NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2025
The latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri, Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov, and Sharks center Alex Wennberg in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
KADRI ISN’T CONCERNED ABOUT TRADE RUMORS
SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Nazem Kadri is brushing off recent trade rumors that arose during the Calgary Flames’ poor start to this season. The 35-year-old center acknowledged there would be questions about it, but he’s putting his focus on winning hockey games.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Kadri is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list. Some pundits have mentioned him as a trade candidate if the Flames become sellers at some point before the March 6 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s far too early in the season for the Flames to go into sell mode. They need players like Kadri if they hope to turn things around in the coming weeks. However, that could change if they’re still mired in the basement by the New Year.
THE LATEST ON YEGOR CHINAKHOV
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Yegor Chinakhov has been a “good soldier” for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite seeing limited playing time on their fourth line, the 24-year-old forward is still working hard in practice and staying involved in team charity functions.
Chinakhov has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since making his trade request in July, something he has not rescinded. Portzline noted the difficulty he faces moving up in the Blue Jackets’ lineup. The Jackets aren’t moving Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov from the first line. Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson aren’t easy to move from the second line, while third-liners Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Joseph work better as penalty killers than Chinakhov.
The Jackets prefer a return for Chinakhov that addresses their immediate needs. Portzline wondered if struggling clubs, such as the New York Rangers or Calgary Flames, might become trade partners.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will eventually find a suitable trade destination for Chinakhov. For now, it’s difficult to find a team willing to do a player-for-player deal that addresses their needs.
SHOULD THE CANUCKS PURSUE WENNBERG?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Kierszenblat cited reports claiming Alex Wennberg could be available in the trade market. The 31-year-old San Jose Sharks forward can play center or wing, and is in the final season of a two-year contract with a cap hit of $5 million. He also has a 15-team approved trade list.
Kierszenblat wondered if Wennberg could become a trade target for the Vancouver Canucks to help address their center depth. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Sharks forward wound up in Vancouver before the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks won’t be moving Wennberg right now unless someone like the Canucks is willing to overpay for his services. They could peddle him later in the season, but that could come too late to help the Canucks.
Congrats Sid on 1,700 points (regular season) and 1,900 points (regular season and playoffs) and for passing Mario into 6th place all time for most multi-point games; a goal and 2 apples last night
Great career already; but here are Some of the upcoming milestones for Sid:
1 more assist to reach 1,200 (total in regular season and playoffs)
2 more multi-point games to reach 500
10 more assists (reg season) to catch (11 to pass) Oates for 8th all time in assists
31 Assists away from 1,100 (reg season) for his career
22 points (regular season) to catch (23 to pass) Mario for 8th all time in points
40 assists (reg season) to catch (41 to pass) Thornton for 7th all time in assists
54 points (reg season) to catch (55 to pass) Stevie Y for 7th all time in points
38 games (reg season) away from 1,400
I posted this in Morning Coffee; and when I immediately didn’t see it posted but the text was still in the box; I hit “submit comment” again.
Now it’s showing here AND in morning coffee?????
Yup it’s amazing to see, you have to think if he didn’t have those 3 years of barely playing he would be approaching 1,900 points.
I can see him ending up 5th all time for points by the time he hangs them up, he might even have a chance to pass Gordie for 4th,
Re : “The Blue Jackets will eventually find a suitable trade destination for Chinakhov. For now, it’s difficult to find a team willing to do a player-for-player deal that addresses their needs.”
What specifically, are Jacket’s needs?
8787
Good question. Jackets have a pretty solid team without a glaring hole anywhere…upgrade sure…but best I can wager they would want a roster player back…maybe someone that better fills the role chinakhov is being asked to fill. But only a guess
Wennberg at a glance so far this year: 9 games, 1 goal, 2 assists,minus 9.
$5m.
Canucks say no thanks.
8787. That was going to be my question. Not sure if CBJ and Rangers would deal in division. Drury needs to do something. Hes managed to totally disassemble a presidents trophy winner/ECF team in just over a year. Trochek out and Zibanejad back at center, currently have Sheary and Raddysh (damn I miss Kreider)in top 6. Top prospect Perrault should be brought up before any trade. Not sure why they signed him if they planned on him playing in AHL. Hopefully Othmann up just to get some trade interest. Team is a mess. Not sure where they go from here.
I don’t miss Kreider. He was a shell last year (sure, some was injury related), but his leadership was lacking on a sinking ship and his departure allowed for the JT Miller trade AND the Igor extension.
In that light losing Kreider for cap purposes was a no brainer.
My issue has been the signing of Sheary and Raddysh who are just adding to the Rangers glut of 3rd and 4th liners.
Cuylle was great last year on the 3rd line, but he’s struggling when pushed into a top 6 role. But someone has to play top 6 right?
I’d love to see them integrate the kids across the top 9 (not on a 3rd kid line).
Something like:
Laf-JT-Gabe
Panarin-Troch-Berard
Cuylle-Laba-Sheary
Foleyd7
Leadership on a sinking ship is a lot to put on 1 guy. JT has proved not to be the savior they thought he’d be last season. Kreider has like 3 different injuries and suffered through 1 of his worse seasons. Still, had same amount of goals as JT. I know he has nmc but would’ve tried to trade Panarin and his 11.6 cap hit. Ducks weren’t on Kreider list.
Vancouver needs speed, and while Wennberg is a decent 3c he is fast nor does he play fast. He has nice hands, is good defensively but a bit soft. I just don’t see a fit in Vancouver, Zacha at the right price is a lot more interesting. Right now I think they wait and see what Reichel can do and if Pettersson can continue to be what he has been the last 3-4 games