NHL Rumor Mill – June 21, 2025
Check out the latest on Connor McDavid, Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Rasmus Andersson, JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, Noah Dobson and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT COULD CONNOR MCDAVID’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman speculated on what Connor McDavid’s next contract will look like. The 28-year-old Edmonton Oilers superstar is a year away from unrestricted free-agent (UFA) eligibility, with an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).
Friedman doesn’t believe McDavid intends to leave Edmonton, but he thinks the Oilers captain might pursue a two-year contract instead of the maximum eight years. That would ensure the Oilers remain sharpest in their pursuit of the Stanley Cup. He also thinks the AAV could be between $15 million and $17 million, but not as high as it could be.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman stressed that this is only his opinion as to what McDavid might do. I agree with him that McDavid is unlikely to leave the Oilers, but could opt for a short-term deal to give himself some wiggle room in case the club falls out of contention over the next several years.
COULD RASMUS ANDERSON LEAVE THE FLAMES?
Friedman reports that the feeling around the league is that Rasmus Andersson is ready for something new. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman is a year away from UFA status. The Flames are willing to move him, but only at the right price.
CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports Flames general manager Craig Conroy said he’s had talks with Andersson’s agent. He indicated they have some clarity on where things are headed, but didn’t elaborate about the direction.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames could still re-sign Andersson. If not, they could hang onto him for the coming season and perhaps shop him at the trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then. They could trade him this summer and avoid the unnecessary distraction of speculation about his future hanging over him and the club next season.
NO SHORT-TERM DEAL FOR MITCH MARNER?
Friedman said he received pushback on his suggestion that Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner could opt for a four-year contract via free agency. However, he said a few teams had heard about it.
The Marner camp is expected to meet with teams (probably virtually unless they come to Toronto) on July 1, and then he could meet with a team or two before reaching a decision. However, that plan could backfire if he takes too long, as interested clubs could become impatient and make other plans.
Friedman thinks the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights will be among Marner’s suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are better-positioned cap-wise than the Golden Knights to make a lucrative offer. Vegas will have to shed considerable salary to make it happen, and that could hurt their overall depth.
Friedman again mentioned the possibility of Alex Pietrangelo starting the season on long-term injury reserve (LTIR), which would free up the cap room to pursue Marner. However, the Golden Knights already have an elite playmaker (Jack Eichel). What they need is a sniper, something Marner isn’t.
THE LATEST ON THE PANTHERS
Friedman reports the brakes are being pumped on the Sam Bennett extension talk. The 29-year-old Conn Smythe Trophy winner raised eyebrows by telling partygoers on Thursday that he wasn’t leaving the Florida Panthers. Friedman thinks Bennett wouldn’t have made that public declaration without knowing where the talks are going, but there hasn’t been an agreement yet.
FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards cited Panthers GM Bill Zito saying he’d like to bring everybody back, referring to his UFAs like Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Nate Schmidt.
Bennett is the priority, with Richards speculating his next contract could be in the range of $7.5 million and $8 million annually. He might get more on the open market, but he wants to remain with the Panthers.
The Panthers have $19 million in cap space for 2025-26. Richards considers it unlikely that Zito can pull it off without making some cost-cutting moves.
SPORTSNET: Brad Marchand is open to re-signing with the Panthers. “Give me a contract,” he said with a laugh when talking to reporters.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bennett will be re-signed. Ekblad could be if he agrees to a pay cut. Schmidt should also be an affordable re-signing.
Marchand reportedly wants a raise on a short-term deal, which is understandable because he was underpaid throughout his current contract. Unless he has a change of mind or Zito makes a cost-cutting trade, he’ll hit the open market on July 1
UPDATE ON THE SABRES
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn reported that trade rumors are getting louder regarding JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported earlier this week that the 23-year-old winger isn’t happy in Buffalo and the Sabres are fielding calls from other clubs.
Peterka is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. Fairburn said the Sabres aren’t keen on trading him. However, given the interest and demand, they need to hear what’s out there. Any return for Peterka must include pieces that can help the Sabres end their playoff drought next season.
