NHL Rumor Mill – January 10, 2026
Check out the latest on Evgeni Malkin, Jason Robertson, Artemi Panarin, Jordan Kyrou, Blake Coleman, Jonathan Marchessault, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Joonas Korpisalo, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TEAMS INTERESTED IN EVGENI MALKIN
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently reported that some teams would love to acquire Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin, but he carries a full no-movement clause. Any attempt to move him requires his consent.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).
According to Kypreos, Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin would be among the suitors, wondering if Russian winger Kirill Kaprizov might convince Malkin to join the Wild for a playoff run.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos acknowledged that Pittsburgh is in wildcard contention and under new ownership. Penguins GM Kyle Dubas said earlier this season that he’d meet with Malkin during the Olympic break to discuss the remainder of this season. If the Penguins remain in the playoff hunt, Malkin will likely stay put.
COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS PURSUE STARS WINGER JASON ROBERTSON?
The Toronto Maple Leafs have limited assets to attempt a major trade. They used Easton Cowen as a trade chip last season in a failed attempt to acquire Brayden Schenn from the St. Louis Blues. However, Cowen’s performance this season makes it tough to part with him unless it’s for a significant return.
One idea involves the Maple Leafs making a pitch to the Dallas Stars for winger Jason Robertson. He could seek $12 million annually on his next contract, which is too expensive for the Stars. The Leafs could afford it, but the acquisition cost would be steep, involving Cowen, blueline prospect Ben Danford, and more. That could be more of an offseason move than a deadline one.
Kypreos touched on the possibility of moving Cowen and Danford in a package deal for a top-six forward or puck-moving defenseman in his latest Toronto Star column. He also suggested that Leafs forwards Bobby McMann, Nick Robertson, Nicolas Roy, Max Domi, Steven Lorentz, Scott Laughton, and defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Troy Stecher could be valuable trade commodities to stock up on futures while retooling the roster for the next two seasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is tied with Winnipeg’s Kyle Connor as this season’s highest-scoring American player (52 points). The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1.
Robertson could price himself out of Dallas, but the Stars won’t move him this season. They’re all-in for the Stanley Cup, and they need Robertson’s offense.
The Leafs could be hard-pressed to win a bidding war for Robertson this summer, but they have an advantage with his younger brother, Nick, on their roster.
UPDATE ON THE PREDATORS, RANGERS, FLAMES, BLUES, SABRES, AND JETS
The Nashville Predators are still expected to be sellers despite their recent surge in the standings. Winger Steven Stamkos’ $8 million annual cap hit makes him difficult to move. Winger Jonathan Marchessault could be a more likely trade candidate, but he has a full no-movement clause. He also didn’t rule out the possibility of goaltender Juuse Saros being part of a “bombshell deal”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but the Predators have clawed their way back into wildcard contention. They’re unlikely to sell if they’re still in contention by March 6. Stamkos, Marchessault, and Saros all have full no-movement clauses, and it’s unlikely that they’ll waive them.
Kypreos felt the New York Rangers could become sellers if sidelined goaltender Igor Shesterkin is out for a lengthy period. He mentioned pending UFA winger Artemi Panarin as the most likely trade candidate. He also suggested keeping an eye on center Vincent Trocheck.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mollie Walker of the New York Post listed Panarin and Trocheck as trade candidates if the Rangers are sellers by March 6. She also included struggling young winger Brennan Othmann, defenseman Carson Soucy, and winger Alexis Lafreniere.
Blake Coleman is currently the player most in demand on the Calgary Flames. Teams are wary of center Nazem Kadri’s age and the remaining term of his contract. Kypreos still thinks the Vegas Golden Knights are still circling on defenseman Rasmus Andersson and could attempt to acquire him before the Olympic break.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson remains the most likely to be traded because of his UFA eligibility on July 1 and his status as the top defenseman in this summer’s free agent market. Mike Gould of Daily Faceoff recently listed the Dallas Stars, Carolina Hurricanes, Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and the Golden Knights as potential destinations.
The Flames aren’t facing the same pressure to trade Coleman because he has another year left on his contract, though they could ship him out if they get a good offer.
