resigning Cuylle/Rempe/Edstrom to shore up the D.
If it’s not going well by mid-season, Panarin might be more open to moving to a contender at that time, especially if the Rangers are not planning to resign him (and I wouldn’t resign him unless it was a short 3 year deal or so, but Panarin will likely want more security than that).
I’m amazed how other GM help thé rangers out, they always overpay on a lengthy contracts – find some sucker to get out of a bind and then want to do the same – repeat and recycle-
Read an article that was interesting and the premise was that bacically all the teams that have tanked the last few seasons wants to get better next season even if they are not aiming for a playoff spot. This limits teams that are willing to sell assets for picks or prospects from the last 1-2 drafts that arent close to the NHL. Had a look myself and if you look at what insiders and GMs at least say, its true. Not one team is actually in clear tanking mode. All the bottom dwellers wants to get better next season, even teams like Sharks, Chicago, Philly, and the Ducks. Will this result in a mad draft day or a very quiet one?
A couple of stories floating around this morning – one suggesting (by Aidan Cowling-McDonnell of The Hockey Writers) that Ottawa should consider trading for Martin Necas, and once again the name that pops up to go the other way is Drake Batherson. Neither has no-trade protection, but Necas has just next season to go at $6.5 mil before becoming a UFA, while Batherson has 2 years at $4,975,000 per before becoming a UFA. The $$ difference of $1,525,000 isn’t a major hurdle – intriguing idea to say the least, and it would hook Batherson up with off-season work-out buddy MacKinnon,
https://thehockeywriters.com/senators-should-consider-martin-necas-trade/
The other has Elliotte Friedman musing that the recent moves by Drury are partially geared towards preparing an offer-sheet for J. J. Peterka of the Sabres
https://blueseatblogs.com/2025/06/12/rangers-jj-peterka-offer-sheet/
Good morning George. Saw Friedman’s comment linking NY to Peterka. As Lyle mentioned, Buffalo has ability to match any offer. And for a team that desperately needs to take next step, I don’t see them letting him go for future picks. Also, don’t see Rangers doing without risking a team poaching Cuylle. NY doesn’t have their 2nd rd pick next year and would have to give up 12th pick this year to Pitt in order to keep 2026 1st rd pick. IMO, I’d keep this years pick.
Yeah it is up to UTAH whether they take this year’s 3rd or next year’s 2nd from NYR. I am sure that Utah can be persuaded to take this year’s 3rd if compensated to do so. Otherwise NY could offer sheet someone up to $7m and change AAV, for a compensation of a 1st and 3rd. But Perterka would require more than that.
Slick62 and Johnny Z, while Buffalo does have $23,206,986 in cap reserve, they also have 6 other RFAs to re-up, and once they get through finalizing these there will be a huge chunk taken out of that reserve:
left-shot C Ryan McLeod coming off a $2,100,000 cap hit and with arbitration rights – 79gp 20g 33a 53 pts
LD Bowen Byram coming off a $3,850,000 cap hit and with arbitration rights – 82gp 7g 31a 38 pts
RW Jack Quinn coming off an $863,334 ELC with no arbitration rights – 74gp 15g 24a 39 pts
RD Jacob Bernard-Docker -coming off an $805,000 ELC with arbitration rights – 40go (Ottawa & Buffalo) – 2g 6a 8 pts
C/LW Tyson Kozak coming off an $850,000 ELC with no arbitration rights – 21gp 3g 2a 5pts
G Devon Levi coming off a $925,000 ELC with no arbitration rights – 9gp W2 L7 4.12gaa 0.872 save % – 8 AHL playoff games 2.52gaa 0.910 save %
Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is likely their # 1 again in goal, and with Levi probably destined to start the year in the AHL, they’ll also need to sign a back-up with 37 y/o James Reimer a UFA coming off a $1,000,000 cap hit.
So, what would left-shot 6’ 190lb RW J. J. Peterka, coming off an $855,833 ELC cap hit and with no arbitration rights, be seeking after a season of 77gp 27g 41a 68 points
Guestimates based on their performances (and expiring contracts) would be
McLeod – $5 mil; Byram $6 mil, Quinn $3 mil, Bernard-Docker and Kozak – $1.5 mil each, for a total of $17 mil, plus something in the range of $1 mil for a back-up goalie, would leave around $5 mil to re-up Peterka.
Would that be enough?
Levi, who might get $1 mil, wouldn’t count against the cap as long as he’s in the AHL.
I think Jarmo is going to make a significant move in the near future. The move may include 1 or more of the players listed.
Offer sheets are legal, just don’t be surprised if they come back to bite you.
