Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 3, 2025
Check out the latest on Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust and Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
SPORTSNET: Sonny Sachdeva recently examined potential trade destinations for Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.
Sachdeva believes the two wingers remain very much in play. He pointed out that they could become trade chips given that the Penguins are rebuilding their roster. There are also few game-changing forwards in this summer’s trade market.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t rushing to move Rakell or Rust. However, he could be willing to move one or both if the return improves his club down the line.
Sachdeva suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres as possible trade partners.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell carries an average annual value of $5 million through 2027-28. He also has an eight-team no-trade list. Rust has an AAV of $5.125 million over the same period, but he lacks no-trade protection.
Sachdeva cited the Leafs having cap space to work with this summer ($1.9 million), and how they could move a forward like David Kampf ($2.4 million) to facilitate a trade. However, they’ll have to shed more salary or convince the Penguins to retain part of Rakell’s or Rust’s AAV to make the dollars fit.
The Avalanche ($3.348 million) is in a better cap position than the Leafs, but they must also free up some cap room or have the Penguins retain some salary to make it work. There’s speculation suggesting Avs defenseman Samuel Girard ($5 million AAV) could be moved, but it’s not a certainty, plus the Penguins could be on his nine-team no-trade list.
Sachedeva cited Rust’s Michigan roots, suggesting he’d be a good fit with the Red Wings. They have a dire need for scoring forwards and have the cap space ($12 million) to take on his full contract. The question is whether they’d part with the promising young assets the Penguins seek.
The Kings also need more scoring punch up front. Sachdeva felt Rakell might welcome a return to Southern California after beginning his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks. Since this piece appeared on July 30, the Kings re-signed forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract with an AAV of $4.1 million, leaving them with $2.66 million in cap space. Unless they cut salary or get the Penguins to retain half of Rakell’s cap hit, he’s not a fit in Los Angeles.
Sachedeva pointed out that the Sabres’ interest in Rust goes back to before the NHL Draft in June. The Sabres have just enough cap space ($5.19 million) and the young assets to tempt the Penguins. Rust lacks no-trade protection, but Pittsburgh management could prefer to allow him to choose his trade destinations.
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently made the case for the Edmonton Oilers to sign Mattias Ekholm to a contract extension. The 35-year-old defenseman is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.
Ekholm’s play declined after he was injured last season, but Mitchell pointed out that his defensive play remained solid before he got hurt. He noted that the Oilers are vulnerable on the left side of their blueline with Ekholm, Jake Walman, and Brett Kulak UFA-eligible next summer.
Mitchell believes the Oilers should sign Ekholm to a two or three-year contract extension. He acknowledged the risk in doing so, given the blueliner’s age and injury history. However, they could have no choice if they intend to remain a Stanley Cup contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekholm’s current AAV is $6.25 million, with the Oilers carrying $6 million and his former club, the Nashville Predators, picking up the rest. He might accept a pay cut to around $5 million annually to stick with the Oilers.
I am going tired of the Pitt-3 speculation!
The only real news on Karlsson, Rust and Rackel is if and when they actually traded!
The doldrums of summer are upon the world of hockey!
I swear the writers pass the stories around to each other all summer and it is all actually written by the same 2 interns.
Be careful, guys, you don’t want to offend a certain flightless bird fan with such comments – lol.
I know ur talking about me George; but AZHockeyNut and Johnny Z are right
This continued storyline will remain until Dubas gets off his keister and does the appropriate thing. That being, retain 50% on EK
Pens have 4 RD;
Do NOT need EK
Literally untradeable at $10 M cap
Literally untradeable at $8 M
So he’s got to use a retention spot FOR SURE
Outside chance at 1 viable team (interested in EK, with space, with acceptable trade assets, THAT EK WOULD WAIVE TO GO TO) @ $7 M (30% more retention)
At least 5 teams viable at $5 M
Cash difference ($7 M/ maybe 1 trade partner; vs. $5 M and handful of bidding trading partners) in retention is just $2 M TOTAL (for 2 YEARS!!!)
@ $5 M, return is young NHLer; AND NHL ready prospect
@ $7 M; IF someone bites; a 2nd a B prospect
Dubas, pull the cork out of ur backside and move on
Similarly, Rakell and Rust (both in demand) will have more viable suitors with retention; and of course, the more retained; the better the return
Leafs would gain bib time by adding Rusty.