St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou has a full no-trade clause. However, Kypreos believes there’s a sense he may be softening on waiving it to go to a contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou was the frequent subject of trade chatter until last July, when his NTC kicked in and silenced that talk. The Montreal Canadiens were reportedly interested at that time, but their current limited cap space makes it difficult for them to take on his $8.125 million AAV through 2030-31.
The Buffalo Sabres are aggressively shopping as buyers. They have some good young prospects and depth in their system to use as trade bait. Kypreos also believes they can afford to meet the salary demands of UFA-eligible winger Alex Tuch of around $10 million.
Kypreos doesn’t expect the struggling Winnipeg Jets to make a significant roster shake-up if they become sellers by the March 6 trade deadline. He anticipated they would make minor moves, such as peddling pending UFA defenseman Luke Schenn.
LATEST ON THE BRUINS
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins have been gauging the trade market for Joonas Korpisalo. However, the 31-year-old backup goaltender’s contract is a sticking point. He’s got two more years left on his deal with an AAV of $4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.
Murphy indicated that league sources believe the Bruins would have to attach a draft pick or prospect to unload Korpisalo in a deal.
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa recently examined potential trade candidates for the Boston Bruins should they become sellers by March 6.
Korpisalo fell into the “Limited Market” category. Winger Viktor Arvidsson, defenseman Mason Lohrei, center Casey Mittelstadt, and defenseman Andrew Peeke were among those in the “Let’s Make A Deal” category.
Shinzawa thinks the biggest decision is whether to move Pavel Zacha. He’s a versatile forward who can play in all situations and carries an affordable $4.75 million AAV through 2026-27.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins could be buyers or sellers by the deadline, depending on where they are in the standings. Their performance over the rest of this month could determine which direction they go.
UPDATE ON JESPERI KOTKANIEMI
THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette examined what’s gone wrong for Jesperi Kotkaniemi.
The 25-year-old Carolina Hurricanes center has been the subject of recent trade speculation. Lavalette believes he failed to establish an identity to his game. His lack of consistency resulted in head coach Rod Brind’Amour losing confidence in him.
Kotkaniemi still believes he can become a top-six forward. Another club could take him on as a reclamation project. His contract isn’t that bad, with four years remaining at an AAV of $4.82 million. There is also a market for centers right now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported Friday that there are teams interested in Kotkaniemi. The Hurricanes could seek a roster player in return, but they could settle for a return of draft picks, or a pick and a prospect, that they could use as trade bait to add a player by the trade deadline.
Kypreos loves trading guys with NMCs.
Ron, it would be great if a list of those who waived a NMC to facilitate a trade had been maintained over the years since the concept was first introduced into contracts … but alas, no such list exists.
The concept as we know it today was officially introduced and “standardized” as part of the 2005 CBA, but forms of no-trade understandings do go way back in NHL history. Daryl Sittler and his 1982 open feud with Harold Ballard is one example, as he apparently had a no-trade agreement written into his contract. He waived th at to go to Philadelphia.
Since 2005, the ones that are mentioned from time to time – to my recollection anyway – are Jacob Trouba who waived to jump from the NYR to Anaheim in 2019, and Vladimir Tarasenko who, in 2024, made it clear that he would only waive his if the Florida Panthers were the team of interest. Seth Jones, meanwhile, has openly stated he is open to waiving his, but only to what he would consider a legitimate Cup contender.
Personally, I would love to see a list of teams that a player has on his modified No Trade Contract. If a player has a 10 team No trade, those places should be listed.
As for players with full NMCs….sure, they can waive them. However, the player has full control over where they go. As it happened with Seth Jones last year, he would only waive to go there.
Different players have different reasons for deciding to go and to where. In some cases, it’s to play closer to home (maybe for younger players or for an aging player that has already won a Cup). I would expect others would only be willing to pull up roots to join a legitimate Cup contender (if they have never won or at the end of their career and want to go out on top). Maybe a move might be to play in a warm climate. Plenty of players are lured to the idea of getting off the ice after practice or a game and be at the beach in 30min. The one last reason to move to a certain place may be the tax situation. Asking to move to a state with no state tax (Texas, Florida etc).
