NHL Rumor Mill – January 20, 2026
What’s the latest on Rangers forwards Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad? Could the Wild make another bold move before the March 6 trade deadline? What are the Capitals seeking in the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS
THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary recently listed five potential landing spots for Artemi Panarin.
The 34-year-old New York Rangers winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, and was informed by Rangers management that they wouldn’t be offering him a contract extension. He has a full no-movement clause this season, giving him full control over possible destinations before the March 6 trade deadline.
New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).
O’Leary suggested the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, acknowledging their limited cap space but also noting they have the assets to tempt the Rangers. The Washington Capitals could use another skilled scoring winger, but they won’t part with top prospect Cole Hutson.
The Vegas Golden Knights were O’Leary’s third choice, but he made that pick before they acquired defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames. The Los Angeles Kings have the cap space, but lack sufficient trade assets.
O’Leary suggested Panarin could be what the Carolina Hurricanes need to put them over the top as a Stanley Cup champion. They possess more cap space than the other clubs on this list, and the trade capital to make it work.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers general manager Bill Zito has made bold moves to bolster his roster. He’ll have the cap space if sidelined team captain Aleksander Barkov remains out for the entire season, including the playoffs.
The Golden Knights are always sniffing around for the best available talent and usually get it, but their acquisition of Andersson may have taken up what little trade bait they had left. As for the Kings, they could have their eye on more affordable trade options, if a recent rumor linking them to Vancouver’s Evander Kane is anything to go by.
That leaves the Hurricanes as the most likely option, provided they’re interested and if Panarin is willing to join them.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports Rangers winger Mika Zibanejad said he hasn’t been approached by management about waiving his no-movement clause. He maintained that he remains committed to the club, though Walker felt he left his intentions somewhat open-ended, saying he couldn’t say for certain what would happen in the future.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s doubtful that Zibanejad gets moved by the March 6 trade deadline. Their focus is on moving Panarin. Given he’s signed for four more years with an AAV of $8.5 million, trading him might be an offseason move if he’s open to the possibility.
THE WILD MIGHT NOT BE DONE IN THE TRADE MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith still believe that Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin isn’t done in the trade market after acquiring Quinn Hughes last month.
They believe the Wild are “a scoring winger or first-line center away from true contender status.” Guerin is in “win-now” mode and could make another big swing by dealing draft picks and prospects for a center.
Russo and Smith raised the possibility of Guerin using promising goaltender Jesper Wallstedt as trade bait. They pointed out that netminder Filip Gustavsson is under contract until 2031, reminding us that young defenseman Zeev Buium was considered untouchable before he was shipped off to the Vancouver Canucks as part of the return in the Hughes deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Moving Wallstedt would certainly be a bold choice by Guerin. It’ll depend on which first-line center or scoring winger becomes available.
That player would have to be someone who could truly turn them into Cup contenders. It’s unlikely he’d move Wallstedt for a rental player, so it’ll have to be someone with at least another year left on their contract, or a pending UFA willing to sign an extension.
CAPITALS SHOPPING FOR HELP UP FRONT
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber recently reported that Washington Capitals general manager Chris Patrick is closely watching the trade market.
Patrick said he’s “definitely actively pursuing an addition” that will likely be for his forward lines. He believes the Capitals’ biggest need is for a “higher-end skilled winger”, acknowledging that those types of players usually aren’t available by the trade deadline.
The Capitals GM prefers finding a winger who can be a good short-term addition with the potential to stick around beyond this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cue the “Artemi Panarin to the Capitals” speculation. A more affordable option could be Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames, provided they’re on his list of preferred trade destinations.
It will be interesting to see how Guerin acquires an impact player with contract using the assets he has left in his skimpy cupboard. He may have to give up a current roster player.
As the piece suggested, Jesper Wallstedt could draw plenty of interest if he’s dangled for a roster player. Maybe Guerin doesn’t do it, but as was also noted in the piece, Zeev Buium was supposed to be untouchable, until he was part of the trade package for Quinn Hughes.
Agreed. Jesper would bring a sizable return. But what if it takes more than the young goalie to make the deal? I like Quinn, but he gave up the store to get him and he’s not signed beyond next year. He may have to include a roster player to get a deal done. That’s for Guerin to decide.
I thought Barkov was possible to return for the playoffs, which is why the Panthers GM had to ensure he saved cap space. Did something change?
There sure are confusing reports re Barkov’s return to action, mikep.
Check this out from NHL.com
https://www.nhl.com/news/barkov-and-tkachuk-boost-morale-at-panthers-practice-ahead-of-2026-winter-classic
I think the cap ceiling and playoffs is the same as it was until next year? If so, I’ll go out on a limb, if Barkov returns and still a big if, and suggest he returns for the playoffs but not the regular season.
Not big on seeing conspiracies everywhere, and I am sure the timing of a players return was legit in some cases. But sure seems to be a pattern that has developed over the years.
Again, I get it, guys are returning from injury, not an exact science and you want the player to be 100% as not to risk aggravating the same injury. Just seems like you can time it how you want to and take an extra week or 2 in rehab when needed for cap reasons.
The new NHL playoff cap rule mandates that teams must have a cap-compliant 20-player roster for each playoff game, effective for the 2025/2026 playoffs, closing loopholes that previously allowed teams to exceed the regular season cap using Long-Term Injured Reserve (LTIR) to bring back expensive players after the regular season ended.
That’s why Florida hasn’t made a move yet regarding Barkov’s cap space. If they truly think he will be ready for the post season, they’ll activate and play him. If he is out for the whole post season, they can make a big acquisition.
