NHL Rumor Mill – January 30, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest speculation on the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin and the Predators’ Ryan O’Reilly, plus the most likely trade candidates for the Maple Leafs.
THE LATEST ON ARTEMI PANARIN
THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano reported Wednesday on potential trade destinations for Artemi Panarin. The 34-year-old winger has been held out of the New York Rangers lineup for “roster management purposes” as efforts are ongoing to trade him. Reports indicated the UFA-eligible winger wants a contract extension before agreeing to waive his no-movement clause.
New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).
Based on his sources, Mercogliano believes Panarin prefers to remain in the Eastern Conference. The Florida Panthers and Washington Capitals have been mentioned as possible destinations.
The Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars could be possibilities if Panarin is traded as a rental player. There’s been talk linking him to the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings. Mercogliano believes the Ducks would be the better destination, given their position in the standings and Panarin’s ties to head coach Joel Quenneville from their days with the Chicago Blackhawks.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Panarin’s agent, Paul Theofanous, has the Rangers’ approval to speak directly with other clubs. The Capitals are believed to be interested in the playmaking winger and could be open to an extension.
The Panarin camp has reached out to all three California teams. However, the Ducks are out right now because an extension doesn’t work for them. The Sharks have had a discussion with the Rangers, but LeBrun isn’t sure how seriously they are taking it. Meanwhile, it doesn’t seem as though the Kings are pushing very hard.
LeBrun indicated that the Carolina Hurricanes have discussed acquiring Panarin, but it’s uncertain whether team owner Tom Dundon will approve spending money on an extension.
The Florida Panthers could be Panarin’s destination of choice, but it would be difficult given their salary-cap constraints.
Darren Dreger believes the Stars could be among the suitors for Panarin, but would only be interested in acquiring him as a playoff rental.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker pointed out that Panarin’s $11.64 million cap hit is a sticking point in efforts to move him. Even if the Rangers retained the league maximum of 50 percent, salary would have to be moved to make the dollars fit.
The Sharks and Kings have their 2026 first-round picks to offer. The Sharks also have enticing young players and prospects who the Rangers could pursue, especially at center.
ESPN: Kevin Weekes reports the Ducks, Kings, Sharks, Stars, Utah Mammoth, Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, Hurricanes, Capitals, Tampa Bay Lightning, and the New York Islanders have expressed interest in Panarin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lots of speculation thus far, but nothing yet to indicate which of these clubs could be front-runners.
The Sharks have the young assets that would entice the Rangers, but there might have to be some salary retention or some salary heading to New York to make this work cap-wise.
The Ducks have lots of cap space to take on Panarin for this season, but they’ve got some young stars who will need new contracts within the next couple of years. The Hurricanes have lots of cap room, but Panarin’s age and the cost of re-signing him could be concerns.
The Mammoth have the cap space and plenty of draft picks, prospects, and young players to draw on, but they might not be on Panarin’s list of destinations. He also doesn’t seem like a fit within their long-term plans.
It’s well-known that the Kraken are seeking a dynamic offensive star. If Panarin were four years younger, this might make sense. They probably aren’t on his list of landing spots.
The Capitals have the cap room, and they have some tradeable assets. However, they’re also struggling to stay in the wild-card chase. As for the Wild, their preference is for a center.
Any interest from the Leafs may have come before their recent slide sent them tumbling in the standings. They’re sellers now, and even if they were buyers, they can’t afford his cap hit or the Rangers’ asking price.
The Stars and Avalanche are out if Panarin remains insistent on a contract extension. Trading him to the Islanders would be a bold move, but it’s not one the Rangers will likely do.
The Lightning would be an interesting move, but they would have to free up considerable cap space to make it work, and they’re probably unwilling to sign him to an extension.
PREDATORS COULD BE WILLING TO MOVE RYAN O’REILLY
TSN: Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz is keeping his trade options open as his club seems poised to miss the playoffs for the third time in four years.
That could include trading Ryan O’Reilly. The 34-year-old center lacks no-trade protection and has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.5 million.
