NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2025
The Avalanche need to shed salary after signing Brock Nelson, plus the latest on Rasmus Andersson, Marco Rossi, Nicolas Hague and Jake Allen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
RE-SIGNING NELSON COULD FORCE THE AVALANCHE TO SHED SALARY
DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed the Colorado Avalanche’s salary-cap crunch after signing Brock Nelson to a contract extension on Wednesday.
Nelson, 33, agreed to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $7.5 million. That leaves the Avalanche with $1.2 million in cap space with 12 forwards, five defensemen and two goaltenders under contract for 2025-26.
Yaremchuk believes the Avalanche must make a cost-cutting move or two to free up cap room. Seravalli suggested defenseman Samuel Girard and forwards Charlie Coyle and Martin Necas as trade candidates.
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Girard is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5 million and a nine-team no-list. Coyle was a trade-deadline acquisition from the Boston Bruins. He has a year left with a $5.25 million cap hit, a no-movement clause and a three-team no-trade list.
Necas was part of the return from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade in January. He has a year left at $6.5 million and lacks no-trade protection.
Forwards Ross Colton and Miles Wood surfaced in the rumor mill before the Nelson signing. Colton is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $4 million and a modified no-trade clause. Wood has four years left on his contract with a $2.5 million AAV and a six-team no-trade list.
UPDATE ON RASMUS ANDERSSON
CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports Rasmus Andersson will remain the biggest storyline for the Flames until he’s re-signed, traded, or signs with another club as an unrestricted free agent next summer.
A trade is possible during the draft weekend (June 27-28) as that’s a period when deals get done. There are a few teams with top-10 draft picks who could be in the market for an experienced right-shot defenseman. The Flames aren’t in any rush to move him, but general manager Craig Conroy has a reputation for moving players around this time.
An extension for Andersson remains possible after July 1, which is the earliest the Flames can sign him.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon listed the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens as possible trade destinations for Andersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres and Canadiens have the depth in draft picks and prospects to make a tempting offer to the Flames. However, the Habs’ biggest need is a second-line center, so they’ll likely put those assets toward addressing that need. The Sabres are in the market for a right-shot blueliner to pair with Owen Power.
The Stars are expected to shake things up after falling short in the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. They need depth on the right side behind Miro Heiskanen, but must first shed some salary if they intend to pursue someone like Andersson.
Most of the talk about the Hurricanes suggests they’ll pursue big fish via free agency to address their need for an impact player to carry them to the Stanley Cup Final. If there’s enough cap space after landing that player, maybe they’ll look at Andersson.
The Leafs need a puck-moving right-shot defenseman on their top pairing. GM Brad Treliving knows Andersson from his days in the Flames’ front office.
THE LATEST ON MARCO ROSSI
THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith and Michael Russo report league sources claim there was another call between Wild GM Bill Guerin and agent Ian Pulver, who represents Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old center becomes a restricted free agent without arbitration rights on July 1.
Earlier this season, the Rossi camp rejected a five-year, $25 million contract proposal. A shorter bridge deal was pitched last week, but Pulver told Guerin that the recent offer no longer makes sense after he was buried on the fourth line during the playoffs.
The Wild aren’t willing to offer Rossi a deal comparable to teammate Matt Boldy’s seven-year, $49 million contract. It feels like his time with the Wild could be coming to an end.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi’s future in Minnesota has been the subject of frequent speculation for weeks. His asking price could make him difficult to move, but rumors persist that teams continue to inquire about his availability.
FLYERS INTERESTED IN NICOLAS HAGUE
SPORTSNET 590: Elliotte Friedman reports the Philadelphia Flyers are believed to have contacted the Vegas Golden Knights about Nicolas Hague. The 26-year-old left-shot defenseman completed a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.294 million and is an RFA with arbitration rights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas Hockey Now’s Hannah Kirkell recently observed that the Golden Knights already have Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin, Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb under contract for next season. She suggested that it could make Hague the odd man out.
