NHL Rumor Mill – February 16, 2026
Steven Stamkos to the Kings? Nazem Kadri to the Canadiens? Could the Blackhawks trade some of their veterans with term left on their contracts? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE KINGS PURSUE STEVEN STAMKOS TO REPLACE KEVIN FIALA?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau suggested the Los Angeles Kings should look into acquiring Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators.
The Kings’ playoff hopes suffered a devastating hit when scoring winger Kevin Fiala suffered a season-ending leg injury in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Proteau thinks the 36-year-old Stamkos could help them replace Fiala’s offense.
Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)
Stamkos carries an $8 million average annual value, which nearly aligns with Fiala’s $7.875 million. He wouldn’t be a rental player because he has two more years on his contract. Stamkos also has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his situation.
If the Predators become sellers at the March 6 trade deadline, Stamkos might fetch the type of return that speeds up their rebuild/retool. Should he become available, he could provide a boost to the Kings’ offense.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have over $15 million in projected trade deadline cap space. General manager Ken Holland already made a big move by acquiring playmaking winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers earlier this month.
Following that deal, Holland hinted that he might not be finished making moves before the trade deadline. Losing Fiala could send him back into the trade market for another scoring forward. Adding a resurgent Stamkos might not be a bad short-term plan if he and Panarin mesh well offensively.
Predators GM Barry Trotz reportedly hasn’t received any offers yet that would motivate him to approach Stamkos about waiving his no-movement clause. Even then, there’s no certainty he wants to be moved, or would accept going to Los Angeles.
WOULD ACQUIRING NAZEM KADRI BE A BAD DECISION FOR THE CANADIENS?
TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie recently noted the trade speculation linking the Montreal Canadiens to Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. However, he doesn’t believe it would be in the club’s long-term interest to add the 35-year-old to their roster.
Lavoie believes the Canadiens had an interest in Kadri, but that didn’t mean a trade would happen. He felt Kadri’s age would be an issue, suggesting he might only help the Canadiens for a season or two before his play declines significantly.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oliver Kapanen’s performance on the Canadiens’ second line has lessened the need to acquire a center. If they were to pursue one, they might prefer someone who fits within their young core, such as 26-year-old Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues.
THE LATEST BLACKHAWKS SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently responded to some of his readers’ questions about the Chicago Blackhawks’ plans for the upcoming NHL trade deadline.
Powers doesn’t see the Blackhawks trading veterans who have term remaining on their contracts, such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, or Andre Burakovsky. They’re banking on their respective salary-cap hits to help them reach the cap floor next season.
Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy is UFA-eligible and is garnering some interest in the trade market. Peters considered it doubtful that they would get a second-round pick for him, suggesting a third-rounder seems more likely.
Stammer had a long adjustment period when he started with the Preds, how long an ADJUSTMENT PERIOD WOULD HE REQUIRE WITH THE KINGS? Stammer could help the Kings immensely next year if he can transition back to playing center.
I’d stay the course if I were the Habs GM. Kapanen as mentioned and Michael Hage on the way. They’re eventually set unless Hage doesn’t pan out. But I don’t really see that happening.
Agreed.
Not saying Kadri is the right fit or not for the Habs but I don’t think should just sit tight.
Hage is for example a good prospect, a really good one..but lets be reasonable as well. If you are waiting on Hage to be an effective 2c in the NHL that is like 2 or 3 seasons away. His rookie season plus 1 or 2.
As a GM I would not want to see the my team eliminated in round 1 or 2 because of a weakness I had the opportunity to shore up, but chose not to simply because it would create a problem for me in 2 years.
Again noy saying Kadri is the play, but if they can fix 2c without mortgaging the future blueprint…do it…take your shot
1Oilerfan: I disagree with your premise that the Habs need to fix their 2C. Kapanen has been a very pleasant surprise, putting up 18 goals so far in addition to being very good defensively.
