NHL Rumor Mill – July 16, 2025
The latest on Nazem Kadri and Jared McCann, plus updates on the Canucks and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
NAZEM KADRI ADDRESSES TRADE RUMORS
CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports that Nazem Kadri addressed his name floating around in recent trade rumors linking him to his former club, the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Kadri called the speculation “a little bit bizarre”. The 34-year-old center has four years left on his contract, he’s the Calgary Flames’ leading scorer, and there’s no indication they want to move him.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Nevertheless, there has been persistent speculation out of Southern Ontario suggesting Kadri reunite with the Leafs. They are reportedly seeking a top-six forward to offset some of the offense they lost following Mitch Marner’s departure.
During an appearance on the “Knight Shift” podcast, Kadri maintained he and his family were happy in Calgary. He also acknowledged the trade rumors, calling them part of the business.
“I mean, there’s not a whole lot in terms of sports going on right now,” he said. “I think it’s definitely a topic to talk about. And hey, why not talk about it?”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks took Kadri’s comment as a suggestion that he’d be willing to waive his no-movement clause to get traded to Toronto. That’s not the case, but when it comes to trade options for the Leafs, some fans will engage in wishful thinking during the dog days of summer.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claimed Kadri would waive his no-movement clause for the Maple Leafs and the Montreal Canadiens.
Marc Dumont shoots down the possibility of the Canadiens pursuing Kadri, suggesting general manager Kent Hughes wouldn’t be keen to part with valuable assets to acquire a player on the wrong side of 30.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Montreal needs a second-line center and has the trade assets to swing that deal. Nevertheless, Hughes prefers acquiring players in their twenties who could be part of the Canadiens’ long-term future.
KRAKEN WILLING TO SHOP MCCANN
THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: The host suggested the Seattle Kraken might be willing to move forward Jared McCann.
McCann, 29, has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann has spent the past four years with the Kraken and has led them in scoring each season, including a career-high 40-goal performance in 2022-23.
It seems odd that the Kraken would be willing to trade their leading scorer. There has been nothing in the Seattle media verifying his availability.
However, the Kraken have a new GM in Jason Botterill. He could be gauging the market value of some of his veterans with an eye on bringing in younger talent.
UPDATE ON THE CANUCKS
THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance reports Vancouver Canucks management is eyeing several players in the unrestricted free-agent market. However, they lack the salary-cap space to add to their roster.
Teams are allowed to be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be cap-compliant before their season-opening game.
Drance indicates the Canucks are attempting to shed salary to make room for further additions. He suggested Teddy Blueger ($1.85 million AAV on an expiring contract) and Dakota Joshua ($3.25 million AAV for the next three seasons) as possible trade candidates.
BLUE JACKETS SHOPPING FOR A GOALTENDER
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported Columbus Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is in the market for a goaltender, perhaps two. He’s seeking a No. 3 netminder with AHL experience who wouldn’t look out of place in the NHL.
If Waddell cannot find that goalie in the trade market, he’s willing to wait out the waiver wire during training camp. He indicated a willingness to carry three goalies on his roster to start the season.
I’ve seen Kadri’s name brought up regarding the Habs but it’s just what Kadri said “I mean, there’s not a whole lot in terms of sports going on right now,” he said. “I think it’s definitely a topic to talk about. And hey, why not talk about it?”
There is one player on the wrong side of 30 who I would be interested in, short term, his name was brought up a couple of days ago, Jan Rutta.
34y/o 6’4 205 RHD could slot in as 3rd pairing/pk with sheltered minutes.
Kypreos is a perfect example of what the news industry has sunk to. Integrity and accuracy mean nothing anymore. Making noise and being noticed is all that matters,
Conroy has indicated that he’s not trading Domi. They’re pushing for the playoffs next season.
McCann may be an interesting option though the price would be high. He’s played mostly at wing the past couple of years but had played center and takes a lot of draws.
Khadri, you mean. Otherwise, you have Kypreos down pat.
Howard, are you really comparing hockey rumors to the entire news industry and making a blanket statement that it is the same? C’mon now!
Today’s “news” media is whatever you want it to be, which is part of the problem. There are good ones, some of which have been the good ones for over a century, and still are. Some don’t even qualify as news, even though they may say they are.