The Golden Knights could go shopping for a big-ticket UFA this summer. They have $9.6 million in cap space and might be willing to part with Hague in a trade if they have no plans to re-sign him.
JAKE ALLEN HOPES TO REMAIN WITH THE DEVILS
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited an NHL.com report indicating Jake Allen hopes to stay in New Jersey. The 34-year-old Devils goaltender is UFA-eligible on July 1.
GM Tom Fitzgerald said they’re trying to figure out what type of salary Allen prefers and whether they can make it work.
I need some clarification. If a player retires does his salary still remain on the teams cap?
My understanding is that if a player retires before 35, no cap remains. But if the contract was signed after he was 35 and he retires the cap remains.
Someone else might know better?
That depends on the contract a player signs when he turned 35 in age. Not every contract that players 35 or older is classified a 35+ contract. A contract that is classified as a 35+ is either a 1 year contract, a multi year front loaded contract or a multi year deal that contains bonuses. Reaves contract in Toronto is an example of a contract that isn`t considered a 35+ contract, 3 years 1.35 mill per. Reaves was 36 when it was signed. Reaves contract was buried last year and likely be buried again this year to get rid of most of his cap hit
It depends.
If a player signs a multi year contract after they turned 35 (35+ contracts) and retires with seasons remaining on their contract than that cap hit stays with the team.
If a player who signed their contract before turning 35 and retires with seasons remaining than their cap hit disappears from the teams books.
Isn’t that what I just said?😁
Yeah, your comment didn’t show up until after I hit submit. lol
The Dallas Stars have to get younger for sure!
I know Theodore has a Notrade but Shea+a forward for Panarin(again no trade….)+KA Miller …..
really gearing up to be a crazy summer-
If I am one of the rebuilding teams like Philly, anaheim chicago San Jose Buffalo I hold firm one more year with the prospect of Gavin mcKenna out there and a much better crop of UFAs next year. Even without mcDavid there is potentially, Eichel, Panarin, Connor, Kaprizov, Necas.
Why get into a bidding war for a Marner when you could potentially land McKenna in a lottery and have more players to choose from the following year
I think Marner comes down to LA, Vegas or Toronto.
I still think Marner will quietly sign with Columbus.
Rossi is interesting. He’s like a DeBrincat “light”. Smallish forward. But he’s never put up DeBrincat numbers…..but he could.
he might not get the money he wants in Minny or anywhere else for that matter
I’ve read rumors that Marner has an attitude problem and Waddell isn’t going to upset the team chemistry by adding such a player. Especially when there is a “me first” guy in net.
We don’t want him
Dark G- I just dont see him wanting to play in Toronto more than he has too.
Paul Bowles- will be curious to see what comes out after he has gone… I dont think he is as as beloved by teammates as the media claims
Sam, I won’t claim to know anything unless I can back it. That’s why I said I’d read rumors. But Pupinabox reminds me of a better reason for the Jackets to give Marner a pass. The Jackets have a strong core of developing young players. Marchinko, Voronkov, Johnson, Fantilli, Sillinger and Olivier are kids you build around. Marner would upset that apple cart. What the Jackets need up front are role players and second line types while forward prospects like Brindley and Del Bel Belluz finish their AHL development.
I posted on the headlines article about the Habs possibly being a fit for Coyle. Necas of course would be a much better option. But considering that the Avs gave up Rantanen to get him, I don’t see them trading him for futures as a cap dump. Coyle will likely go, quite possibly Girard as well. For not much return.
As to Andersson I agree with Lyle that the Habs resources are better spent on a center. There will be other RD options on a shorter term and less expensive until Reinbacher is ready.
I would add that while Andersson sounds like the holy grail of RD that is available, when in reality he is a smallish, albeit feisty, good 2nd pair RD
I agree. He is a defensive liability and gets caught out of position, but has an offensive upside. I wouldn’t give up a 1st round pick let alone a top 10 pick for him.
