NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2026
Check out the latest on the Flyers, Maple Leafs, and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHICH FLYERS COULD BECOME TRADE BAIT?
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently looked at the Philadelphia Flyers’ potential plans for the March 6 trade deadline.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (NHL Images).
James dismissed a recent rumor suggesting the Flyers could shake things up by trading Travis Konecny. He pointed out that the 27-year-old winger has a full no-movement clause, is a respected team leader, and will be part of the Flyers’ plans to get better sooner rather than later.
Owen Tippett was also mentioned as a trade candidate. James believes the Flyers would prefer to keep him, but their surplus of wingers could force their hand. Tippett could be someone they could include in a package deal if they were to pursue someone such as St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas.
Bobby Brink could also become a trade chip. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent in July and might have to make room for younger wingers in the Flyers’ system.
As for their defensemen, James suggested moving Rasmus Ristolainen as one option before March 6. He also wondered about Noah Juulsen, Emil Andrae, and Nick Seeler.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers’ recent slide in the standings likely killed off their chances of reaching the playoffs. Management will likely be sellers at the deadline, seeking returns that could accelerate their development, such as young NHL players.
The Flyers could use a first-line center, and Thomas would fit the bill. However, he has a full no-trade clause and might not be keen on joining a retooling/rebuilding club. If he is willing to join the Flyers, Tippett could be part of the deal, but it would cost perhaps another good young player, along with the Flyers’ 2026 first-rounder, and one of their top prospects. The Blues are setting high asking prices for guys like Thomas.
WHICH MAPLE LEAFS ARE THE MOST LIKELY TRADE CANDIDATES?
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes forwards Calle Jarnkrok, Scott Laughton, and Bobby McMann are the most likely trade candidates for the Toronto Maple Leafs. The trio is due to become unrestricted free agents on July 1.
Siegel also wouldn’t be surprised if defensemen Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Troy Stecher, and winger Nick Robertson end up getting moved by March 6.
Ekman-Larsson has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $3.5 million and a 16-team no-trade list. Stecher is UFA-eligible on July 1, while Robertson is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMann, Ekman-Larsson, and Laughton would likely fetch the best returns. McMann is considered their best trade chip because of his style of play and affordable contract.
WHAT WILL THE BLUE JACKETS DO BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE?
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline believes Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell and his staff will be busy during the Olympic break attempting to sign forwards Boone Jenner, Charlie Coyle, Mason Marchment, and defenseman Erik Gudbranson. The four are UFA-eligible on July 1.
Given the Blue Jackets’ surge in the standings before the Olympic break, Waddell wants to help his club by the trade deadline. If he can find an offensive finisher with term left on his contract, Waddell could go for it. He could also make depth moves, perhaps by targeting Chicago Blackhawks captain (and former Blue Jacket) Nick Foligno.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell’s trade deadline plans will also depend on whether the Blue Jackets can maintain the hot streak they were on before the Olympics. If they struggle and end up sliding in the standings, he could attempt to move any unsigned UFAs.
On air recently, Kypreos said the Leafs should move Morgan Rielly out, then bring Toronto native Darren Raddysh home in free agency.
Kypreos on Real Kyper & Bourne: “What will happen is that you move Morgan (Rielly) out and you go sign Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning. As far as I’m concerned, it’s already done.. Toronto boy, he’s got a bomb of a shot which you haven’t had in years”
You really think Tampa will let Raddysh escape???
I think the best thing Tampa can do is let him walk. He’s 29 with only 225 nhl games played. Hes having an off the chart season which I doubt he repeats. This is truly a guy with buyer beware all over him.
Doesn’t Reilly have a NMC? Easier said than done to move out a player with one of those. Also, if Leafs don’t want him because they think his play has dropped, then why would another team want him without a big sweetener. I think leafs are stuck with him.
Reily is a Vancouver native and a couple years ago it was said he would only waive for the Nucks. I don’t see him wanting that now. Or would he feel better at home even if they are in quicksand?
Just looking over the Leafs’ cap situation…
Rielly (age 31) is signed for four seasons after this one at $7.5 m with an NMC.
All the Toronto D are on long contracts: Tanev (age 36) and McCabe (age 32) also have four more seasons after this one.
Those are pretty lengthy commitments, it will be hard to move those contracts as there’s serious risk of declining play.
I think its a pipe dream. It only happens if that is what Raddysh wants…I mean TB is in a good position cap and roster wise that they would have no problem in retaining him (at a fair contract) if he and they want to. And the club looks good.
Honestly, I dont see Raddysh hitting the market. But what do I know?
Some guys that grew up in the GTA do not want to play in Toronto.
Add in Tampa’s attractive weather and tax advantages and it may be a tall order to get Raddysh to TO.
What is to say this season isn’t an outlier for him anyways. Anyone remember Jeff Finger?
Moving on from Rielly is one thing. Bringing in a player to replace his minutes must be carefully considered
I agree, Daryl, that this perpetual notion that every top player on other NHL teams who happened to be born in the GTA secretly wants to “come home” and play for the Leafs.
That sentiment among Toronto hockey-media types is, thankfully, slowly drying up with the new generation … but unfortunately guys like Kypreos, who wear their hearts on their sleeves, hang onto that like Gunga Din and his bugle.
should read “… and play for the Leafs, is a fallacy that should have disappeared long ago as the league expanded, but got new life when Tavares bolted the Islanders.
The pressure of a Canadian player playing in his home town can be intense. It’s been cited as a reason why some Quebec born players have passed up the chance to sign with the Habs.
A number of years ago Mike Cammaleri, a Toronto native, chose the Habs over the Leafs, explaining that Toronto is where he goes to relax in the summer. Playing in Toronto would disrupt this.
Going to be a tough deadline at LeafsNet. No endless everyone to the Leafs scribblings from Jukebox Fox, Bourne and resident “insiders” like Kypreos and Friedman.
Howard
It is precisely why Ryan O’Reilly did not re-sign after getting traded to Toronto
I will bet it had something to do with Stamkos re-signing in Tampa after the Leafs tried to woo him the first time he hit UFA
Unfortunately, the Tavares signing may have been the first in a long line of decisions that cost the Leafs a better chance at a Stanley Cup. As good as he’s been for the Leafs, at the time of his signing he was not the player that team needed. They needed, and still do, an elite defenceman.