NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2025
Will the Penguins trade Erik Karlsson or Tristan Jarry this summer? What does the future hold for Canadiens winger Patrik Laine and defenseman Mike Matheson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION
TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden believes the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent acquisition of right-shot defenseman Matt Dumba “indicates that Erik Karlsson’s exit is pending and promising 19-year-old prospect Harrison Brunicke won’t make the team.”
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)
Madden thinks landing Dumba is the first domino. He believes Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is primed to make a flurry of trades.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since dealing for Dumba last Thursday, Dubas acquired promising goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Other moves could be in the works, but whether they involve Karlsson remains to be seen.
TSN: Travis Yost wonders if Karlsson might land with a Canadian team like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers or reunite with his first NHL team, the Ottawa Senators. He believes the 35-year-old puck-moving defenseman would benefit under “the right structure, defense partner, and deployment insulation to reestablish himself as a difference-maker.”
Yost acknowledged Karlsson’s defensive shortcomings, but believes his offensive contributions remain significant at even strength and on the power play that he’s still a valuable contributor.
The Maple Leafs need to restore some of the offensive pop they lost by trading Mitch Marner. There are questions about defenseman Morgan Rielly’s long-term status in Toronto. Yost thinks Karlsson could be a fit there if the Penguins retain a big piece of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27.
Yost suggested that Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only benefit from adding another blueline playmaker. He also proposed the possibility of the Oilers moving Darnell Nurse and his $9.25 million cap hit as part of a bigger trade.
As for the Senators, Karlsson might be willing to return to Ottawa now that the club has new ownership. Their core players are no longer young, their window to contend is now, they have over $4 million in cap space, and Nick Jensen’s contract comes off their books at the end of this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but it seems unlikely that Karlsson will join one of those three clubs.
The Leafs could be the better fit, but it’ll still require some complicated salary-cap juggling to make it happen, something that might have to wait until closer to the trade deadline. They don’t have many tradeable assets (draft picks, prospects, young players) to use as trade bait.
Nurse was reportedly asked if he would waive his no-movement clause, but he declined. As for the Senators, they might not be among the teams Karlsson would accept being traded to. His career is winding down, and so are his chances of winning the Stanley Cup. It’s rumored he would waive his NMC to join a contender.
DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek noted the Penguins’ acquisition of Silovs from the Canucks earlier this week. With Joel Blomqvist poised to take on a significant role this season, Marek wondered where starting goalie Tristan Jarry might end up and how much the Penguins will have to pay to move him.
“Could this be a deal for the Edmonton Oilers?”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No. No, it couldn’t. Jarry is more inconsistent than Skinner, and he’s signed through 2027-28.
Granted, there aren’t many palatable options that could be considered upgrades for the Oilers’ goaltending position, but Jarry’s record over the last three years and his limited playoff experience don’t inspire confidence.
By the way, some fans have wondered if the Oilers might pursue former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart if he is found not guilty in the sexual assault trial involving members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team.
Daily Faceoff’s Jason Gregor stated that any report linking the Oilers to Hart is incorrect. They won’t be approaching him even if he’s found not guilty.
UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered about the status of Patrik Laine. The 28-year-old Montreal Canadiens winger is in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million.
GM Kent Hughes must decide if he’ll re-sign Laine for the same amount or less than market value, move him before the March deadline, or let him depart via free agency next July.
Proteau observed Hughes isn’t under pressure to move Laine imminently, but the longer he goes without a contract extension, the more likely his time with the Canadiens will come to an end.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine surfaced briefly in trade rumors this spring, but Hughes and Jeff Gorton (the Canadiens’ executive VP of hockey operations) shot them down.
Laine missed the first two months of the season with a knee injury. He scored 20 goals in 53 games, with a team-leading 15 power-play goals, but struggled at even strength and was banged up down the stretch.
His future in Montreal will be determined by his performance this season.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that Gorton believes Mike Matheson remains a key cog on the Canadiens’ blueline.
The 31-year-old defenseman was the subject of trade speculation after they acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders last month. Like Laine, he’s a year away from UFA status.
However, Gorton praised Matheson’s overall play, experience and leadership. Murphy speculates he could end up on the top pairing alongside Dobson this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson’s occasional defensive gaffes made him the target of criticism from Canadiens fans, prompting some to suggest he be used as trade bait for a second-line center. However, the limited options in the trade market to address that need suggest they’ll hang onto him for this season. It wouldn’t be surprising if they sign him to an extension.
