NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2025
Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Flyers winger Owen Tippett in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie recently joined Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to discuss the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens making a pitch for Sidney Crosby if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain decides he wants to chase another Stanley Cup.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Lavoie noted the Canadiens would like to add a second-line center at some point. He believes they and a couple of other clubs are keeping an eye on Crosby, and felt that they must be ready for that possibility by ensuring they have sufficient salary-cap space to acquire him.
The Canadiens aren’t in a rush and are willing to be patient to address that second-line center position. If they were to land Crosby, Lavoie believes team captain Nick Suzuki would have no problem with dropping down as the second-line center and allowing Crosby to center the top line.
As for what the Canadiens could offer in a trade package, Lavoie believes it’ll take a couple of picks and a couple of really good young players. He suggested a first-round pick, prospect defenseman David Reinbacher, and young center Oliver Kapanen as part of the return. Lavoie dismissed the idea of parting with Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, or Kaiden Guhle.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby could decide at some point that he wants to chase the Stanley Cup one last time. The Canadiens would be among the interested parties if they were on his list of preferred destinations.
However, don’t expect that possibility to occur anytime soon, if ever. The Penguins captain has been insistent that he doesn’t want to leave Pittsburgh. He may change his mind, but the chances of that happening appear slim at the moment.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James noticed the recent speculation suggesting that Flyers winger Owen Tippett could be a trade candidate. The club has plenty of depth on the wings (including within their prospect pipeline), and they could draw on that for trade bait to address other roster needs.
James doesn’t put much stock into early-to-mid October trade rumors, but doesn’t rule out the possibility. Tippett is in the second season of an eight-year contract and under pressure to produce for the rebuilding Flyers.
Tippett’s trade value is high right now, and he’d probably fetch a solid return for the Flyers. However, just because his name is floating around in the early-season rumor mill doesn’t mean he’ll be moved at some point.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: James believes that much will depend on Tippett’s performance and that of the Flyers this season. If he’s playing well, it will boost his value in the trade market, but it could also increase his value to the Flyers’ roster.
Currently, Montreal and Pitt have identical 4-2 records. Almost 5 months to deadline. Who’s to say Montreal has better record when time comes? Pretty sure every team will try to have cap space by then as well. Still think Crosby joining Sullivan in NY could be more of a possibility if Rangers don’t add before then.
Sid on any team is a big thing
I can’t for the life of me, think Sid would ever go to the Big Apple
Sid’s repeatedly said the right thing in public; he wants to stay.
That said; he’s driven by compete; loves winning; abhors losing.
Anybody who believes that he is happy ( even “just OK with”) with finishing last 5 years of his career out of the playoffs; just hasn’t followed him or his career.
I can’t believe that there is anybody who would not think Sid on Habs is a needle mover.
I personally can only envision 3 scenarios for Sid for the balance of his career:
– Lifetime Pen
– Pens faltering badly; Sid moves on to Habs sometime before TDL in ‘27
– Pens faltering badly; Sid moves on to Avs sometime before TDL in ‘27
Pens off to a nice start. Will it stay at this pace? Unlikely. Is it a good sign and perhaps even though they may miss ‘26 playoffs, they are once again starting down the competitive path and have a fair shot at ‘27 playoffs? Here I tend to agree more with.
If Pens (regardless of standings at time) are “competitive” and appear to have started back on an incline; then I say stronger likelihood of Sid as a Pen for life
If he does go to Habs; that would be a big needle mover. Throw in one of his line-mates; wow.
Habs as at now $4.7 M to the good
Thinking down the road; again only if Pens start to derail
Sid and Rackell to Habs
Laine to Pens
Obviously 2 in 1 out (Habs) and one player has to drop to Laval or come back in trade; that’s 1 league min player at least)
So the Cap works
NOTE : Liane has a 10 team NTC; no idea if Pens are on it
Sid, Suzuki, Rackell, Caufield, Slafkovski, Demidov as top 6 is scary
With only 1 major player (Laine) leaving; team chemistry has not been altered very much
That team vies for going to ECF and perhaps strong enough to beat canes???
That roster basically also intact for 26/27; for another cup run
Two cup runs for Crosby and re-upping for 27/28 is not unthinkable.
What is that scenario worth to Habs
To me, I’d think the ADD in trade is
To Pens: 1st (‘26); 2nd (‘26- Jackets) ; Reinbacher; Hage; Beck;
To Habs: 2nd (‘28- Stars); 3rd (‘27- Caps) ; 3rd (‘27- Devils)
Sis isn’t going anywhere period…
Karlsson playing very well
Goaltending better than average
Youngsters adding speed and depth
Crosby Makin Brazeau great so far
Letang even at + 3 he has been god awful he isn’t right whether that injury is lingering, he is aging quickly, or making his usual dumb decisions…he looks bad
Mc Groarty will be coming soon as wil Tristan Broz..Pens may make a play for Byram or Power of Buffalo.
Powers has been unhappy since drafted by Buffalo…he wants out Bryan has been rumored to many places for months now..
Rackell and a 1st or 2nd for Owen Powers…
Tippets contract could be a deterrent to a team that trades for him. The money is reasonable,the term isn t.Will Philly take Lohrei and Poitras for him?
Funny a team signs a younger player to multi year deal and then pundits want to move him ??
What changed from the last season to this one ?
If the Flyers do trade Tippett it would be for a top pairing defenseman. As the article states the Flyers are deep at wing. And while the Flyers could definitely use a top center I doubt Tippett alone would land a #1 center.
Sure, Montreal was his favorite team growing up, but let’s be real, if he wants to win, he’s not going to waive to go to Montreal. Going to a cup contender is what he’ll choose. If he waives, my guess is the Avalanche, where his good friend plays. Hab fans need to be real and know it’s a pipe dream and that the Habs aren’t a contender, sorry.
As long as you have a ticket to the dance…You are saying there is a chance .
However, Some teams are on the dance floor but can’t hear the band
Florida was 8 th one of the years if the 3 in the final
LA won from 8th
Presidents trophy always a curse Hardly making it past one round
What is a contender ?