NHL Rumor Mill – December 19, 2025
The annual holiday roster freeze goes into effect at 11:59 PM ET on Dec. 19. Check out the latest rumors leading up to the freeze in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.
RYAN O’REILLY IS NOT READY YET TO CONTEMPLATE A TRADE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports that some teams with an interest in Ryan O’Reilly were informed that the 34-year-old Nashville Predators center isn’t ready to consider a trade yet.
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).
O’Reilly likes living and playing in Nashville and doesn’t want to bail on the Predators, preferring to be part of the solution. LeBrun suggested that doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen by the March 6 trade deadline, but he’s skeptical that it’ll happen at all.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Reilly lacks no-trade protection, but the Predators are treating him as though he does. If he doesn’t want to move, it appears they will respect his wishes.
MULTIPLE TEAMS INTERESTED IN KINGS CENTER PHILLIP DANAULT
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports that sources say the Los Angeles Kings are receiving numerous calls about Phillip Danault.
The 32-year-old two-way center has been struggling this season and has had his playing time reduced. His agent, Allan Walsh, recently denied a report claiming his client had requested a trade.
Nevertheless, LeBrun said the Montreal Canadiens (Danault’s former team), New Jersey Devils, and the Utah Mammoth were among “a long list of teams” that have expressed an interest. One reason is that there aren’t many centers available in the trade market.
LeBrun noted that Danault is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.5 million. He also indicated that the Kings currently aren’t sellers because they’re a perennial playoff team that intends to reach the postseason again.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings aren’t in any hurry to trade Danault, partly because good centers are difficult to find. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not willing to listen to offers. Most speculation suggests they would want a good player back in return instead of draft picks and prospects.
OILERS LINKED TO SABRES GOALTENDER ALEX LYON
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reported several sources claim the Oilers had an interest in Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon, or were interested in him before they acquired Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins last Friday.
With Jarry injured during Thursday’s game against the Boston Bruins, Staples doubted that the Oilers have enough time to land Lyon or another goalie before the holiday roster freeze takes effect.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no immediate update on Jarry’s status following last night’s game. If it’s serious, the Oilers could be stuck with backup Calvin Pickard and whoever they call up from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield until the freeze is lifted at 12:01 am ET on Dec. 28.
Lyon carries a $1.5 million cap hit, but the Oilers can’t afford it. Even if the Sabres agreed to retain up to half of it, the Oilers would have to move out some salary to take him on.
KRAKEN WINGER MASON MARCHMENT GARNERING INTEREST IN THE TRADE MARKET.
SPORTS ON PRIME: NHL insider Frank Seravalli said Seattle Kraken winger Mason Marchment has “generated real traction” in the trade market. He said teams are calling the Kraken, trying to get something done. Seravalli isn’t ruling out the possibility of the Kraken moving the 30-year-old Marchment before the holiday freeze kicks in.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the best start in franchise history, the Kraken have been in free fall in the standings with just one win in their last 11 games. Sitting seven points out of a playoff berth, they could be going into sell mode if they don’t reverse their fortunes soon.
If the Kraken are selling, it would make sense that they would peddle Marchment. A big, physical middle-six winger who tallied 22 goals in each of the last two seasons, he carries a $4.5 million cap hit and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Marchment also has plenty of recent postseason experience with the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars.
Oilers can afford Lyon if they move Jarry to LTIR right away. They also have 3 waiver eligible players on the roster if they can still waive today, I think the last day might have been yesterday for the waiver freeze though.
Lyon has been the Sabres’ best goalie this year. Hard to believe they would place the team in the hands of UPL. Move in from Ellis and keep Lyon.
Leafs were totally outplayed last night. I am surprised we have not seen more Leaf rumors.
The Oilers can have Silovis …
In one sense it’s kind of honorable how Nashville is treating O’Reilly as a person.
On the other hand, it borders on negligent for the GM to let a valuable asset just go to waste.
Teams are willing to overpay for starting centers and Nashville can probably get a good haul by trading him, especially when they are not real contenders this year.
Agreed. And if I were an upcoming free agent, I would take how they are treating him into consideration when deciding where to sign over some other places (**cough cough, NYRs…***)
Foleyd7, Trotz looks really bad here. He s allowed to be held hostage by a player who has no safety net. This and his team has assets that they can t move because of age, price, and NMC and NTC clauses.This organization is bottowing out for 2 years now. Put Nick Saban in charge.🏈🏈🏈
With 5 points in 30 games (on pace for 13 pts in 82) rapidly approaching 33 years old and another full year at 5.5 per, the kings SHOULD be in a hurry to move Danault. I get that he’s good defensively, but at 5.5? “Good center” is in his rear view mirror.
He’s a serviceable bottom 6 forward. A position that should be easy to fill for MUCH less than 5.5 per.
Why are Devils mentioned all the time as interested in acquiring players? I’m not a cap expert but, I can read on Capfriendly that they have about 450k in cap space. With Jack Hughes nearing a return, what need would they have for Denaul? Right now their main concern should be clearing cap space for Hughes, who is currently on ltir. Ditto Kovacevic.