Painting them all with the same brush is simply false. Not sure where you live, but if it isn’t too rural, there must be a local paper that you can subscribe to online. I would bet they still practice the same journalistic standards that we grew up with and should support. If we don’t they go away.
I do not understand why you keep suggesting bottom 6 centers when the Habs have a lot of options in their current roster. Not a position of need.
Just the other day you posted, correctly IMO, that the Habs would ride out the first 10 games or so to see how things are going.
Well, HF30, based on your position of today, you are correct. Habs have just signed Valero. First move by Hughes that I disagree with and don’t understand.Good grief!!
LJ’
Not sure what opinion of today you’re talking about.
My post was about a RHD.
Habs signed Joe Veleno to a 1 yr one way contract. He’s a strong penalty killer, he’s only 25y/o.
They are probably looking at the pk with Armia and Dvorak gone.
Anyone know how much Montreal signed Valeno for?
Yeah, sorry, HF30, I misread your comment and thought Rutta was a C.
Re Veleno, sure, but the message to Beck and Kappanen is: AHL this coming season. Curious to me, at least.
habsman: 900K, one way.
Habsman67
Veleno was signed for $900,000 to a 1 way 1 year deal
Thanks LJ. For 900k I don’t think it’s a bad signing but I do see your point LJ about Beck and Kapenen. I’m sure they are not too happy today. I just hope that whoever makes the team does so based on merit and not because you want to make the GM look good.
LJ,
Now that you looked at RHD Jan Rutta, what do you think of signing him, if he’ll accept short term, as a 3rd pairing, pk guy?
Former GM Gorton should call GM Drury and get permission to speak to Zibanejad. Most likely bounces back from “Off” year of 62 points, which would’ve put him 3rd amongst Habs forwards. Full nmc but, name has been out there and with rest of core already broken up, it’s possible he’d move on.
Beck and Kapanen are both R shot centers and are waiver eligible.
Veleno is L shot center and can be claimed if waived.
He and Evans are the only L shot centers on the team, so Beck and Kapanen will be in Laval this year.
HF30. Thanks for the info as well. Regarding Rutta, if you sign him, what do you do with Arber? I think you need Arber in the lineup to keep the other teams honest.
Charles-Alexis Brisebois doesn’t think much about the acquisition, for whatever that’s worth
https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/wnba/joe-veleno-is-really-no-christian-dvorak-in-the-face-off-circle/ar-AA1IJ1za?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=6877db0af9e74cff922afc2874739a49&ei=19
HF30: You may be on to something, as there are only 2 RHD currently on the Habs roster and with Reinbacher likely needing another season in the AHL.
But it would require moving Struble, which I’m ok with.
Correction,
I said Veleno and Evans are the only L shot centers on the team, it’s Veleno and Newhook.
Veleno isn’t signed to be a 2C, nor is he as good on the faceoff as Dvorak.
He’ll probably be 3rd or 4th line wing taking faceoffs on his strong side.
He did spend a few weeks training in Montreal with Suzuki so I’d imagine that had something to do with the team’s decision.
Worst case scenario he’s put on waivers and he’s claimed or plays in Laval.
All Habs fans,you guys are loaded with young talent. Just let them play and figure out who is your 2nd line center.You guys are overthinking this one.
Joe Veleno seems to be Hughs choice for a reclamation project. He is not a 2C, but may prove useful on the 4th line.
The amount of names that have some sort of movement clause mentioned in rumors is kind of fascinating.
It would be an interesting study to know how often a player with a clause is traded. Taking it a step further when during the term does it most often happen. There are many other criteria that would also be of interest in the study for me.
As for the Habs, one can appreciate the patience has displayed in building the roster. I may be alone in my thinking but if there is a fit available he should secure it sooner than later. They are now considered a playoff team. Making and winning rounds this season should be the goal. It will be challenging to do that without a bonafide number 2.
But if there is no one, there is no one, I just dont like the concept of waiting for the perfect candidate.
and take that one further…. how many have been rumored to be willing to drop their No Trade to go to Toronto….oh wait, ALL OF THEM…hahaha
According to the modern day Nostradamus known as Kypreos; you are correct sir.
