NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the latest on Canucks forwards Kiefer Sherwood and Jake DeBrusk, plus an update on the trade rumors swirling about Oilers winger Andrew Mangiapane.
THE LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma and Patrick Johnston are skeptical that the Vancouver Canucks will re-sign Kiefer Sherwood.
Both pundits took note of Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s report on Saturday about the Canucks making another contract offer to the Sherwood camp. The 30-year-old winger is on pace for a career-best season. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.
Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (NHL Images).
Kuzma stated the prospect of the Canucks re-signing Sherwood is “highly unlikely,” claiming there’s not much appetite on their part to triple his $1.5 million salary. He also suggested that Sherwood could fetch a good return for the rebuilding Canucks, pointing to the Dallas Stars and Boston Bruins as possible suitors.
Johnson didn’t rule out the possibility of the Canucks re-signing Sherwood. However, he doesn’t consider it likely after checking with his sources. Like Kuzma, he believes Sherwood will have more value to the Canucks as a trade chip.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks set in motion their rebuilding plans when they traded Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild last month. That made it all but certain that Sherwood will be moved before the March 6 trade deadline.
SPORTSNET: Michael Amato believes a playoff contender should attempt to acquire Jake DeBrusk from the Canucks.
DeBrusk is struggling in his second season in Vancouver, but the 29-year-old winger’s playoff experience would make him a good middle-six option for a contender seeking scoring depth. He also carries a reasonable annual average value of $5.5 million over the next five seasons.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk has a full no-movement clause until 2027, but he might waive it for an opportunity to go to a contender. He hasn’t surfaced in the rumor mill yet, but the Canucks might be willing to listen to offers, especially if it involves young NHL players or high draft picks.
NO DEAL YET FOR ANDREW MANGIAPANE
EDMONTON JOURNAL: NHL insider Frank Seravalli told Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer that he felt the Oilers aren’t close to getting a trade done for Andrew Mangiapane.
Seravalli believes the Oilers have been in contact with a couple of teams. He thinks the second year of Mangiapane’s contract is a detriment, but they’re trying to work through that.
Mangiapane carries an AAV of $3.6 million on a two-year contract. He also has a full no-trade clause this season, but is reportedly willing to waive it to join a club where he’ll get more playing time.
Seravalli felt the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils are two clubs that need scoring depth. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said Saturday that the Anaheim Ducks had been poking around a bit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Journal’s David Staples believes it could take several weeks to get a trade worked out for Mangiapane. He wondered if there could be a swap with the Ducks for center Ryan Strome if the Ducks were willing to retain half of his $5 million cap hit through 2026-27.
I proposed the same thing last week, but that was spitballing on my part. If it were that simple, it would’ve been done by now.
Why would the Winnipeg Jets struggling as they are right now be a fit for a minor league player or bottom six like Magiapane..blows my mind..,if they lose the next few games they should be looking to trade player for draft picks or legitimate prospects
Don O Ray, agree totally. 11 points b/o the last WC slot with 8 teams to climb over to get there, they are fast approaching toss-in-the-towel time as they prepare to play their 41st half-way game tonight with Vegas in town, followed by Edmonton on Jan 8 and L.A. the next night, with NJ in town on the 11th.
All home games, yes, but they’re no better than .500 at home after 18 games and Mangiapane isn’t going to make much difference in turning that around.
Cheveldayov needs to discard his noted ultra-conservative approach and make some bigger, bolder moves. And the sooner the better.
Boston should be careful of what they give up for Sherwood.At 30 years old the risk is to obvious. They should be sellers not buyers.They have pieces that they can trade without affecting their corps players.
Sr
They should avoid him. Not worth what he will sign for or what assets they will have to deport with
By no means should Boston be sellers lol they are 8 points out of first place in the division. Are they contenders?nope but far from bottom barrel. They aren’t shipping guys out unless they are adding top 6 f and or a top 4 d.
And that’s with 2 games in hand on Detroit, Paul.
But that’s the problem up and down the East – everybody’s within 1 to 6 points back of someone – lol – no one’s out of it, and in such a close race no one wants to do anything that can be construed as “upsetting team chemistry.”
Caution is rampant up and down the entire Conference and so it will be injuries … and how to compensate for the worst (key) ones – that will be the motivator in any trade. And even there, few will seek to deal within the Conference, choosing instead to work with those Western teams in – or soon approaching (hello Winnipeg) – re-builds of various magnitude. At least where NM and No-Go lists don’t get in the way.
Paul you answered my request perfectly. Are they Stanley Cup Contenders? NO! What is the sense being a wild card team and getting swept in the first round! If Swayman goes down it s over.Keep playing young guys and build from within.Look to move guys like Middlestadt,Peeke,Ardvisson,Korpisalo.