NHL Rumor Mill – February 14, 2026
A look at some proposed destinations for this season’s notable trade candidates in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and James Mirtle recently predicted where some of the top trade targets could go by the March 6 deadline.
Johnston suggested the Los Angeles Kings for St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, while Mirtle suggested the Carolina Hurricanes.
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both pundits agreed that it would take a significant haul to acquire Thomas. The Blues have reportedly set a high asking price for the 26-year-old center, and it could take until the off-season for a suitable deal to emerge. Thomas’ full no-trade clause complicates things.
The Montreal Canadiens were Johnston’s suggested destination for Calgary Flames centre Nazem Kadri. Mirtle suggested the Minnesota Wild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri is a better addition for the Wild, who are in “win-now” mode. The Canadiens have improved, but they’re not yet a Stanley Cup contender. The three years remaining on the 35-year-old Kadri’s contract don’t make him a good fit with this young team.
Johnston thinks the Carolina Hurricanes would be a good destination for New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton. Mirtle proposed the Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes’ last two major moves were for scoring forwards Jake Guentzel and Mikko Rantanen. They could prefer going the same route this year. The Maple Leafs are sellers, not buyers, and it’s unlikely they can scratch together the type of return the Devils would want.
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck could also be a fit for the Wild, while Mirtle proposed the Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 32-year-old Trocheck carries a $5.625 million average annual value through 2028-29, making him a younger, more affordable option for the Wild or Canadiens than the 35-year-old Kadri with his $7 million AAV. However, he might not be keen to go to Montreal, and the Wild would be a better option if he wants to play for a contender.
Johnston believes the Ottawa Senators would be a good destination for Wild rookie goaltender Jesper Wallstedt. Mirtle countered with the St. Louis Blues.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild could seek a first-line center for Wallstedt. A swap for Robert Thomas could work, but the Blues would likely want a couple of other pieces in the deal. The Senators wouldn’t have what the Wild are seeking.
Oh, the Senators do have what the Wild are likely seeking … they’re just not going to give it up for a rookie goalie having a decent season b/o a very good team, with no indication as to how he’d perform b/o a lesser capable team overall.
George, someone here mentioned Wallstedt as part of trade for Trochek. (I don’t see Rangers trading him). Only use NY would have would be to maybe flip him in offseason. He was a 1st rd pick and got a bridge deal in Minny. I would think going into playoffs they’d keep him as a reliable backup. Would be more valuable there in case of injury.
I agree Slick62. I just wish they’d stop throwing his name out there and the expected return in any deal like he was the second-coming of Marc-Andre Fleury.
Yes, he has pretty decent stats. Over 28 total NHL gp and b/o a pretty damned good team.
My other issue is this seemingly wide-spread notion that no one wants to come to Ottawa and that, even if they did, the Senators don’t have anything worth pursuing.
Yes, they have issue that has put them in their current precarious position when it comes to a playoff birth, but those issues center MAINLY around inconsistent goaltending and penalty-killing.
Those two alone have DIRECTLY cost them at least 10 points so far this season, so instead of sitting 11th with 63 points they could be up there with Montreal and Detroit at around 73 points.
Offensively, in the East they are in the top 6 in goals scored with 191, back of Tampa & Montreal (199), Carolina (197), Buffalo & Boston (195) and Pittsburgh (192). So they do have players that know where the net is, nor is their D depth a major issue. Sure they’d like a top 4 RD. Who the Hell wouldn’t.
As for their prospect pool in the minors, while it needs an infusion of talent – mainly through the draft – so too does 3/4 of the league if you scan the various rosters. But they do have players there who could interest others in deals, like Carter Yakemchuk, Steven Halliday and one of the leaders in several AHL offensive categories in Arthur Kaliyev. All 3 big in stature as well as offensive talent.
I guess what it is – for me anyway – is the tendency among some pundits – when speculating possible moves – to shrug Ottawa off as some backwater Dogpatch.
Rant over. LOL
Pinto for Nate Danielson and either Michal Postava (23 yo, SV% 0.936 in 14g in AHL, .943 in Czechia2) or Carter Gylander (24yo, .943 in 7g in AHL, .911 in 18g ECHL) and possibly a minor pick
Not a chance.
Zero chance.
