NHL Rumor Mill – February 2, 2026
What will the Maple Leafs do with Auston Matthews, Morgan Rielly, and Bobby McMann? Are the Canadiens still interested in Nazem Kadri? What’s the latest on the Senators? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION
TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons believes the Maple Leafs need to decide what they have in Auston Matthews and whether the remaining two seasons of his contract are worth investing in, or whether they should consider moving him elsewhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: On Saturday, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that Maple Leafs management touched base with the Matthews camp, and the latter remains committed to the team.
Nevertheless, a disappointing performance by the Maple Leafs next season could prompt Matthews to reconsider his future in Toronto.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (NHL Images).
Simmons believes Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving must approach Morgan Rielly about a trade. The 31-year-old defenseman is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause. Given the downturn in Rielly’s performance, Simmons wondered what the blueliner might fetch in return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Not long ago, Rielly would’ve fetched the Maple Leafs at least a first-round pick and a top prospect or a promising young NHL player. Not anymore. The Leafs might also have to retain part of his salary. They might get a second-rounder if they’re lucky and one other piece.
Simmons also proposed trading UFA-eligible winger Bobby McMann for “some kind of futures” and then bringing him back as a free agent this summer if he agrees to that.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those types of moves are rarely done as players who hit the open market tend to go where they can get the best deal. Maybe McMann would accept that scenario proposed by Simmons, provided the same management team remains in place for the Leafs this summer. If Treliving is fired, his replacement might have other ideas.
ARE THE CANADIENS INTERESTED IN NAZEM KADRI?
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources confirmed that the Montreal Canadiens were interested in Nazem Kadri earlier this season. The 35-year-old Calgary Flames center is signed through 2028-29 with an AAV of $7 million, and a 13-team no-trade list.
D’Amico indicated that the Canadiens are not on Kadri’s no-trade list. However, their interest in Kadri cooled by the time January rolled around. The emergence of Oliver Kapanen as their second-line center, the progression of top prospect Michael Hage, and the December acquisition of Phillip Danault have made Kadri less of a fit for the Habs.
According to D’Amico, the Flames are reportedly willing to retain part of Kadri’s salary to facilitate a trade. The Minnesota Wild, Carolina Hurricanes, and Detroit Red Wings could be among the suitors, with interest likely to increase after the Olympic break.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: D’Amico didn’t fully close the door on the Canadiens’ interest in Kadri, especially if the asking price softens near the trade deadline or if injuries arise. However, it’s now believed the Habs are more likely seeking a scoring winger to play on the top line alongside Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators GM Steve Staios continues working the phones. It’s believed they recently spoke to the Flames about defenseman (and Ottawa native) MacKenzie Weegar, and “kicked tires” on winger Blake Coleman.
It’s believed that Staios prefers adding players with term remaining on their contracts because returning to the playoffs next season is not out of the question.
If Staios decides to sell by the March 6 deadline, Garrioch believes pending UFAs such as Claude Giroux, David Perron, Lars Eller, and Nick Cousins could have some value in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been a disappointing season for the Senators after snapping a seven-year playoff drought last year. Injuries and shaky goaltending were the main culprits. A healthier lineup with more reliable goalies next season could result in a strong bounce-back effort on their part.
While I am NOT saying history is about to repeat itself where these particular teams are concerned, you can almost bet that there will be win-less streaks from about now to early March, based upon these 10 from last season, also showing the average margin of defeat in goals within each streak:
Columbus – 4 games Feb 2 – Feb 8 1.2 goals
Ottawa – 5 games Feb 4 – Feb 26 3.0 goals
Boston – 5 games Feb 5 – Feb 27 1.0
Edmonton – 5 games Feb 7 – Feb 27 2.4
NY Islanders – 4 games Feb 7 – Feb 25 2.2
Chicago – 5 games Feb 8 – Feb 27 2.2
Pittsburgh – 4 games Feb 8 – Feb 25 3.2
Los Angeles – 5 games Feb 26 – March 5 2.6
Buffalo – 6 games Feb 27-March 8 2.5
Detroit – 6 games Feb 27 – March 10 2.0
With the standings being so tight – particularly in the Eastern Conference – losing skids ranging from 4 to 6 games can have a devastating effect on playoff hopes and so stir up trade activity leading up to the deadline.
Yeah being at points behind Ottawa can afford anything more than a 2 game losing streak and need their Winn streaks to finnally be greater than their losing streaks.
I believe they have had four, 3-4 game losing streaks. I do not believe they had one 4 game winning streak. Perhaps they had one.
But they need a substantial win streak now. It’s at three games.