Are there better 2Cs right now? Sure. Acquisition cost? Downstream effect of pushing Kapanen down to the third line on Danault (whose line I playing very well since his re-acquisition) and Evans? And it would not surprise me if Hage got some games in before the season ends.
It is perfectly acceptable to have thoughts that are different from the mainstream thinking, otherwise this would get boring. But, again, the mainstream thinking says a winger for Suzuki’s line (if Dach falters, as he has also been playing well), hence the speculation about either Kyrou or Thomas, and an improvement on D (of which HF30 has ideas about).
A 3rd round pick for Connor Murphy? I’m in.
Retain 50% and I’ll trade a 2nd for him.
He’s 32, UFA at the end of the year, he plays hard 1st and 2nd pairing minutes, in Montreal he’d play 3rd pairing and top pairing penalty killing.
I think one of the reasons why so many of your proposals don’t sit well with me is that you would bring in mostly middling (IMO) players to fill a temporary role, while I want our younger players to be given more ice time.
There are exceptions; I have come around with the Habs acquiring Danault, and Textier was an inexpensive addition (though his play seems to have fallen off).
Otherwise, I would much rather see Engstrom get ice time given where the Habs are now. I also would like Xhejak to get more ice time, including on the PK. Currently he gets less than 10 minutes a game. Why not see if he can grow, to determine whether he is worth keeping after this year? Currently he gets less than 10 minutes a game.
You have said in the past that young players have to earn their spot, which is true but isn’t the whole picture. Think about what the Habs have learned about Davidson, Florian X and Roy, and what they have learned, which only came about by giving them ice time.
The importance of this year for the Habs is to get into the playoffs and get that experience. They will, without further tinkering with their line up. And that experience is incomplete without our current young and prospects getting playing time.
Nonetheless, keep the suggestions coming. They do get my, and others, attention.
There might be some significant competition for Murphy. I could see hawks getting a conditional 1st for him. I’d be ok with pens sending their 1st conditional on them making the conference finals. Changes to a second if not with a mid round pick added in 2027.
LJ.
First of all Connor Murphy is far from middling, he’s a top 4 D who can be very useful in the role I’ve suggested.
Second of all the D is not ready for prime time, the only RD prospect is Reinbacher and has yet to survive a season without being hurt. He’s only 21y/o so there’s time but he’s a few years from being a full time NHLer.
The Habs keep trying to slot LD in on their wrong side and it just doesn’t work with the exception of Hutson who is redefining the role to what was called the rover, and that was before George’s time.
Guhle, Struble, Xhekaj, Engstrom are all LD and it’s where they belong and looking honestly at the Habs the LD role belongs to Matheson, Hutson and Guhle. The RD belongs to Dobson, Carrier and for now, a plug-in who doesn’t belong.
The goal isn’t to get into the playoffs and learn, it’s to get into the playoffs and win. The Habs roster is “young” but how wide a window is there? 4 years?
The difference in opinion we have is whether the team is still rebuilding or is it contending and the trades that I keep suggesting are to plug holes with roster players that the team has done without for most of the year.
RD, penalty killers, physical wingers- guys that are needed for a playoff run.
Sure, fair difference of opinion.
Your recent suggestions about Schneider (intriguing) and Murphy (unpersuasive) would mean one of Matheson (+14), Dobson (+12), Hutson (+ 22) or Guhle gets pushed out of the top 4. Guhle is – 2, and I attribute that to his working back from injury, which he certainly now has. So where is the problem you so clearly want to fix? Particularly bearing in mind those +/- figures are with what has been with dreadful goaltending at times.
Unlike you I would not trade Guhle unless the return is a clear upgrade on a clear need elsewhere (like goal, for instance). In short IMO you are looking for a problem in need of a solution, not vice versa.
As for the playoffs, of course the goal is to win. But do you seriously think the Habs will win round 2? I don’t, which is why the realistic goal is to get playoff experience for the next few years.
That’s my take.