Fairburn and colleague Shayna Goldman pondered the possibility of the Sabres trading Bowen Byram. They acquired the 24-year-old defenseman before the 2024 trade deadline. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights seeking a raise over his current AAV of $3.85 million.
THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli claiming the New York Rangers, New York Islanders, Tampa Bay Lightning, Vancouver Canucks and Chicago Blackhawks were interested in Peterka.
CANUCKS ARMY: Tyler Kuehl cited Seravalli also saying the Canucks had some interest in Byram.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s also speculation Peterka and/or Byram could become offer-sheet targets if the Sabres fail to sign one or both before July 1. However, the Sabres have over $23 million in cap space, giving them plenty of room to match any offers.
The Sabres could trade one of them, but it won’t be for picks and prospects. As with the deal that brought Byram to Buffalo last year, it could be a player-for-player swap.
ISLANDERS LISTENING TO OFFERS FOR NOAH DOBSON
NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias cited Elliotte Friedman, saying that the Islanders are quietly testing the trade market for Noah Dobson during his Friday podcast. The 25-year-old defenseman is an RFA with arbitration rights.
This comes in the wake of Frank Seravalli claiming the Dobson camp sought a long-term deal with an $11 million AAV. Friedman indicated nothing’s set in stone, suggesting three options. They could sign him long term and perhaps trade him later if it doesn’t work out, risk a potentially contentious arbitration process, or trade him now.
Macias believes the Islanders will want a significant return. He noted Seravalli linked them to Buffalo’s JJ Peterka.
Friedman also mentioned the trade rumors about Isles blueliner Alexander Romanov, but he thinks they’ve set a high asking price for him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Dobson camp is seeking far more than what their client is worth. He deserves a raise over the $4 million AAV he earned this season, and has a promising 70-point season in 2023-24 on his resume. However, the decline in his production this season to 39 points makes it difficult to justify $11 million annually. A raise to between $8 million and $9 million would be reasonable.
This situation is an interesting early test for new GM Mathieu Darche. How he handles it will be a significant indicator of which direction he intends to take the Islanders in the coming years.
I can’t see any way that Peterka signs an offer sheet if he wants out of Buffalo. It would no doubt have a no trade clause and if he signed it he would be doing Buffalo a favor because they would match it and he would be stuck there long term.
Dave, if he signs with a no movement clause and Buffalo matches, he can still ask to be traded and waive the clause. The no trade clause is meant to protect the player, not the team
The only right Peterka has to refuse to play and force a trade. That’s it.
He wasn’t happy at the end of last season, not sure if Jarmo has had any discussions with him about the future. I can see any player being unhappy with Adams in control.
Unless the Sabres have a scoring top six forward and top four defenseman with a right-shot coming back, Byrum and Peterka are not going anywhere.
Let the silly season begin, arguably more interesting for those of us that weren’t really Florida or Edmonton fans. Vancouver is aware that Quinn Hughes wants to play with his brothers. Bowen Byram has interest in joining the Canucks. With that being said I’m proposing a 3-team trade. To Devils, Quinn Hughes To Canucks, Bowen Byram, Simon Nemec To Sabres, Dawson Mercer, Simon Siegenthaler The Devils lack a 1st rounder this year but have a couple 2nds (50/63) to work with also. Tried to look at returns from all 3 teams and asked if I’d make a deal like this from their standpoint. What say you?
The Sabres won’t go for that. They want a return that helps them right away. Mercer and Siegenthaler won’t cut it.
Nah, its:
To NJ-Quinn Hughes
To Van- Mercer, Byram, NJ 2026 1st, Seamus Casey, Zach Benson
To Buffalo- Simon Nemec, Demko
or most likely NJ just waits and keeps those assets or trade those assts for other needs. I believe Quinn will be a Devil, Fitz will not overpay to do so. Fitz would not do any of the aforementioned deals.
Benson is not going anywhere, especially if Peterka is traded. They would have little in the left side.
My understanding is McDavid will want an short term deal because the cap is projected to continue to rise. Allowing him to make more money by not locking himself into a fixed income for 8 years. Cap goes up he demands yeh same percentage of it and his salary goes up.
