NHL Rumor Mill – September 9, 2025
The latest on Ducks center Mason McTavish, Avalanche winger Martin Necas, and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: During Friday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman talked about Mason McTavish’s contract negotiations with the Anaheim Ducks.
Friedman pointed out that Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has shown a willingness to let talks carry on into training camp and preseason to get the contract they want. While they have a lot of salary-cap space, they want to ensure they have enough to re-sign promising players like Cutter Gauthier, Leo Carlsson, Jackson LaCombe, Pavel Mintyukov, and Owen Zellweger going forward.
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish (NHL Images)
Verbeek could attempt to sign McTavish to a bridge contract. However, Friedman said he has heard that Ducks management isn’t keen on doing that, preferring to sign him to a long-term contract.
Friedman also said he doesn’t believe the Ducks want to trade McTavish.
THE BOSTON GLOBE: Conor Ryan believes the Bruins will need more depth at center. He suggested they look into acquiring McTavish if the Ducks make him available in the trade market.
Ryan anticipated that the Ducks’ asking price for McTavish could be one or two first-round draft picks and a prospect or young NHL player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish has been a fixture in the offseason rumor mill. The Bruins won’t be the only team that might pursue the 22-year-old center if the Ducks put him on the trade block.
Despite the frequent trade conjecture (most of which originates from everywhere except Anaheim), there is no indication that the Ducks intend to trade McTavish. Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens of The Athletic reported two weeks ago that they want to re-sign him. He’s just as important to them as a second-line center as he would be to the clubs that would be interested in acquiring him.
THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak has winger Martin Necas’ contract situation atop his list of the 10 biggest questions facing the Colorado Avalanche as training camp approaches.
The Avalanche must get Necas, 26, signed to a deal that works for them now and after Cale Makar’s mega-deal is in place.
If not, a trade would be a significant pivot point after trading away Mikko Rantanen to Carolina in the deal that brought Necas to Colorado. The return would have to be significant.
THE DENVER GAZETTE: Evan Rawal was asked if Necas would sign with the Avalanche before Kirill Kaprizov signs with the Minnesota Wild. Like Necas, the 28-year-old Kaprizov is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Rawal doesn’t dismiss the possibility of Necas signing first, but speculated the Avs winger could wait to see how much Kaprizov gets on his new contract with the Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov will set the market for scoring wingers. It’s anticipated that the average annual value of his next contract could reach $16 million.
Necas won’t get anywhere near that much because he’s not at the same skill level as Kaprizov. Nevertheless, a strong performance during his contract year could push his asking price to at least $10 million annually.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Columbus Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov hasn’t rescinded his trade request. General manager Don Waddell remains open to moving the 24-year-old for the right offer.
However, it hasn’t reached the point of no return. Chinakhov was among the first players to return to Columbus and appears to be in excellent shape. Waddell considers his early return to be a positive sign.
Nevertheless, there must be a face-to-face conversation between Chinakhov and head coach Dean Evason before training camp to discuss the “misunderstandings” between the two that led to the winger’s trade request.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chinakhov’s unhappiness stems from his usage under Evason last season, especially following his return from a back injury in March. His performance declined, and he was made a healthy scratch toward the end of the season. Chinakhov could drop his request if he and Evason resolve their differences.
Not part of today’s topics, but these continuous blurbs on how UFA C Evgeni Kuznetsov is “narrowing down” his NHL-return landing spot make it seem like he’s still the same player who, over his first 599gp in the NHL with Washington (playing mainly alongside Ovechkin), posted 82-game averages of 21g 47a 68pts, earning him a high-water long-term cap hit of $7.8 mil per.
But the guy is 33 y/o now, last played in the NHL two seasons ago in Carolina, who couldn’t wait to dump him after he played 20 games there with 2g 5a 7pts, and who, over his last 144 NHL gp, saw his 82-game averages dip to 11g 34a 45pts.
This all seems like a masterful con job by his agent, suggesting numerous teams were clamoring to attract him like he was the answer to their C-position needs. Vancouver quickly put the kibosh on that, and any team that signs him for anything more substantial than an easily-disposable league minimum – certainly no higher than $1 mil per – pretty much deserves what they get.
https://www.prohockeyrumors.com/2025/09/two-teams-remain-in-the-running-to-sign-evgeny-kuznetsov.html
https://nhltradetalk.com/evgeny-kuznetsov-narrows-nhl-return-to-two-teams/
If teams really wanted him, wouldn’t he be signed. So agree this is smoke and mirrors. Buyer beware.
To add, that last NHL season with Washington and Carolina combined, he played 63 games with 8g 16a 24 pts, and it’s doubtful he’s gotten any better with age and 1 season in the KHL.
The best he should get right now is a P.T.O. “show us” somewhere.
Not sure who his agent thinks he is fooling. GMs would have their own measure of him, influenced not by his agent’s bluffing, but surely reinforced that Kuznetsov remains unsigned.
Particularly because he plays an otherwise much coveted position of center. Maybe, just maybe, he gets a bargain basement one year deal if a team finds they are stuck after training camp.
Evason had good reason to make Chinakhov a healthy scratch, last season. The Jackets were in the race for a wild card spot and, though recovered from his injury, Chinakhov was not in game shape.
Right now, Chinakhov needs to understand that he has a reputation for being injury prone, which is earned. And no one is going to offer fair value. He needs to shut up, have a good camp and get to December or January without injury while performing decently. Then, either teams will offer fair value or Evason will keep him on the ice night after night.
Wolf signs 7 x$7.5m
Chinawho…
Would not the Evason crazy man stare pointed at me
two nice signings by Conroy. Both Zary and Wolf team friendly . Next up Andersson trade or sign or sign and trade
Craig Conroy is pretty good at this GM gig. The Flames are building a nice club there.
He has a tough job because Calgary is not a destination city for some NHL players. Tkaczuk,Johnny Hockey,Tkachuk,now the Andersen situation,he has done a nice job despite overpaying for Coronado.
That he is, for sure Shoreorrpark.
Last season they missed the playoffs after tying St. Louis with 96 points – normally sufficient in most years – but lost out on some idiotic tie-breaking formula, much as did Detroit a couple of seasons ago.
They also came within 1 point of the 1st WC slot and just 5 b/o the eventual Cup finalist Oilers.
They will be a factor in the West this season.
Sr, bit too early to look at Coronato’s $6.5 mil per deal, which runs to 2032, as an over-payment.
I agree that, based upon 1 season of 24g 23a 47pts, the deal was a bit of any eyebrow raiser. But if he matches that or does progressively better as the seasons go on, he could also wind up as one of the best bargains ever.
A notable tumble in performance this season, however, would have the tongues wagging.
Let’s wait and see.
Maybe Matin St Louis will finally make the Olympics as a coach!
Penguins are all in on Chinakhov
Willing to pay a handsome ransom for him
6 pieces for 1
Hayes, Accairi, Graves,, Clifton, Lizotte ,3rd
😂😂😂
8787,
To steal from M*A*S*H:
You go for laugh, no get.
With Penguins , I only deal in dark comedy.
Dubas however, is hell bent on producing only horrors.