Would Philly be willing to give up one of Zigres or Tippett for Wallstedt? They were rumored earlier as being interested in acuiring a goalie.
I think if wallstedt is dangled it would be for big game hunting which I dont think quality Zegras or Tippett. Imo.
Similar to what Florida did when they traded promising young goalie Spencer Knight to Chicago. That deal secured them the minutes eating defenseman they needed.
Still hard to figure where Panarin will end up. I don’t think he allows NYR to have the luxury of bidding war for his services, he will pick just one destination. He has earned the right to make his own choice.
My guesses are Wash, Colorado, or Carolina.
But you are right, Panarin will pick his spot which will limit the return the NYR get.
The Sharks deal shouldn’t come as a surprise. Stimulus for trades as we get nearer to the deadline has always been pretty much the same. It could be a sudden downturn mid-season in the performance of expected top contenders, whether due to injuries or deteriorating individual production, or simply an opportunity for the top teams – AND those previously cellar-dwelling teams who have improved markedly (e.g. San Jose, Buffalo, Nashville) or veteran-laden teams seeking one more kick at the can – to improve even more by going after good pending UFAs or good term players from those clearly in or approaching re-builds.
I expect we could see these 6 teams, each internally anticipating to be at least as good as, if not better, this season over last – but currently in performance funks – to soon make moves to shore up what’s ailing them (showing records over their past 10 each):
Dallas – 2-6-2 – 24 gf 34ga – minus 10
Washington – 3-6-1 29gf 34ga – minus 5
Florida – 4-5-1 19gf 42ga – minus 23
Los Angeles – 3-3-4 26gf 34ga – minus 8
Ottawa 4-4-2 34gf 39ga – minus 5
Philadelphia 3-6-1 25gf 41fa – minus 16
Average Goals Per Game (showing GP and Goals Scored) – pretty obvious which teams really need to improve their scoring
Colorado 4.0 (47gp 190)
Tampa 3.5 (47gp 166)
Carolina 3.5 (50gp 173)
Vegas 3.4 (48gp 161)
Montreal 3.4 (49gp 168)
Toronto 3.4 (49gp 165)
Boston 3.4 (49gp 164)
Dallas & Anaheim – both 3.4 (49gp 163)
Edmonton 3.4 (50gp 170)
Ottawa 3.3 (48gp 159)
Buffalo 3.3 (48gp 158)
Pittsburgh 3.3 (48gp 156)
Washington 3.3 (50gp 159)
San Jose 3.2 (48gp 152)
Minnesota 3.2 (50gp 161)
Columbus 3.1 (48gp 148)
Utah 3.1 (49gp 153)
Detroit 3.1 (50gp 157)
Florida 3.0 (48gp 146)
Winnipeg 3.0 (48gp 144)
Philadelphia 3.0 (48gp 143)
NY Islanders 3.0 (49gp 145)
Nashville 2.9 (48gp 138)
Seattle 2.8 (48gp 133)
Chicago 2.8 (49gp 135)
NY Rangers 2.7 (50gp 135)
Los Angeles 2.6 (48gp 125)
New Jersey & Vancouver 2.6 (each 49gp 129)
Calgary 2.6 (49gp 127)
St. Louis 2.5 (49gp 120)
Average Goals Per Game (showing GP and Goals Scored) – pretty obvious which teams really need to improve their scoring
Colorado 4.0 (47gp 190)
Tampa 3.5 (47gp 166)
Carolina 3.5 (50gp 173)
Vegas 3.4 (48gp 161)
Montreal 3.4 (49gp 168)
Toronto 3.4 (49gp 165)
Boston 3.4 (49gp 164)
Dallas & Anaheim – both 3.4 (49gp 163)
Edmonton 3.4 (50gp 170)
Ottawa 3.3 (48gp 159)
Buffalo 3.3 (48gp 158)
Pittsburgh 3.3 (48gp 156)
Washington 3.3 (50gp 159)
San Jose 3.2 (48gp 152)
Minnesota 3.2 (50gp 161)
Columbus 3.1 (48gp 148)
Utah 3.1 (49gp 153)
Detroit 3.1 (50gp 157)
Florida 3.0 (48gp 146)
Winnipeg 3.0 (48gp 144)
Philadelphia 3.0 (48gp 143)
NY Islanders 3.0 (49gp 145)
Nashville 2.9 (48gp 138)
Seattle 2.8 (48gp 133)
Chicago 2.8 (49gp 135)
NY Rangers 2.7 (50gp 135)
Los Angeles 2.6 (48gp 125)
New Jersey & Vancouver 2.6 (each 49gp 129)
Calgary 2.6 (49gp 127)
St. Louis 2.5 (49gp 120)
@KevJam… the Flyers have been fairly solid in goal this year, up until Vladar’s injury. I think their plan is to go with Vladar until either Bjarnason gets called up or they bring Zavragin over from the KHL, possibly next year. Zegras isn’t going anywhere, and I don’t think Tippett will be moved.
IMO Vladar ins’t a number 1 goalie, he’s a great and reliable backup, but not a consistant number 1. If the Fliers are serious about making the playoffs and going on a run they need an upgrade in net. Zavragin and Bjarnason are potencial NHL goalies, Wallstedt is showing that is an NHL goalie.
Panarin is the better player over their careers but with his lack of speed I would think some teams might come asking for Mika Zib even with the term left. His center position and PK play add more come playoff time imho.
I dont see him wanting to go
A year ago, Zibanejad’s $8.5M cap hit was starting to look like an cap issue going forward.
But the way centers are cashing in (including Wennberg getting $6M), that Zib contract is going to look like a bargain if he can remain anywhere close to a 70 point player moving forwad.