NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2025
Did the Islanders attempt to trade Ilya Sorokin at the draft? What’s the latest on Dougie Hamilton and Marco Rossi? Will the Capitals explore the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
ARE THE ISLANDERS CONSIDERING TRADING ILYA SOROKIN?
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski cited Frank Servalli of Daily Faceoff claiming the New York Islanders considered the possibility of trading Ilya Sorokin. Seravalli made the remarks during an appearance on the Kevin Karius Show.
New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (NHL Images).
The 29-year-old goaltender is in the second year of his eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Seravalli said he’d heard of speculation that the Isles had discussed a deal with the Utah Mammoth for the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No reaction yet from those who cover the Islanders regarding this report. Any attempt to trade Sorokin would need the goaltender’s blessing. He has a full no-movement clause through 2027-28.
THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON
B/R OPEN ICE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli also believes the New Jersey Devils explored the trade market for Dougie Hamilton.
The 32-year-old defenseman is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $9 million. He carries a 10-team trade list for the remainder of his deal.
Seravalli doesn’t believe the Devils are intent on trading Hamilton. However, they’ll need to find some flexibility with their blueline going forward. If not, they’ll have to make some tough decisions with some of their younger defensemen, like Simon Nemec.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Utah Mammoth and Dallas Stars were believed to be among the clubs interested in Hamilton. While the Devils are getting trade calls for the puck-moving blueliner, he’s not expected to be moved anytime soon.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton’s cap hit and trade list will limit the potential suitors, in turn meaning few options for the Devils to get a suitable return.
The signing bonuses in his contract will also be a factor. Murphy pointed out Hamilton will receive a base salary of $1 million for this season and next, with a $7.4 million signing bonus due on July 1, 2026, and $5.25 million in actual salary for the final season with no bonus payments.
Interested clubs may have been waiting for the Devils to pay Hamilton his signing bonus for this season before expressing interest. Some might prefer waiting until next summer after his final bonus payment is made.
AN UPDATE ON MARCO ROSSI
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report that there were teams interested in acquiring Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi. However, they were offering up futures or top-six forwards, which the Wild didn’t want.
The Vancouver Canucks offered the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, but Russo and Smith aren’t sure there was a player the Wild would’ve wanted with that pick. “If you look at Carolina, who would the Hurricanes offer other than Jesperi Kotkaniemi?”
As for Rossi’s stalled contract negotiations, they could stretch into training camp and beyond unless he signs an offer sheet. Wild general manager Bill Guerin has said he would match any offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Until a rival club steps up with a significant trade offer, it seems Rossi won’t be going anywhere this summer. If no one’s pitching an offer sheet, the 23-year-old center could have little choice but to re-sign rather than risk missing training camp and regular-season playing time that will adversely affect his performance after he inevitably re-signs with the Wild.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CAPITALS?
NHL.COM: Tom Gulitti recently reported Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick indicated he intends to explore the trade market after plans to make a significant addition in free agency fell through.
Gulitti indicated the Capitals hope to add a top-six forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Capitals were among the clubs bidding for Nikolaj Ehlers before the UFA winger signed with the Hurricanes last week.
Seravalli is quickly sinking into Kypreos territory. If he’s not careful he’ll sink into Eklund territory.
Excuse my ignorance
Eklund territory?
As in Hockey Buzz. It’s not a compliment
Eklund runs HockeyBuzz where they have bloggers for most teams, while Eklund reports on rumours he hears from his contracts. Many people think he’s a fraud.
I’ve been suspended from that site for pointing out one of his blogs was so grammatically incorrect and essentially unreadable it was either written drunk or he needed medical attention.
It’s a treasure trove of comedic gold, if you ask me.
THAT was funny. The last thing you want is to slip into Kypros territory, but Frank’s been there for a while now.
@Chrisms
lol – Hockeybuzz
Either drunk or needed medical attn
I agree
Some of their podcasts are really out in left field
Howard for O”Reilly is interesting and a nice piece of work for both teams. Entry level helps the Oil money situation. Bolts get a player who will be ready in a couple of years rather than a pick
TB gets another Cirelli. And I’m not sold on Howard staying in the Oilers top-six.
With 21 players committed to, only RFA Rossi to re-up and with $10,186,835 in cap reserve, unless someone went bonkers with an offer-sheet (in which case he’d probably reconsider given the 1st round picks involved), Guerin will easily match any normal offer-sheet sent to Rossi.
Washington, meanwhile, has 23 committed to, $4,125,000 in cap reserve, and no RFAs left to deal with, so that certainly gives Patrick some decent flexibility in any trade initiative.
I just wish I would hear some similar “informed” musings about Staios and Ottawa. He has $4,294,286 in the kitty, 22 committed to, and only RFA LD Donovan Sebrango to finalize – and he’s probably ticketed to Belleville anyway.
One of the 22 as shown at Puckpedia is reclamation project LW Arthur Kaliyev ($775,000) who I would rather see start the season on Belleville as well, giving Staios $5,069,286 to play with and 21 signed at the major league level.
If at all possible, a RD with term to further solidify their D on that side would be welcome.
So if Guerin doesn’t want “futures or top 6 forwards”. Does that mean he’s looking for bottom 6 guys or d men? Is he waiting on a team that wants Rossi signed 8 years? Seems like only thing keeping him from signing Rossi is terms another team might want. I liked Kaliyev with NY. Unfortunately, season ended with an injury. Stocky kid with a really good shot. IMO, can play either wing on any line.
You misunderstand, Slick. He’s saying top-six forwards that doesn’t suit the Wild’s needs. That’s why Russo cited Kotkaniemi, though he’s more of a third-line center than a second-liner.
Slick62, with Ottawa’s projected lines to be
Tkachuk-Stutzle-Batherson
Perron-Cozens-Zetterlund
Greig-Pinto-Giroux
Cousins-Eller-Amadio
Kaliyev’s ice-time would be very limited, which is why I think it’s better for him to at least start the season in Belleville to become familiar with the system employed by Green and see how it goes from there. If he does well he’d likely be up fairly early.