NHL Rumor Mill – September 29, 2025
More Connor McDavid contract speculation, the latest on Evgeni Malkin, a report on the Devils contract talks with Jacob Markstrom, an update on Evgeny Kuznetsov, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD CONNOR MCDAVID’S NEXT CONTRACT BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN EXPECTED?
SPORTSNET: During Friday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman speculated that Connor McDavid’s next contract could be less expensive than originally believed.
Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).
Friedman said that there was talk during the summer that the average annual value of McDavid’s next deal would be $16 million. “It’s gonna be lower than we thought,” he said.
“I think there are teams hoping McDavid does sign so they can say, ‘Hey, if he comes in, say for argument’s sake at $15.5 million, nobody’s getting more than Connor McDavid.’”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be surprising if McDavid’s AAV is less than $16 million. The Edmonton Oilers will be thrilled to get him signed for that amount. If it is lower than expected, it could be because he’ll be on a one or two-year extension with an eye on a substantial raise in the near future.
However, I expect that number will be between $17 million and $18 million. McDavid remains the NHL’s top player, and he’ll want to be paid accordingly.
THE LATEST EVGENI MALKIN SPECULATION
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski debunked “the bubbling trade rumors” that the Florida Panthers should look carefully at acquiring Penguins center Evgeni Malkin as a replacement for sidelined Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov.
The rumors are based on misunderstood comments made by Malkin recently when asked whether he’d consider a trade to a contender. He mentioned Brad Marchand going to the Panthers last season as a good story, but said he didn’t know how he would feel if the Penguins wanted to trade him.
Nevertheless, Kingerski wondered if Marc-Andre Fleury’s return to Pittsburgh to say goodbye on his own terms might affect Malkin’s thinking about waiving his no-movement clause. The Panthers might be a good short-term fit, but they don’t have much trade bait in terms of prospects. Kingerski believes young Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich would have to be part of the return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin and the Penguins will let this season unfold and see how things shake out. General manager Kyle Dubas said he’d meet with the 39-year-old center during the Olympic break in February to discuss his future.
As for Malkin going to the Panthers, they could have other targets in mind besides an aging future Hall of Famer whose best seasons are behind him and whose style of play is different from Barkov’s.
EVGENY KUZNETSOV IS STILL HOPING TO SIGN WITH AN NHL TEAM
RG.ORG: Daria Tuboltseva reports Evgeny Kuznetsov hasn’t given up on his desire to return to the NHL.
The Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida Panthers are reportedly considering the possibility of signing the 33-year-old center.
“Evgeny wants to play in the NHL,” a source told Tuboltseva. “Right now he’s waiting on Toronto’s decision, though Florida is also an option.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Toronto claimed the Maple Leafs could move a forward because they have a logjam up front. Unless there has been a change in those plans, Kuznetsov doesn’t appear to be a fit there.
Meanwhile, the Panthers are reportedly looking within their ranks to offset Barkov’s absence for now. They could consider making additions later in the season, but it could take months before they reach that point.
LATEST ON JACOB MARKSTROM’S CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE DEVILS
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited a report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes claiming the Devils offered goaltender Jacob Markstrom an extension with an AAV of around $5 million. It’s unknown what the term would be, or if Markstrom rejected the offer.
Markstrom, 35, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an AAV of $6 million.
THE LATEST ON THE FLAMES
SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports the Calgary Flames are still determining whether Devin Cooley or Ivan Prosvetov will become their backup goaltender this season.
One of them will end up on waivers before being sent to their AHL affiliate. It’s doubtful they would clear, as several teams have expressed an interest in Cooley, and a handful were bidding to sign Prosvetov before he joined the Flames.
The Leafs should have no interest in Kuznetsov. They don’t need him.
The Panthers may be a decent fit for one year with Barkov out. Kuznetsov wouldn’t cost them much. But they may be reluctant to mess with team chemistry by bringing him in.
I think if Kuznetsov plays anywhere this year it’ll be in the KHL.
Have to agree there Howard.
