NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2025
The holiday roster freeze is in effect until 12:01 am ET on Dec. 28. However, the NHL Rumor Mill churns on. Check out the latest on the Sabres and Blues.
SPORTSNET: Michael Amato looked at the most important issues that Jarmo Kekalainen must resolve as the new general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. Kekalainen took over the role after Kevyn Adams was fired on Monday.
Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)
Alex Tuch’s contract situation tops the list. The 29-year-old winger is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July, and the Sabres can’t afford to lose him for nothing if the two sides fail to agree to a contract extension. That means he could become available by the March 6 trade deadline.
It’s rumored that the Tuch camp seeks a long-term contract worth slightly more than the $10.625 million average annual value that winger Adrian Kempe will earn with the Los Angeles Kings starting next season.
SPETOR’S NOTE: Amato speculated that the Sabres might have to overpay to keep Tuch. He believes they afford the optics of moving on from another talented player, especially one who’s a native Western New Yorker.
However, Kempe plays a more valuable role with the Kings as their leading scorer, which is why he got that expensive long-term deal. Tuch doesn’t play the same role with the Sabres.
Amato also believes they must sort out their current three-goalie system. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stats aren’t as good as they were last season, Alex Lyon is a veteran stopgap who can’t handle a starter’s workload, and Colten Ellis appears to have some upside.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres had to bring in Ellis when Luukkonen was sidelined earlier this season. All three goalies must clear waivers before being sent to their AHL affiliate. Given the limited goaltending depth in the trade market, they don’t want to risk losing one of them to waivers.
The Sabres could prefer retaining Ellis, making Luukkonen or Lyon potential trade chips. Amato wondered if the Kings would view Lyon as a short-term replacement for sidelined starter Darcy Kuemper. He also wondered if the Montreal Canadiens would be interested in Luukkonen if young Jacob Fowler can’t solve their goaltending woes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings picked up a 2026 second-round pick when they traded center Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday before the holiday roster freeze went into effect. They could use that pick as trade bait for a goalie.
The Canadiens’ addition of Danault suggests that they’re not yet ready to go goalie shopping. However, that might change if starter Sam Montembeault continues to struggle and if Fowler and Jakub Dobes can’t hold the fort.
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Chris Johnston examined which big-name players on the St. Louis Blues could become trade candidates. Here’s a look at those considered the most likely:
Goaltender Jordan Binnington is one possibility. He’s got a year left on his contract and could be moved if they’re out of contention in the New Year. The Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings were mentioned as possible suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington has an annual cap hit of $6 million and a 14-team no-trade list. The Canadiens and Red Wings could be on it. Both teams seem willing to stick with their current goaltenders, though that could change if they struggle in the coming weeks.
Defenseman Justin Faulk’s stock is currently high, making him a likely trade candidate. His $6.5 million cap hit through next season is manageable for contending teams. The Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Utah Mammoth might be interested.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Faulk’s cap hit is manageable if you’ve got the cap room. The Panthers and Maple Leafs do not, meaning it would have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out scenario, or freeing up cap space via separate cost-cutting trades.
The Mammoth are a more likely option, provided they’re not on Faulk’s 15-team no-trade list. They currently have over $8 million in cap space and a projected $23 million at the trade deadline.
Center Brayden Schenn has frequently come up in trade rumors since last season. His full no-trade clause changed to a 15-team no-trade list this season, but it’s expected the Blues would treat their captain with the respect he deserves. The lack of quality centers in the trade market makes him a tempting target, but there might not be as much interest as there was a year ago.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week, Blues GM Doug Armstrong said he would want full value if he trades his notable players. Instead of draft picks, he wants a young NHL player who can contribute immediately.
Toronto and Florida sure aren’t the only teams that, if making a deal to bring in a player or players of any cap significance, would need to send out a player or players of almost equal cap cost. Virtually half the league is in that situation right now.
George what do you think of Ottawa bringing in E Kane? Sherwood would be nice but the price for Kane will be less. He’s on an expiring contract and there is enough leadership on the team to keep him in check. An effective power forward when he is focused on playing hockey.
Fergy22, bringing in Kane and his $5,125,000 cap hit presents a couple of road-blocks. First of all is his 10-team approved trade list, which I somehow doubt Ottawa is on. Then there’s the cap issue – right now Ottawa is sown at Puckpedia with current cap space of just $3,701,931 and projected space of $2,275,145.
Who do they send the other way to make the dollars fit … and would Vancouver want what they’d be willing to send – assuming Kane would OK a move to Ottawa?
Sherwood and his $1,5 mil per cap hit could be accommodated … but again, what would the Canucks want in return.
In either case, a “Robbing Peter To Pay Paul” scenario is not the way to go (weakening yourself at one position to strengthen another).
I’ve posted recently that dealing Yakemchuk could be considered for the right return, but I wouldn’t give him up for either Kane or Sherwood. I might have for Marchment .. but that ship has sailed to Columbus.
Wow. Kane is in his 17 season and could hit 1000 games played by seasons end. He doesn’t need veteran leadership to keep him in check. That said, why would he be a better choice with 3.6 mil higher cap hit than Sherwood and half the production?
The price for Sherwood will be a first. If they had a 1st I would not ship it unless he agreed to an extension. Yakemchuck could be in play if Ottawa thinks Hensler has the better future. Again this is a non starter without an extension.
Zetterlund would go the other way for Kane to make $ work. Zetterlund has had some good games, he works hard but just not a good enough finisher. Tkachuk, Stutzle, Kane would be a pita to play against.
Blues treating their captains with respect….hahaha… tell that to David Backes and Petrangelo for that matter.
Sabres need to move on from some of the players the previous GM considered valuable. Lyon has been their best keeper so far this season.
NYR have a backup goalie in last year of his contract. Quick He’s very happy in NY, and NY is very happy with him. But. He had a bounce back year last season and his current stat line (8 gp/ 1.88GAA/ 0.932 sv%) might draw some interest down the road. 20 team ntc. Long shot.