Yeah, Jeff. they’ve had 1 4-game win streak:
Dec 15 3-2 vs Jets
Dec 18 4-0 vs Penguins
Dec 20 6-4 vs Chicago
Dec 21 6-2 vs Bruins
Dec 23 – lost in OT to Buffalo 3-2
9 of 10 points in that stretch, including a back-to-back (of which they’ve won 3 this season – go figure)
They need something close to a 10-game such streak to have any chance at all. And soon.
Yeah, Jeff. they’ve had 1 4-game win streak:
Dec 15 3-2 vs Jets
Dec 18 4-0 vs Penguins
Dec 20 6-4 vs Chicago
Dec 21 6-2 vs Bruins
Dec 23 – lost in OT to Buffalo 3-2
9 of 10 points in that stretch, including a back-to-back (of which they’ve won 3 this season – go figure)
They need something close to a 10-game such streak to have any chance at all. And soon.
What I Like about the Ottawa roster is that there are just 3 NMC – Tkachuk, Giroux and Ullmark. Giroux has 1 season left at best anyway, and if offers come in for either Tkachuk or Ullmark that are seen as team-improving over the long haul, and they agree to waive, then the deals go down. In my pinion, anyway.
I wouldn’t touch Kadri right now. He’s 35 years old with three years left on a huge contract and his game is in decline. Kapanen has only 5 fewer points with 4 minutes per game less ice time and is better defensively. And a lot cheaper. And Hage is on the way. Trading for him now would be an expensive mistake.
Lyle is correct. Bigger priority is a big winger to play with Caufield and Suzuki. As a complementary player, wouldn’t have to be the one driving the play. Suzuki does that. But that’s likely to happen in the off season.
Howard, anyone listening to Hughes has heard him say that older players do not fit into the Habs’ plans. Khadri never made sense at the best of times as his age, production and cost are all an issue.
But I’d love his edge in playoffs.
Lately they have been deploying Dach as the winger for Suzuki and Caulfield and it has been working well. Dach’s play on the boards against Buffalo was impressive. If he keeps it up then I think that solves the problem. I honestly feel like their forward lines will solve their own issues. Getting healthy players back allows for them to maybe package a player along with a goaltender for a goaltender upgrade – even if it’s a more experienced backup.
An interesting thought on Panarin hit me this morning.
He doesn’t turn 35 until October 30th 2026. Meaning if he signs an extension prior to next season the team acquiring him will not have to be concerned with the “over 35” rule.
So if he’s insists on an extension, teams could feel relatively comfortable giving him a front loaded 6-8 year deal and have zero concern of being stuck with his cap hit if he walks away in 3-5 years.
Even if he goes as a rental and signs somewhere else in July, the same rule applies.
Yup! Panarin can sign a 7 x $7.41M contract with FLA and be with his buddy Bob! To make the trade fit, Florida would likely have to consider moving out Evan Rodrigues or Eetu Luostorainen, who each carry $3M cap hits that expire at the end of next season.
Luostorainen would have to be the guy. Very underrated player on a very good team.
I will be amazed at any GM who gives Panarin anything more than a 4 year deal.
I don’t necessarily disagree, but Marchand who’s 3+ years older and nowhere near as offensively productive got a 6 year deal. Carrying his contract to 43 years old. And also signed at over 35. So they’re stuck with it if he retires in 2-3 years.
As I said the other day, I don’t think Gms think any further than today. Probably because the average gm only lasts 3-6 years. Mindset being it will be someone else’s problem by then.
Captain, this isn’t a thing with me, but I’m sure you don’t really mean it when you say GMs don’t think past today.
I have heard it said that GMs accept some contracts age poorly on the back end. IMO that is a cost of doing business if the GM believes an aging player will make a contribution within a team’s window.
Your example of Marchant is a good one, but in that case the Panthers see their window as still being open, enhanced by their non state tax advantage which allowed them to sign him and a few others key to their plans. Thus the inevitable decline in Marchant’s performance has been mitigated by a larger view.
I think Gms with a win now mentality are the worst when it comes to making bizarre / bad deals.
Carolina has swung and missed the last two years in a row on the top trade target and failing to re-sign them.
Panthers / Marchand.
When you’re trading away young assets and picks for now, there is a desperate need to compete and unwillingness to see past the next couple of years.
We see it every deadline and every July. I’d imagine, most gms don’t think about the organizational health beyond their tenure.
Which has a shelf life of 3-6 years
Marchand and Kadri. Two guys that are worth a good deal because of the edge and competitiveness
Don’t forget Trotz in Nashville … he really took the plunge a few seasons back, and while they’re playing marginally better this season, they’re still on the outside looking in and a long-shot to crack the playoffs.
