NHL Rumor Mill – November 27, 2025
Are the Oilers interested in the Blues’ Jordan Binnington or the Penguins’ Tristan Jarry? What’s the latest on the Canucks, Predators, Flames, Stars, and Mammoth? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
OILERS LINKED TO BINNINGTON AND JARRY
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples referred to a recent list of trade targets by Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, where the latter claimed the “strongest speculation” tied the Oilers to St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington.
Kypreos observed that the 32-year-old Binnington has one season remaining on his contract, and he’s unlikely to be part of any roster retooling by the Blues. He speculated the deal would see the Oilers ship their current starter, Stuart Skinner, to St. Louis in the deal. Kypreos said that they’re also seeing if they can pry a defenseman away from the Blues.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (NHL Images).
Staples pointed out that Binnington carries an average annual value of $6 million, while Skinner is on an expiring contract with an AAV of $2.6 million. He thinks they will have to include a significant sweetener in the deal to convince the Blues to retain part of Binnington’s cap hit.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted that Kypreos’ rumor about Binnington to the Oilers “stirred up a hornet’s nest”. He pointed out the Oilers can’t trade for the veteran netminder without his permission, even if the Blues were willing to do it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington has a 14-team no-trade list, and the Oilers could be on it. Even if he were willing to go to Edmonton, the cap-strapped Oilers can’t afford him without either moving out a lot of salary in the deal or giving up what few decent assets they have among their promising young players to make it happen.
Staples pointed out that Binnington’s stats are worse than Skinner’s this season. What’s also worth noting is that the Oilers’ sloppy defensive play this season has contributed to Skinner’s struggles, so Binnington probably wouldn’t fare much better.
Meanwhile, Staples noted that ESPN’s Kevin Weekes is claiming the Oilers might be interested in acquiring netminder Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins. Weekes reminded everyone that Jarry played in Edmonton for the WHL’s Oil Kings during his junior days.
Friedman and Oilers insider Bob Stauffer believe the Jarry rumor makes more sense. The Penguins are carrying four goaltenders and are dealing from a position of strength. However, Stauffer noted the difficulty the capped-out Oilers would face trying to add to their roster.
Staples indicated that Jarry carries an AAV of $5.375 million through 2027-28.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jarry’s cap hit isn’t as hefty as Binnington’s but has more term left on his contract. He also has a history of inconsistent play, spending several weeks playing for the Penguins’ AHL affiliate last season. He got off to a good start to this season before suffering an injury, but he picked up the win in his first game back last night against the Buffalo Sabres.
The same cap issues apply, not to mention Jarry’s 12-team no-trade list could also complicate things.
Trading for Binnington or Jarry would be risky for the Oilers. It could work out better than expected, or it could only make things worse. Given the few options available, they risk overpaying for either guy.
RUMOR TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN
SPORTSNET: In addition to the Binnington rumor, Elliotte Friedman touched on the Vancouver Canucks becoming sellers in the trade market.
He indicated that Quinn Hughes isn’t available, stating that several sources have pushed back hard on the notion that the 26-year-old superstar defenseman has already decided he won’t re-sign with the Canucks. Still, at some point, the Canucks and Hughes will have to discuss his future.
Pending UFA winger Kiefer Sherwood will garner plenty of interest. There is probably little desire by the Canucks to trade blueliner Filip Hronek, and Friedman doesn’t think Tyler Myers will waive his no-movement clause during this season. They also prefer to retain winger Conor Garland.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The current theory regarding Hughes is that he could seek a trade as early as the March trade deadline if the Canucks haven’t improved by then.
The real issue is whether he’s willing to sign an extension. If he doesn’t, the Canucks will entertain trade offers. They could wait until the offseason, when teams will have more cap space and a willingness to make a big trade for a superstar such as Hughes.
Like the Canucks, the Nashville Predators are exploring the trade market. There are teams interested in Ryan O’Reilly, but he’s got a big say in any move. Friedman also dismissed the Filip Forsberg trade theories and doesn’t see the Predators being willing to retain salary in any deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Reilly lacks no-trade protection, but the Predators are treating him as though he does. They’re not trading Forsberg unless he wants out, and there’s no indication that he does. He has a full no-movement clause.