They are $1.9 M over (at 23 of 23)
Make it worth their while (Rust in top 6 on Leafs is definitely a needle mover) and retain 50%
Since Leafs have to move any player down (to be no more than 23 on roster); Leafs would remain Cap compliant; and have a fair shot at getting past Panthers
For that:
Rust at 50%, 2nd (‘28)
Return: Cowan , Danford
8787. Disagree that EK is untradeable at 8m. I count about 26 dmen in league with cap hits of 8m or more. EK was 1 of 14 dmen with over 50 points. As with Rust and Rakell, I’m assuming Pens aren’t planning on competing the next few years. I think they’d be open to taking back pending ufa’s with salary in any deals. Can always flip or let walk at end of season. Ducks have cap space if EK agrees to go there. Flip Mrazek to Pens, who can then shop Jarry? Rakell to NYR for Soucy, Terrance, (played for Muse on USNT) and/or pick? Rangers have 2 1sts next year. Could give up the Carolina pick if Pitt retains salary. Zib stays at center, and Trochek becomes 3C.
George how do offend somebody that’s basically in a different reality.
Slick62
It’s not so much $8 M and points per that cap hit; it’s more $8 M Cap for a 35 year old; who will only agree to go to a playoff team (bound for playoffs or expected to be); and only 1 longshot trade partner (EK would waive to ; team is desperate for top 4 RHD; team has enough space; team has assets that Pend could use) ; Canes
Sure, if there is a playoff team THAT he’d agree to; that had an equal amount of $8M in players to dump; and with viable assets (would be more than I was suggesting above because there is $8 M in crap coming back) to compensate; but there is no team that fits that bill
Teams that can fit $7 M (without any dumped contract(s) coming back); that ARE playoff/contenders:
Basically just Canes. Wild are likely playoff bound; BUT , would EK go there, AND they already have 4 RHDs; can’t see them wanting 5
Now at $5 M, and knowing some teams already at 23 would have to send at minimum $800 K player to AHL to remain at 23; these teams (on top of Canes) can fit him in:
Wild
Devils
Sens
Caps
Jets (if they send down either Miller or Logan)
Add to that teams vying for the playoffs , who PERHAPS EK might waive to go to
Krakken
Mammoth
Wings
Then you have Leafs (who would benefit from an RHD top 4); they’ve been rumoured to be dumping Kampf and possibly Jarnkrok; those dumps give them enough room
So basically one trade partner at $7 M; at least 5 @ $5 M
Pens will NOT get a bigger return for EK at TDL; AND for sure at that time a 50% retention is literally the only way he moves
So retain 50%, do it now
Note:
Canes ARE one of the top ranked favs for cup next year AND only have Chatfield and Walker as RHDs. EK on Canes is s needle mover
Leafs need a top 4 RHD
Both Canes and Leafs have to improve for chances to get past Panthers
Krakken only has 2 RHDs
Mammoth only has 2 RHDs
Wings are currently stuck with Holl at 2RD
Dubas; change the for sale sign to say “50% off” and start making calls
Pens as a rebuild/refresh team canNOT rationalize spending over $23 M in Cap space on 4 RHDs , whose average age is 33.8
@50%, # of bidders maximized; maximize return; down to 3 RHDs; youth in return improves team; team gets younger
There literally id no advantage to keeping EK and/or only trading him at $7.5 M
8787
Just speculation and rumors with which team Penguins could trade Karlsson?
Hurricanes – as you mentioned have the cap space. Hurricanes prospects considered deep for Penguins return. Does Karlsson want waive his NMC play for Hurricanes, and do Hurricanes want Karlsson?
Maple Leafs – rumor Karlsson will waive his NMC for them. Maple Leafs tight cap space and return are questions?
Senators – rumors ? similar to Maple Leafs cap space and return?
Jets – hardly any rumors, they’re dark horse team acquire Karlsson.
Stars – rumor Karlsson will waive his NMC play for them. Stars obvious need right handed defensemen. Right with cap space, who do Stars move?
Speed Kills
Yes re Canes: he’d waive to go; they definitely have need and would gain; have assets
Leafs. I’ve no idea if he would waive to go there. Yes he’d be s needed improvement. Absolute must at 59%. Leafs still would need to punt one of (maybe both) Kampf/Jarnkrok
Leafs/Canes must improve in hopes of getting past Panthers
Sens. Yep he’d go. But Sens have 4 RDs already: Zub, Jensen, Spence, Mantipalo
They won’t go with 5; move Zub???
Stars- yep they’d love to get him; yep he’d say yes. But not enough space—$5 M for EK no more AND they need to dump at least 2 players. The golden opportunity for EK to Stars was when Dumba came over
There has been some talk (not related to EK) of a Robertson trade (that would create a great load of space and get a great return)
Hard to envision Jets: already with Pionk, Demelo, Schenn, Miller
Heh – Yogi … and 8787 for info – actually, I wasn’t thinking about 8787 … who doesn’t really get offended by negative posts on the Penguins … no, it’s another fan of the “black and gold” whose back goes up.