Rienbacher has gotten good press for his play in Laval, Howard, as has Engstrom. Mailloux has not. Look for a trade that involves Mailloux or Struble.
Mailloux’s reviews have been mixed. Solid offensively and weak defensively. Could still become a good NHL dman but needs work. Reinbacher and Engstrom definitely better at this point but need another year in the AHL. Reinbacher has only played 34 AHL games. As HabFan states below, they need a placeholder RD.
Watching Mailbox in Laval is an experience.
His offense is overrated, the shot is there but often blocked, he pinches without thought of being backed up. The shorthanded goals in the AHL playoffs were his responsibility.
Defensively he’s an adventure, the kid is raw to the point Arber is a grizzled vet in comparison.
As far as I’m concerned if a team likes him enough to want him as part of a package let him go.
Looking for some thoughts on this.. what is Chris Kreider’s worth? 34 years old making 6.5 mill for 2 more years scoring 20 goals and 8 assists last year. Would have to believe Rangers would need to retain salary to move him? That being said would it be far fetched to move Kampf and is 2 x 2.4 and Jarnkrok and his 1 x 2.1 for him with Leafs adding an another asset? Rangers get 2 ..4th line players next year and 2 mill cap relief and then 4 mill in cap relief the next year?
@sam
and the Rangers cannot resign all their UFA without moving Kreider or another salary
Kreider was not healthy all season but he could bounce back to help another teams powerplay…
here is to hoping he is moved without having to retain.
Unless Panarin asks to be moved Kreider has to be the departure
for sure-I fully expect him to bounce back – but I just dont see someone taking on full salary without compensation
If I’m Drury there’s no way I’m retaining. Assuming Kreider is healthy, he’s going to score goals. He also plays pp and kills penalties. Besides playing hurt, he had “Sulky” award winner Zibanejad as his linemate. I get Nelson is a center, but imo, Kreider at 6.5 for 2 years is a better bargain than 7.5×3 that Brock getting. I’m hoping Rangers keep him.
I don’t see Coyle in Montreal as he’s a 3c but Necasis a definite yes if available.
I still think the Habs shoot for Zach’s as the 2C, using picks and prospects.
As I mentioned the other day Habs don’t need a rop pairing RD they need a placeholder. Carrier is great in Montreal because he let people fall into their slots.
Adding a Zach White Cloud would do the same thing and VGK need to make some cap room.
Those two additions would allow the remaining prospects to make it or get moved on.
I don’t like what I’ve seen of Mailloux he isn’t NHL ready, reinbacher is at least a year away.
rop?
Just don’t see the Habs trading for a D without moving someone out. . Who then?
You say Reinbacher is not NHL ready, and coming off of his injury from the start of the season may need more AHL experience, but he will absolutely get NHL games in this year. Trade for another D, where is the room for him and others to work their way into the line up.
As for Necas, under different circumstances sure. But remember that Hutson is going to eat a lot of cap space next year, and Demidov the next.
Zacha has one year left on his contract, meaning the Habs overpay in a trade for a one year player, or pay more over an extension for him. Difficult to see how Necas or any other good offensive non centre can be added.
I don’t think Zach’s would cost much and he has two years on his contract.
There is no cheap 2C on a contending team and Zacha is young enough to fit the bill.
Letting Armia, Dvorak , Pezzetta go and Savard retiring leaves 4 openings. I suggested 2 to fill gaps.
You’re worried about RD prospects who aren’t ready spending another year in Laval?
Hutson will get his contract and the Habs still will need to pay their top 6. A rising salary cap, a controlled top three makes signing Necas a job for Sedgwick.
Yeah, you are right, Zacha does have two years. Missed that, and yes it is a meaningful difference.
I wouldn’t characterize my thoughts about RH D spending another year in Laval. Either the Habs brain trust thinks they are ready or they don’t. But they will surely get call ups’ perhaps as injury fill ins, but there needs to be a place for them to gain experience. That’s all I am saying.
