NHL Rumor Mill – November 7, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup: we have updates on Flames center Nazem Kadri and Predators forward Steven Stamkos, plus the latest on the Mammoth and Devils.
THE FLAMES AREN’T INTERESTED IN MOVING NAZEM KADRI
TSN: Darren Dreger reports Calgary Flames ownership is telling people that they’re not interested in trading Nazem Kadri.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
The 35-year-old center has been the focus of trade speculation since the summer. He’s signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million. Multiple teams are seeking a second-line center who covets Kadri’s experience. However, he loves living in Calgary and wants to help the Flames win.
Dreger admits that things could change between now and the March 6 trade deadline. For now, the position of ownership is that Kadri is unavailable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The struggling Flames aren’t giving up on the season. Ownership’s unwillingness to move Kadri could put a damper on the media speculation for now. However, he’ll continue to be a trade target if the Flames remain mired near the bottom of the standings, especially if they’re still in that position when the calendar flips to January.
THE LATEST ON STEVEN STAMKOS
TSN: Pierre LeBrun considers the recent trade chatter swirling around Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos to be premature. He indicated that there haven’t been any conversations between management and the player, or the Predators, with other teams, about a trade.
However, LeBrun thinks the Predators could field calls about Stamkos if they’re out of the playoff hunt by the March trade deadline. However, the 35-year-old forward has a full no-movement clause. He would have a short list of acceptable destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos’s age, movement clause, declining production, and his $8 million annual cap hit through 2027-28 will make him difficult to move during the season. This could be a deal that takes place during the offseason.
THE MAMMOTH COULD BE AGGRESSIVE BUYERS
TSN: Chris Johnston thinks the Utah Mammoth will be “extremely aggressive” as buyers by the March trade deadline. They’ve made no secret of their intent to reach the playoffs this season. Johnston points out they have plenty of trade capital in draft picks, prospects, and in salary-cap space if they wish to pursue high-ticket players, such as a top-four defenseman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The patient rebuilding strategy of Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong is paying dividends this season. Even if they have a firm grip on a postseason berth by March, Armstrong could use his cap space and trade capital to bolster his roster for a deep playoff run.
COULD THE DEVILS PURSUE A DEFENSEMAN?
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently expressed concern over the blueline depth of the Devils. He speculated that an early-season trade might be necessary if things don’t improve soon.
The Devils are missing sidelined defenseman Brett Pesce, who was recently placed on injured reserve. They’re also waiting for Johnathan Kovacevic to return from offseason knee surgery. Simon Nemec has been inconsistent, and Jonas Siegenthaler hasn’t had a strong start to this season.
Nichols believes that the Devils need another defensive-minded blueliner. He suggested Nick Perbix of the Nashville Predators, Vincent Desharnais of the San Jose Sharks, and Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins are potential trade targets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils also lost Dougie Hamilton in their 4-3 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday. That might prompt management to seek help if he’s out for a long time.
If Hamilton isn’t out for a lengthy period, the Devils might be willing to remain patient and wait for their sidelined blueliners to return. They’re currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings, so there is no urgency to address their defense issues right now. However, that could change if those absences start adversely affecting their performance.
Devils can’t really make a trade right now for a player on a 1-way nhl contract. they are in the overage, due to LTIR. If/when Kovasevic returns (probably January) then they will need to free up almost $3M in cap space to activate him.
A lot of Devils fans want to get rid of Palat and his $6.5M AAV because of his lack of offense but easier said than done, unless the Devils add in a #1 pick in a salary dump. Don’t see that happening.
so they’ll just rely on their defense depth in Utica (Seamus Casey, Ethan Edwards) for now. They undefeated at home so it’s not a time to panic
Pretty sure Daneyko would suit up to help out his old club. Slow footed but he is a defensive defenseman
Othman to the Mammoth for picks?
I kind of feel Othmann is stuck between what he wants to be (top 6 wing) and what Sullivan wants him to be (defensive bottom 6 checker).
They send him to the AHL to play top line minutes and PP. They call him up to NHL to check and play with grinders.
I saw a quote by a former NHLer earlier this year that having projected 3rd line guys playing top line scenarios & PP in the AHL doesn’t help their development to actually become good 3rd liners in the pros. His said the style of play, responsibilities, and game scenarios of an AHL 1st liner and NHL 3rd liner are very different. Practicing for one doesn’t prepare you for the other. If you want a player to develop as a 3rd liner, that’s where you play him and develop him in AHL. It was unrelated to Othmann, but was an interesting take that has some logic to it.
Either way, Othmann probably does need a change of scenery at this point, but his value is so low right now not sure what the Rangers would even get. If it’s 4th round or later, you probably just keep him in the AHL for now.
Not related to above rumours but I wonder how drury feels about letting krieder and trouba go lol
As I noted yesterday, he’s probably totally fine.
He got JT, Gavrikov, and extended Igor for 8 years.
He couldn’t have done all that under the salary cap if he kept Kreider and Trouba.
Utah is on the rise, and if they do decide to deal at the TDL, they have a full cupboard or quality prospects to choose from, not just picks.
They could use a give like Zacha for a couple years if Boston ends up in a position where they decide to sell again. Win streak is now at 5, so maybe they can get in a stay in the race?
RayBark
I don’t think there is any doubt they could stay in the race; they have been difficult to play against for awhile now. They just keep getting better and utilized trades and draft picks. It’s seems to be headed in the right direction
I didn’t word my post well tommy boy, I was talking about Boston staying in the race and getting into the playoffs. 2 weeks ago I would have thought no way, 5 game winning streak is nothing to sneeze at though. Still not sold, 100%, but letting some hope creep in.
Utah is in prime position to take a jump. Young, deep, fast with some high end skill in the NHL already. They’ve got quality prospects as well. Desnoyers, Iginla, Beaudoin & But up front. Some quality D developing as well.
Will be interesting to see how they play this at the deadline.