NHL Rumor Mill – November 4, 2025
The Canadiens remain linked to Bruins center Pavel Zacha, the Penguins need a left-shot defenseman, and the latest on the Oilers. Get the details in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CANADIENS INTERESTED IN ZACHA
TVA SPORTS: According to Nicolas Clouthier, one of the worst-kept secrets in the league is that Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes “adores” Pavel Zacha. He pointed out that Hughes was the Boston Bruins center’s former agent.
Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (NHL Images).
Cloutier cited “trustworthy sources” within the Canadiens claiming the club is not on Zacha’s list of teams he doesn’t want to be traded to.
The Canadiens need an experienced second-line center. Discussions took place over the summer, including one about Zacha. Cloutier believes follow-up talks are planned when teams decide to sell.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cloutier acknowledged the rarity of trades between the Bruins and Canadiens. Nevertheless, it shouldn’t be ruled out.
Zacha would tick a lot of boxes for the Canadiens, but there is no certainty that the Bruins will move him. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently reported that they see him as an important part of their plans, adding that it wouldn’t be surprising if he signs a contract extension next summer.
Still, a lot can happen over the course of a season. The Bruins could consider trading Zacha if he shows little interest in an extension.
PENGUINS SEEK A DEFENSEMAN
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reported last week that the Penguins require a left-shot defenseman. They’ve lost Caleb Jones to a lower-body injury for eight weeks and need a suitable replacement.
Kingerski said sources claimed that general manager Kyle Dubas is “kicking tires” on spare left-shot blueliners. One of them is Erik Gustafsson of the Detroit Red Wings, who is currently with their AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids.
LATEST ON THE OILERS
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli telling Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer that the Oilers are considering multiple player movements. That includes possible trades involving defensemen Troy Stecher and Ty Emberson, and forward Mattias Janmark.
This news comes with Janmark, winger Zach Hyman, and blueliner Alec Regula poised to return from injuries. There is “zero chance” that the Oilers will place Regula on waivers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In case you’re wondering, Stecher, Emberson, and Regula are right-hand shots. They won’t be of interest to the Penguins.
too funny, replacing Caleb Jones, a two way dman who does focus on defense, to Erik Gustaffson a dman who has never actually attempted to defend his goal in his entire hockey career ? Dubas can do better
last I checked the Bruins are rather lean down the middle. Even before Lindholm’s injury he wasn’t exactly lighting the league on fire like he did prior in Calgary. So how can the B’s give up on Zacha, still in his 20’s, without getting a young center in return? Doubt the Habs would traded Kapanen, straight up for him, so don’t see how that works out for either team.
Of all the possible centers who may be available, Zacha is near the top of my list. But I’m skeptical of this happening.
I don’t see the Bruins trading him within the division. And I don’t see them trading him at all now. They see him as a core part of their retool and hope to extend him. If they struggle and miss the playoffs again this season and Zacha doesn’t seem eager to extend next June, then maybe they’ll look to trade him. But Montreal certainly won’t be the only option.
Wonder if NYR would consider dealing Soucy to Pitt. Team has become very solid on the back end. Soucy is a pending ufa so there’s no commitment past this season financially. Pitt has the cap space and Rangers could use the extra space. Vaakanainen out day to day. NY called up Mackey and still have Robertson up. If there’s interest, I’d try and dump Soucy while he’s gained some value this season. Currently LD2
I’m not a fan of Soucy, but right now Fox, Borgen and Gavrikov are all playing great. All of their defensive metrics are top 10 in the NHL. With Soucy on that 2nd pairing, I’m not sure I’d tinker with that chemistry at the moment.
Soucy instead of Gustaffson?
Sold!!
What in the muckity muck is Dubas thinking (if Kingerski is correct in his reporting) re even considering Gustaffsson
Are you freaky deaky kidding me?
This would be the bonehead of bonehead moves
We’re rebuilding. Youth, speed, strength; development!!