Your wording around Mailloux was entertaining! It was also disconcerting.
Who is Sedgwick?
Sedgwick is the Habs capologist and VP of something, Molson kept him when changing management.
Boston is re something, build, tool, whatever. Hans have any combination of picks and prospect to make a deal for the guy.
Don’t you think they’d want another first rounder?
Don’t the Habs have enough prospects in Laval who won’t be in Montreal this year to add to the pot?
Might be a lot to give but Zach’s fits right in and for even more than the next two years.
You have to take stock of the mountain of picks and prospects Hughes has put together and use them as trade capital if they won’t be with the big team.
habfan30, as a Habs fan myself I want the team to go nowhere near Zacha. He would be Dvorak 2.0. I’d rather the team give both Dach and Newhook more shots at 2C than give up something for Zacha which turns into an overpayment. If the team is out of the running for guys like Bennett (who I wouldn’t pay more than 7.5M), McTavish or Horvat then one guy that could fit would be William Karlsson out of Vegas. If Vegas are looking to move salary to make room to sign Marner then the price for a salary dump would be reasonable. Plus Karlsson is a L shot which they need, strong on faceoffs and can play PP and PK. He could be the perfect bridge to see what we have in Kapanen, Beck, Hage or any other player we draft. But please no Zacha I’d even rather Jake Evans play 2C.
Zacha would be a good target for the Habs. But would Boston trade him? And to the Habs?
Hab fans,move quick on Zacha before he is traded as part of a package to Colorado for Pasta s good friend,Necas.
Sr.
History tells us Hab fans that Hughes is going to solve the 2C in a way none of us are predicting like…..Shane Wright 🙂
Most likely no. And if they did it would have to be overpay. And please exclude Mailloux bruins wouldn’t be interested
It was reported that Necas was less than satisfied with being in Col.
Necas for #16 OA , Josh Roy and Mailloux
Avs sign a FA to take Necas’ place and have some prospects in the cupboard.
Rumor is Necas not a fan of Colorado. He would fit in perfectly with his buddies Pasta and Zacha in beantown
With Colorado paying a 34 year old 7.5 million a year for three years they won’t be trading Necas for picks and prospects. They are definitely going all in over the next few years. They will have to trim the roster with lower end players than Necas.
Dave
You’re right of course Necas is staying there, I just mentioned his name as a nice wish.
LJ, getting the RD I suggested wouldn’t cost a player, it’d cost a draft pick since VGK need to make cap for their yearly signings.
Yes, agree with Dave! Necas hopefully staying but seeing these news bits stating he is not thrilled about his brief time with the Avalanche. Don’t know if this is true stuff or just talk? But signing Nelson is a good thing and trading some one like Girard we need to get something we need for sure. I was always historically on the “trade Girard bandwagon” but I have come to appreciate him more. He is small but adds a lot to offensive attack . He is mostly good defensively but does get off the rails at times. IDK. Some salary going out. I wouldn’t mind trading Colton. Necas and Nelson need to contribute more offensively. They didn’t do enough in playoffs.
Do not like delay of game, never really have. Agree with others. Just call it like an icing or something. Great game #1 really impressed with Oilers. Panthers, no surprise. Played a really.good game.
Trade Necas to Utah for Lawson Crouse and 2026 Sens and NYR 2nds. Crouse makes $2M less than Necas and the Avs could use the toughness! Utah could use the added scoring.
Doubt Utah does that without having spoken to necas and signing extension
Girard has to have the smallest stick in the league. Looks like a mini stick for crying out loud. No physicality for obvious reasons. Watching last night how do you play with eggs in your pocket at this stage of the season
Coyle and or Colton have to be the ones to move
Brock Nelson at 33 years old is not worth 7.5 dollars AAV for 3 years. over the hill, western conference is a better league then eastern . Colorado has made too many bad deals in last 3 years , only 1.2 million in cap space left . NECAS is the only player other teams would trade for.