The Calgary Flames won’t make any short-term moves to save their season. “If it’s a high pick, they will take it.”
Goalie-hungry teams will be watching Laurent Brossoit’s return from knee and hip surgeries that have sidelined him since April 2024. There’s no room for him with the Chicago Blackhawks now.
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill remains confident he can afford to re-sign Jason Robertson when they already have an expensive Mikko Rantanen on their roster.
The Utah Mammoth would like to add to its roster. They have plenty of draft picks and prospects to draw on for trade capital.
Friedman believes free-agent forward Robby Fabbri could land with a new NHL club soon. The Ottawa Senators were among the rumored teams, but it won’t be with them.
Any trade rumours the Oilers make in net has to include how the cap will work. Skinner makes $2.6m and the Oilers have less than $200k in capspace.
Who suggested the Senators were interested in Robby Fabbri? They are strong at C with Stutzle, Cozens, Pinto and Eller and players like Greig and Giroux who can fill in there as and when needed.
Fabbri attended the Penguins’ camp under P.T.O. arrangements, but was released on Oct 25.
Fabbri can play wing as well as center, George. Anyway, it’s a moot point.
Why do Oilers fans think that a trade for Binnington would be so one for one with Skinner…As much as I despise Binnington, he’s a goalie that has proven he can win clutch games. Even with a down season, he’s ultimately WAY more valuable than Skinner. I would think Armstrong would want a fairly big return on a guy who has won the cup and the 4 Nations last year… and if they don’t make that trade quickly, he may add Olympic Gold to that list…I would think Armstrong would want Skinner, Clattenburg, or Savoie & a draft pick. He knows what he has and the demand at that position
So I am an Oiler fan. Skinner is a ufa at season end. Binnington has an extra year. They are both sucking.
Skinner makes less, is younger, been to two finals and allows the blues to walk away if this dont work with him as they like this season.
Binnington makes more, older and has an extra year on contract. Even though he won at 4 nattions and a cup. That has risk if he comes over and plays just as he is with the blues. Which would be another problem for them
A one for one makes sense I think…blues get out from next years cap hit and can see if skinner and hofer works again. All good except it doesnt work cap wise. If this was to happen it would have to be Skinner + to compensate the blues on keeping salary unless this becomes a bigger trade with more parts.
Why i would like to see Binnington..for me…Skinner needs a change…regression, death threats, struggles…it would be good for a fresh start. I think he can be a good goalie on a team that plays a tighter structure. But he is a UFA next season unless he (and the team) flips the script and go on a tear soon…no way does he comes back next season. If he is not in your long term plans…there is no benefit in waitingas the season is slipping away and a change for change sakes may be the kick in the pants the roster needs.
Do I think this trade happens. No. Armstrong is tough, and Bowman has little capital even if binnington is their target. The benefit here is that they can move Skinner in the deal. Other targets the teams may not want Skinner coming back and oilers dont have the cap flexibility to tandem most others with Skinner.
No way in hell would the Blues do a one for one! I feel the Oilers are stuck with what they have. They made a mistake by trading Kane and letting Perry walk.
As a Blues fan, I’ll say that the Oilers could win the Cup with Binnington in goal. Don’t worry about his current stats…..the guy will be great when the playoffs start. But what exactly are the Oilers going to trade to the Blues? I’m fine with taking Skinner back in the deal. That obviously would need to be part of it. But the Blues will want young talent and picks, so Savoie and the 2027 first rounder? I’d say it’s more likely he ends up in Toronto if the Leafs feel like they need to make a move. Binnington is from a suburb of Toronto, Berube loves him, and Woll is a St. Louis kid, so that seems like an easier trade to put together.
Why would any team want to trade with the Oilers? They have one of the worst prospect pools in the NHL, Skinner is a UFA at the end of the season and they only have a 7th round draft pick in this year’s draft.