Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 2, 2025
Check out the latest on Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, Senators center Shane Pinto, and Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
COULD THE PENGUINS MOVE MALKIN AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox believes Evgeni Malkin could be a hot commodity by the March 6 trade deadline. The 39-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins center is among the league’s leading scorers with 18 points, and is among the biggest reasons why his club is off to a surprisingly strong start.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).
Fox observed that there were rumblings that this season could be Malkin’s last. He also had a good start to last season before his production declined.
Despite the Penguins’ early-season performance, it’s unlikely they can maintain their current pace. Even Malkin could regress again. Nevertheless, he could remain in high demand at the trade deadline if he’s willing to accept a move to a contender.
Fox suggested the Florida Panthers could be a suitor for Malkin. They could be in the market by the deadline for a replacement for Aleksander Barkov, who is out for the season recovering from knee surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin was the subject of similar trade speculation during training camp and preseason. When asked about it, he said he wanted to stay in Pittsburgh, but wasn’t sure how he’d react if management asked him to waive his no-movement clause.
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas said he would meet with Malkin during the Olympic break in February to discuss his future. He won’t be going anywhere if his club remains in playoff contention, but it’ll be interesting to see how many suitors he attracts if the Penguins are out of the playoff race by the deadline.
AN UPDATE ON PINTO’S CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch wondered if Shane Pinto and the Senators are at a crossroads in their contract extension talks. The 24-year-old center’s hot start to this season has raised speculation about how much he might get on his next contract.
Pinto is in the final season of a two-year deal with a cap hit of $3.75 million. He will be eligible to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.
Senators GM Steve Staios hopes to sign Pinto to a long-term extension. Sources told Garrioch that the club offered the young forward an eight-year contract worth $52 million back in September.
That offer has an AAV of $6.5 million. However, the Pinto camp could be holding out for something between teammate Dylan Cozen’s $7.1 million AAV and Tim Stutzle’s $8.35 million. The center also has to decide if he wants to stay in Ottawa for eight years or on a shorter deal between three-to-six years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: These negotiations could drag on throughout the season. Staios could be waiting to see if Pinto can maintain his current rate of production before deciding on his next step.
COULD SHERWOOD INTEREST THE OILERS?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently cited Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer suggesting that power forward Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks would be a good fit with the Oilers.
Sherwood, 30, is in the second season of a two-year contract with an annual cap hit of $1.5 million. He had a career-best 19 goals and 40 points in 2024-25 and has nine goals in his first 12 games of this season.
Stauffer suggested the Oilers target Sherwood as a middle-six forward if the Canucks are unable to sign him to an extension. He believes the gritty winger will attract plenty of interest if he becomes available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples pointed out that this was speculation by Stauffer as the Oilers could have different ideas on which possible trade targets would fit well within their roster.
It’s too early to determine what the Canucks’ intentions are for Sherwood or other pending UFAs on their roster. Nevertheless, he could be a player worth watching once the calendar flips to 2026, especially if the Canucks are outside the playoff picture as the trade deadline approaches.
After the signing of Cooley and Necas this week it will be interesting to see how Pinto s contract negotiations go.
I would think Pinto will get at least Stuezle money…for most part he is as valuable to the Senateurs core as is Tkachuk or Stuezle
Sherwood – 19 goals and 40 points at 1.5 million… isn’t that a 4 million dollar contract in today’s NHL?
And a league-leader in hits, on pace for more goals and points this year. Could easily eclipse $4M, with the new salary rises everyone is getting.
I’ve said it a few times, I only see Malkin accepting a trade to the Panthers or the Rangers, so basically Panthers or bust. Is it worth flushing another Crosby season for a 2nd round pick?
Shane Pinto to the Habs for 7 year contract of $59.5 million.
He’d be the 2C on the team, rounding out the team and plugging the last hole and finally be appreciated for the player he is on a young SC contending team.
Sens management has never given him his due.