It has little to do with Edmonton remaining a contender and and I would argue as long as they have Draisaitl who is signed and McDavid they will be cup contenders.
Though if McDavid wants the cup he could except a considerable pay cut for a short term to allow the team more funds to support him and that goal.
The obvious trade is Andersson + for Byram
Maybe like this:
Andersson and the 2025 Panther’s 1st for Byram and 2025 Wild 4th
I like Andersson but he has regressed the last two years, I would say no as Buffalo
Why are the Flames having to part with a first-rounder as part of the deal? Andersson’s been the better all-around defenseman.
I agree. I wish that Conny doesn’t sit on this until the trade deadline because he thinks it’ll drive up Ras’ value. GMs will just wait it out until he’s a ufa. Id also like to see Coleman and Kad go somewhere to legitimately do a playoff run.
Wow! The pundits have said how Andersson had a bad year and his worth has fallen! Seems that Byram has a bit more upside…… lately.
Byram’s had one good year, with his best performances coming alongside Rasmus Dahlin. Andersson had one down year, which could suggest he’s in decline, but he could also regain his form. Giving up a proven blueliner like Andersson and a first seems a bit much for a defenseman who may be on the upswing but whose improvement could be due in part to playing alongside a great defenseman.
I think the Sabres would take Andersson if the trade was reasonable. But Connor Murphy may be available at a lower cost. The idea is to swap for a right hand shot to play with Power. Murphy or Andersson would be ideal for that position.
Dobson for Byram and Zach Benson
Seems like a win-win!
The NYI aren’t looking for a L-shot D, they have Romanov, Pelech and Perunovich on the team and Isaiah George pushing to make the team. Plus they will add Schaeffer at the draft. If a deal is to be made with Buffalo to acquire Dobson it will have to include fwd scoring like Peterka or Tuch.
Thinking they wanna get younger and Pelech was a good choice to be replaced as his value is still good for his cap hit and term. As some pundits have suggested. Looks as if the Isles wanna “retool”.
Not if Dobson wants 11mil per…can’t tie up 30mil in 3 defensemen even with the cap going up.
“This comes in the wake of Frank Seravalli claiming the Dobson camp sought a long-term deal with an $11 million AAV”.
Sabres have Dahlin and Power on the left side and Dahlin can also play right. Dobson has same skills as those 2. What they want is a veteran shutdown defenseman to pair with Power. I don’t think Dahlin and Dobson would mesh.
Remember that the Sabres use Dahlin on the 1st power play unit and Power on the 2nd. That leaves Dobson out. I don’t think Dobson would go for that same as Byram.
Good logic, Gary! Thanks!
Not a win at all for BUF.
Sabres want a responsible defensive partner to pair with Byram, not offensively oriented like Dobson. They won’t part with gritty players like Benson unless it’s for a player who will move the needle like EP or J Robertson.
The Z offer is a pass.
Peterka + 2026 2nd for Dobson signed 9×8
Byram + Samuelsson to Vancouver for M Pettersson, Willander and 2026 3rd
Buffalo gets a seasoned stay at home LD that can play RD, and a RD top prospect
In Dobson they get the top RD that they are missing
I can see Peterka and Byram getting 15-16m and Dobson and Pettersson would make about the same. It would make Buffalo deeper and better on the defence with a really good defensive prospect that can play 3rd pair RD, and they get out of the Samuelsson contract that sounded good when signed but hasnt worked out.
Finally, if Ekblad isnt resigned, that is the guy to target with Fabro as the alternative
As Buffalo I would also see what Allen would take to be signed, I think Buffalo needs a true 1B, the tandem they have isnt good enough, yet
Sabres don’t have a 2026 2nd round pick.
Better option is to try and grab Gavrikov in FA and avoid the cost trading for an overpaid Dobson who isn’t a shutdown defensive option.
Gavrikov plays LD and wants to much money
Hi Lyle,
Love your work and have for many years. Any chance that the Canadiens could convince Evgeny Kuznetsov to come center Ivan Demidov for 2 seasons until they can develop a number 2 center of their own?