Trotz indicated that he’s willing to listen to all trade offers, but he hasn’t received one yet that would convince him to discuss it with O’Reilly.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been reported that the Predators are treating O’Reilly as though he has a no-trade clause. If Trotz gets an enticing offer, he’ll discuss it with O’Reilly first.
We’ve been down this road before regarding O’Reilly, and nothing’s come of it. We can’t rule out the possibility that he gets traded before March 6, but it’s not a certainty.
WHICH MAPLE LEAFS COULD BECOME TRADE CANDIDATES?
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes UFA-eligible winger Bobby McMann would fetch the best return for the Maple Leafs if they become sellers at the March 6 trade deadline. Koshan recently suggested the Leafs re-sign the 29-year-old McMann, but now believes it would be worthwhile moving him if he brings in an asset or two.
Koshan also believes the Leafs should peddle Scott Laughton, Calle Jarnkrok, and Troy Stecher. Like McMann, they’re eligible for UFA status on July 1. He also advocated that they shop defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Brandon Carlo. Ekman-Larsson has a 16-team no-trade list, while Carlo has an eight-team no-trade list. Both of them could help replenish the Leafs’ draft cupboard.
In my fantasy world adding both McMann and O’Reilly on the Oilers would be amazing.
But reality is that they have few assets they can move, fewer still that are enticing, and next to no cap.
Panarin is going to be interesting. What are his goals, chase a cup or get an extension with the trade. Go somewhere where is a cog in a larger engine or be the top guys?
In we are talking fantasy world Panarin would be a tremendous fit on the Oilers to play with Leon,
They have $12mill in cap space with almost all the team signed, you could make it a 6 year deal to bring down the cap hit.
What they would give up??? Savoie or Howard, 2027 1st, 2028 2nd??
If leafs buy at deadline then they should fire management
They need to try and stick cupboard it is bare
I know that sky seems to be falling on the Leafs but it needs to be understood, they are not trading Matthews or Nylander, they don’t have the stones and you will never win those deals. This is a re tool similar to what the Bruins did. Deal McMann and Laughton if they want to resign in the summer- look at it then. Deal OEL – value will never be higher. Deal Stolarz- if there is interest. Deal Nic Roy…
I do believe 1st and 2nds can be acquired but I would rather take AHL or KHL players that are potentially NHL ready…
Rielly is a must go in the summer.
Change the coach and reset.
Dealing 34 and 88 is pie in the sky- this franchise has not made a Franchise altering deal since the Sundin deal…
I am only dealing Carlo is value is good- new coach may be able to re tool this D… I would still entertain Hamilton if cap was retained and you could move a stolarz and or Joshua in the deal..
Friedman mentioned Rob Thomas last night- of any combo of a Cowan Danford and and acquired picks could be moved for Robert thomas i would do that all day
Who on this list is bringing a 1st?
OEL can get you a first – no doubt at all, we cant always dimish the leafs players values bc they are leafs. He is easily a top 3-4 D on may teams – low cap and playing great. He can play LD and RD. Thats a 1st all day for a contender.
Issue is the 1st is back end of a draft and 3 years away…look at some of the prospect pools and choose from there. Detroit it loaded with guys like Genborg, Nygard and Buchelnikov Danielson etc. picks are great but they shouldnt be prime targets. Then instal a coach who isnt hell bent on playing low ceiling vets and see what you have..Thats why Minten never got a shot
In addition to Leafs giving up a 1st (and Minten ) for Carlo and a 1st for Laughton.
The Sharks got a 1st for Jake Walman who they were paid to take from Detroit months earlier
Mikael Granlund and Cody ceci got the sharks a 1st and 4th from Dallas
Yanni Gourde and Bjorjstrand got Seattle 2 first rounders….!
1st are over rated unless you are pick in the top 10-15..
At best I can see a conditional 1st where the team has to make the finals and he has to play so many games. But gms get stupid this time of year so maybe. And the nobody diminishes leafs players values because they are the leafs. That’s grade a bologna.
