NHL Rumor Mill – October 15, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Adrian Kempe’s contract talks with the Kings, a suggested trade target for the Sabres, what’s next for the Canadiens, and the Nick Robertson trade rumors return.
THE LATEST ON ADRIAN KEMPE’S CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Adrian Kempe wants to remain with the Los Angeles Kings. The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Friedman said that initial contract discussions between the Kings and Kempe’s camp had been about an average annual salary between $9 million and $10 million. However, the recent signings of notable stars like Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov and Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor could push that price higher.
Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings will have to pony up if they want to keep Kempe in the fold, perhaps between $10.5 million and $11.5 million on a long-term deal. Unless they intend to rebuild, they can’t risk losing their leading scorer, especially with Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season.
SHOULD THE SABRES PURSUE RICKARD RAKELL?
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn recently looked at several options for the Buffalo Sabres to replace sidelined center Josh Norris.
The trade route is one option. Fairburn suggested Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins as a trade target. The 32-year-old has spent much of his career as a winger but can play center and could be a decent middle-six addition.
Rakell is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $5 million. He also carries an eight-team no-trade list, which could be a problem for the Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell doesn’t appear to be in any hurry to leave the Penguins. Given the Sabres’ long-time woes, they’re likely among the teams on his no-trade list.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CANADIENS AFTER RE-SIGNING LANE HUTSON?
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens’ next priority is re-signing Mike Matheson. The 31-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July.
LeBrun said Canadiens management wants to re-sign Matheson, and the veteran blueliner and his agent are interested in having that discussion. The contract term will be the issue, as he doesn’t want a short-term deal. LeBrun speculates the sweet spot could be a four or five-year contract. Finding the right AAV will also be a factor.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reports Canadiens head coach Martin St. Louis and several Habs, including team captain Nick Suzuki, think highly of Matheson’s play. He’s become more comfortable in his role as a big-minute blueliner, especially now that he’s paired with offseason addition Noah Dobson.
Matheson is finishing an eight-year contract with an AAV of $4.875 million. The Canadiens have the cap space to sign him to a four or five-year contract with an AAV of $6.5 million to $7 million. Given his value to the Habs, it won’t be surprising if that’s what he gets from them.
THE NICK ROBERTSON TRADE RUMORS HAVE RETURNED
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Nick Robertson has resurfaced in the rumor mill. He said that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving has recently spoken with clubs that may have some interest in the 24-year-old forward.
Dreger said Robertson is pushing for a larger role with the Maple Leafs. However, the club’s depth has put him in a tough spot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve heard the same thing about Robertson for the past two years. Either the Maple Leafs have set an unreasonably high asking price, or the interest in him from some other clubs is lukewarm. We’ll see what happens as the season unfolds.
I’m shocked that no one has tried to connect the Stars with Nick Robertson, so that the brothers can play together….I think there could actually be a fit there, but it would be as a bottom 6 forward, so it probably wouldn’t help him accomplish the “bigger role” that he wants…(but it could get his name on the cup this year)….
see what I did there?
The problem there is, if the Leafs can’t get, in return, someone they see as a fit where they need it most in the line-up, they don’t see the point of dealing him. And, clearly, although I’m sure they’ve tried, no one has yet offered anything close to what they’d like.
At close to $2 mil per off the cap they will need to try and get him better ice-time to showcase what talents he has. Currently, 1 assist in 4gp isn’t attracting any attention … at least not in terms of what the Leafs want.
Who blinks first? The Leafs or another interested team?
Yes who blinks first..leaf should come to the conclusion maybe Robertson is not even a low priority for other teams…I know the leafs will have to blink cause other teams don’t even have to blink..all due respect
Kulikov out 5 months after wrist surgery, clearly the hockey gods don’t want a 3 peat.
Kings have to pay for Kempe. They have no one to replace him and they have a hard time attracting FAs. He’ll be QB’s winger next year after Kopitar retires.
Hard time attracting FA’s? This is Los Angeles we’re talking about here. Expensive city, still its SoCal.