Nurse-going nowhere- decent D man-bad contract- would you trade good assets for Jarry? didn’t think so. Karlson- who would like that anchor around your neck (contract) I wonder if Dubas HAS a real plan? Has a few “unmoveable” parts.
I think the only unmovable part is graves. Jarry has a shot if he starts the season well and a contender is being held back by bad goaltending. But it’s a long shot.
CHrisms…i agree if jarry starts well maybe. His first 4 years he was a 2 time all star.
He does have a career save % of 906
League average 901
But he has been wildly inconsistent and spotty.
But the Penguins defense corp is absolute crap awful on a better team he could be better
Same with karlsson with a good team good coach good system good partner he can b good
CarolinA slavin
Toronto Tanev
Edmonton Healthy ekholm
Penguins retain 50%
If I’m the oilers I have to look at Jarry if they can get him at $1.5. On the other hand to say they are out on Hart is poor management.
Bob’s your Uncle, if I am the Oilers I don’t look at Jarry and he won a Memorial Cup here in Edmonton. He hasn’t been better than either Edmonton tender lately, and his playoff #’s are worse. I don’t see the why? Skinner is only 26 and runs hot and cold, it isn’t crazy to think he gets more consistent as he gains experience and tenders take a while.
Now if Jarry starts to play better, have a look at him I suppose, but need to see a larger sample size.
Regarding Hart, who is from this area, if you consider only a player’s #’s as management’s responsibility, then I suppose it’s poor management. But that isn’t reality IMO. And what the verdict is wouldn’t change my decision either for this upcoming season.
Not saying ban these guys forever, but the road back to the NHL needs to be earned with a little time for penance included. They were young when it happened, that should matter too when the teams decide. But what they do between now and then matters the most.
In a criminal court the verdict decides whether the prosecution had enough evidence for a criminal conviction and the penalty that goes with it. Up to and including taking away a person’s freedom. It’s a vary high bar, as it should be.
Playing on the Oilers? Different bar/standard altogether than being behind bars or not. Being a POS who was in that room, and sounds like participated, is well below it until he has proven he deserves back in.
That will be up to the NHL first, and then the individual teams. Fair to say a more difficult decision than what you expect his save % to be.
Might want to talk to the leadership group in the dressing room and get their take on it. I could guess where they land, but don’t know, so I won’t.
I think Matheson lines up across from Hutson, as the veteran mentor replacing Savard.
Oilers fans have to face it, Skinner/Pickard will be their tandem for this season. There are no other viable options available by trade/free agency. They can only hope Skinner player better like in 2023-24
and the Pens aren’t going to get a big package for Karlsson even if they retain 1/2 his salary. Probably a decent prospect or young player and a pick or two.
don’t see Jarry getting traded, but rather Silovs battles Blomqvist for the backup spot, and the other to the AHL (probably JB)
The Habs will certainly not give away Matheson or Laine at this point. If there’s a good trade to be had this summer, they’d do it, but all signs point to them both being on the team when the season opens.
Laine may not be worth what he’s being paid but he’s a reliable goal scorer. He’s also on the right side of 30. If he stays healthy and has a solid season with the Habs, I can see an extension, although at a lower cap hit.
As for Matheson, it’s hard to see him long term with the Habs. He’ll be 32 when next season ends. The Habs got a great deal with him. He’s been paid at least $2m per year less than the value he’s provided. He’s earned a huge raise and with Dobson and Guhle starting on long term extensions, with Hutson getting a huge jump a year from now and with Reinbacher hopefully meriting a big raise in the not too distant future, I don’t see how the Habs will pay him what he’s earned. If he’s willing to take a hometown discount, maybe he’ll be extended, but he’s likely going to want to cash in. He’s earned it.
Pens should try and give the reins to Silovs at the start as he plays a lot better when he is the man, while being below average as a backup.
I think Karlsson could really help the Leafs, its only a question of the price. The other two have a PP QB so doesnt make the same sense. Two other teams that should take a look are Utah and the Jets. Utah might not be a contender but Karlsson could really help them get in.
I think the Laine talk exists on account of his contract. A lot of money for a guy who hasn’t performed in a long time and he’s in a contract year.
I don’t buy into any of that, he came to the Habs with that contract, hurt, mental health issues, ready to retire.
He was traded in August, never had the time to put it together before a pre-season game injury.
He didn’t actually start playing till January and re-ignited the powerplay that stayed good even after teams keyed on him.
He’s said all the right things since arriving, taken accountability and responsibility for his game, not blaming others or the system. He says he got his joy of hockey again and needs to work.