And that’s with 11 players 30 + at a total cap cost of $52,109,000 and 6 of them with NMC and a couple of others with modified trade lists!
Bunting 30 $4.5 mil
Cole Smith 30 $1.0 mil
Michael McCarron 30 $900,000
Andreas Englund 30 $750,000
Jusse Saros 30 $7,750,000 NMC
Filip Forsberg 31 NMC $8.5 mil;
Brady Skjei 31 NMC + 15-team no go $7 mil
Ryan O’Reilly 34 $4.5 mil
Erik Haula 34 6-team no-go $3,150,000
Steven Stamkos 35 NMC $8 mil
Jonathan Marchessault 35 NMC $5.5 mil
Roman Josi 35 NMC $9,059,000
And although O’Reilley has no protection, Mr. Nice Guy has assured him he won’t be dealt if he doesn’t want to be.
As Leo Durocher once famously said “Nice guys finish last.”
I (reluctantly) have to agree with Lyle’s tone re the Senators above, which suggests their hopes for a return to the playoffs is all but out of reach. And before other Ottawa fans take exception to the tone, let’s look at the reality of the situation.
Yes, their 59 points have them currently 12th in the Conference and just 6 back of the NYI for the last WC slot – and with a game in hand. But to get there they’d have to pass 4 teams – Florida, Washington, Columbus and the NYI – and not all will conveniently go into the tank. Plus there are also 3 teams either tied with them in points (Toronto) or just 1 point back (Philadelphia and New Jersey) who could also be factors in deciding who finishes where down the stretch.
Due to the tight nature of the East, it’s looking like 97 points will be the cut-off and, with a possible 54 points left to them in the schedule, the Islanders at their current .591 % pace would finish at that exact 97. They would need to falter to around .540 to finish below 97, while Ottawa would need to raise theirs from .546 (at which pace they’d finish with 90) to .679.
That is a tall order, and with tough back-to-backs tonight in Pittsburgh and tomorrow in Carolina – with Reimer obviously starting one of them – a loss of both – or even 1 – makes the task even tougher.
So, they will be “sellers” – at least to a certain degree – between now and the deadline.
George O
I agree that the Sens will be in tough to make the playoffs. Very difficult to leapfrog that many teams.
Same can be said for the Leafs. I really hope they don’t do anything stupid and trade what little youth/picks they have to try to squeeze into the playoffs only to be stuck in the “mushy middle”. Their best course of action is to sit their injured players and finish in the bottom 5 and retain this year’s 1st pick.
Leaf’s sold their next 2 1sts, they don’t have a 1st till 2028
Daryl that would also be the best course of action for Ottawa as well … IF they had their 1st round pick, which was taken away for a contract screw-up by Dorion even before Andlauer bought the team.
The LAST thing Staios would need is to see them finish in – and perhaps win if they were eligible – the lottery, only to see the opportunity out the window.
Even if they fail make the playoffs, I’m sure Staios is determined to see them finish as strongly as possible to avoid that embarrassment.
George, I know you hate me saying but, I really believe if your team doesn’t make playoffs, Brady could be the next Quinn Hughes type deal. Most likely in off season. Could help Rangers retool. I know he’s never said in public, but judging by last years 4 nations and probability of US losing to Canada again in Olympics combined with missing playoffs, I think he’ll want to head south of the border.
I’m sure Minten is giving the Leafs much pause for reflection, Daryl.
(Hoo boy, did I ever screw up these last 2 posts by not paying attention to the posts I prepared first on Libre office. The last para hereunder became clipped to the double-response to Jeff above and nothing has appeared – so far anyway – lol – in this response to Slick62 – been a long frikken day)
Hey, Slick62, I could never “hate” anyone for voicing their opinion. I may no agree with some … and I never feel shy about saying so – lol – but that is what makes this site so good.
Having said all that, if an offer comes in that, on analysis, would be dumb in the extreme to turn down – for ANY player – then I would expect the GM to do his job, without “sentiment” becoming a factor.
As I mention elsewhere today, what Trotz is doing in Nashville regarding his “promise” to O’Reilly not to deal him unless he wants to go flies in the face of sound management. If he had wanted to keep him around until he retired, why not just give him a NMC in the first place?
What I Like about the Ottawa roster is that there are just 3 NMC – Tkachuk, Giroux and Ullmark. Giroux has 1 season left at best anyway, and if offers come in for either Tkachuk or Ullmark that are seen as team-improving over the long haul, and they agree to waive, then the deals go down. In my pinion, anyway.
The math doesn’t look good, but I don’t give up hope, George. That’s just my nature I guess. If they can go 2 of 3 then it really helps their chances. Pens a little beat up, so that could help tonight. I’d go Ullmark against pens and flyers and Reimer against Carolina.