Sure. But there would be an acquisition cost. Which Habs players would interest the Sens while making the deal also worthwhile for the Habs?
Who knows?
The Habs signed RFA Dobson because the NYI weren’t going to pay him what he wanted. 2 1sts and Heineman was enough.
Sens have always undervalued and underpaid Pinto and he just might be in the same situation.
Pinto would look great in a Habs jersey but there is no way Ottawa is trading him to Montreal. It’s nice to dream especially because dreaming is still free … but wait Liberal budget due in a couple of days
Who knows??
Ok. Ideas are traded here and your proposal worked because it has generated some back and forth. Sort of.
I am aware that I often dismiss your ideas so I wanted to try and be more open minded – or at least not dismissive right off the hop.
But really … you well know the Sens and Habs have a hot rivalry so the chances of a trade between them is remote.
Dobson came to the Habs because the Islanders had Schaefer coming in, so a unique situation. Further, the Isles are in the same conference but no the same division as the Habs. Dobson chose the Habs (for less money) instead of Columbus as his trade destination. Finally, the Isles were content with receiving one player who could step into their line up right away.
None of these dynamics are in play with Pinto. He is an RFA with arbitration rights after this year, and IMO that means both parties can bide their time. It does allow Pinto the option of demanding a trade, but if he starts indicating that in negotiations then the Sens will make their best choice.
Given that the Sens now see themselves as a playoff team they will want roster players that will help in return for Pinto. Which is why, given the Habs are in the same situation, it is important to consider what current players the Habs would give up to acquire him. Hughes has said plugging one hole while creating another is not on. He’s right.
If we’re going to play the game of just throwing out high profile names, then I suggest the Habs acquire McDavid and your fav Necas too.
Who knows?
Kapanen, Hage, Laine for Pinto. For the Sens, Kapanen slides into the 3C spot behind Cozens and Stutzle, they get a top prospect in Hage and Laine can be an own rental or dealt at the trade deadline for a pick. For the Habs, they get the 2C they’ve been searching for (although Pinto is a right shot, and the Habs could use a left 2C behind Suzuki). Any thoughts?
I think the Sens would view this as Kapanen for Pinto, given that Hage is two years away from the NHL at least. As Pinto has more offence than Kapanen, do they see this being made up by 1/2 a season of the currently injured Laine?
I think the Sens would also want someone like Bolduc instead of Laine, someone who will make up the difference in offence right away.
From the Habs perspective: not sure they would see they are better giving up Kapanen and Bolduc for Pinto, particularly if they also have to wave goodbye to Hage.
But all this trade talk re Pinto supposes that a deal can’t be done. The Sens will have 15 million in cap space for next season. It’s now early November. Remember when there was fuss when it took some time for McTavish to sign with the Ducks?
But, props, YC, on putting together a complete trade proposal.
YC, read LJ’s post above. LJ, regarding McDavid and Necas, as I said above dreams are still free!!
LOL!
It depends on whether Pinto wants to stay in Ottawa or not and there’s a possibility that he’s tired of being jerked around to this point.
Ottawa is short on draft picks, no 1st rounder next year, Kapanen, and Laine could all step in to the Sens lineup.
Ottawa trading a 3C who wants lots of money for 3 pieces, a 1st round pick and 2 starters like Kapanen and Laine isn’t a far out suggestion.
If Ottawa sees him as a 2C they have no problem paying him $8.5/yr and there’s a slim chance of a trade.
A reminder…Noah Dobson was an RFA with arbitration rights when the NYI moved him to Montreal, the exact same situation as Pinto is in now.
What value does Laine even have? Hes pretty well out for the rest of the year & you dont just jump into game condition coming back from that kind of injury & he’s a UFA this summer who will be lucky to get a show me offer from any team. Soooo Kapanen & Hage for Pinto is more like it, getting rid of Laine just help the Habs accrue cap space up to the trade deadline.