Gustaffsson is mid 30’s; slower than average; poor recent stats; cast off and effectively banished by Wings
We do NOT need him by any stretch of the imagination.
I’d stick it out with Pickering and develop him
Crap, I’d bring Graves up before acquiring Gustaffsson
The ONLY way we should ever take Gustaffsson ; is for “future considerations” (meaning NOTHING); and then see what he does in WBS; MAYBE pop him up for a game if Pickering gets injured
Your offering up Soucy?
What’s your price?
Please be gentle
Clifton for Gus seems doable!
A crap swap!!
Just bury Clifton in WBS
Zacha is still under contract next year at a very cheap rate compared to all the deals being handed out now, so not sure why Boston would trade him at all this year unless it was a deal that couldn’t be turned down.
I wouldn’t trade him for just draft picks or for older roster players. I’d demand a young center and young D back in return.
Would Montreal give up 2 good prospects to make that happen? Assuming they won’t part with Hage, would they part with Beck and Reinbacher?
Beck can be part of the deal, but Reinbacher is a no go for 1 + 1/2 y of Zacha. He is still values as a top4 RHD for Montreal.
Exactly, Foley. An article that states Hughes “adores” Zacha doesn’t pass the smell test. Again, I’m not dissing Zacha, but let’s not confuse him with a top tier 2C.
Exactly, Foley. An article that states Hughes “adores” Zacha doesn’t pass the smell test. Again, I’m not dissing Zacha, but let’s not confuse him with a top tier 2C.
Still, we’re not reading any more Khadri to the Habs, at least for now.
Who the F is Beck? Then after looking; who the F is Beck?
Beck isn’t getting you Zacha, Beck and a 1st doesn’t get you Zacha. Beck is a coin toss to be an NHL player. He has the value of a 2nd RD pick.
Mentioned above by mikep, he doubts the Habs would trade Kapanen straight up for Zacha. He gets fewer minutes than Bolduc? He’s young but not a kid. Easy fellas!
If that’s the case, which I doubt it is, the Habs aren’t getting Zacha if the B’s decide to move him. Period. Which is fine, I don’t care where he goes, just the return.
If it was me I move him and speed up this rebuild, mini rebuild, whatever you want to call this. B”s get outplayed almost nightly, get on with this.
Hi LJ, you’re right Zacha isn’t a top tier 2C, he is almost exactly an average 2C, although slightly better offensively. And solid defensively. Big. Good on the dot. Kills penalties.
Hey wait second? That sure looks like a good 2C!
If Hughes decides it’s go time and likes Zacha, he’ll pay more because he will have to, or he will wait. Sorry guys but Beck? Who the F is Beck? Beck is a like a car dealer throwing in a travel mug. Mikep wouldn’t trade Kapanen for him?
Kind of a wow.
If you guys want to wait for Hage, then have at er. If not, then who? I would suggest you can do both with Zacha.
Ray: LOL!
You have a very good point about Beck, particularly as a good trade for Zacha. Beck hasn’t made the Habs as a 4th liner yet and of course Zacha is better. Think of this as a universally applicable example of trade proposals that would never get off the ground.
Anyone who reads my posts (if there is anyone) will know I keep swatting away trade proposals to land the Habs a 2C this year. From the Athletic, profiling under the radar rookies who are doing well. This is about Kapanen:
“He’s already potted four goals and seven points in 11 games, but the real substance of his game comes from his two-way smarts.
Kapanen may not have the flashiest offensive skill set, but his positioning, reads and defensive play are polished for such a young, inexperienced center. Stylistically, that safer approach has been a nice fit with Demidov’s flashier, more dynamic skill set.
Kapanen is fast enough to keep up with Demidov as a supporting offensive threat off the rush and can handle some of the dirty work to win battles and regain puck possession.”
The article says he is likely a 3C in the long run, but my overarching point is that the Habs are doing well enough right now that they will let their roster tell them IF a trade for a 2C is necessary THIS year. Even Dach is looking good now.
