NHL Rumor Mill – February 12, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest speculation on Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, and a look at possible trade targets for the Penguins.
WHERE COULD THE RANGERS SEND VINCENT TROCHECK AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano recently listed potential trade destinations for Vincent Trocheck.
The 32-year-old New York Rangers winger is under contract for three more years, with an average annual value of $5.625 million. He also has a 12-team no-trade list.
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Several of the teams listed (Minnesota, Carolina, Detroit, Dallas, Los Angeles, and Colorado) have been previously mentioned and analyzed. Baugh and Mercogliano also listed the Pittsburgh Penguins, Boston Bruins, Utah Mammoth, and New York Islanders.
The Penguins are more interested in acquiring younger talent to fit into their long-range plans. They’re unlikely to go after Trocheck. Sending him to the Islanders would be an entertaining swerve, but given the rivalry between the two clubs, don’t hold your breath waiting for that one to occur.
The Mammoth have the cap space and plentiful trade assets (draft picks, prospects, young players) to make a competitive bid for Trocheck. However, they might not be among his preferred destinations, and they could prefer adding a player who isn’t closing in on his mid-thirties.
Trocheck might not fit into the Bruins’ retooling plans as they appear to favor younger talent.
WHAT WILL THE PENGUINS DO AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently reported “multiple reports and confirmations” indicating Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is attempting to acquire more young NHL players.
Kingerski also pointed out that the Penguins could use a right-handed defenseman and a scoring top-nine winger if they hope to clinch a berth in the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets or Erik Gudbranson of the Columbus Blue Jackets could be options on the blueline if those teams remain out of playoff contention. Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner or Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine could be available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets surged in the standings in the weeks leading up to the Olympic break. If they pick up where they left off, they could be buyers instead of sellers.
Schenn could be an option, but he will also draw interest from other clubs. The Canadiens are expected to peddle Laine and are reportedly willing to retain half of his $8.7 million cap hit. He has a 10-team no-trade list, but the Penguins might not be on it.
While I wouldn’t mind laine in Pittsburgh I don’t see where he fits with all the lines rolling. Unless Pitt flipped mantha for an asset. But his play is perfect for the playoffs.
No thanks in Schenn. We weren’t good enough for him in Pittsburgh last year. F that guy
I think him wanting to play for a playoff contender and getting flipped to the jets (thanks for the early 2nd!) is punishment enough for Schenn. I’d welcome him back.
2026 1st, 2028 2nd, Amadeus Lombardi (22 yo C that is nearly a pt per game in the AHL), Carter Gylander (24yo G whose last 7 games in the AHL has a .943 SA% and 1.57 GAA in AHL Grand Rapids) for Trocheck and Schneider.
Wings are really heavy on very good prospect goalies and need to trade at least 1. I really do not wish to trade Danielson, he needs 1 more year up with the Wings to really access his talent. I was hoping the Wings would have drafted Dvorsky instead at the time, but Danny has made steady progress, he just needs more time.
Lombardi would instantly be the Rangers top center prospect even if his ceiling is a 2nd liner.
Nygard is probably off limits.
Lombardi + a pick for Tro is good for me
“Nearly a pt per game in AHL”
Lombardi: .084 pts per game
Trochek (NHL) .082 pts per game.
As far as goalie prospect. No thanks. If 1 thing has been proven this season: Shesterkin is worth every penny NY is paying him.
Quick should be replaced. I don’t think it will be in house.
Lombardi is only 22 and will be around for maybe 10 more years than Trocheck.
1st off. I still think Trochek stays in NY. He joked about taking pics with Minnesota players and staff while taking photos at Olympics with Drury and Sullivan. As far as Pittsburgh, they wouldn’t be on his no trade list. He’d be a good fit, especially if Gino plans on retiring. I don’t get the idea that Pens only want younger players. They’re a playoff team with as good a chance as any other EC team of making some noise in playoffs. You don’t approach deadline only looking at your future. They have 10/11 pending ufa’s. They won’t all be replaced with rookies.
Dubas has now been quoted in an interview saying he is looking for guys in mid 20’s. Didn’t rule out going for rentals that were older. And geno has said he wants another year. He’s not the second line center anymore. He’s playing wing. Kindel will likely lock that center position up. What a season as an 18 year old he’s having. Unfortunately no room at the inn for the hometown boy.
Schneider on the other hand fits Dubas description of a target. What’s the ask for him?
Chrisms. You can thank Rangers for Kindell. At his size, he might be better off at wing. Gino coming back would be another reason to bring Trochek in. As I said though, I see him as part of retool in NY and Dubas probably not looking to pay what it might cost. As far as Schneider, this is an interesting one. Again, the cost would be high. Personally, I’d rather try to move the older Borgen but, he’s locked up with a reasonable cap hit. NY has drafted a couple big RH dmen is past couple years and also recently claimed another. Schneider a pending RFA and could be available. I’d want Pickering and a 1st. from Pens. Maybe settle for a 2nd, preferably NY’s 2027. Would allow Rangers to possibly offer sheet someone next summer.
