NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2025
The Flames are seeking more offense, teams are calling about Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov, plus updates on the Canucks’ search for a center, the asking price for Rangers winger Brennan Othmann, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FLAMES SHOPPING FOR SCORING PUNCH
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames are frustrated over their lack of production. They’re currently last in the league, averaging 1.5 goals per game.
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).
General manager Craig Conroy is exploring the trade market in search of offensive help. However, it’s still very early in the season, and teams typically don’t make those kinds of moves yet.
THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun also believes the Flames could become sellers if they don’t reverse their fortunes soon.
Rasmus Andersson would be their biggest trade chip. The 28-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and there’s no indication he and the Flames are any closer to a contract extension.
Nazem Kadri could also be in demand. However, the 35-year-old center has a full no-movement clause until July 1, when it reverts to a 13-team no-trade list. So far, there’s no evidence that Kadri wants out of Calgary.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless Conroy can find a worthwhile deal to bolster his club’s scoring, he’ll become a seller later in the season. It won’t happen now because it’s unlikely he’ll find suitable returns for Andersson and Kadri (if he’s willing to move) at this point in the season.
BLUE JACKETS GETTING CALLS ABOUT YEGOR CHINAKHOV
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting more calls about Yegor Chinakhov. The 24-year-old forward has played only three games this season, all of those on their fourth line.
Chinakhov hasn’t rescinded the trade request that he made this summer after being a healthy scratch for most of the Blue Jackets’ stretch run last season.
LeBrun said the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames are among the clubs believed to have called or expected to check in. However, the Jackets are seeking a player in return rather than draft picks and prospects.
THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun noted the Maple Leafs are still trying to sort out Nick Robertson’s role, while New York Rangers winger Brennan Othmann is out there in the trade market. He believes the Jackets, Leafs, and Rangers could help each other out at some point.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Maple Leafs are investigating options for Robertson. He claimed they made a pitch for Chinkhov this summer, but it wasn’t to the Blue Jackets’ liking.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: How about a three-way deal involving those teams and players? Which club should get Chinakhov? Feel free to weigh in on this one in the comments section below.
TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes contract extension talks between the Los Angeles Kings and Adrian Kempe will resume soon…The Vancouver Canucks are searching for a center, but they don’t want to part with their 2026 first-round pick.
The San Jose Sharks are carrying nine defensemen and could move one of them. The Edmonton Oilers could also move a blueliner. The Detroit Red Wings have rearguard Erik Gustafsson in the AHL, and have some forwards who might need a change of scenery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: No, the Sharks aren’t at the stage yet where they will move UFA-eligible defenseman Mario Ferraro…If the Oilers move a defenseman, it will be Ty Emberson, Troy Stecher, or Alec Regula…The forwards Friedman was referring to could be those with less than two years left on their contract. They included Jonatan Berggren and Elmer Soderblom.
The Blackhawks remain open to trade offers for winger Lukas Reichel…The Rangers have requested good AHL prospects in exchange for Brennan Othmann…Friedman believes that if the Ottawa Senators and Shane Pinto agree to a contract extension, it’ll likely be a three-year deal.
It is anyone’s guess which oiler Dman will be odd man out.
Stecher is the cheap veteran that proved he can step up and carry more responsibility to cover over injuries or illness when they occur. I think he is a valuable asset for this team.
Embersson has some promise and showed well for lengthy stretches last season. He is the pricier of the 3 (like by 400k )so that contract could be the reason he is the odd man out on a cap strapped team. He is who I think is most likely of the 3 to be moved. I also feel that having walman now can make him expendable. I think they had brought him in to grow into that top 4 spot.
Regula. Bowman has acquired him twice and i dont think they have seen enough of him yet to give up on him so early. That said, his injury struggles still leave him as a question mark.
So embersson for a prospect in the Ahl or a late rd draft pick is what I feel is most likely.
Stecher is my guess as the odd guy out. Out of the three he is the only one who is a UFA at the end of this season and he’s also the oldest. Bowman is wanting to get younger.