It looks to me like his agent tried the “psychological” approach by starting off claiming there were 10 teams interested in his client, followed by “he has narrowed it down to two teams” about a week or so before the opening of training camps.
Now here we are a couple of weeks into pre-season and he’s still looking for a contract.
His production has been in steady decline since 2022-23 and last season, after getting him from Washington, Carolina quickly agreed to a mutual termination of his contract after he entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.
If some team actually thought he’d be of any use at age 33 he’d have been signed long before now. Yes, Florida could use some offensive help with both Barkov and Tkachuk hors de combat – but I doubt Kuznetsov is on their radar. They’d be better off giving 28 y/o Roslovic a call – but I don’t see that happening either. Neither there or in Toronto.
At this writing, the Panthers are $4,500,000 over the cap with – not counting Tkachuk and Barkov – 22 signed and ready to go – 13F 7D 2G. But while putting Tkachuk ($9.5 mil) and Barkov ($10 mil) on LTIR will provide some initial cap relief, thanks to the league’s updated CBA, there are significant limitations.
Tkachuk is expected to return in January and perhaps Barkov just before or when the playoffs begin so Florida will only receive relief equal to the prior season’s average league salary (approximately $3.8 million). To receive full relief for Barkov’s entire $10 million cap hit, the team would have to declare him medically unavailable for the entire regular season and playoffs, preventing his return during the season.
McDavid signing for less would be a welcomed change in the league, I don’t see him taking less then Leon, still think he is considering leaving Edmonton. Leave $4-5 million on the table would set a huge precedent in the league, not sure how the PA would feel about that.
Malkin to the Panthers would be interesting, if Malkin gets moved you would have to think Sid isn’t far behind him,
Kuznetsov has always seemed to have an attitude problem and comes with a lot of baggage, but he is skilled, bringing him in on a 1 year 1 mill show me contract might work out or could back fire horribly.
Kuznetsov won’t cost the Panthers anything, which is key since they do not have much to offer. They do have a solid locker room that would smoothen out any rough edges the player still may have, and he wants back into the league.
Dino. Players get 50% of the revenue regardless so McDavid taking less money just means it will go to other players. The star players may not be happy though.
I won’t begrudge players chasing $’s, especially when career-ending injuries area always a risk.
But in McDavid’s case, he’s already made over $100M already in his career… what’s missing is that Cup.
If he takes $17-$18M on his next deal, he’s building wealth, but risking other roster construction.
If I were him, I really would be looking at a 2 year deal under $15M each.
This has 3 potential benefits:
1) gives Edm a better chance to add other contending pieces
2) gives McD a chance to leave in a few years if the roster is not contending.
3) gives McD another chance to cash in on another larger deal (after all, he’s still only 28 right now).
Not all players are in financial position to take this approach, but when you have earned $100M+ already (plus other endorsement revenue), it’s something to consider in order to carve your name on that elusive Cup.
Good and a insightful post ✌️
If the deal for Marky is 5 times 3 it sounds ok, if its 5m for one year its kind of bad. So term means everything
There were all kinds of rumors about Kuznetsov in Montreal considering he was Demodov’s centre in the KHL.
The guy practised in town for a few weeks but didn’t sign him.
Matter of fact they signed Veleno instead.
Wonder if he did not receive a good review from his former linemate?
I wonder if the NHLPA has any influence on what discount would be acceptable for MCD and the Oil. He is the bar
I wonder if the NHLPA has any influence on what discount would be acceptable for MCD and the Oil. He is the bar
Players receive 50% of the revenues so it shouldn’t matter how it is divided among the pkayers
The last pro athletes to take a hometown discount to help the team was the GOAT,Tom Brady.Even doing that for the Super Bowl years he ended up in Tampa Bay. Mcdavid Don t kid yourself loyalty is a 2 way street with promises being forgotten. In other words get as much as you can.It s up to the GM to surround you with the right pieces.
Players receive 50% of the revenues so it shouldn’t matter how it is divided among the players. NHPLA represents all the players so not sure why they would care. Crosby has being doing this his entire career.