Chrisms…. Can’t say I disagree with you. Trocheck would be a good fit with the Penguins. He is a hometown area kid, salary is doable and he is a responsible two way center. I would welcome him for sure especially next year when Malkin is gone.
Dubas has pushed a lot of good buttons over the last year…I think he might lean toward youngster Shane Wright Seattle.. I would welcome either. Penguins second in the metro with a game in hand need to keep pushing because the Atlantic is loaded.
Slick I’d do picketing and your second for him. I don’t think Dubas moves 1sts right now unless it’s in a deal for a Robertson type. And thank you for kindell! He might be a winger but he’s been center most of the year and doesn’t look outta place. Still growing too. And bng… geno almost certainly back next year. He is playing well. He’d be a 1 year deal. Wants to come back. Barring injury he’s back I believe. But trocheck is t the player Dubas is now on record he’s looking for. Would he be an upgrade over Novak? Sure. Don’t see Dubas paying the price.
I think somebody is going to pay up for a guy who shows up for most every game. Trocheck is that guy and he may open up his list of teams to include a destination like Utah.
Pittsburgh has 25 picks over the next three seasons
With Crosby, Malkin, and Letang nearing the end of their careers but still playing well, the Pens are in good shape with the amount of picks they have to spend a few of them to improve their team without harming the long-term future.
They have three 1sts, two 2nds, and two 3rds over the next three seasons.
They can afford to sacrifice a few of those picks for immediate help.
Actually. Pens have 3 1sts 6 2nds. 6 3rds in next three years.
Dubas has done a nice job getting picks, assets, trades, and getting younger.
Kindle has been good
Chinakov has blossomed,
Mc Groarty is improving
He has Horcroff Murashov Brunicke Pickering coming.
A ton of picks the next couple years
Future looks a lot better than it did 2 years ago
Dubas was supposed to be a big part of the problem in Toronto. Looks like he’s done a nice, patient job in Pittsburgh.
Columbus, in my view anyway, will be very much in the “buyer” category come the trade deadline. In the Metropolitan Division they sit 4th, just 4 points b/o the Islanders and with 2 games in hand, and only 5 b/o 2nd-place Pittsburgh (both with 26 games left to play). They are equally close in the Eastern Conference, again just 4 back of both the NYI (2 games in hand) and Boston (1 game in hand) and 5 b/o both Pittsburgh and Detroit.
Over the past 10, and in terms of current win steaks, they lead both groups:
Columbus 9-1-1 18
Carolina 8-0-2 18
Tampa 8-1-1 17
Minnesota 8-1-1 17
Anaheim 8-2-0 16
Pittsburgh 7-1-2 16
Winning Steaks
Columbus – 7
Dallas – 6
Tampa – 5
Minnesota – 5
The Bluejackets also have winning records at home and on the road:
15-8-4 .630 at home
14-12-3 .535 on the road
So, from this viewpoint, that puts them very much in the playoff picture, and I’d bet that THIS time, they’re going to make it.
Winning STREAKS – not “Steaks” – although I just bought two winning rib steaks at The Butchery. Melt in your mouth!
Well, Binnington gets the start today. I must express my admiration for Julian Brisebois. He’s built a Cup champion and perennial contender with an idiot as a coach.
TSN has a story on its website Will loyalty hurt Canada in Men’s Hockey? Hits the nail on the head. There are a few players, such as Parayko and Doughty, who do not belong on the team. They were chosen simply because of international play years ago when they were much younger. Including Binnington on the team to start with was a huge mistake. Starting him in a game is insanity. Have these guys been watching him play this year? For Gods sake it’s not a lifetime achievement award. You’ve got to go with your best. And Binnington isn’t it. Also not sure Hellebuyck should be the guy that USA goes with. He’s been struggling.
Dubas has done a nice job getting picks, assets, trades, and getting younger.
Kindle has been good
Chinakov has blossomed,
Mc Groarty is improving
He has Horcroff Murashov Brunicke Pickering coming.
A ton of picks the next couple years
Future looks a lot better than it did 2 years ago
The way the Slovak (Minn) and Italian (Ducks) goalies performed yesterday… could prove interesting should they continue performing like that.
Minnesota was talking about making a trade… and Edmonton is desperate for an improvement between the pipes.
Just read an interesting article about three potential targets for pens. Weeger Ferraro hamilton. Weeger almost certainly too expensive to acquire as far as futures. Hamilton if he was still a salary dump and relatively cheap is interesting. But they moved pilat and seem resigned to missing playoffs so the need to move hamilton is reduced. He might be too expensive. And San jose is trying to make playoffs. But interesting targets.
Chrisms…I would love Mario Ferraro he has been available and would give them a stay at home guy, a physicality toughness guy, a guy who covers the front of the net well and ties up sticks….hell yeah
We have too many Hamilton’s with Letang and Karlsson.
I think Connor Murphy Blackhawks Radko Gudas Anaheim would also be good fits??
Doubt gudas is available. And Murphy would be fine.
The East is a dog fight.. OMG in the east you better finish in the top 3 in your division because the Atlantic is loaded and maybe 5 playoff teams come from the Atlantic…
Tampa Montreal Boston Buffalo Detroit all having strong seasons…..