Peterka watched Cozens get 7mil after a similar season… i dont see him taking less than 7 now
On the other hand, Toronto St. Pat’s, if the offer-sheet concept had been utilized as intended – which was primarily (but not exclusively) for re-building teams to use to help their efforts by taking advantage of those top cap-strapped teams unable to meet contract demands of some of their RFAs – the whole idea of “coming back to bite you” would have become an accepted consequence.
But only some time later and only for those re-building teams that utilized it and had since reached their own saturation point in terms of a loaded cap.
I think Peterka is looking at $8M a year long term. More than his center. Tuch is right there too.
Ryan Womeldorf, also of The Hockey Writers, while agreeing that Necas could be a trade candidate, but more likely as a “wild card” scenario, thinks the 3 that could go, in the interest of necessary cap clearance, would be Ross Colton, Charlie Coyle and Josh Manson
https://thehockeywriters.com/3-avalanche-players-most-likely-to-be-traded/
The Florida Panthers just continue to be able to keep the majority of their team intact and their core thriving as David Pagnotta, on NHL Network, reported that Sam Bennett is pretty much locked in to stay in Florida with a deal around eight years at $8 million AAV being discussed.
So quick math, tax adjusted that is probably a little less than $9 million a year. A hefty price for a 60pt scorer in the regular season, but a bargain for his continued playoff performance. With him supposedly off the market, the overpays are coming….
An offer-sheet for J. J. Peterka probably doesn’t work with Buffalo’s cap room, unless it is a complete/outrageous overpay which I do not see Drury making that mistake. Peterka might sign the sheet, but good chance Buffalo matches, IMHO.
They’d be nuts not to for sure, redmonsters
Curious how you estimated the tax impact to be $1M.
I just pulled a table of the income tax rates by state (just income that is deducted from payroll, not property or sales tax).
For the states that have a tax, the average rate was just below 3%.
So a $9M salary taxed at 3% would lose about $270k, and that’s if every game was played in a average tax state. Florida still has to pay taxes in the 41 away games, so the tax benefit is only 1/2 the games, so that $270k estimate is reduced even further.
There are so many discussions about the tax impacts of Florida, Nashville, Dallas, etc but time after time I fail to see it being material.
I’m truly curious how you are estimating a $1M impact? Is there an accurate, simple way to actually estimate it?
Here is the site I used to find the 2025 Individual Income Tax rates for all 50 states as a reference to what I used.
https://www.cpapracticeadvisor.com/2025/04/01/how-the-50-states-rank-by-tax-burden-updated-for-2025/158094/
Id give up Lafy++??KA Miller in a deal that included both Peterka and Byram. Peterka might be smaller but his motor is what the Rangers miss.
Of course more would have to go in the deal..Sabres do not need Miller on D I know
Lafy feeding pucks to Peterka would be even better but there is no cap space unless Panarin or Zib wants to be rehomed
Rangers don’t have a second round pick, so they are not in a position to make an outrageous offer for JJ.
Woof. While I like Bennett’s game-approach very much, he does turn 29 in a few days and, when such a contract ends, he’ll be pushing 37.
Considering his robust game I’m not sure that contract would age very well.
But, hey, if he can help propel them to another Cup or two in that span I suppose it’s worth that risk.
With the way the cap is supposed to increase over the next bunch of years, Bennett’s cap hip probably won’t be an issue. Unless there is another flat cap period. lol
Johnny Z,even if they lose to Edmonton I see no one in the east that is close to beating Florida.They will keep Bennett and Ekblad because of the tax structure and their guys enjoy playing with each other. Their GM has done a great job. What other team could pick up a top pair defensemen at the deadline.
Buffalo, Detroit, Ottawa, NYR, and Caralia all need a top4 RD, and that is just in the East. Ekblad will get a handsome contract!
I’m not sure why trading Theodore to Toronto in a Marner deal keeps coming up. They can get a boatload from so many teams if they wanted to trade Theodore to make room for Marner, then can then sign Marner without giving up any assets. I realize a sign and trade would get one more year for Marner but trading Theodore for that makes no sense. If Marner wants to go to Vegas he would sign the 7 year deal.
I’m also not sure Marner would waive his no trade clause to help the leafs after they tried to trade him at the deadline. I know I wouldn’t be doing them any favors, especially the way he’s been treated over the years. Of course that’s just my opinion.
Ya, I don’t get the Theodore, Stone, Karlsson thing either. Doesn’t make sense to me.
Probably a way to dump an aging Stone and Karlsson?
That is ridiculous overpay for a guy that will be a FA in a matter of days.
But if the Leafs do a sign and trade for Marner at $12.5-13M to the no-state-tax LVGK, they could send Theodore and the Leafs would include OEL in the return with Marner. A not so ridiculous price tag, and a cap difference of not quite $4M.