If they can’t win 5 of 7 until the trade deadline (with Detroit being one of their wins), I’d go into sell mode. It’s not unthinkable with their schedule. I think G, Cousins, Ellers, and Jensen would have very solid value for playoff teams.
Johnny Z
The Leafs 2026 1st round pick is Top 5 protected. If they receive a Top 5 pick it slides to an unprotected 2027 1st and the 1st going to Philadelphia slides to 2028
OK, thanks Daryl for the clarification.
Ya…tough go.
As usual the Sens begin to turn things around and go on a run—–and there’s a pause in the season.
I feel Staois will wait as long as possible before trying to acquire a late round 1st round pick for one of his bottom 6 forwards…or a goalie. Reimer might have some value.
Unfortunate.
George, I am not familiar with the Sens organization but IMO this season shows they are not that far from being a serious playoff contender. They are playing .546% hockey, and made the playoffs last year. Save for an unusual season this year they are treading water but not backing up.
They will have plenty of cap space in the off season, and while they don’t have their #1 pick this year they do have all their draft picks past in future drafts.
Staios is the one question mark I have in the go forward.
GeorgeO do you see your Sens making some kind of trade to get back a first round pick. Or did the ruling eliminate any first round pick for your club also?
Whether they make a deal or not to that end, Sr, will depend on how they do in their final 3 games before the Olympic break – tonight in Pittsburgh, tomorrow in Carolina and Thursday in Philadelphia.
But there is no prohibition in them getting a 1st round pick in any deal prior to the draft. The penalty involves only their regular 1st round pick.
Doubt Rielly would be willing to waive for anything but going to a legit Cup contender. To do that, it would take quite a bit of retainment.
It would still be cheaper than buying him out. He would be on the cap for 4 years beyond his contract end date if they did that.
If they have to take back a contract, it may be someone else that is in the need of a change in scenery.
I always thought that Rielly was a really good defenseman. But he is miscast as the anchor of a defense on any team. For the last 10 years, the Leafs have been missing that anchor, a big physical guy who shut down the other team in the last 5 minutes with a 1 goal lead or at the end of any period.
That’s just my opinion, I may be wrong.
BigAl6884 and Toronto St Pats, the Rielly situation is somewhat similar to that of Chabot in Ottawa, in that the latter’s name has also popped up from time to time as a trade commodity.
The 6’1″ 220-lbs Rielly, who turns 32 in March, costs $7.5 mil off the cap through to 2029-30, and over 927 career gp has 82-game offensive totals of 8g 40a 48 pts. He has a full NMC.
The 6′ 205 lbs Chabot, who just turned 29, costs $8 mil per off the cap to 2027-28 and over 551 career games has 82-game average of 11g 49a 60 pts. He has a modified 10-team no-go list.
Of course, I have no way of knowing for certain even IF the team ever shopped him, but if they had, the possibility is they couldn’t get for him what they thought he was worth in return.
Both are less-demanded LDs.
All that points to how difficult it will be to find a taker for Rielly at a return that would make it attractive for the Leafs.
I just don’t ever think that Rielly was good enough to be the Leafs’ best defenseman. They should have gone out and got a stay-at-home dman to be his defense partner, make it easier for him to use his offensive skills. He never had that right-handed teammate, and now he’s worth less value.
Almost 1000 games is alotta milage.
Good morning Lyle
I still can’t understand why Ottawa lost a first round pick with the trade of Dadonov to Las Vegas…As much as the teams are responsible for crossing the t’s and so on with the NHL approving the deal, the agent has a responsibility to ensure all contract issues are dealt with the trade…to me the NHL and the agent are responsible and at fault more so than the Sénateurs
There was an embarrassment factor as the next team tried to turn around and flip him to a team on his no-no list. Everyone looked bad. I don’t think they could prove that Dorion did it maliciously but at some point the league knew that he knew he’d screwed up and he didn’t say anything. Hence the punishment and the unwavering stance by the NHL from that punishment. Additionally Andlauer arrives as the new kid on the block and immediately rips Bettman and co. for the punishment. Not exactly kissing the ring/bending the knee in your first five min of owning the team.
Also. George, curious timing of the Sens today to send out that “oh…here is what playoff tickets will cost you AND we’re raising ticket prices next year”…email. smh PR Pete and Season Seat Rep Rick should be fired for that one.
That is … well …. clinical, to put it mildly. Cold,”big business” approach to “were selling you frustrating futility … and guess what … it’s going to cost you more.”
I agree.
Trotz throws in the towel and resigns. He will stay on till a replacement is found.
Great coach, terrible GM.
Remember the days when we had guys who could do both jobs? