NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2025
How Jeremy Swayman’s contract dispute last summer may be affecting this summer’s RFAs, and the Oilers might be interested in a Bruins winger. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
RG.ORG: James Murphy recently reported that an NHL executive believes Jeremy Swayman’s contract dispute with the Boston Bruins last summer might be affecting current restricted free agents as the market remains quiet.
Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)
The 26-year-old goaltender missed all of training camp and the preseason before signing a new contract in October. He struggled throughout the 2024-25 campaign, which contributed to the Bruins missing the playoffs.
This summer’s notable unsigned RFAs include Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi, New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary, and Nashville Predators winger Luke Evangelista.
McTavish and Rossi have become the focus of trade rumors, with recent speculation suggesting Rossi could follow Swayman’s example and sit out training camp until the Wild meet his contract demands or compromise more.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A contract standoff that carries over into training camp and preseason rarely ends well. Once an agreement is reached, the player tends to struggle after missing the opportunity to prepare for the coming season with his teammates in practice and in game situations. Depending on that player’s importance, it can adversely affect the club’s performance.
For now, there’s no indication that Rossi, McTavish, Hughes, Zary or Evangelista will end up going that route. Training camps open in mid-September, leaving plenty of time for them to be signed to new deals.
Some of them could receive offer sheets, except for Hughes, as he’s ineligible. However, the Ducks, Wild, Flames, and Predators have sufficient cap space to match, making such an attempt pointless.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited a rumor suggesting “the Boston Bruins and Edmonton may be cooking up a deal” that would send winger Fabian Lysell to the Oilers.
Staples noted that Lysell, whom the Bruins chose 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, has struggled to crack their roster. He dismissed the possibility that the Oilers would part with promising Matt Savoie or winger Vasily Podkolzin to get him. Staples doesn’t see Lysell as a fit with the Oilers unless he’s a ferocious backchecker and forechecker like Savoie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way this makes sense for the Oilers is if the cap-strapped club is trying to shed salary by moving out Podkolzin’s $1 million cap hit. However, acquiring Lysell and his $863K cap hit isn’t much of a savings.
Lysell is waivers exempt for another year, so this could be just a depth move for the Oil till another contract is moved or he could be swapped in the line-up for one of their 3 waivers-exempt forwards.
JohnnyZ, what would the Oil want with Lysell. Boston never brought him up until they emptied their roster last year.As bad as Boston is,I don’t think he s really in their plans
Re “A contract standoff that carries over into training camp and preseason rarely ends well” – SilverSeven raied that very issue late yesterday when discussing the McTavish signing delay when he posted “Likely skips camp which can set-back a young player.”
I fully agreed even later yesterday, adding that it’s beginning to appear that there could be more of those than ever before this season from among the 9 still awaiting deals, as listed at Puckpedia.
What these young players – and especially their agents who are probably at the source of the delay – must understand is that the team always holds the upper hand.
Sure, in some cases holding out could present some on-ice problems for the team’s performance, but it can also provide an opportunity for another prospect to respond well as a replacement, on top of which, as Lyle notes, it never bode well for the hold-out if they miss camp and the opening weeks (and occasionally months) of the season.
While the team may hold the upper hand contractually, it’s a different story with public opinion.
The teams’ fans will generally side with the players wanting them back on the ice – – – and they will see it as the team/GM being cheap and not doing everything they can to put the best product on the ice. And then once camps open it becomes a day to day distraction to the whole team.
GMs would be best served to get their best lineup to camp on day 1.
The opinion of fans with regard to contrqcts should be irrelevant. Agents should stfu and get kids in camp. It hurts the team, the player’s numbers and other players’ numbers/contracts. The money you make on a rookie deal is already more than mom and dad spent to get you there and more than most fans make in years…dial back the ego and get to work.
George,
You’re taking a one-sided view in assessing that the team always has the upper hand. You’re setting aside that the team has more to lose.
RFAs who are upper tier players are not easily replaced, despite the exceptions that get profiled.
The RFA who stretches it out will still get a multi year contract and will be paid the same amount whether he struggles or not, hello Swayman.
The parity in the league means that a few games will make the difference between getting into the playoffs or missing them.
Players aren’t paid in the playoffs, so it’s a cash cow for the team, I seem to recall something like $2m per game but I haven’t checked in years.
Suffice it to say it’s a lot of extra revenue.
While the teams hold the upper hand, they also have potentially more to lose in getting a slow start to the season.
A smart GM negotiates with the big head not the small one.
Yeah, I can’t really argue against that side either, habfan30.