But what if the Leafs find themselves in the same situation with Matthews that the Canucks did with Hughes, Sam? A great player who won’t commit to resigning?
The Leafs lost Marner for nothing; I appreciate that Marner’s NMC and the imminent birth of a child complicated the Leafs ability to trade him, but the Leafs are in free fall with few draft choices in the next two years, fewer prospects and what can only be described as a bleak future.
How would trading Matthews for picks or prospects make their situation worse?
I hear you LJ-reality is if Matthews says he wants to go- then go ahead. What i heard from friedman and Chris Johnston was is he has no interest in leaving. You arent trading a 13.25 million a year player at the deadline either way so would be an off season deal if at all.
It would make them worse for sure. They are a year removed from winning the division and then lost one player to free agency- if they were in the west they would be 2 points out of a playoff spot.
They may never sniff a player like Matthews or Nylander for that matter ever again. So why move off them for hope. Reference the Quinn Hughes deal.. Canucks still lost despite getting a haul.
Now if 34 or 88 want to go- then you make the best deal possible but 1 year removed from a 100 point season, I am more in favour of a little reset, change the coach and see where the chips fall.
Chrism- it is absolutely real- every leaf hater will tell you the roster is useless lol…and so will many writers…we agree to disagree
Not sure Ducks would be out due to young guys needing new deals in a few years. How long of an extension does anyone think Panarin will get? Hes 35 at start of next season. Ducks also have plenty of other older guys who will be ufa this offseason and next.
Still don’t understand why Penguins aren’t mentioned. EC is wide open and their 7th best winning percentage. 6 points behind Carolina. Haven’t seen any indication they’re sellers. What’s their plan in Crosbys final years? Adding Panarin to their core would give them 2-3 shots at being contenders.
Panarin is a tricky add but I think he will ask for 3 x 10 at a min. For a team with cap room – might be worth risk- especially if he wont waive as a rental.. that price will really go down. As a homer leaf fan I would take him at that price if the trade chips were minimal…
Again. Pens arnt mentioned cause they are threading the needle between retool and contending. Would they like panarin? Sure! Will they give up top prospects and 1st rounders for him? Almost certainly not. So unless rangers accept 2nd rounders and b prospects he isn’t a match for the pens.
Slick, 100% agree on the Ducks.
Carlson , Gautier and Mintyukov are their only RFAs that need to be re-signed this year.
Sennecke still has 2.5 years left of his elc.
Lacolmbe and Mctavish are locked in .
Trouba and Gudas come off the books this year.
Kreider , Strome and Killorn come off the following year.
This offseason they have 40 million in cap space. The following year the cap projected to be 113.5 million.
I honestly can’t think of a team in a better position to do it pretty much whatever they want. They have a ton of young talent to build around and an awful lot of cap space to play with in the next two years.
Giving Panarin a 3 year 10 per deal wouldn’t hurt this team at all.
Good article by yohe in the athletic about the pens deadline. All 4 lines have chemistry and upsetting that chemistry probably doesn’t make sense. Unless the stars feel they need to move Robertson now. I’d offer them rakell a 1st brunicke and mcgroarty. See if they bite. But he points out that’s more of an offseason move for Dallas if they trade him. Personally I’d maybe look at bleuger from the nucks. Cheaper acquisition good depth. Keep mantha as an own rental.
Defense he said shoring up rd would be beneficial and I agree. Tanger or Erik go down im not liking Clifton as a top 4. Anybody got a decent middle pair rd up for rental? Pens are set in goal. Skinner is playing excellent and silovs is playing decent. I’d say good… but you have to stop at least some shootout goals. Guess that won’t be an issue in the playoffs though.
I can see how that deal works for the Pens, but can’t see why Dallas would do it.
Dallas is in win now mode. They’re not dealing Robertson for an aging Rackell and two prospects hovering around mid grade.
So you feel by the above comments Rackell has more value than Panarin?
Leafs put up the sign. “Everything must go” sale event.
Matthews and 2 6th rd picks
For
Trocheck Lafreniere Schneider Berard and a 2nd