The other point I would re-state is that this is not the Habs’ year to be a CUP contender. They are better off making a decision on their 2C once they know what they have, and then go after a top tier 2C if they need to do so. Again, no disrespect to Zacha; McTavish would have changed this, Zacha won’t. So why give up assets that Zacha would bring, for little gain?
I guess the other thing to think about is how willing the Bs are to have Zacha help the Habs beat them. The Bs aren’t as close to the Sens in competing with the Habs for a spot, but still: The last trade between Montreal and Boston was in 2001. Need more be said?
I thought that Hutson and Caulfield were too small to be useful NHL players so there is certainly a chance I will eat Ostrich sized crow about this. But that’s how I see things.
I have been high on Zacha for a while now and have suggested trades involving two pieces in the summer.
One of those pieces is gone, Logan Mailloux.
The other piece 1st round pick , is gone in the Dobson trade.
The rationale is the same now, Boston is done and has a long rebuild ahead starting when they let, Coyle, Marchand, Carlo, Frederic, Brazeau, Ullmark, DeBrusk, and others go.
Either Zacha is moved for young assets now or see his value drop as the Bruins miss the playoffs again. The team is in limbo and while there are draft picks coming I’ll be charitable and describe Sweeney and Neely draft record as “spotty”.
Habs have young prospects that could make the Bruins lineup today and grow with them.
Reinbacher is not going, neither is Hage.
Zacha is not exactly blue chip so blue chip guys aren’t going the other way.
He’s a solid dependable guy and I’d go with Owen Beck and kid Sean Farrell.
I like these guys a lot but the Habs pipeline is full and there isn’t room for everybody.
I have to agree with Ray Bark, here. Who the F is Beck? Beck doesnt get you Zacha. And absolutely disagree Habfan30 that his value drops unless they move him now. If the Bruins are in freefall as you describe, then as it gets closer to the trade deadline his value goes up based on other teams’ needs for a 2C and their desperation to bolster for the playoffs. So if I am the Bruins, I wait. The season is still young. And as you said, habs 1st rounder is gone. So Zacha discussions start with Reinbacher. Habs not paying that? Fine, someone else will. For cripes sake look at what the Avs gave for Charlie freaking Coyle.
Here is 1 scouting report on Beck from the Summer:
June 2025 – Beck will be an NHLer for a very long time. He got into 12 NHL games this season on top of his 64 games in Laval and looked exactly how you want a 200-foot center to look. Defensively responsible, capable penalty killer, can chip in on offense, and is a good skater. Beck is a total package. He does everything well. Plus, 44 points in 64 games is nothing to scoff at against professional competition. He was 7th among U21 players in the AHL, ahead of numerous first-round picks. Beck will, barring anything unforeseen, go deep into the Canadiens’ training camp and should strongly contend for an opening-night roster slot. He may start out as the Canadiens’ fourth-line center, but will one day become either the second-line center or one of the best third-line centers in the entire NHL.
Goodwood, HF30 would not be referring to the Habs 2026 first round pick as they still have it. No they will not part with Reinbacher for Zacha.
Yes, it is in the Bs best interests to get closer to the trade deadline to up Zacha’s price. Why indeed move him now?
But not sure why you imply the Bs got a ransom for Coyle: they got Middlestad, a conditional second and a prospect named Zellers.
a) The Habs 1st rounder is not “gone”
b) Reinbacher is a projected top 4 D, not being traded.
c) Zacha value drops as the Bruins drop, clearly he isn’t a difference maker albeit a solid player.
d) Owen Beck is a winner at every level, 2-way player, strong on faceoffs. I’m on an island but watching his game for a few years he’s a Suzuki lite.
e) what did the Bruins get for Charlie freaking Coyle? A college prospect, an NHL bust and a round 2 pick playing Junior in Sweden.