HF30, to be fair you were also advocating for a 2C and now I see it is not on your wish list. To LJ’s point is that because Montreal gave Kapanen a chance and so far so good? I agree with LJ and you have to give the kids a chance to show what they have at the NHL level. Then you can decide whether you need to add. I prefer not to give up prospects, draft choices and cap space to acquire players who are not long term solutions. Count me in the still rebuilding category. Take Danault for example. Yes, he is an upgrade on Veleno, but IMO, not worth the $5.5M cap hit and 2nd round pick. Texier was a free agent signing but why the need to sign him to an 2 yr contract after a few good weeks. Was there such a demand for Texier’s service that you couldn’t wait until the end of the season to see if he could maintain that level of play??Also you didn’t mention anything about goaltending. I personally feel this is Montreal’s biggest need. Maybe Dobes or Fowler is the answer. If not, getting a goalie is their biggest need. Why do they only have a 4 year window??? Hugo’s plan is to build a perennial winner. The only way you can do that is by drafting and developing prospects who are ready to plug holes not old and/or overpriced veterans.
LJ and Habsman67,
Suzuki is 26, Dobson 25, Matheson 31, a group are bunched at 24 and NHL players peak years are 25-29 before they begin to decline, that is why I said a 4 year window.
The D problem I’ve explained the Habs are missing a real RD. I like Carrier but he is not able to carry bottom pairing, heavy banging, he should be 2nd pairing.
I believe a big 3rd pairing RD is needed with Hutson moving back to LD.
such as-
Hutson-Dobson
Matheson-Carrier
Guhle- Schneider, Murray, Pachal
Xhekaj as 7, Struble traded.
I advocated for a 2C this summer and while Kapanen has played well, had Pavel Zacha been traded for, the Habs wouldn’t have needed Danault, Kapanen would still have had a role at C where he could have proven himself.
More importantly I never claimed to know more than HuGo OR any other fans like you guys.
I state my opinion which I back up with my reasoning and there are times when I’m right and more often not.
What I will say is that the Habs have an abundance of roster players and prospects that will never be a part of the team that contends and those players need to be identified and moved in exchange for others that will fill roles.
HF30. Unless I missed something, no one insinuated that you know more than HuGo and for the record I know less than most but occasionally I do like to express my opinion just like you do and I encourage you to continue to do so as a friendly debate is always welcomed.
I agree with you that there are several holes that need to be addressed. Where we disagree is where the missing pieces are coming from: internally vs externally. If they are coming externally what is the cost for acquiring these pieces? If the price for Zacha was Hage would you make that trade? Other GMs are fully aware of all of our trade capital and want us to overpay which is likely why HuGo haven’t made any major moves. There will be a time to go all in and give up the farm for a long and sustained playoff run but we are not there yet. Murphy is 32 and according to you well beyond his peak age so why give up assets to acquire him? I say bring up Reinbacher and see what you have. Costs nothing.
Id but a good wager that there is no way Murphy going for a 3rd. He’s an ideal playoff rental for one of the most sought after positions. I agree with Chrisms, he’ll probably get closer to a conditional third or a stud prospect.
I don’t like critiquing the Canadiens as it rarely brings forth good discussion. But we seem civil here.
Montreal’s players are a fantastically talented bunch. A year away. There’s immaturity in their game. Usually for one full period they check out. And against really good teams. That’s all they need.
Whoever said stand pat – and play the kids more? YES. Do that. Don’t sell prospects for goofy veterans that won’t push you over the edge. You already have a couple of vets.
For me montreal’s issue boils down to the maturity of rising stars and goaltending.
So. The Sens were poised to make their next step. Got the goalie they thought was the man. And we all love him and he’s been “ok”. Perhaps even middling, if we are using that term. SO even then Montreal. Don’t blow your brains out for a goalie.
I would do nothing if I was Montreal.
According to Chicago fan sites, Gemini (google AI) , Neo (AI web browser) and the Athletic link, the return on Connor Murphy would be a 3rd rounder and possibly a 2nd with some retention.
Personally, in a heartbeat.
A rhd who can plug into middle pair will probably be more expensive especially around stupid season. Does he have any trade protection? If not the competition will be stiff.