Which raises the question – why do they annually seem to go through this process year after year if they pretty much know how it’s going to turn out (%-wise given the changing cap limit) based upon past events?
Anaheim is a good example – they did this with with Drysdale and Zegras who both didn’t sign until October – the same year.
I don’t know – it seems like some teams often – and consciously – work against themselves when it comes to icing the best on-ice roster possible for their paying customers right from the seasonal opening face-off.
And, as you correctly point out, the loss of a few points in the opening weeks which can be attributable to the absence of a key top F, D or G, is often a major factor in coming up just short in the playoff hunt.
George,
My life experience, probably yours too is that negotiations are a push me pull you based on sense and sensibility till there’s a breakdown in trust.
It takes smart folks on both sides to not overplay their hand.
Strikes and lockouts only produce losers.
In the NHL I put the onus on the GMs, many being former players, coaches, scouts who just don’t have long management and negotiation experience and acumen.
It’s almost as if they need the confrontations while others manage to make it look easy.
habfan, to your point, it can’t be a coincidence that the stalemates with Rossi and McTavish are at the hands of Guerrin and Verbeek (former players).
It’s like the GMs are trying to put a “win” in their ledger so they can puff out their chests and prove something.
Cutting off their nose to spite their face.
Why say that Guerin or Verbeek are negotiating with their egos in the way? Isn’t it more likely that there are other issues at play perhaps unknown to us, or that each GM and each player has a gap in the perceived value of the player?
Emotions can come into play of course, but I don’t buy that this is a battle of egos. A bit too simplistic and dismissive IMO.
And if ego were to be a problem, isn’t it more likely that it’s from the players? It’s personal for them, it’s business for the GMs. It’s not their money after all.
IN reply to LJ, re: egos, as a Devils fan, I remember Guerin holding his way off the team and getting traded for Arnott. I wasn’t a Devs fan during the Verbeek era, but wonder if Uncle Lou’s negotiating style rubbed off on them. His motto (one of them) was “When you have time, use it.”
At this point Not sure Lysell is worth Savoie or Podkolzin without something else involved. Pod adopted his role quite well in the playoffs and played physical
Swayman is a good example for missing camp. Those who do never really get untracked and a groin injury in their futures
As an aside … and in reference to James Murphy’s assertion attributed to the, of course, never-revealed “NHL executive” that Swayman’s contract dispute with Boston last summer “might be affecting current restricted free agents as the market remains quiet” – and your observation, Lyle, that missing that time adversely affected his performance, ultimately leading to the Bruins missing the playoffs, I’m not sure I get the connection to the current delays.
I mean, you’d think it would lead to a hastening of conclusions, especially where the top RFAs like McTavish, Hughes, Rossi ,and perhaps Zary are concerned since a repeat of the Swayman result could backfire for both player and team!
McTavish trade or OS , although as at now more unlikely than likely; seems to be gaining in probability as time goes on.
To me, McTavish on Habs would be a big game changer.
McTavish for Laine, Matheson and Hage
This is dependent on the Laine and Matheson no-trade list, but their salaries would keep the Ducks cap compliant. Laine at one time wanted to go to the LA area……. It is a big give, but McT is the best that may be available at 2C and the Habs are in a position to give a lot for him. It would be a big boost in their forward group.
It’s a big give tilting to unreasonable.
Laine and Matheson step right in and turn Anaheim into a playoff team.
McTavish does the same for the Habs.
I disagree with who has to kick in a prospect, I think it’s the Ducks.
Laine and Matheson for McTavish and Luneau
Wow Laine and Matheson….someone in Montréal is living in a fantasy world.
Both teams are up and coming; why would would Laine and Matheson help Anaheim more than Montreal!
Both do not fit a realistic void for the Ducks
Might as well keep Mactavish and pay him
Matheson is a horror on defence,,,from Florida to Pitts to Montréal
Don’t know why you say that, Don. Matheson had three years on the + side of +/-, two with Pittsburg and one with Montreal. Last season he was a – 6 on a team that had a tough start.
Not my definition of a horror.
Lots of fantasy here today. Hutson for McTavish? Ha! But equally laughable is laine and matheson for him… let alone him and a prospect is equally laughable. Montrel won’t get a player like that for aging complimentary players. Neither has much trade value. They don’t have negative value. But what could you get for either of them alone? A 2nd round pick maybe? Anaheim won’t move him for two 2nds worth of value.
Chrisms. McTavish may be worth more than the two, if only on the basis of that both are on expiring contracts.
