NHL Rumor Mill – July 14, 2025
The latest on the top remaining unrestricted free agents and suggested destinations for several of them in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at the latest buzz on some of the top remaining unrestricted free agents.
Former Carolina Hurricanes forward Jack Roslovic (NHL Images).
Forward Jack Roslovic tops the list as the best player available. He enjoyed a productive 2024-25 season with the Carolina Hurricanes, netting 22 goals and 39 points in 81 games. Fox cited colleague Elliotte Friedman indicating that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in signing the versatile 28-year-old forward. Meanwhile, the Washington Capitals could also take a long look at him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The rising salary cap means most NHL clubs remain flush with cap space this summer. However, many of the remaining UFAs (like Roslovic) will likely get low-cost, short-term contracts that are easy to shed if they don’t pan out.
The Score’s Josh Wegman recently suggested the Leafs could be the best fit for Roslovic. While defensively inconsistent and a healthy scratch during the playoffs, he played alongside Leafs captain Auston Matthews in 2014-15 with the US National Team Development Program.
Winger Victor Olofsson is No. 2 on Fox’s list. He’s a power-play specialist with three 20-plus goal seasons on his resume.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman thinks the Boston Bruins would be a good landing spot for Olofsson. Their power play was among the league’s worst last season, finishing 29th overall.
Matt Grzelcyk is an undersized (5’10”, 180 pounds), left-shot defenseman who had a career-best 40 points last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to Wegman, the Colorado Avalanche could use a puck-mover like Grzelcyk. They need an experienced No.3 left-shot defenseman.
Ilya Samsonov could be an intriguing option in a thin goalie market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman suggested the Pittsburgh Penguins as a destination. Since he published this piece four days ago, the Penguins acquired Arturs Silovs, making it unlikely that they’ll add a UFA netminder.
Oft-sidelined winger Max Pacioretty is still weighing all his options, including retirement. Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving recently said the door remains open for the 35-year-old winger’s return.
Forward Luke Kunin recently changed agents and the physical forward reportedly garnered interest from multiple teams.
Winger Joel Kiviranta reached career highs in games played (79) and goals (16) last season. He could be a good addition to a team seeking depth among their bottom-six forwards.
Former Utah Mammoth Michael Carcone’s speed and edge could make him a cost-effective bottom-six forward.
Jan Rutta’s playoff experience and defensively responsible game could make the blueliner a good addition on a one-year contract.
Goaltender Alexandar Georgiev suffered a precipitous decline last season. However, Fox believes the workhorse netminder is better than his recent performance.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman suggests the Edmonton Oilers, who are beating the bushes in search of a goaltending upgrade. However, Georgiev would likely be a desperate last choice for them at this stage.
Wegman’s suggested destinations for other notable UFAs include Joe Veleno to the New York Rangers and James Reimer to the Calgary Flames.
Heh … on July 12 – a day before Fox’s observation, I posted this in response to Scott “I can see Kunin, Olofsson, Kiviranta, Pacioretty, Roslovic, Grzelcyk & Samsonov all getting either basic or close to basic deals, or P.T.O.s at some point”
Wonder if he reads this site? LOL
Out of all those George only Pacioretty has a home if he wants it. With the shortages in centres, nevermind RHC Roslovic is the biggest surprise. My guess he came out with a I want this and that in his demands and reality has sunk in. If Toronto does have an interest like Friedman says, it’s a very very mild one, cheap 1 year deal. Don’t see a fit
Yeah, I have to agree there … I wouldn’t touch Roslovic with the proverbial 10-foot pole. There’s an underlying reason why this guy has bounced from pillar to post.
Kunin, at least , brings some 2-way grit to his game, and the Finn, Olofsson, has always intrigued me. He only turns 30 on July 18, isn’t a Smurf at 5′ 11 180lbs and, with Buffalo, he’s scored 20 in 54gp, 20 again in 72gp, 28 in 75gp and, this past season with Vegas, popped 15g 14a 29pts in 56gp.
Curious to hear from someone who has seen him play a lot as to his “game” – one-way? – defensively responsible/irresponsible? injury-prone?
No grzelcyk please. He is awful. Seen him play for both Boston and Pittsburgh; gets beat all the time and turns the puck over. And he is small. Rather keep Girard. He is a much better defenseman and can skate better. My hope is that the Avalanche don’t take this route. I would be surprised if they did!!!
I watched him all season.
Concur, he is a defensive nightmare and because he’s so small, can’t move anybody out from in front of net.
He also wanders onto his wrong side; pinches at inappropriate times causing many odd man rushes and goals against
Avoid at all cost
that sounds exactly what the Pens traded for in Dumba… can’t have two of those…..hehe
Yeah but we’ve been told to expect a “bounce back” – I asked “a bounce back from what” but never got a reply.
Pens didn’t “trade for” Dumba
Nills called the only guy who would accept a dump trade (Nils had to get Cap compliant) and accept that trade at a loss
Dubas accommodated
We’re hoping and praying that the call was started with something like ; “ Kyle, do me a solid, and I’ll owe you one”
We’re keen to find out if that is true and what net gain we can expect down the road as payback
Army dumped Hayes on us and gained his 2nd back (with another accodating flip of futures); Pens losing badly in the combined trades; but it was mumbled at the time on the internet that Army had promised to return the favor in the future
Pens later got P-O J for free from Blues;
Not quite a fair enough overall payback; but something anyway
8787, if he was so bad,why did he play ahead of Letang and Karlsson on the Power Play. He had 40 assist.How many defensemen had that many?
Would you rather have Graves for 3-4 more years?
Exactly. While Grzelcyk was a -6 for the year, Karlsson was -24, Letang and Graves -15 each and Shea -9.
Minus, while not a definitive stat, certainly indicates something.
I am surprised Rutta is still unsigned. He would be an excellent 3rd pairing defenseman for half the teams in the league.
Would Kunin or Roslovic be a good fit for the Flames as they have no RHC.
If your a fan of advanced stats, Kunin and Olofsson are defensive liabilities. Olofsson provides some offense, but Kunin gives little of anything. But like you said, don’t watch either of them, so it’s hard to tell how much the team and linemates play into it. I don’t see a fit in Toronto for any of these guys. If I had an inkling to bring anybody to camp it might be Fabbri. Even with his injure problems, he could offer some help, a 1 year deal on the cheap
Heh … well, bottom line, Yogi, there’s a valid reason why they’re still available, especially with 9 teams with no RFAs to re-up sitting on anywhere from $1 to $13 mil.
Caveat Emptor all over the place! LOL
With all that money floating aound at the TDL it could make for some interesting trades
Slim pickings.The last time Boston ventured this way it was for Tyler Johnson. Lasted about 9 games and the rode off into the sunset!
On a Shetland pony.