NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Sam Bennett’s future with the Panthers, the Canucks made a trade offer for Marco Rossi, the latest on Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust, and update on the Islanders.
THE LATEST ON SAM BENNETT
BARDOWN: Sam Bennett told partygoers last night that he’s not leaving the Florida Panthers.
Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 29-year-old Panthers center and 2025 Conn Smythe Trophy winner is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. He would become among the most coveted players in the market if he and the Panthers fail to agree to a contract extension.
It would be surprising if Bennett and the Panthers part ways on July 1. It’s doubtful he would’ve made those comments last night if he lacked confidence in a deal getting done.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Alter cited a report by Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports claiming that the Toronto Maple Leafs are not on Sam Bennett’s list of possible destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on Bennett’s remarks, there’s only one destination for him.
CANUCKS MADE A TRADE OFFER FOR MARCO ROSSI
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report the Vancouver Canucks likely offered their first-round pick (15th overall) in this year’s draft to the Minnesota Wild for center Marco Rossi.
The 23-year-old Rossi is in a contract stalemate with the Wild, making him a fixture in the offseason rumor mill. He’s seeking a deal similar to the seven-year, $49-million contract signed by teammate Matt Boldy. Rossi’s camp rejected a five-year, $25-million offer earlier this season and a two-year offer worth less than $5 million annually.
To trade Rossi, Wild general manager Bill Guerin wants a player who can replace the 60 points he’d be trading away. He’d prefer a center but would also accept a scoring winger. The Wild have had a lot of interest in winger JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. So far, however, Guerin has only been offered futures for Rossi.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston cited a source confirming the Canucks have been trying to acquire Rossi. He indicated they offered up their 2025 first-rounder plus a player, though it’s uncertain if it was a roster player or a prospect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t appear like the Canucks have the trade assets to meet Guerin’s asking price. The Sabres could be a fit if they’re willing to part with Peterka for Rossi straight up.
ARE RICKARD RAKELL AND BRYAN RUST TRADE CANDIDATES?
THE ATHLETIC: Earlier this week, Josh Yohe reported Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust may become trade candidates this summer.
Yohe indicated there wasn’t as much interest in Rakell at the March trade deadline as some believed. There was no truth to rumors of GM Kyle Dubas rejecting massive offers for the 32-year-old winger. Rakell has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million.
Dubas doesn’t want to trade Rakell, but every player has his price. Yohe expects the winger attracts more interest in this summer’s trade market.
Bryan Rust is another player Dubas doesn’t want to move, for the same reasons as Rakell. The 33-year-old winger also has three years left on his deal ($5.125 million AAV), but his no-movement clause expires on June 30 and there is heavy interest in him.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel reports there is plenty of buzz about teams being interested in Rust. However, he believes the Penguins will set a high asking price for him. Rakell reached a career-high 35 goals in 2024-25, but that doesn’t make him untouchable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A club that misses out on the slim pickings in this summer’s UFA market could come calling on Dubas about Rust or Rakell. Whether any of them are willing to meet his asking price is another matter.
UPDATE ON THE ISLANDERS
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli saying that Noah Dobson seeks a long-term contract with an $11 million annual cap hit from the Islanders. It would be the most expensive AAV in franchise history.
Macias believes the two sides could eventually agree to an AAV between $9 million and $10 million. He also indicated that Seravalli said there have been no trade talks involving Dobson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Macias also noted that Dobson is an RFA at the same time as Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard. The Dobson camp could wait for Bouchard to set the market and negotiate from there.
NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes Jean-Gabriel Pageau is the Islanders’ most likely trade candidate. The 32-year-old center is UFA-eligible next July, carries a $5 million cap hit, and a 16-team no-trade list.
The Isles can compensate for Pageau’s departure by moving Mathew Barzal to center. Trading him would free up much-needed cap space for free agency.
Sears also weighed in on a report suggesting the Islanders use Pageau in a package offer to the Boston Bruins for the seventh-overall pick and take Long Island native James Hagens. However, he believes there’s no reason to make that trade unless they know for certain that Hagens would be available at that pick.
is Hagens falling that much, down from #3 down to 7 ? I realize he had a decent NCAA season but the kid previously was thought to be the 1st overall pick, and could become another Jack Hughes
Hagens doesn’t make it past 4 maybe 5
Bennett will stay with the Panthers and the team will look for a 3 peat. I think Ekblad as well. Marchand was a rental
How good would Broberg and Holliday look right now in Edmonton ? Arvidsson and J Skinner gone (who they signed instead) .
E.Kane gone Henrique gone and the goalies 1 maybe both gone
All either trade or buyout or waived
7 buyouts last year none so far
Yeah, Isles would need #4 OA from Utah to have a shot at Hagens. Which could be done easily if Dobson is involved!
