NHL Rumor Mill – November 29, 2025
The latest on Predators winger Steven Stamkos and Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SUGGESTED LANDING SPOTS FOR STAMKOS
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon proposed five potential trade destinations for Nashville Predators winger Steven Stamkos.
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)
Dixon acknowledged the decline in the 35-year-old Stamkos’ production since last season. He doubted that a club would have to make a significant offer to Nashville to get him, especially if they can swing it without asking the Predators to retain part of his $8 million cap hit through 2027-28.
The Montreal Canadiens are atop Dixon’s list of sensible landing spots, followed by the Winnipeg Jets, Seattle Kraken, Carolina Hurricanes, and Detroit Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: What wasn’t mentioned was Stamkos’ full no-movement clause. He’ll have the final say over possible landing spots, and there’s only one on this list that seems the most likely.
Recent reports also claim the Predators haven’t spoken with the aging star about a trade, though some observers believed they could entertain offers for him, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly.
The Canadiens were rumored to have inquired about Stamkos, but that may have been due diligence on their part. If Stamkos passed on signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2016 because of all the attention he would’ve faced in that hockey-mad market, it’s doubtful he’ll be keen to come to Montreal, or any other Canadian market.
The Kraken could use a scoring star, and if Stamkos were five years younger, they’d probably jump on an opportunity to get him if he wanted to go to Seattle. But he’s no longer that scoring star, so he’s not a good fit there, and the same applies to Montreal and Winnipeg.
As for the Red Wings, they could use a boost to their secondary scoring, but defense remains their Achilles heel, and Stamkos can’t help them in that department.
That leaves the Hurricanes as the only sensible spot on this list. They’re in “win-now” mode and might benefit from Stamkos’ Stanley Cup experience. However, their pursuit of Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner last season indicates that they want younger scoring stars in their prime.
COULD THE FLYERS PURSUE QUINN HUGHES?
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James noted the recent speculation swirling around Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes. The Canucks are in sell mode with some of their veteran players, and while they’re not shopping the 26-year-old defenseman, some observers feel they could peddle him if he’s unwilling to sign a contract extension next summer.
James noted the New Jersey Devils are considered the front-runners for Hughes, setting up a reunion with brothers Jack and Luke. However, hockey insider Frank Seravalli suggested the Philadelphia Flyers could be among the suitors if the former Norris Trophy winner becomes available.
According to James, it would take a package offer consisting of top draft picks, a top prospect, an NHL defenseman, and a winger to land Hughes. He doesn’t see the Flyers including winger Matvei Michkov and prospect Porter Martone in that deal.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports no one has told him that the Flyers would pursue Hughes if the Canucks put him on the trade block, but he thinks they could to land a player who could accelerate their rebuild.
Kurz believes Michkov, Martone, and Tyson Foerster are the only untouchables on the Flyers. He thinks it doesn’t make sense to part with players who seem destined to be part of the solution to upgrade another position. Instead, they could draw on their four first-round picks and their second-rounders over the next three years as trade chips.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen whether Hughes re-signs with the Canucks or gets traded next summer to a club that he’s willing to sign with. It wouldn’t be surprising if they look into the asking price for Hughes, but the Canucks could insist on Michkov or Martone being part of the return. If they’re untouchable, then the Flyers have slimmer odds of landing him.
I like the Flyers speculation for Quinn Hughes. The one thing missing from this whole conversation is that the only thing better than playing with your brothers is playing AGAINST your brothers.
Both of Hughes brothers have at least 5 more years on their contracts.NJ will not be trading them,so all this speculation is useless about him going somewhere other than NJ. They played against each other their entire childhood,having them all under one roof where the parents can see just one game makes to much sense!
Frank, very early this morning, but in yesterday’s Rumor Thread, you posted an obviously thought-out imaginative (and informative re previous deals) list of 25 points as to what the Leafs must do to turn their fortunes around.
Points 16, 17 and 18 call for deals to acquire two mobile D who can drive the play, two bruising wingers who actually hit, and a top 6 RW who can feed Matthews the puck. This after describing Domi, Jarnkrok, Joshua, Mermis, Roy & Macelli as essentially useless, and Rielly as a D who can’t shoot (at least insofar as a slap shot is concerned) and make physical contact in the D zone
Not a Leaf “fan” – as you may or may not be aware – but looking at your points, the first thought that jumps to mind is, given that the kinds of players you want them to pursue won’t be obtained for any of the ones you describe as expendable (and Jarnkrok, Joseph and Domi each have a MNTC) – who or what do they offer up in exchange?
As for Rielly, not only does have a $7.5 mil deal that runs through to 2030, he also has a NMC. All of which makes it difficult to find a team that can afford his contract and thich he might agree to waive.