Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – January 4, 2026
In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood and Oilers winger Andrew Mangiapane, plus a suggestion for the Hurricanes to upgrade their goaltending.
CANUCKS MAKE A NEW CONTRACT OFFER TO KIEFER SHERWOOD
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Vancouver Canucks made a new contract offer to Kiefer Sherwood. The 30-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, and he’s having a career year.
Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (NHL Images).
Friedman believes “a sizable gap” remains between the two sides. He offered no timetable for a trade if they couldn’t agree to a new contract.
Iain MacIntyre mentioned Friedman’s report and noted that Sherwood remains committed to the Canucks this season despite the lack of progress in his contract negotiations. However, MacIntyre believes Sherwood’s age, his strong case to earn between $4 million and $5 million annually on his next contract, and the Canucks’ long-term commitments to winger Brock Boeser and Conor Garland make him a difficult fit for the club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two sides could hammer out an agreement, but it sounds more likely that Sherwood will be shipped to the highest bidder before the March 6 trade deadline.
THE LATEST ON ANDREW MANGIAPANE
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman observed that the Edmonton Oilers made Andrew Mangiapane a healthy scratch for the second time in three games.
The 29-year-old winger is in the first season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.6 million. He also has a full no-trade clause this season.
Friedman believes there is interest in Mangiapane, saying he’s heard the Anaheim Ducks had been poking around. Some clubs are concerned about the second year of his contract, while others don’t consider it an issue. Friedman thinks the Oilers will find a trade partner for Mangiapane at some point.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have plenty of cap space and trade capital to bolster their roster as they push to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2018.
Last month, Friedman suggested Ducks forward Ryan Strome could be worth watching, pointing out that his playing time has been reduced, including being a healthy scratch several times. His $5 million cap hit would be pricey for the cap-strapped Oilers.
If the Ducks were to retain part of Strome’s cap hit, a swap for Mangiapane is possible. Whether that would happen is another matter.
WILL THE HURRICANES SHOP FOR A GOALTENDER?
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Justin Pelletier believes the Carolina Hurricanes should prioritize adding a goaltender after losing Pyotr Kochetkov to season-ending surgery.
Frederik Andersen remains healthy, but his injury history is a concern, and he has struggled in recent weeks. Call-up Brandon Bussi has played well, but it’s questionable if he can continue to handle the heavy workload.
The Hurricanes have the cap space to acquire a goaltender, but finding a suitable one will be challenging because there aren’t many available in the trade market. Pelletier suggested they target struggling clubs in the Western Conference. Potential targets include Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Thatcher Demko of the Vancouver Canucks, or Devin Cooley of the Calgary Flames.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pelletier acknowledged Binnington’s poor numbers this season wouldn’t make him much of an upgrade. Demko’s three-year contract extension begins in July, and it’s doubtful the Canucks will move him unless he requests a trade. Cooley isn’t going anywhere after signing a two-year extension last week.
Freddie Anderson’s 20 team no trade list (reduces to 5 team no trade list Feb 23 if he doesn’t play in at least 1/3 of regular season by Feb 15). He cannot be waived.
He has only 17 GP so far.
Canes could also trade for 1 of Buffalo’s 3 tenders.
Maybe Y trades them Talbot and brings up Cossa.
What about Stuart Skinner?
Canes have a better defense than Edmonton had, and less fan pressure, he would do better there.
If the Penns are close to getting in the playoffs, would they be comfortable running with Mrashov or Bloomquist with Silovs?
Johnny Z, I think it’ll be a while before Pittsburgh will start thinking about possible goaltending moves and securing a playoff position with the way the tumultuous East is unfolding.
Right now they hold down the last WC slot with 47 points in 40gp. That’s just 1 up on Buffalo (40gp), New Jersey (41gp) and Boston (42gp). and only 2 up on Florida (40gp), Ottawa (40gp), Toronto (41gp), and NYR (43gp).
They are also just 5 pts out of the cellar, held by Columbus (40gp) … and they’re in Columbus tonight.
But they’re certainly not alone in assuming anything as the second half is here for the most part and every team in the Conference playing at a .500 pace or better.
On a % basis, taking into account games played, Columbus – at .525 – is slightly better than the 15th-place NYR (.523), and when you compare that to the West, both are better than the bottom 7 teams in that Conference.
By this time next week the East standings could – and very likely will – look significantly different than they do this morning!
George, as for the Pens: I covered that base in my last sentence.
Murushov just had back to back yanks. He’s a stellar prospect but still needs time. Skinner is moved at the deadline if pens are out of it. But probably not if they remain in it. Pens have lots of picks. Probably a couple of the pending ufas get moved.
Doubt the Sabres would help the Canes improve their goalie situation.
Lucky Sherwood if he gets traded away from this mismanaged, disfunction team of under achievers.
Canucks reached out to him again on a contract, no response known yet.
Yeah, realized that on second reading Johnny Z. Sorry.
Right now, after getting an early goal, they’re down 3-1 to Columbus in the 1st, with Silovs giving up 3 on 11 shots.
Yeah, they better hang on to Skinner, unless they get one hell of an offer.
I wonder if the Canes would give them Freddie and the 2028 Dallas 1st for Skinner close to the deadline if they don’t get someone else by then. 🤔
Skinner does process that coveted playoff experience!
Meant to put that under your higher post above, Johnny Z. Now 4-1 Columbus early in the 2nd.
THAT could be a deal between the two.
I am wondering if Trevor Moore from the LA Kings becomes available. He was scratched last night and he has been in the rumor mill before. Although not having a great season, he can play up and down the line up.
There shouldnt be 1 Canuck over 25 that isnt available
Kane
Boeser
Myers
Demko
Garland
Sherwood
All should fetch assets to help finally rebuild this dogs breakfast
Tyler – Vancouver at home 19gp 4 12 3 11pts – a .290 % pace
Vancouver on the road 22gp 12 8 2 26pts – a .591 pace
That’s what is hard to understand when it comes to the Canucks! That road record ranks them in the top 8 in the entire league, whereas their home record is the absolute worst in the league.
Ant theories as to why?
Any …
Geeze. Another great one from the past has passed on – Bob Pulford at 89.
Always liked his game even though he played for the Leafs back when I was a Habs fanatic. And he was a pretty good GM in Chicago later in his life.
Rest in Peace Bob.