Hi, Joe. Doubtful the Canadiens would bring Kuznetsov back to the NHL. He’s no longer capable of playing up to anything close to his former level plus he has personal baggage.
I liked the out of the box thinking though Joe. Just so you know bro.
There is not a world in which Noah Dobson gets or deserves 11 million dollars a year. No chance unless somebody has completely lost their mind
I hope that the Carolina Hurricanes do not even think about bringing Mitch Marner into the fold. He will be grossly overpaid and he is just not worth the kind of money that keeps being thrown around. I would rather they go after 2 players for probably the same price you could get Marner for. Let another team risk it. We don’t need him.
Couldn’t agree more snuffy. Just wondering if there are any fan bases that actually want Marner at $14m+?
Seattle just made another deal in a 1 for 1 with Chicago, giving up Burakovsky for Valeno
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/blackhawks-acquire-andre-burakovsky-in-1-for-1-trade-deal/ar-AA1Ha60r?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=1e68f81de5544a249c1d2d4dc7df00d8&ei=12
Spare parts for spare parts!
More like clearing some significant cap space by giving up Burakvsky’s $5,500,000 for Valeno’s $2,275,000 and getting a 4th line C for an expensive LW.
Seattle now has $18,678,454 with which to sign 7, including their 3 RFAs – Kakko, Kartye and Evans.
After signing TJ Brodie to a 2-year $7.5 mil deal prior to this past season, Chicago also just placed him on unconditional waivers for the purpose of a contract buyout.
The cost will be $3,230,000 off the cap for 2025-26 and $258,333 for 2026-27
There has been talk that the Mammoth may move their 4OA pick; AND Isles talk of moving Down (Hagens of more interest than Schaefer to them apparently ) AND add to that the Dobson re-up situation and potentially moving him
Three trades (or one multi team trade):
To Mammoth:
12th OA,
Karllsson at 50% ($5 M Cap hit) ;
McGroarty
To Penguins:
4th OA
Mammoth’s 2nd rounder
Then
To Ilses:
4th OA
Rust (@50%)
2nd ‘25 (Caps)
2nd ‘26 (Blues)
2nd ‘26 (Jets)
To Pens:
1st OA
Dobson
and we take the unliked Duclair off your hands
Iles,
Pick Hagens,
Get to Dump Duclair
Get Rust at 50%
And gain 3 seconds
At the expense of Schaeffer (which they have been said to be more interested in Hagens) AND overpaying Dobson
Mammoth move down 8 spots and gain Karllsson @ 50% and Mcgroarty
Pens pick Schaeffer at 1OA; Mrka at 11thOA; get way younger; gain Dobson; move up 13 spots in 2nd round this year
Pens D future:
Dobson (25)
Pickering (21)
Schaeffer (18)
Mrka (17)
P-O J (25)
Brunicke (19)
Kolyakonokov (24)
Timmons (26)
Pens still with space and picks for moves and still have own 1st,2nd, 3rd in ‘26 that can be used for offer sheets
The only “talk” I could find that suggests Utah is prepared to give up the 4th overall emanates from blogs infused with your type of wishful-thinking.
Utah is rebuilding … why would they take on a fading, aging D and a complete bust and give up what could potentially become a generational player?
And your similarities to Pengy continue with this type of overblown, multiple player, multiple team fantasy-league type trades that have about as much chance of happening in the real world as the proverbial snowball in Hell.
No one wants Pittsburgh’s crap and what would be low 2nd round picks.
You keep forgetting that Dubas has already completed a 12 asset multiple team trade with multiple retentions (albeit a very detrimental trade for Pens) that included EK
During the cup finals this year; the broadcasters were postulating/chit-chatting about who might move their pick. These of course were “air time fillers” and speculations; but Ilse’s moving down to get Hagen was mentioned; and Mammoth moving their 4th to bolster the here and now was another.