Owen, I should have worded my long rant above “but those issues center MAINLY around inconsistent and unreliable goaltending and penalty-killing.”
The “unreliable” part refers, of course, to Ullmark and the issues that led to a lengthy leave of absence in the early going and probably cost the Senators significant points. The reasons are naturally none of our business as fans … but that does not take away the unreliability part in probably THE most important aspect of any team’s approach to a game. And if it’s something that could possibly flare up again, that only makes a bad situation worse.
But one way it is NOT going to be resolved is by giving up their solid depth at C for a rookie goalie with 28 games of NHL experience b/o of one of the top teams in the entire league or, worse, prospects who have yet to prove squat at the NHL level.
Clearly, they are not going to pry an established top goalie away from anyone, so they’ll have to approach t he final 25 games with what they have in nets … and keep their fingers crossed – while working a deal or two (or coaching change) to shore up the woeful pk that is probably costing them as much – and maybe even more – than as is the goaltending to this point.
mr. SPECTOR are there any good player that are good for Montreal. We know you don’t like the Canadiens.
Peter: So you think that my belief that Kadri is too old and too expensive for the promising young Canadiens is proof that I “don’t like the Canadiens”? That’s quite a leap you’re making, considering it has no basis in fact.
Are there any good players good enough for Montreal? Sure, I think Jordan Kyrou would look good at right wing on the top line with Suzuki and Caufield. He’s the right age (late-twenties), his $8.125 million AAV is reasonable, and he possesses the speed and skill that should make him a good fit. However, he has a full no-trade clause and might not want to leave St. Louis. The Blues would set a significant asking price, which would likely involve parting with one of the top prospects (Fowler or Hage would probably be part of it) and a good young player.
Peter, I am a far better target for your comment than Lyle is. I don’t have the credibility he has, but if you want to point out someone who is consistently against the trade proposals for the Habs, here I am. My judgement may be suspect but my reasons are always included. Feel free to push back, or ignore, as it pleases you.
Kadri needs to be on a Cup contender. Habs are getting closer, but they are not there yet. They don’t have a keeper that can win games in a playoff series.
I do look forward to the stupidity of the Habs trading for Kadri to go away. I have been wrong and will be again in my predictions and evaluations, but the lack of fit in Montreal for Kadri is so obvious Johnson should have his laptop confiscated. He’s embarrassing himself, and annoying me.
LJ,
I’; in agreement with you on Kadri, that’s a player, a contract I have no interest in.
Kapanen has shown that a centre is no longer a priority, with that being said Robert Thomas is the the right age, contract and skill set that would be perfect.
A big RD is a need as well and I have mentioned two, one expensive, NYR Braden Schneider and one cheap, Flame Brayden Pachal.
As for who’s available, Struble, Newhook, Texier, Laine, Beck, Davidson, Roy four of whom are NHLers and three of them prospects.
Not on the table, Hage, Zharovsky, draft picks,
I agree, HF30, chapter and verse. And I am happy to do so, as I too often come across as a wet blanket. But the chances of the Rangers parting with Schneider aren’t good, IMO.
One thing that puzzles me is why Xhekaj doesn’t get more ice time. I infer that you prefer keeping him over Struble, I do. Schneider would answer the physicality Xhekaj brings but I don’t know if he is as tough when needed.
And yes again to don’t get anything worthwhile by giving up scraps and I am a Habs fan
LJ,
The NYR are going to retool or rebuild and Schneider is one of the few pieces who can bring something back plus he’s not having a great year.
No reason that a combo of young players like Struble, Newhook, Texier for example wouldn’t be attractive.
It’s an overpay but fills a hole well as he’d be moved down to 2nd or 3rd pairing.
As for Xhekaj ice time, it isn’t as limited as it appears when you consider how much ice time is eaten up by Dobson, Matheson, Hutson and Guhle. and he has no pk or pp time. I think his role will increase as the playoffs get closer.
Just devils advocate here LJ but the Flames have been reported saying they will be very flexible with the returns for Kadri. They have 1 retention spot left this year & Coleman’s & Weegars salaries arent that bad & dont need to be traded this year anyways. So if Flames ate $2.0 mill for the next 3 years of the Salary + took Laine back (to the Flames he is a cap dump) then I would think the return is better for the Flames & the match may look a little more attractive for the Habs. Kadri in the Canadiens line up just increases their chances of going deeper in playoffs. Thats when anything can happen. Interesting the Hab fans want to be so age appropriate they would rather decrease their playoff success. Just my humble opinion.