Murphy is UFA this year which is why he’ll be traded as a rental with no guarantee he’ll re-sign.
That’s why there’s no talk of a stud prospect or 1st rounder.
He has a 10 team no-trade list.
LJ – I only mentioned 2c because of the article mentioning Kadri but imo while Kapenen has looked good the playoffs are a different beast and strength down the middle is a common characteristic of teams that go deep more oft than not.
But anyway, the point i was trying to make was in contrast to KI who suggest the habs stand pat. Imo whether it is at center, wing, on D or in goal if the habs can make moves that make them better today then they should take their shot and not be banking on prospects that may make an impact in 2 or 3 seasons.
They may be ahead of the thier timeline but don’t sacrifice today for tomorrow. They have as good a chance of anyone maybe outside Carolina or TB to make a run.
Now that is not to say at all costs…but they should be aggressive.
I can see why Davidson figures he needs to retain the $16.4 mil total cap of Burakovsky, Bertuzzi and Teravainen to help reach the cap floor next season, especially with Shea Weber’s $7,857,143 LTIR crutch finally coming off the books.
As matters now stand, he is committed to 8F (Burakovsky, Bertuzzi, Teravainen, Donato, Nazar, Greene, Moore, Slaggert) – 5D (Ellis ($6,250,000 on LTIR), Kaiser, Levshunov, Crevier) – 2G (Knight, Soderblom) and, factoring in dead cap of $2,758,000 for Brodie and Seth Jones, they have a total cap expenditure of $55,558,324.
With the cap set at $104,000,000 next season, and a cap floor of $76,900,000, they have $48,441,676 with which to sign 8, and must spend $21,341,676 just to get to the cap floor.
They only have 2 RFAs to re-up, with Connor Bedard, coming off his $950,000 ELC, obviously getting a big increase. The question is – how much? Early estimates range from $12.5 to $15 mil. Let’s split the difference and say $14 mil per long term, with Dach likely looking at a 3-year bridge at no more than $1.2 mil per, so those combined still leaves them $16,141,676 short of the cap floor. So dealing any of Burakovsky, Bertuzzi or Teravainen only makes it just more difficult.
They also have these 6 pending UFAs and their expiring cap hits – Nick Foligno age 38 $4,500,000, Jason Dickinson age 30 $4,250,000, Ilya Mikheyev $4,037,000, Sam Lafferty age 30 $2,000,000, Connor Murphy age 32 $4,400,000 and Matt Grzelcyk age 32 $1,000,000. That’s a total of $20,187,000.
Even if a couple are re-upped – including Murphy obviously out of necessity – with new deals, Davidson is still going to have to bring in some high-priced UFAs from other organizations just to get to the cap floor.
They could trade for Pietrangelo’s contract this summer. That is $8.8M
Not if Vegas makes other moves that necessitates his retention for the final year of his $8.8 mil per deal on LTIR. And I would not put that past them … once they’re certain he has given up – or has been forced to give up – return to action.
Above should read “… so those combined still leaves them $6,141,676 short of the cap floor.”
Preds trail Kings by 1 point and Ducks by 4 points for last WC slot. SJ is 1 point behind Nashville. Ducks have 5 games left before tdl. Others all have 4. With Fiala injury,Nashville would seem to have a better shot than Kings.
What are all of you “in the know” hearing about Nikinshin from Carolina? Any thing on a contract extension, or that negotiations are not going well?
old 82nd Airborne guy: Nothing new regarding Nikishin’s contract situation as far as I can see, though that doesn’t mean there aren’t any discussions taking place.
He’s an RFA with arbitration rights, so the Hurricanes aren’t under any pressure to re-sign him now. I read a rumor claiming they’d be willing to move him in a trade package if it would land a superstar. That may be, but I have a difficult time believing they’d trade away a guy who could be the anchor of their defense corps for years, especially with injuries catching up with Jaccob Slavin and the rest of the blueline corps not as deep as it once was.