Nor would the Leafs help Marner by agreeing to a sign-and-trade so he could get an 8th year on his new deal UNLESS the player coming the other way was of a Theodore-calibre.
The B’s rumor might be true, also heard they had dinner with Brady Martin as did Utah, Nashville and Philly. All of whom are ahead of Boston in the draft order.
Martin hit it out of the park at the U18’s. Putting up big points and putting the opposition on their ass. Sounds like a Bennett type guy, but stronger at that age. Teams seem to be lining up.
Good ole’ Canadian farm boy. Works his butt of and strong. Both overall and on his skates.
Sounds like a leader, and would make a good Bruin. Type of guy you want.
to Utah Zacha and Zadorov and Bruins 2 second round picks this year for Utahs first in 2025 and 2026
Peter that would give the Bruins 3 1st round picks in 2026. Do you remember the last time Sweeney had 3 1st round picks? OUCH! I feel Utah would bite on Lohrei not Zadorov.
Interesting idea peter, but I think Utah would need to add something. I think Zacha is worth more than a 1st and Zadorov might be too, and that first in 2026 might be late in the draft as I think Utah is a team on the rise. Those 2 will accelerate that.
How about remove the 2nd from the B’s, and throw in Kesserling? Or even Duda or Lamoureux?
Sr, I’m not convinced Lohrei ever becomes as good as Zadorov. He might but sure isn’t now. IMO Zadorov is a valuable player.
Deep draft in 2026 is the early word.
SR ..and that draft was loaded
You’ve got to be kidding. Zacha, Zadorov and 2 second round picks will not get you the 4th overall pick, never mind two first round picks. Zadorov at 5M for 5 years is negative value, Bos has to pay someone to take that salary dump. Plus Utah has no need for another LD when they have Sergachev, Maatta and Cole signed.
Plus Ray Bark, I think you must have meant to say BOSTON would need to add something because there’s no way Utah would accept this deal as is, never mind adding anything else.
Peterka has no leverage in this situation, and he may end up bound to the Sabres long term if Buffalo matches an offer sheet.
If he does want out, then he would be better to work with Sabres’ management on a deal that would move him for substantial return.
Can’t blame anyone for wanting out.
sr. yes i remember it still haunts me today lol
George / some GMs get hurt when they’re poached in plain sight. That’s when they get vengeful, when see an opportunity to get back at another team that had previously took advantage of them. Egos rule sometimes.
That’s likely true TSP, and also a deterrent for other teams if they are thinking of trying it against that GM or owner.
Sooner or later teams have trouble signing a young RFA coming off an ELC. Young guys who have promise and some success, but still young and not a sure thing. Bound to be disagreements on value. Sooner or later it will come back at you.
But as I tried to say above, Ray, had it been used more widely since its conception, I think its use by a lot of teams would have negated the “revenge” factor and, instead, forced GMs into developing a more intelligent approach to contracts and deterred some from spending like drunken sailors when they know they have some valuable RFAs coming up the pipe.
Ray – Peterka is a good example of this. The kid wants to get paid and have a chance at winning. He has no leverage, but he’s made his desires pretty clear to the hockey world.
Big Rumor starting to make the rounds … Hurricanes with 20 signed players and 28+ million in cap space are going after Marner and will still have cap left over for a Dman or two or a Dman & a winger … they are in a good spot to improve a already strong team
Joe, that’s a very plausible scenario for sure. The Hurricanes have a cap reserve of $28,415,958, no RFAs to re-up and, withe possible exceptions of Roslovic and Orlov, no real need to re-sign any of their pending UFAs:
C/RW Jack Roslovic (expiring $2,800,000); RW Eric Robinson (expiring $950,000); C/LW Tyson Jost (expiring $775,000); RD Brent Burns (expiring $8,000,000); LD Dmitry Orlov (expiring $7,750,000)
Hurricanes and several other teams can make Mitchy Marner offer, for example, 12.5 to 14 million x 7. Almighty question – Where does Marner want to play? Before trade deadline strong rumor Hurricanes wanted trade Mikko Rantenan to Maple Leafs for Marner. Deal didn’t happen because with Marner’s NMC he defined the trade. Do you believe Marner wants play for Hurricanes instead of other teams? Also, notice when Rantenan playing for Hurricanes his numbers weren’t good and he wanted out. Is this Hurricanes system? Kings offered Marner similar deal as Hurricanes where do you believe Marner wants to play? Golden Knights find cap space make an offer close to the Hurricanes offer where do you believe Marner wants to play?
Also, back in 2024 before trade deadline Penguins traded Jake Guentzel to the Hurricanes. After the season Hurricanes unable to sign Guentzel traded his rights to Lightning who signed him new contract. Is this Hurricanes system or do some players like Rantenan and Guentzel don’t want play for the Hurricanes?