Cap space isn’t Torontos only problem in trading for Rust or Rakell. They lack the tradable assets that a rebuilding team would need in return.
I disagree Howard
Rust at 50%, plus a 2nd (‘28)
for Cowan and Danford works for both teams
Yes Cowan is smaller than average, but he’s 20. 10 more pounds in muscle in the next year, and then he’s 5’11” and 195
He’s certainly performing well in Juniors (just finished playoffs with 13-26-39 in only 17 games!!) and ready for the next step
Hahahahahahahaha
That’s a terrible trade for the pens. Just awful.
As a Leafs fan, I don’t want to see Cowan or Danford traded for anyone, and I’m pretty sure the team feels the same way.
Danny will be Tanev’s replacement, and Cowan will extend the Leafs’ window.
Unfortunetaly, that’s about all they have in the pipeline with value, therefore count them out of any big trades.
Rumor – Maple Leafs asked Morgan Reilly about possiblity waiving his NMC. Reilly answered, Not at this time.
Not challenging that there is a rumor out there Speed Kills; I just think it is just that, a rumor !
That sounds like a rumor that the brilliant King of All Insiders, aka Kypreos, conjured from a seance or after using his Ouiji board.
Could it be true. Anything is possible. I just find that as one of being far far more unlikely that true
Anyone dumping on the Leafs or Penguins this morning?
I’ll check back later and join in the fun.
I could see Riley for Katlsson both @-$7.5 we need a lhd toronto needs a puck mover.
I’m good with any crap players being dumped on Leafs
We don’t need any more crap dumped here (need only to cite Hayes at an awful sweetener return of only a 2nd, two years AFTER !!!! the trade).
Let it go old mam..no one is offended take ur meds and stop chirping..
Seriously bro your only one crabby
You should probably settle down a bit and let the knowledgeable fans muse without the, I’m so offended act every time someone chirps the color stealing leopard seal snacks.
Shore trust me im not george o always chirps me bro..
Always attacks me not sure why
Ok now ur aggressive thanks for the knowledgeable comment
U settle down u don’t know me we never debated-anything not cool bro
Black n gold is pittsburghs color scheme. Boston has the black n yella. Totally different
None of that is accurate.
Please behave yourself.
No 8787 he’s complaining about me..but he ris us both.. hes old so?
I think it may be both of us.
I know George is a fan of neither of us; but his age has nothing to do with it.
He does bring a wealth of knowledge and history here; all here appreciate that.
Dang he posts extremely lengthy stats lists and salaries are typed to the dollar (I round to one decimal place in $M’s); and extremely lengthy rationale and history/background.
That’s not easy; and takes quite a while to look up; let alone type/post. I don’t have the energy or time or inclination to do that. So credit where credit is due.
However, he will almost never (there are some rare occasions) side with either one of us and/or at least positively acknowledge our viewpoints.
We’re not the only two; but just the main ones. It’s not just Penguins.
He’s firm and at times posts on the acerbic side; and can at times be testy. We all can.
He’s been called out when he crosses the line
Again, not his age at all.
I’m still 50 for a couple more months; he’s 87.
I literally can’t see me having that energy 57 let alone at 87. Maybe; just not seeing it now.
We’re not going to get him to like the Pens and/or our viewpoints; but it literally has nothing to do with the fact that he’s 87
Is anyone tired of the Rust,Rakell,Karlsson and Rossi saga?
Well I’m tired of Rust/Rackell/EK saga in that it keeps me awake at night thinking that we have 3 golden opportunities to get younger, accelerate the rebuild, and move forward; but have a GM doing nothing about it.
Setting pie in the sky prices and refusing to retain 50% stops any trade in its tracks
8787, see above for another of my responses … nothing I posted was directed at you when I referred to a fan of the “flightless birds.”
That was someone else who also just took a swipe at you. And shows his ignorance by passing me off as “he’s old … so”
Like, he’s personally going to mark time at whatever age he’s reached. Yeah, right.
If I’m Pit I’m tanking for a shot at Gavin so any trade I make I will only take back players or picks that help in the future.
George O I don’t want to throw jabs back and forth at each other I really don’t.. so I’m not doing that anymore if you want to that’s on you..im good.
moving forward..
you wanna debate cool I’m down if not no issues then here !
If today’s chat had a genre, it would be drama. lol