I don’t really buy that they would tempt the Ducks either, but Laine is 27, and Matheson 31. Their value won’t be diminished by their age.
Age isn’t great. But contract status hurts value. Laine injury history hurts. Matheson defensive deficiencies hurt. Both good players. But complimentary players. McTavish could be a core player. Would need either a core player or an asset that could develop into one in return. A high first. I top prospect. Something along those lines.
I think that Habs would benefit so much from McTavish in line up; that they could have Hutson as going back in the trade
Sounds over the top; but McTavish WILL make a big difference
Save Hage for future
Habs take a hit from losing Hutson, but overall have good D now and upcoming (Reinbacher)
The main pieces in the trade are McTavish/Hutson ; with balancing assets (prospect(s) / pick(s) ) to get deal done.
Habs could also go after Rust:
On/after September 2nd (when Price signing bonus is paid):
Price, Laine, Beck, Joshua Roy, to Pens
Rust, Hayes (Habs immediately bury him); Accari (Habs immediately bury him); 2nd (Ranger’s ‘27); 3rd (‘27–later of Devils’/Caps’) to Habs
Habs replace Laine with more production (Rust over Laine) ; and after burying Hayes/Accari overall net (after trade) of almost $11 M in Cap space; gain two picks; have plenty of room for McTavish if they wish; all at the expense of Beck (Roy is a B prospect at best)
Pens lose Rust production but do get Laine (so not full production loss) until TDL (when they’ll get *picks in return; get Beck; get B prospect (Roy); get to dump (FINALLY) Hayes and Accari; get younger; actually save $7.5 M — $9 M in total future cash commitments; get to play youth in place of Hayes and Accairi; at the expense of a 2nd and 3rd (at least one of them they get back at TDL [Laine])
*Laine playing with Sid will increase Laine production; and increase TDL return; also mitigates some of the fans’ angst re losing one of our favs (Rusty Razor)
McT for Hutson straight up would work, except the salary difference. So, make it Hutson + Price’s contract for McT.
Montreal suffers from the loss of a Quinn Hughes type for a 2C with 1C upside. A rather fair trade!
Just say no to drugs, kids!
IMO, A guy like Hutson is much harder to find or develop than a guy like Mctavish.
I can’t see Montreal even remotely entertaining this deal.
They won’t, Captain.
Habs “all in”/“pie in the sky” /“nigh impossible”/ “just for the hell of it” 3-way deal:
On/After September 2nd:
To Habs:
McTavish
Rust
Karllsson (50% retained)
Hayes (buried)
Accari (Burried)
To Ducks:
Hutson (from Habs)
McGroarty (from Pens)
Clifton (from Pens)
Lizotte (from Pens)
2nd (via Pens: Ranger’s ‘27)
To Pens:
Price (from Habs)
Laine (from Habs)
Dach (from Habs)
Hage (from Habs)
Luneau(from Ducks)
Habs overall:
—Rust replaces Laine
—McTavish replaces Dach
—Karllsson replaces Hutson
—Dumped Price Cap
—Cap Space overall gained
—Team overall improved significantly;
—all at the future expense of Hage
Ducks :
—Flipped Mctavish for Hutson; —gained McGroarty (from Pens)
—gained Clifton (From Pens)
—gained Lizotte (From Pens)
—gained a pick
—move needle on rebuild
—finalize (by passing on) the uncertainty of the pending McTavish contract
Pens:
—Laine replaces Rust (until TDL)
—Dach in at 3C
—Laine moved at TDL for picks
—Dumped (FINALLY) Hayes and Accari
—Dumped Clifton
—get considerably younger
—get considerably fleeter
—get better defensively
—get bigger
—get stronger
—get to have their youth play in NHL
—reduce future cash commitments
—get great futures in Hage and Luneau at the expense of McGroarty ; Lizotte; and pick
Obviously would never happen just due to sheer volume and 3 teams involved; but looking at the changes for the 3 teams; all 3 gain now and in future.
The most likely and beneficial is a McTavish/Hutson flip (with balancing pick(s)/prospects(s)
Have you ever seen a convoluted trade like this in the cap era?
You won’t be anytime in the near future either.
However, I do agree with one of his observations – that the Habs – of the teams reportedly most interested – should McTavish actually go on the trading block – are probably in the best position, assets-wise, to make an offer that Anaheim might find attractive.
But personally, I’d be very surprised if it ever comes to a trade. At this time, anyway.
8787 You have to much time on your hands!If I remember correctly Swayman was not the same player after the holdout and when Neeley gave his salary up the fans turned against him.
