NHL Rumor Mill – November 18, 2025
Are changes coming for the struggling Predators? Could the Canadiens go shopping for a center? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty wondered if changes are coming for the fading Nashville Predators. They have a record of 6-10-4, sitting eighth in the Central Division. He pointed out that they were 6-11-3 after 20 games last year, going on to finish that season with the third-worst record in the league.
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)
Daugherty believes there are only so many changes that general manager Barry Trotz can make. Most of his big contracts, including Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, have no-movement clauses. He frequently supported head coach Andrew Brunette.
Minor changes, such as trading players on expiring contracts (Erik Haula, Michael Bunting), would exacerbate the situation, even if they’re necessary in the long term.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daugherty doesn’t expect to see any improvement from the Predators with their current roster this season.
Stamkos and Marchessault have surfaced in the rumor mill. Still, even if they agree to waive their movement clauses, the decline in their production combined with the remaining term of their contracts could make them difficult to move and won’t fetch significant returns.
Ryan O’Reilly has also been mentioned recently as a trade target. The 34-year-old center is second among Predators scorers with 13 points and is still well-regarded for his two-way play. He also carries an affordable $4.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27 and lacks no-trade protection.
O’Reilly might draw more interest. However, like Stamkos and Marchessault, he won’t have the same value in the trade market that he might have had a couple of years ago.
SPORTSNET: During Monday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is scouring the trade market for a center. Canadiens center Kirby Dach and versatile forward Alex Newhook are both sidelined by injuries.
Friedman indicated that Hughes was among the suitors for former Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kampf before the latter signed with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman didn’t mention any other potential targets for Hughes. One option could be John Beecher of the Boston Bruins, who was placed on waivers on Monday.
It’s starting to look like Nashville’s big mistake was making Barry Trotz GM, last summer. Frankly, they need to start the rebuild process asap.
I was gonna say that the best move the Predators could make would be to fire or “reassign” Barry Trotz. As a Capitals fan, I’m forever grateful to Barry for the Cup he brought us, but he’s clearly out of his depth as a GM. Being a great coach doesn’t automatically make you a great GM.
Yes, and I agree….Trotz is a coach not a GM; the first big mistake is of course choosing Saros over Iaroslav Askarov and of course signing Stamkos and especially Marchanssault an over rated player.
Also never liked Roman Josi….soft and disappears when the going gets tough….certainly not captain material
My two cents cause its all its worth
Marchessault would look pretty good on a Sens team
I think MTL needs to offer a package to Nashville for Ryan O’Reilly. He is exactly what they need.
I am willing to give Trotz a slight pass because the moves he made 2 seasons were not lauded as horrible or even bad at the time. The team had a decent year and we’re a tough out in the playoffs…showing some promise of what could be. Beefing up the roster then seemed the way to go.
In hindsight, sure horrible.
Now that said, how he gets out from under the moves he made, if he does, will be the better judge of Trotz as GM imo. Its definitely not trending well lol.
My buddy and I talking about how bad those signing were when they were both made. When will GMs learn not to throw big lengthy contracts at older players. TBK ew better.
O’Rielly chose Nashville as a UFA because he didn’t like the spotlight in Toronto.
I don’t think he’d like the spotlight in Montreal either
I’d claim Beecher for the same reason I wanted Kampf.
Big, left shot centre, wins 50+% faceoffs, strong defensively, good on pk. Just what the Habs need and much more value on the ice than Veleno.
There are players who just don’t fit the profile/culture of a team that fit elsewhere.
Beecher became redundant with the trade for Minten and signing of Kuraly. I expect he will get claimed and wish him well.
I doubt that Beecher drops down the waiver wire to the Habs, but I could be wrong.
While Veleno hasn’t added much (no goals) he is playing 4th line minutes. If the Habs were to go out and get another center, doesn’t it make more sense for them to get one who will make a meaningful difference for the next several years, rather than pick up someone to plug a hole on the 4th line?
Beecher scored three goals last year in 78 games. Sure, a defensive forward, but he was also -9. I fail to see the upgrade. Particularly when Beck can be given the opportunity.
As for Kampf, consider the mess the Leafs have been since the beginning of the season, and he still was bought out. Doesn’t that give pause for thought?
The only reason Kampf subsequently got a contract was that the Canucks have an injury riddled line up that was poxy to begin with.
The Habs don’t need tinkering at the margins with other teams’ mediocrity.
You Hab fans buyer beware on Beecher.He is a poor man’s Brandon Carlo, meaning very soft for his size. Was a late first round pick of Sweeneys even though the highest he played at Michigan was on their third line.Reward someone deserving on your AHL team.
Tom Wilson to Ottawa – no money retained
Zetterlund, Perron and a 2nd, 3rd