Sweeney should aim higher than a player like Pageau. They need scoring and this year they have the cap space to get a Robertson for example .Sweeney needs to seek the big fish not second or third line players.
Slow down. Arvidsson is likely gone and that will be a mutual parting. Kane I would say 50 50. Henrique is still signed for 1 more year.
Let’s not forget Broberg wanted out. He did ask for a trade in the past. Holloway was missed but he also continued his trend of injuries all remaining equal wouldn’t have been availible to them in the playoffs either
There is no need for buyout on edm this year either.
Arvidsson to my eyes was skating well and noticeable in the finals
Agree ds, which means he is tradeable to someone like a Chicago where he will get more ice time and improve his bargaining position heading into a UFA year. Also an asset that can be traded at the deadline.
Kane is a bigger question. What he brings on the ice; speed, size, scoring and physical is best suited for a playoff team. His penchant for careless penalties, makes him less attractive. Talk of a, uh, different personality, also factors in. But the Oil players didn’t seem to care about that part.
Any guess on if he is a moveable asset at full cap hit? I have no clue.
Oil need to clear space, Kane, Arvidsson and one of their 4 LD’s will give them what they need as well as some assets in return, especially for one of their LD’s.
I would go after Vladar, I think he could become a very good tender on a team like Edmonton.
@Ray
Arvidsson should have a few suitors
Kane is a different story…. his skillset is huge for the right team who can handle him. he was obviously not in great condition…. I think Oilers keep him and try to find a bargain on the wing
Arvidsson has another as well
The Sabres have Thompson, McLeod, Norris, Krebs and Kulich at centre. Why would they give up assets for Rossi?
Maybe because Norris is frequently injured, Krebs never reached his potential, and Kulich remains a work in progress. Patience is wearing thin in Buffalo after 14 seasons of futility.
Norris is frequently injured, managing to get injured again after Buffalo got him in March. He’s untradable.
Ottawa managed it
I dunno, perhaps the like Rossi more than what they have. Maybe?
Rossi is only 5’9″ and may be better suited on the wing. But I agree with other comments. Too many questions at center, go get him.
If Vancouver offered the 15th pick for a 60 point Rossi it’s no wonder why they didn’t get him. 15th overall in a weak draft is a crapshoot, it’s even somewhat of a crapshoot in a good draft.
No one can predict how strong a draft year is for several years after.
The likely reason for Minny not accepting a trade is the paucity of legit 2Cs this year. Who replaces Rossi?
LJ, when you say paucity, are you referring to the draft when it comes to the C position?
There is certainly no paucity of centers in the 1st round draft consensus, with 15 of 32 at that position, including 7 of the Top 10, 3 more from 11 to 20 – so half of the Top 20 – and 5 more from 21 to 32.
Or am I reading what you posted wrong? (wouldn’t be the first time – lol)
It’s no secret that I like Rossi and think he’d fit in well with the Habs.
The 7×7 fits on well with salary structure of the team and as a 2C he’d earn it.
Guerin doesn’t like his size, Hynes (coach) demotes him to 4th line and cut his ice time from 18min to 11min in the playoffs but wants a regular 60pt player in return.
Habs can offer a 1st round and a prospect like Kapanen or Roy.
Habfan30 I thought you might have been in on Marchment. Seems like the type of player that would help your group. Rossi good option,however a little light,physically.
meh, I’d rather put energy into making Boston the same offer for Zacha as I suggested for Rossi.
Marchment is 30y/o UFA next year $4.5 million and a pretty inconsistent player prone to stupid penalties which is probably why Seattle got him for a song.
When I saw that the Stars had signed Duchesne, Marchment was the first guy I thought the Habs would jump on. Maybe Hughes has something bigger that he’s working on?!? A big trade to get a 2C now that Nelson and Duchesne are signed which makes the C market is even thinner, or maybe trying to move up in the top 5 in the draft to hopefully get Misa, Desnoyers, Hagens or Frondell?!?
Habfan30 Boston supposedly has something going with the NYI that might affect Zacha. Not sure what Sweeney is planning to do. He seems desperate to try to retool quickly. I Don t see it.Need to turn the roster over to younger players.
Sr
Bruins are one of youngest teams in nhl. Oldest players are Korpi and Lindholm. At 31??? Maybe Sweeney swings big with Nyi. 7th and prospect for Pageau. And Dobson
Jonathan Toews signs for 1 season in Winnipeg
https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/45551391/former-blackhawks-star-jonathan-toews-signing-hometown-jets
No risk deal for the Jets. Hopefully he has something left in the tank. Nice leadership add and a hometown boy!
Exactly. Absolutely no risk. And could become Winnipeg’s version of Corey Perry.