Mammoth is a “new” franchise but has prospect capital and is ready to transition futures for a move towards ‘26 playoffs and not a proverbial “rebuild”
McGroarty adds size and would bolster top 9; Karllsson as a mentor and add to top 4; and PP @ only 1/2 Cap is a plus
4th OA (guessing Hagens) ; would play in 26/27 not this year
In respinse to mu own pist above:
Or, the simpler route for Pens:
To Mammoth:
12th OA,
Karllsson at 50% ($5 M Cap hit) ;
McGroarty
To Penguins:
4th OA
Mammoth’s 2nd rounder
Likely Scaeffer and Misa 1st and 2nd
Hope for Hagens to go 3rd leaving Martone for Pens
If it looks like Martone might go 3rd OA; use any number of those 2nds (above suggested trade) to use with 4OA to get 3OA(Martone)
Still pick Mrka at 11thOA
Pens can also look for “sweetners” for taking on contracts:
Oiler’s need to shed
We’ll take Kane off your hands; and add a 3rd
Give us O’Reilly
Knights need to shed:
We’ll take Wild Bill off your hands and add a couple of 2nds; we get Hague
Stars want to dump Dumba
Give us Hemming
In respinse to mu own pist above:
Or, the simpler route for Pens:
To Mammoth:
12th OA,
Karllsson at 50% ($5 M Cap hit) ;
McGroarty
To Penguins:
4th OA
Mammoth’s 2nd rounder
Likely Scaeffer and Misa 1st and 2nd
Hope for Hagens to go 3rd leaving Martone for Pens
If it looks like Martone might go 3rd OA; use any number of those 2nds (above suggested trade) to use with 4OA to get 3OA(Martone)
Still pick Mrka at 11thOA
Pens can also look for “sweetners” for taking on contracts:
Oiler’s need to shed
We’ll take Kane off your hands; and add a 3rd
Give us O’Reilly
Knights need to shed:
We’ll take Wild Bill off your hands and add a couple of 2nds; we get Hague
Stars want to dump Dumba
Give us Hemming
Gee-zuz!!
Not the word I’d use George
The word I can use online is…nonsense. Complete and utter.
SMH
What gets me, Yogi, is “rationale” like “McGroarty adds size and would bolster top 9; Karllsson as a mentor and add to top 4”
Aside from my negative views of McGroarty and Karlsson (as he is now), if he truly believes that crap it should be obvious to him that Pittsburgh needs that sort of “bolstering” a helluva lot more than Utah.
While they just finished a season where they played at a .543 pace going 38 31 13 89pts scoring 241 while giving up 251 for a -10 differential, Pittsburgh played .488 hockey, going 34 36 12 80pts, scoring 243 and giving up 293 for a -50 differential. With McGroarty contributing zilch and Karlsson a minus 24 defensively .
For that sort of “help” they should give up the 4th pick?
Outside of Crosby and maybe Rust there isn’t one stiff on that team that will get them anything even average in a trade. Either too old or essentially enhh.
George, doubt Penguins will trade McGroarty anytime soon as he’s young and physical – trait Penguins lack.
Before trade deadline rumors Utah Mammoth wanted Rikard Rakell. Possible Penguins didn’t trade Rakell assist Crosby going for NHL record 20 consecutive seasons scoring at least point per game season average which Crosby accomplished new NHL record. Imagine now Mammoth traded their 2025 #1 pick for Rakell – Penguins could draft #4?
Utah Mammoth may keep #4 pick or open hearing offers. Being open doesn’t necessarily mean Mammoth looking trade the #4 pick.
Heard Dubos wants player in this draft. Rumor is Dubos wants Porter Martone.
Next week by 48 hours prior to the draft, Rangers deadline decision will they keep #12 pick or give that pick to the Penguins? Say the Rangers give #12 pick to the Penguins. Chance of this trade scenario: Penguins trade package includes #11 and #12 picks to Mammoth for #4. Another scenario Penguins trade either #11 or #12 and Rikard Rakell and maybe something else ? to Mammoth for #4. Keep in mind these are rumors and possible trade scenarios.
Rumors – James Hagens may slide in the draft? Islanders want additional Top 10 pick like Flyers #6 or Bruins #7 draft James Hagens. Trade package for additional Top 10 pick could include either Jean-Gabriel Pageau or Noah Dodson.