He never blamed Cedric Pare for the knee on knee, in fact he said he believes he put himself in a bad spot on the play.
Laine is a sniper, healthy with this new attitude, he’ll be a valuable part of the team.
I look forwars to seeing him this year.
Yours is a positive perspective, HF30, and a fair representation of his attitude. He overcame both mental health and injury the past year and gave the Habs a boost.
But let’s also factor into the equation his pace: skating speed and his propensity to slow the play down. Marty likes a north-south flow. I wouldn’t be surprised if Laine stayed the whole season, but I don’t see his style of play leading to an extension.
But let’s see what the regular season brings. I’ve been wrong before, and will be again.
All 31 NHL teams have enough assets to aguire Karlsson, even with Pittsburgh retaining 50%. Toronto doesn’t have enough, that’s a joke and a half. I wouldn’t trade Cowan for Karlsson
Yeah Yogi sounds ridiculous that the leafs couldn’t trade for Karlsson he is terrible defensively is old and making huge money.
I know they don’t have a lot of prospects to trade but what are they expecting to get for 35 year old this haul can’t be that much and I certainly wouldn’t trade Cowan or Danford for him.
Rumor – one of the teams Karlsson will waive his NMC is the Maple Leafs. Right now rumors Maple Leafs and Karlsson. Funny Maple Leafs trade for Karlsson see another Yogi investigation.
Just getting up to speed eh, just don’t let it kill ya
Yogi what about robertson?
It’s not just giving up assests for Karlsson or Hamilton, it’s the cap space. Toronto like so many other teams is looking for a 2nd line centre, my opinion the centre is the more important need. Could Karlsson help the Leafs, sure, but not to the point where you use all your remaining cap space and still have more important needs. Karlsson for Robertson+, in a capless world, yeah maybe
If Crosby isn’t going anywhere, I’m not sure why Pitt would trade Karlsson now. They don’t need the cap space unless they’re looking to add an expensive player in a trade. Showing over 13 mil in cap space with a full roster. Dumba isn’t a replacement, and will be gone after season. You play to win. If it doesn’t go well, then it’ll be an interesting tdl.
IMO Dubas is looking forward to the 20+ Million coming off the books next summer. If he can move out Jarry and EK’s contract, and head into UFA 2026, with close to 40-45 million in cap space, he will be able to put together his team in Pitt. I see Pitt as a bottom 5-10 team once again this season. The TDL could see a flood of Pens heading out the door. At what point would Crosby and Letang look around and say, trade us?
Slick62
After this past season Dubas called out Karlsson for his play. Past few weeks Penguins traded for right handed defensemen Connor Clifford cap hit 3,333,333 and Mathew Dumba cap hit 3.75 million. Penguins also have Kris Letang cap hit 6.1 million, Jack St. Ivany and Harrison Brunicke (age 19) with potential be star. Penguins have surplus right handed defensemen. Who gets traded? Logically move trading Karlsson.
Speed. Who is Pitts best player on defense right now? How does Syd feel about idea of trading Karlsson? Clifton and Dumba both ufa at seasons end. Could both be tdl adds for other teams. Letang a likely buy out next summer. Brunicke a potential star based on ???? I honestly don’t know what Dubas expects from team this year.
I doubt tanger is bought out and brunicke had a stellar training camp, continued to dominate juniors, and looked really good in his ahl cup of coffee. Tanked in the top 100 of nhl prospects in the couple rankings I’ve read. Lots of optimism about him.
SLick 62…defensively a orange traffic cone is a replacement for Karlsson.
He isn’t a fit in pittsburgh he needs a solid teAm coach system a d partner.
Hurricanes. Slavin
Maple Leafs Tanev
Dallas. Heiskanen
Minnesota. Faber
Detroit. Seidler
Pittsburgh will retIain
For Erik I’d think deadline might be better. There will be unexpected contenders that want to make a splash and could open up more options for Dubas to get a semblance of a bidding war. Risk is he further declines this season. Also a shot he plays a bit better than last season.
Re Leafs and Karlsson:
I’m certainly not saying that he’d agree to go there and/or that Leafs would be interested or yhat there are the right fit assets to make the deal
But: “The Leafs could be the better fit, but it’ll still require some complicated salary-cap juggling to make it happen”
Zero complicated Cap juggling needed”
Leafs already at 23 of 23 with over $5 M in space
Dubas retains $5 M and there are zero Cap issues for Leafs
Re Hart and not getting a call from Bowman if found not guilty and “Gregor stated that any report linking the Oilers to Hart is incorrect. “
No explanation by Gregor in his tweet… just that it was “incorrect”
Why wouldn’t Bowman at least make a call (again IF found not guilty)?