Korpisalo has a salary of $3M as Ottawa carries the other $1M to not play for them.
Make it up Murphy is such a crap reporter all he had to do was check Puck Pedia to get Korpisalo’s contract right.
dont understand the love for Kotkaniemi. All because he had a good 10 game start for the Habs? And to think the Canes owner (convinced by his GM) went to war with the Habs over him (though it was his “retaliation” for the Habs making the offer sheet to Aho)
Should never have been drafted that high in 2018. Maybe in the teens or lower 20’s. Canes should cut bait if they can.
Andersson, Coleman and a 2nd for Roberson and Lundkvist.
But as Lyle said, Dallas keeping Robertson for a cup run is more likely.
I actually like this too…I think that both of those Flames players are on Jim Nill’s radar and are high on the list of players he would go after. He didn’t win GM of the year 3 years in a row for nothing…I think you might see those two on the Stars before March 6th and Robertson still in a Stars uniform. He’s pretty amazing.
Starsfan yeah many in Calgary think Stars & Flames are pretty aligned for at least one trade. I could see Conroy seriously look at a deal like that, he is under pressure to get this rebiggle turned around quick for the new building in 2-3 years. Wonder of Robertson would be interested in extending with the Flames would be the big question although we have time & if he doesnt we can probably recoup assets on a trade this summer if needed. If he likes Anaheim I could see Flames flipping Robertson out for McTavish. Certainly an interesting possibility & I dont think that trade before the TDL would hurt Dallas chances in the playoffs. Andersson & Coleman are some pretty nice pieces to add. Personally I would kinda lean toward getting a couple extra 1st round picks. I would be thrilled with your 2027 1st & Hemming for an extended Andersson.
Coleman would have to be a separate deal & Flames arent in any panic to move him.
Johnny Z
What does Calgary get out of this?
Robertson is a premier forward. The only way he’s traded in season, is for another top forward not a bunch of support guys and a second. Maybe Robertson for Tuch + a little more.
I’m always amused by suggestions that a Russian player (or Finn/Swede) will go to another team just because there’s a fellow countryman there. I get it for younger guys away from home for 1st time. But, Malkin is 39 and has been in Pittsburgh for his entire adult life. Maybe he’d go to another team, but it won’t be cause there’s a Russian kid who’s 12 years younger than him and really has no more connection to him than numerous teammates over last 20 years. Also amused by the real housewives type stories coming out of Ottawa. Probably garbage but my desire for Tkachuk coming to NY fuels my hope there’s a shakeup coming.
I don’t think minny has the assets to get Malkin. He would immediately become the best center available on the trade market. And with pens currently competing they would want a player and a pick or prospect. Nup. Not happening.
Minny can afford a 4th for Malkin
Boston should play both sides of the fence,as buyers and sellers. Even if they make it out of that cluster and make the playoffs,how far are they going to go? Those players above should definitively be moved for players or draft picks. Sweeney did well last year trading,please let someone else draft for him. The problem in Boston is that ownership cares more about counting Pennie’s and Sweeney having been given only a 2 year contract last year might be angling to be a buyer to try to make the playoffs satisfying ownership.
I have a soft spot for Geno…I want him to retire as a Penguin..even considering he has lost a step or two.
If I was Dubas..
It would have to be #71’s choice, he has looked snd played really well so far this year minus the time missed due to injury.
On the business side probably get a good return 2nd and top prospect or two!!
If any team gives up anything more than a LATE round draft pick or a totally failed prospect their GM should be fired
Winnipeg needs to tank and get a lottery pick and trade hellebuyck while the demand is for goalies is high. I see a fit in Buffalo for luukkonen, byrom and McLeod.
The only way Tuch stays in Buffalo, is if he lowers his price. I think they are Ok with the term, but anything above $10M per season is too rich.
Not sure how many real assets the Leafs have left on the farm. This list of legitimate youngsters is getting real short. We should have kept Marner.