NHL Rumor Mill – November 25, 2025
A look at the goalie market, the Canucks could become sellers, and an update on Jets center Brad Lambert in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHICH GOALIES COULD BECOME TRADE OPTIONS?
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at some goaltending options for clubs (like the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens) that could look to level up their goaltending.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).
The St. Louis Blues’ early-season struggles have led to Jordan Binnington resurfacing in the rumor mill. However, his stats are among the league’s worst.
Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators has also been suggested as a trade target, but his full no-movement clause makes him unlikely to be moved.
Jonathan Quick could be an option if the New York Rangers are out of playoff contention by the March 6 trade deadline. He’s having a strong final chapter to his NHL career as Igor Shesterkin’s backup.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could become sellers if their current woes persist. With Anthony Stolarz under contract for four more years and the Leafs entering a possible transitional phase, Dixon suggested that Joseph Woll could be moved for the right return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon cautioned that adding any of those goalies is no guarantee that they’re going to turn into Scott Wedgewood, whose career was rejuvenated after being acquired last season by the Colorado Avalanche.
Binnington carries a 14-team no-trade list. His $6 million annual cap hit could also be a deal-breaker unless the Blues retain part of it.
It’s doubtful that Saros will be going anywhere after the Predators re-signed him to a lucrative long-term contract, especially after they traded away promising Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks in August 2024.
Quick might be a quick fix for a playoff contender, and seems the most likely on the list to get traded. Still, he’s turning 40 and is now best in a supporting role. As for Woll, if the Leafs trade him, they’re just making their situation worse. If they’re in transition, it would make sense to keep that tandem of Woll and Stolarz together to maintain some semblance of stability between the pipes.
Meanwhile, Dixon’s colleague Elliotte Friedman proposed two goalies that might be of interest to the Montreal Canadiens. He indicated that some people wondered if the Detroit Red Wings might move Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff race in the Atlantic Division. Talbot’s their best goaltender. They’re not trading him to a divisional rival, and have no intention of moving him unless they’re out of playoff contention by the March deadline.
Friedman suggested Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be an interesting name to watch. He thinks the Canadiens are among the teams “doing their research” on the Buffalo Sabres netminder.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Luukkonen came up because he was sidelined by an early-season injury and struggled a bit during his return. Meanwhile, backup Alex Lyon and call-up Colten Ellis were playing well, prompting some observers to wonder if the Sabres might peddle their starter.
However, it’s doubtful the Sabres will move Luukkonen. They don’t know for certain what they’ve got in Ellis, who isn’t waiver-exempt. For now, they appear content to stick with three goalies.
ARE THE CANUCKS ABOUT TO BECOME SELLERS?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman cited several sources indicating that the Vancouver Canucks have let it be known that they’re willing to entertain trade offers for veteran players.
Friedman stated that the list of veterans they’re willing to listen on doesn’t include defenseman and team captain Quinn Hughes. It’s also unlikely that blueliner Filip Hronek is available.
It appears the Canucks are willing to listen to offers for pending unrestricted free agents or players with a year or two remaining on their contracts. However, they don’t wish to engage in a full roster rebuild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those pending UFAs include forwards Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, Kiefer Sherwood, and David Kampf, and defensemen Derek Forbort. Those with one or two years remaining on their contracts include forwards Filip Chytil and Drew O’Connor, and defenseman Tyler Myers.
Of those, Sherwood could be the most enticing. He carries an affordable $1.5 million cap hit, had a career-best 40-point performance in 2024-25, and has 12 goals and 16 points in 23 games this season.
THE LATEST ON BRAD LAMBERT
THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates reports the Winnipeg Jets have no interest in trading Brad Lambert to acquiesce to his trade request. They hold plenty of leverage, with the 21-year-old forward waiver-exempt until next season.
Ates believes GM Kevin Cheveldayoff won’t move Lambert unless it benefits the Jets. He speculates that the youngster could be bundled with draft capital at the trade deadline to acquire an impact player. If no sensible offers come their way, they’re content to retain Lambert until he’s NHL-ready.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James observed that NHL insider Frank Seravalli included the Flyers among his list of four clubs that could be a good fit for Lambert. The others were the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on Ates’ comments, the Flames or Canucks could be the more likely trade partners as they are likely to be among the sellers at the trade deadline, if not sooner. The Canadiens and Flyers aren’t parting with an impact player for a prospect and a draft pick.
I guess it would be the same for most teams but I would like the idea of Sherwood in an Oiler jersey.
As for the goalie market…again its filled with uncertainties. There are a few names I would like to see platoon with Skinner, but very few that I would outright replace Skinner with – when considering the cost of acquisition.
And I say that being near wits end on the oilers goalies
Leafs may become sellers? Slow down people, we aren’t even 2 months into the season.
Leafs always start slow. During this slow start they accumulated an avalanche of injuries which includes their best centre, their best defenceman, for a long time it was 3 of 4 centres, and 7 regulars. right now they are missing half of their defence. Their starting goalie.
They started slow, and are unable to recover with 80% of the team plying out of position.
I know patients doesn’t exist in hockey fandom and reporting, but let them get healthy (ish) before calling for a rebuild.
smh
Will add. Over 3 months till trade deadline. Leafs currently dead last, and only team in EC under 500. But, they’re also only 5 points from wildcard. Nobody sellers right now. Maybe in WC. Not in east.
Barry Trotz: Jusse, we’ve had some trade offers for you…
Jusse Saros: No trades
Trotz: …Edmonton is interested…
Saros: No trades
Trotz…and Montreal…
Saros: No trades
Trotz: Good talking with you, Juice
Saros (whispers): No trades
Time for these young guys to stop crying and put their head down and work hard and force coaches/management to make the tough decisions. Lambert had a a good year in his 1st year in the AHL but looked like he took a step back last year.
Why does he think he is entitled to be given a NHL job. Go and dominate in the AHL. When your contract expires and you don’t feel you are in the right situation don’t sign a contract and ask for a trade at that point.
I wish some team would have the intestinal fortitude and make a trade. Everyone is in a wait and see attitude with so many potential playoff teams.Lambert probably looks at what Gauthier did to Philly in forcing a trade ,seeing what type of year he is having!
He should look Rutger McGroarty. Still in the minors and can’t crack the lineup playing for a less talented team
Why is it so bad in Winnepeg that players want out. They have a good core of veterans. A rabid fan base A very competitive team. Perfect year with the Olympic break,the players can go to Fla. for a vacation and then come back and finish up their season.
What players want out? Lambert isn’t good enough to crack the roster right now. Hellebuyck, Scheifele, Connor, Lowry, Pionk all signed long-term extensions. Ehlers left as a UFA but his reasons had nothing to do with Winnipeg.
Get rid of the loser point, or go to a 3-2-1 point system, and a few of these teams might lose the illusion that they’re going to make the playoffs. That might spur a few trades.
As a long time Leafs fan it’s sad to say.. but they simply missed their opportunity with Shanaplan. The core players couldn’t push through in their absolute prime and the team couldn’t hit on mid to late round picks to argument the core. That led to trading other draft picks for players who didn’t help push them through.
There’s obviously more trades and signings to get into. You could write a book on how what started off looking so promising turned into an old slow team at this point.
Could they squeeze into the 8th seed? Sure. But the Shanaplan failed with only 2 first round victories in a decade. I fear the Leafs will need to rebuild but unfortunately they’ll likely go into a 2-3 year denial period which will cause more harm.
Chin up.
Well let’s hope they move up a few spots so bruins can have their high pic and not wait till 2028