Agree
Best move (most valuable in return) ZIMO:
Emberson
For a late 2nd or early 3rd (to be used in a later TDL deal) OR for a depth forward (UFA in ‘26) with Cap hit $1.15 or less (ability to bury without having Cap show against Oilers)
Oilers still crimped by Cap and of course miss Hyman
IF (tough because of trade protection) they could move them; best options would be Henrique (35, $3 M, 3 points in 8 games) or Frederic (27, $3.85 M, 1 point in 8 games).
To me, the Frederic lock up for 5 years was a big (and misguided) gamble, that, as of now, is not looking good 1 total point in 9 Oilers regular season games; and only 4 points in 22 playoff games for Oilers; total 5 points in 31 games),
Vancouver should look into getting a younger winger like Reichel or Chinakov. Sure they lack C but they also lack wingers with speed and upside. They basically have 1C and 6 NHL wingers, the rest are tweeners and some skates as if in molasses.
This is not counting injuries
In the top six yes you’re statement makes sense. The rest of the forward lines are actually half decent.
Re 3-way Othman/Robertson/Chinakhov and Rangers/Leafs/Jackets
“SPECTOR’S NOTE: How about a three-way deal involving those teams and players? Which club should get Chinakhov? Feel free to weigh in on this one in the comments section below.”
Othman (22) is just a tad shy of league average size, has “OK” but not dominating numbers in AHL; only 25 NHL games with just 3 points (all Apples)
Chinakhov (24); just North of average NHL size; only 2 years removed from an 82 game pace of 25-20-45. Struggles last year; not gelling with coach late last year/this year. An excellent change of scenery (resulting in uptick play) candidate
Robertson (24); tiny; two seasons removed from an 82 game pace of 20-19-39; and 4 years removed from a 26 game stint where he went 16-12-28 in 28 games in the AHL.
IMO, the above 3’s future (NHL) outlook ranking is Chinakhov-Robertson-Othman.
Leafs, of the three, to me, are under the most pressure; willing to swing more for the fences.
Also, Rangers don’t HAVE to move Othman; and Jackets motivated to move Chinakhov as he’s not working out there
With the above rationale; my stab at a 3 way is as follows:
To Leafs: Chinakhov
To: Rangers: Robertson
To: Jackets: Othman ; 3rd (‘27 from Rangers); Danford OR Quinlan from Leafs
That said; If Treliving approaches Drury and Wadell with the above; I would personally love Dubas to outbid Wadell’s return on Chinakhov:
To Pen’s: Chinakhov
To Jackets: 2nd (‘26- latest of 3 owned by Pens); *Avery Hayes; Ponomarev
*Hayes (23, has/is done/doing well in WBS); has shone in 2 consecutive Penguins training camps; but for whatever reason; Dubas/Sully and Dubas/Muse have refused to promote him. He’d shine with Jackets.
I see Chinakhov , with a change of scenery; having a very good impact on Pens’ 3rd line
Rangers recalled Othmann today. Rempe left game last night after heavyweight bout with Reeves. Listed as day to day so not sure if Othmann travels west with team on 4 game road trip. Who knows if any teams have had interest but will help value if he can get some ice time while up. Not sure how long they roll out Sheary in top 6. Rangers don’t really have wiggle room to swap cap hits of Robertson and Othmann. Maybe if they can unload Soucy separately but Sullivan seems fine playing him. Robertsons value might be getting his brother to sign an offer sheet with NY next off season.
Chinakov reminds me of Lias Anderson – Talented Junior who disliked NHL coaching and demands for hard work and evolution of his game.
Nick Robertson – small forward – great shot, better than average playmaking, a top 6 forward skills with a good motor, but forced to play a bottom 5 energy game due to the many skilled forwards fighting for top 6 spots. For a team with the right chemistry and roster, he slots into a 2nd line with PP time. Early career sidetracked 2 or 3 times by injuries, not an issue in recent season.
Othman – Not really sure what he brings, and the Rangers seem unsure as well. Good reputation in his draft year, not particularly effective in the AHL.
Until he shows something of note, he remains a mystery. Probably why the Rangers called him up today.
Reichel to VCR for a 4th
Former higher tiered first
What could Chinahkov possibly get for a return ….not much