NHL Rumor Mill – October 7, 2025
Check out the latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri, Mammoth center Logan Cooley, Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro, and Capitals goalie Clay Stevenson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
FLAMES NATION: TSN’s NHL insider Darren Dreger recently said it feels like a long shot that the Calgary Flames will trade center Nazem Kadri.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Dreger believes several teams around the league could benefit from Kadri’s presence. He pointed out that the Toronto Maple Leafs, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens are among the clubs that could use some help at center.
The Flames could consider it if they’re out of playoff contention by the March trade deadline, but not before then. Dreger said it would take “a tremendous overpay” to get him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri, 35, carries an average annual value (AAV) of $7 million through the 2028-29 season. He has a full no-movement clause for this season, but it becomes a 13-team no-trade list on July 1.
The Flames could listen to offers for Kadri if they’re out of the playoff chase by the trade deadline. However, it would be easier to wait until July 1 when he’ll have less control over where he can be traded.
THE SCORE: cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli reporting that sources said Logan Cooley rejected an eight-year contract extension offer worth an AAV of $9.6 million from the Utah Mammoth.
That offer would’ve made Cooley the Mammoth’s highest-paid player. He’s coming off a solid sophomore season with 65 points in 75 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cooley is in the final season of his entry-level contract.
No reason was given for Cooley’s reported rejection of that offer. However, it’s likely because the salary cap is expected to rise substantially over the next two seasons, and he wants to get the best deal possible.
Cooley is likely betting on himself entering this season. If he builds on his sophomore performance, he could justify seeking between $10 million and $11 million annually.
THE HOCKEY NEWS/RUSSIAN MACHINE NEVER BREAKS: Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro and Washington Capitals netminder Clay Stevenson cleared waivers on Monday. They will report to their respective team’s AHL affiliates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DiPietro and Stevenson were rumored to be potential waiver targets. They could still draw interest in the trade market from teams seeking goaltending depth, especially since they’ve already cleared waivers. They could be worth monitoring over the next couple of weeks.
This is why I don’t Dreger seriously anymore. I get he is repeating what he is told “but it would take a tremendous overpay ” to get him. He is 35- he is in decline and is under contract until 39- give me a break.
Does he ever decide, what he can repeat- without sounding like a fool
Well said. It would take a dumb/desperate GM to overpay here. But, hey, we have seen that happan as well….
I would hardly say he is in decline. He had one of his best years last year, so not sure where you’re getting that from. He’s stating the obvious, yes, that if you require a 2nd line Centre or very solid 3rd line center you will need to be overpay. Simple supply and demand.
I don’t get your complaint Sam. My take on what Dreger is saying is that it isn’t likely for Kadri to be traded because Calgary would want an overpayment and that teams would likely not be willing to overpay for him.
What is an overpayment for an experienced player in that is 35 can be debated but the regurgitated info Dreger is giving seems sound to me.
I really think Lacombe’s deal is going to impact the market moreso than Kirill imo.
Agreed. GMs are their own worst enemies. Just because the cap is going up doesn’t mean you have to spend it recklessly. There will be a plethora of bad contracts then dumb trades to cover up the mistake. Wash, rinse, repeat…
Good example- Sweeney signing Jeannot to a five year contract when he has never done much in his career.
1Oilerfan
IMO the McDavid and Kaprizov deals just go to show how deals aren’t always market setting. Different situations with their teams. Ducks, just like Wild, locked up a young core player cause they could. They have overpaid older players that’ll either be let go or signed at reduced rates over the next 2 years.
As far as Cooley, he could be looking at a deal like Peterka got that takes him to his ufa year when he’ll be 26 years old. Not ideal for Utah. They need to figure out what to do with Schmaltz, who’s ufa next season.
Just saw that Leaf announced line up.
Meh?
Ho-hum?
I dunno. It didn’t rock my world.
Kadri(retain $2 m) for Kotkaniemi, 2026 top 5 protected 1st, Justin Robidas