NHL Rumor Mill – November 19, 2025
Could the Canadiens and Devils target the Predators for help in the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports injuries have forced the Montreal Canadiens into the trade market, joining several other clubs that are searching for forwards.
Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes would like to add a second-line center. However, Dreger believes he’s also willing to add a winger.
Dreger said the problem is that there are so few sellers and the prices are high. That leaves the Canadiens and other clubs looking for answers internally.
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont referenced Jeff Marek’s recent appearance on the Sekeres & Price Show, saying the Canadiens were among the teams that contacted the Nashville Predators to inquire about Steven Stamkos.
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).
Dumont noted that Stamkos currently plays as a left winger for the Predators, his game has slowed considerably in recent years, and he has two more years on his contract with an average annual value of $8 million. He thinks the Canadiens may be conducting due diligence rather than making a serious inquiry.
Instead, Dumont suggested Predators center Ryan O’Reilly as a better fit for the Canadiens. The 34-year-old is a left-hand shot and has put up decent numbers this season. He’s also more affordable, with a $4.5 million AAV through 2026-27. If the Predators shop him, their asking price could be a first-rounder and a top prospect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos also carries a full no-movement clause, but those factors cited by Dumont are good reasons why he’s not going to land in Montreal.
O’Reilly would be a better option, but Hughes’ trade acquisitions tend to be younger veterans who will fit well within the Canadiens’ long-term plans. He lacks no-trade protection, but the Predators are treating him as though he has it. It’s unlikely he’ll agree to be moved to a Canadian market after opting not to re-sign with Toronto a few years ago.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols referred to The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta’s recent appearance on “The Sheet With Jeff Marek”, where he told the host that he believes the Devils will be in the market for a “big fish” before the March 6 trade deadline.
Pagnotta didn’t speculate which players the Devils might target. Nichols pointed out they need depth at center, suggesting Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames and Ryan O’Reilly of the Predators. He also considered Nick Schmaltz of the Utah Mammoth as an option if he intends to test the free-agent market next summer.
Nichols also spoke with Marek, who suggested Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault of the Predators as two players who could help the Devils. He also suggested O’Reilly as an option.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Such a move by the Devils isn’t likely to happen until closer to March. Nichols observed that they’d have to move out a contract to free up cap space for one of those players, assuming they’re available by then.
Moving players like Forsberg, Kadri, O’Reilly, and Marchessault sound like moves that would take place during the offseason, usually around the NHL Draft in late June or during the opening days of free agency in early July.
Forsberg and Marchessault have full no-movement clauses, while Kadri has a 13-team no-trade list. Forsberg and Kadri also carry expensive contracts with several seasons remaining. As Nichols said, the Devils would have to shed salary to make room for those guys.
I know MTL tends to target younger players, but I think having a guy like O’Reilly who has “been there, done that” is invaluable to a young team.
I remember the impact Recchi had on my Bruins back in 2011.
agreed O’Reilly will help the Habs not only make the playoffs, but advance past the 1st round.
if the Habs make the playoffs then that 1st rounder they surrender will be lower, so lower concern.
Dach can’ be counted on to stay healthy, Kapanen is doing a nice job but adding a vet will only help
Yeah, O’Reilly is a suggestion that actually makes sense, mike.
But as Lyle notes few sellers and many buyers mean an overpay.
The Habs injury woes and losing streak are not unique to them. I’ve not seen a season where both apply to so many teams. No one is out of the playoff race so far, so I see no reason for the Habs to overpay to get themselves out of a jam that doesn’t yet exist.
I’d be fine giving up a first rounder for O’Reilly but what prospect? None of Reinbacher, Engstrom or Beck for a year and a half of O’Reilly.
I am surprised that neither team has any young player in their systems that can be plugged in. They have nobody that can make a contribution?
Montreal is the youngest team in the league, getting younger with another rookie is not going to help them.
That depends on your point of view. I am with Hughes and Gorton, taking the long view and sustained competitiveness.
From that perspective, this year can be seen as developmental for such a young team, with evaluation of call ups helping chart the future.
Here is an article from TSN which rates the Habs as #1 in what they call core under 24:
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/canadiens-top-tsns-core-4-u-24-team-ranking-for-second-straight-year/
Suzuki and Caulfield are 26 and 24. So what’s the rush?
Not all Habs fans see it this way, and it might be that Hughes sees adding a veteran is necessary to help with this development.
But again, sellers market. Does one overpay for short term gain?
PS: The bonus in the TSN rating for Habs fans is their view of the Leafs and Bruins.
So spitballing, I am a Canucks fan but looking at the Leafs, maybe its time to really change the narrative, they have been spinning their wheels for years.
Mathews
Domi (or similar contract)
for
Johnston
Robertson
Bourque
Or maybe Leafs can get a Dman instead ofone of the above.
Mathews goes to a good team, no tax, closer to home.
Leafs get the talent depth, and options to trade.
Dallas gets a really, really good centre tandem for a lot of years…..
People are gonna start picking apart St. Louis, Calgary…and maybe even Buffalo and Toronto as these teams continue to falter
One of the Reporters in St. Louis, mentioned a few days ago, on ESPN Radio 101, that St. Louis is wide open for trades and GM’s are telling Army to circle back at the end of December early Jan. I would expect Army to move out Schenn, Faulk, and possibly Suter Bjugstad, see what he can get back out of Joesph, Sunny, Walker, Torp. It will be interesting to see what he does with Binnington, and Kyrou. Colt P and Fowler would take significant offers, and Thomas, Neighbours, Snuggy, Halloway, Dvorsky Broberg and Hofer are obviously guys they will build around.