Every time I see these trades I think back to those ” this is your brain on drugs” commercials from the 80’s.
Of course not Captain Obvious
Hence the opening “ “all in”/“pie in the sky” /“nigh impossible”/ “just for the hell of it” 3-way deal”
and I also posted “Obviously would never happen”
To the best of my knowledge, since Cap era the Most assets changing hands was the 3 -way, multiple player retentions, 12 (twelve) asset deal that stuck us with Karllsson
As I mentioned…. A better (and much more viable) trade is Hutson/McTavish flip with sundry pick(s)/prospect(s) to balance
My 15 asset whacko trade was for pure entertainment during the very “dry” trade period
Sr
No classes for another couple of weeks; and 5 teenagers kicking in on diaper changes and infant entertainment has me with some freed up time
Habfan30
Re “” this is your brain on drugs” commercials from the 80’s.”
Timothy Leary on his best day in the late 60’s couldn’t have even “dreamt” my trade proposal of today; and mine was done completely sober, and sans “medicinal” help
🐧
Wow 8787 Just wow Peggy
Captain Obvious and Swany, I raise the same question each time one of those drawn-out, convoluted trade tomes appear – the sort of proposals you might see in fantasy leagues.
And I get accused of “chirping” him. Lol. Go figure.
No chirping George, it’s nice to see him take an interest in the habs for a while
LOL, …. but tell that to the Habs fans.
LOL
where is my brother BTW
He came out of hiding in June? or July… then he vanished again
Oh well; Gotta go now and watch Alfred Borden (Christian Bale) in the Prestige
Good movie.
91 is going to the LCA rafters!
More than 20 years after his last game for the team, the Red Wings announced today they’ll be retiring Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 before their game on Jan. 12 against the Hurricanes. Fedorov, perhaps the most high-profile member of Detroit’s ’Russian Five,’ sits fourth in franchise history in points per game (1.05), and his cumulative +276 rating is the best of any Red Wings forward. He was a defining member of Detroit’s 1997, 1998, and 2002 championship teams and also won a pair of Selke Trophies and a Hart, twice cracking the 100-point threshold in the process.
Events like this keep the pressure off Stevie Y from the fans.It looks like playoffs or else for the Wings.JohnnyZ 91 was a great player.
Habs fans
Simpler trade suggestion (After Sept 2nd):
Price, Laine, Joshua Roy
For Rust , Hayes (bury), Accairi (bury) ;3rd
Rust replaces Laine; Habs gain close to $10 M in Cap space; net a 3rd, at the expense of Joshua Roy
Price’s cap hit will likely get moved in September, 8787, after his bonus is paid.
I agree Hutson for McTavish is a good deal for both teams. I wouldn’t agree if the habs didn’t acquire Dobson. I can’t see any way Hutson and Dobson are both on the number one power play. McTavish is a big dude at 6’1″ and 219 pounds and he would be much more valuable in the playoffs than a small offensive D. They would have Dobson to run the power play.
Exactly, the Habs need more players that are built for the rigors of play-off hockey! Pretty sure they give McT about $8.25 x 8 to lock him up. Yes, it is more than Suzi, but the cap is going up!
Lyle,
That’s too funny, lol!!!
Hutson isn’t the best defenseman in the NHL, he has only played one season so clearly he needs to do it again and again to prove himself.
He is a 1LD already and a unicorn in style and game management. He just isn’t the kind of player one finds yearly.
2Cs are valuable but they are in every draft class, so are 1Cs,
McTavish is a very good player but he isn’t even the 1C on his own team.
May as well go Slafkovsky for Celebrini, at least they are both 1OA, considered untouchable top line players and San Jose is weak on the wing. 🙂
Completely agree. Maybe not about the “1C” being widely available part. But yeah. McTavish for Hutson would be an insane move from Montreal.
And btw, Dobson hasn’t actually fully proven himself either, so I think it’s a bit too early to say “they have Dobson now, so no need for Hutson”.
But just in the same way San Jose would be insane to trade Celebrini for Slavkofsky.
He may not be the best yet. But he reminds me of Larry Robinson when he first appeared with the Habs in the early 70s.
Not that they’re similar in style or anything … just that when Robinson came up from the Nova Scotia Voyageurs you couldn’t help but see great things in his future simply by the way he handled himself as a 21 y/o.
That first year he only made it into 36 games, but by the end of the full 2nd year there was no doubt he was going to be a gem.
I see that in Hutson. If the Habs ever offered him straight up for McTavish Anaheim would be falling all over themselves to conclude the deal.
Hutson isn’t going anywhere.