MrBRUIN4. , as young as you say the Bruins are,how many quality players do they have under 25 years old. They are all bottom 6 forwards and 3 rd pair defensemen.
Captain Serious goes back home for a last hurrah.
A feel-good story all around.
A drunken Bennett yells a Wolf of Wall Street quote and riles up the fans in a club isn’t exactly a good contract negotiating ploy.
Fascinating stuff.
Rust is rusty. No thanks.
And Rakell is a long way from whatever anyone thought he is or was. A career minus player who has benefited from good line mates not the other way around. Fools gold both of them. Buyer beware.
Also, George a bit of an overpay for Zetterlund but maybe that’s the going rate. I’d put him with Batherson. They both can play off wings. Lil’Z is way more responsible defensively and should free Batherson up to shoot more.
Yeah, Dark G, I too thought he’d come in at closer to $3.2-$3.8 on a bridge deal – but $4,275,000 isn’t horrible for a strong-skating defensively-responsible 25 y/o built like a brick s^*t-house who, over 247 NHL games, has 82-game averages of 17g 21a 38pts compiled while not exactly skating alongside top Fs for the most part.
And while some sites are speculating he could play RW in Ottawa, his diversity could see him at LW on the same line as Batherson. Going to be interesting to see how that plays out in training camp.
Nor is Staios done adding, I don’t think. We’ll have to wait until the opening of training camp to get a better handle on the roster make-up.
I did like the move to bring Thomson back, and with Yakemchuk now in the mix, and the unexpected emergence of Matinpalo this past season (Finland even picked him for their 4 Nations roster where he more than held his own), they suddenly have some depth at RD.
With recent expectations that Jensen could be ready sooner than initially thought, I can see RD Zub moved in a deal.
If I was Dubas, I would trade Rakell, Rust and Sid have been together longer, Rakell just had his career year in goals so he should bring back a good return.
If Ranges give Penguins the 12th pick, than Offer Utah Rakell and #11 or Rakell, a second and third plus a prospect for the #4 …that would get this “rebuild ” jump started.
Plus moving Rust might tic off Sid more…just like when Jake was traded.
But Utah is also in a rebuild. So why would they give up an asset like the 4th pick for an aging F and lower picks? Not a chance.
From what I heard and read, they are looking to move that pick and add some vets that will help get into playoff cintention.
Where did you read that? Any links?
And if it’s true they’re willing to deal the 4th pick you can bet they could do a LOT better than Rakell and some lower picks.
I’ve scoured the Web and all I could find was blog speculation “could Utah trade the 4th pick?” and other similar entries – none of which are connected to the team’s musings.
In other words, guessing by fans like us.
Utah Mammoth may keep #4 pick or they could be open trading #4 pick. Open doesn’t necessary mean moving the #4 pick. Heard with any of the Top 5 picks which team best chance trading their pick is Mammoth.
Penguins rumors they would like trade up possibly for Porter Martone. Next week (48 hours before the draft) Rangers make decision will they keep #12 pick or surrender pick to the Penguins. Scenario Penguins could package #11 and #12 picks and move up. As Pens4ever mentioned another trade rumor involving Rikard Rakell. Also, before trade deadline rumors Mammoth wanted Rikard Rakell. Keep in mind these are rumors.
Dubas has to retain on two of Karllsson, Rackel, Rust to maximize return and start the “refresh”
50% retained on two of the above should net (total on 2 trades):
2 current young promising NHLers under contract
AND
2 NHL ready prospects (also under contract) who ARE expected to play in 25/26
He’s loaded with picks for potential youth trades and/or offer sheets
Buyout Hayes and Accairi, replace with youth
Buyout saves collectively $2.3 M cap in 25/26 at expense of just $1.2 M in 26/27 (when they won’t be spending to Cap AND Cap moves up substantially anyway
Arvidsson was a healthy scratch 7 times in this years playoffs .
J Skinner got into what 3 games
Broberg was playing top 4 minutes in the last two series in the playoffs last year
I see Dallas signed their young exposed players Bourque and Lundqvist
They were prime targets for offer sheets. I guess that is why Jim Nill has won GM of the year
Dallas now has $2,755,084 in space with 5 spots to fill.
Blackwell – less than $1M
Benn – $1M
Petrovic – 775K
Now 3 spots to fill with Dumba buyout
Benn ain’t signing for a mil
Craig Button mentioned yesterday (XM) that GM’s were asleep at the switch if reference to Marchment trade. Most reasonable folks believe Nil could’ve gotten a lot more that 2 picks (1 in ’25/1 in ’26) which these picks won’t be ready for years. Blame the other GM’s? Maybe the responsibility is on Jim Nil for not pursuing a better deal. I understand him wanting to keep things quiet. But, imo Jim Nil blew that trade, not other GM’s.