NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2026
Are the Wild planning another big trade? What’s the biggest need for the Red Wings? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith believe Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin isn’t done making moves following last month’s blockbuster acquisition of Quinn Hughes.
Russo and Smith believe Guerin wouldn’t have given up four huge pieces (Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, 2026 first-round pick) for Hughes if the Wild weren’t trying to win right now.
Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin (NHL Images).
They believe Guerin will take another big swing in the trade market, “probably for a center”, drawing on their draft picks and prospects as bait. The Wild also has an estimated $12.9 million in trade-deadline cap space.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild haven’t won a playoff round since 2015. The furthest they ever went in the playoffs was the Western Conference Final in 2003. Their current roster has the potential to become a Stanley Cup contender for the next few years, making this an opportune time to bolster their depth accordingly.
Finding a good center won’t be easy in the current trade market.
Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames, Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues, and Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators are the most notable centers mentioned in trade rumors this season.
However, the Flames insist they’re not interested in moving Kadri, the decline in Schenn’s performance this season could make him less enticing than he was last season, and O’Reilly’s reported unwillingness to be traded could force Guerin to shop around.
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman believes the Detroit Red Wings must bolster their defense before the March 6 trade deadline.
They have a strong first pairing with Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. Meanwhile, Ben Chiarot has played well this season on the second pairing along with rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka.
However, Sandin-Pellikka has been playing somewhat sheltered minutes. He might not be up to the task of being a second-pairing defenseman in postseason action when the play becomes more physical.
Bultman suggested adding an experienced No. 4 or 5 defenseman before the deadline. Possibilities could include Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues, Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Brett Kulak of the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Rasmus Anderson of the Calgary Flames is the biggest name for defensemen in the trade market. However, the Red Wings aren’t likely to get into a bidding war for an expensive postseason rental player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are currently flying high in the standings, sitting first in the Eastern Conference. GM Steve Yzerman isn’t under any pressure right now to make a move, but he could go shopping for a blueliner by the deadline.
Yzerman caught flak from Detroit fans, pundits, and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin for his inactivity at last season’s trade deadline. It’s doubtful he’ll sit on his hands this season.
A minus in goal differential at this stage of a season is usually an indication that a team needs a shoring up in either D or G – possibly both in the extreme cases.
Out West, 11 of the 16 teams are reflecting a minus plus one Even, ranging from Edmonton’s -1 to a ridiculous -42 for St. Louis. In the East, 6 are in the minus category, with 3 Even, ranging from the NYI’s -1 to a -13 for Columbus.
Detroit, although sitting 1st overall, are one of the 6 with a -4 at just over half the season, and that can eventually catch up as the season progresses and teams begin to really focus on their overall D structure. So Max Bultman, who “believes the Detroit Red Wings must bolster their defense before the March 6 trade deadline” has likely hit the nail on the head there.
How the teams compare in terms of +/-
EAST
those on the plus side
Tampa +28
Washington +15
Carolina +13
Philadelphia +5
Buffalo & Florida +3 each
Ottawa +2
those Even
Montreal, Pittsburgh, Toronto
those on the minus side
Columbus -13
New Jersey -11
NYR -7
Detroit & Boston -4 each
NYI -1
WEST
those on the plus side
Colorado +71
Dallas +30
Minnesota +21
Utah +8
those Even
Vegas
those on the minus side
St. Louis -42
Vancouver -24
Nashville -19
Chicago -18
San Jose -15
Seattle -13
Winnipeg & Calgary -9 each
L.A. -5
Anaheim -4
Edmonton -1
I know 1 player Guerin won’t be looking to add: Adam Fox!
George, Rangers goal differential is totally due to lack of scoring. They’re Galway to setting record for being shutout.
If he needs centers, maybe Guerrin should look at 2 guys he put on the Olympic squad that didn’t earn it this year: JT Miller and Trocheck.
Let’s make a deal!!