Reacquiring Kadri would be another typical (boneheaded) Toronto move. Trade him when he’s in his prime so he can go win a cup and excel, then bring him back when he’s 35 and think he will win you a cup. He will turn 35 at the start of the season and has four more years on his contract.
Just playing devil’s advocate here, and you make a good point, but by the same token, we’re such things not said about Marchand leading into the deadline and this off season?
Now Kadri is not Marchand but I can see how Kadri can still have the gas in the tank to make a good team really good.
So Dave Florida signing Marchand to that extension was a bone head move. After all he is 37
From what I have seen of Hughes and Treliving, I dont see either chasing Kadri right now.
The Leafs especially …as they have little that helps Calgary that would not hurt the Leafs this season.
The one exception might be if Rasmus Anderson gets moved and some sort of three way deal moves Reilly and some young players back to Calgary.
Still from the moves Tre has made in the past I cam’t see him adding anyone over 28 unless it is some sort of steal.
Generally, he looks for size work ethic and players with potential upside soon.
McCann is just on the edge for that, though his recent season shows s potential for further decline. More likely, the Leafs GM is scouting fringe guys who are in the mid twenties and potentially could find a higher gear playing with better line mates.
Montreal has the pieces that Calgary might like, but won’t get much interest from Calgary unless they are willing to move 2 or 3 NHL ready/proven guys under age 25, who can play top 6 minutes at a level worthy of a play off run.
Teams can only exceed the cap by 10% in summer, and Price can’t go on LTIR until the season starts. Hard to see a big summer deal for MTL .
1Oilerfan You’re right, Kadri can help any team, my point was more that they traded him in his prime and would get him back when he’s 35. I would assume he wouldn’t come cheap either.
That’s fair Dave
So Tavares is the same age as Kadri, plays center, puts up more points/goals but Kadri is better?
How is that?
I like both players but Tavares is the better 200ft guy. JT had more points in less games with less ice per game too.
Either is the perfect 2C next season for a contender IMHO
neither is still the #1 center for a contender to me
McCann has been a good player for Seattle, he’s not past 30 yet, and his cap hit is under market value, so no reason they should be trying to dump him.
Having said that, they haven’t done anything as an organization with him there. He’s a nice player, but not the type of player to carry a playoff caliber team. Seattle needs to find that type of player.
Could Beniers become that? Wright? Berkley Catton?
If Seattle can get a good young prospect for McCann, it might be worth doing and free up those top minutes for Beniers and Wright to sink or swim.
This roster doesn’t look like a playoff contender, so maybe that’s a move better saved for the trade deadline when playoff teams overpay to go all-in.
Vancouver shouldnt trade those two. Joshua´s value is at a low point and they need his size, hopefully he can bounce back to the 23/24 numbers. He was also part of a very good PK together with, you guessed it Blueger. So moving one or both could seriously affect their PK numbers. Better to move
A: Höglander, even if his value is also low at the moment
B: Should have moved Garland with his value being high, but wont happen now
C: Sherwood, whose value is high and will cost a lot to resign.
So found out the answer to my question I posted a few days ago. Teams can offer 8 year contracts to players that become RFAs (and UFAs) before sept 16 2026, which is very important since teams trading for a player after that date, or as some assume waiting until the summer of 27(example Quinn Hughes to NJ) will only be able to offer 6 year contracts july first 2027. So there will be massive incentive for players going UFA in 2027 to sign/resign before sept 16 2026
My vision blurred and I got dizzy after reading the three words “Nick Kypreos claimed”
If you put “Kypreos” and “insider” in the same sentence ; it can only mean deranged, random and funny ramblings INSIDE his own head
I’m just waiting for “Kypreos claims Crosby is waiving his NMC to go to the Ducks because he enjoyed a Disney movie when he was s kid”
“it can only mean deranged, random and funny ramblings INSIDE his own head”
Oh ,the irony of this sentence fragment…
LOL … woosh, right over his head!
lol, I bit my tongue to not say it.
Wouldn’t that be sat on my hands?
Touche Chrisms, your idiom is more accurate than mine.
Read my lips “ Flames are are not trading with Treliving “ . It would have to very one sided to be approved by ownership. Secondarily Kadri is the only thing even close to a number #1. Which we all know he is not.