It’s just an exploratory call to (again IF found not guilty) to a young out of work goalie with pretty reasonable save percentage; that will sign very cheap
Why wouldn’t he call then?
does anybody have any interest in acquring merzlinkins from blue jackets and if so at what cost
norman d crum, here’s the likely current 2-goalie tandem for each team, listed by the highest to lowest % of the new cap. Not sure I can pinpoint any team that would target Merzlikins
2G Tandem Cap Hits Showing % of $95.5 mil & Actual $$ Most To Least
14%
NY RANGERS Shesterkin-Quick $13,050,000;
12%
FLORIDA Bobrovsky-Tarasov $11,050,000;
11%
BOSTON Swayman-Korpisalo $11,250,000;
NY ISLANDERS Sorokin-Varlamov $11,000,000;
SEATTLE Grubauer-Daccord $10,900,000;
TAMPA Vasilevsky-Johansson $10,750,000;
10%
VANCOUVER Demko-Lankinen $9,500,000;
ST. LOUIS Binnington-Hofer $9,400,000;
WINNIPEG Hellebuyck-Comrie $9,325,000;
OTTAWA Ullmark-Merilainen $9,300,000;
DALLAS Oettinger-DeSmith $9,250,000;
9%
DETROIT Gibson-Talbot $8,900,000;
WASHINGTON Thompson-Lindgren
$8,850,000; NASHVILLE Saros-Annunen $8,577.500;
8%
CHICAGO Knight-Brossoit $7,800,000;
LOS ANGELES Kuemper-Forsberg $7,500,000;
7%
VEGAS Hill-Schmid $7,125,000;
COLORADO Blackwood-Wedgewood $6,750,000;
UTAH Vejmelka-Ingram $6,700,000;
PHILADELPHIA Vladar-Fedotov $6,625,000;
ANAHEIM Mrazec-Husso $6,450,000 (Dostal still in RFA negotiations);
PITTSBURGH Jarry-Silovs $6,255,000;
BUFFALO Luukkonen-Lyon $6,250,000 (Levi still in RFA negotiations – may replace Lyon); COLUMBUS Merzlikins-Greaves $6,212,500;
TORONTO Woll-Stolarz $6,166,667;
6%
MINNESOTA Gustavsson-Wallstedt $5,950,000;
NEW JERSEY Markstrom-Daws $5,925,000;
5%
CAROLINA Anderssen-Kochetkov $4,750,000;
SAN JOSE Nedejkovic-Askarov $4,500,000;
MONTREAL Montembeault-Kahkonen $4,300,000 – Price $10,500,000 LTIR)
3%
EDMONTON Skinner-Pickard $3,600,000;
2%
CALGARY Wolf-Cooley $1,625,000
Not just Merzlikins but Jarry and Korpisalo as well, Where would any of them be an improvement over what a team has now … bearing in mind, as well, cap implications.
Merzlikins – $5.4 mil per 2 more seasons
Jarry – $5,375,000 per 3 more seasons
Korpisalo – $3 mil per 3 more seasons
I wish Laine the best of luck but for some reason the way he plays just seems to expose him to really bad injuries. If he can stay healthy and score 40 goals, he might be able to get his career back on track.
Here’s one for George. Trade for Karlsson and pull a Red Kelly. You’ ve probably seen Karlsson play more than most. You think it’s possible George
Yogi, I mentioned that to a circle of friends back when he was playing for Ottawa. At that time they had a solid D and I always thought he could have had far less criticism of his defensive shortcomings had he been moved up.
It sure worked wonders for Kelly – who also won the Norris a few times – and the Leafs
If Ottawa or Toronto had lots of cap room, it might be a worthwhile gamble. It’d solve the 2nd line centre problem
I could see Morgan Reilly in the same light – he might be the centre the Leafs need to balance out the forward lines.
You’re right there too, but if you move Reilly up we still need another puck moving dman. But it is a thought
If Oilers acquire Jarry and he craps the bed. Big trouble
Even at 50% with Picard waived and picked up for a million bucks. With now no money left do anything about anything . A big gamble. Third time the charm
Wasn’t Jarry waived twice last year ?
I would wait something invariably will shake loose. No Jarry for me and the Oil . Maybe as a backup somewhere else but kinda of expensive for that.