Potlicker, Gorton has stated that an aging player with term is not what the Habs are looking for. Not to disrespect Kadri, but he is 35 with three more years left after this one. He is not going to change the Habs to legit Cup contenders.
IMO, the Habs’ need for a center has shifted given the surprising play of Kapanen and the recent acquisition of Danault. Kapanen and Hage will need ice time to develop and Kadri eats into both their time and the Habs cap space.
Many fans believe what the Habs need is a good sized winger for Suzuki’s line, the role that Slavkovski played before being put with Kapanen and Demidov.
And let us not forget that until very recently the Habs’ biggest need was better goaltending. Have they turned the corner, or will shoddy goaltending reappear?
For all these reasons, any player with Kadri’s feature is – IMO – a no fly zone.
LJ, re that portion of your post above saying “And let us not forget that until very recently the Habs’ biggest need was better goaltending. Have they turned the corner, or will shoddy goaltending reappear?”
That, in a nutshell, describes Ottawa as well, as well as – in some cases at least – these 11 Eastern teams with currently the most goals allowed:
Toronto (194), Florida (191), Montreal (187), Ottawa (184), Boston (182), Philadelphia & NYR (180 each), Columbus & Washington (177 each), Buffalo (176) and Detroit (195).
Fans of some will likely point to other issues, like D or specialty teams (pk) … but inconsistent goaltending has to be at least partially at fault.
Mirtle on why Trocheck should go to Montreal:
“The Canadiens’ biggest hole all season has been down the middle….”
Really? Ok, so let’s ignore the need for a big forechecking winger for Suzuki’s line and Kapanen and his 18 goals so far. Or the 5 centers that Montreal has available to them now, without counting Newhook.
Any evaluation of a trade has to include who for who/what. If the name of the game is just throw out the name of a desirable player, then I nominate McDavid, and for good measure MacKinnon to the Habs. We’ll sort out the details later if at all, and call ourselves professional sports writers.
For all the objections I have with HF30’s ideas at least his proposals are a complete listing of the deal, allowing for an evaluation. The Hockey Writers Hall of fame awaits you!
LJ. You are unbelievably hilarious! I’ll start : McDavid for Newhook, Struble, Roy, Beck and a dinner date with Celine Dion.
Not Eugeni Bouchard? Bonus: She is a right hand shot.
If NY is truly retooling, wouldn’t the goal be to make playoffs next year? Unless plan is to use assets acquired to trade for guys like Kyrou, why trade Trochek? Hes same age as his bestie, JT Miller and also Zibanejad. Neither is going anywhere. He has a reasonable cap hit and is one of their top players. Rangers aren’t an old team. Oldest player is backup goalie who is ufa at end of season and could retire. Carrick has 1 more year left with a 1 mil cap hit. Could be a depth acquisition at deadline. Edmonton traded for him at deadline a couple years ago. Brodzinski ufa. IMO, Trochek stays.
Drury: “Yeah, we’re retooling. That’s the ticket.”
Whether it’s a retool or rebuild, Trochek should get the haul everybody thought they would get for Panarin, unless Drury messes it up.
Miller and Zibanejad both have NMCs. It’s interesting how the core they are retooling around all have NMCs. Millers clause become a partial no trade after next season, at which point he will no longer be a part of the core.
Rob Pollack
What kind of haul do you see Trochek bringing back? Buyers at deadline probably not giving up roster players. Picks and prospects don’t help Rangers next year unless like o said, they look to flip. I don’t see Drury here in a couple years if they keep losing.
NY and NJ have to look at what Washington ,Pittsburgh and Boston have done and go that same route. And St. Louis and Toronto also.
Fiala had season-ending knee surgery today.
Well, good thing L.A. traded for Panarin before the olympics. Too bad for the Rangers. They would have got a lot more for him now.
Pat, remember that the reason the Rangers got so little for Panarin was because he said he would only go to LA. Faila’s injury would not have brought in more bidders.
Why would the Leafs the few assets they have on Hamilton? Makes no sense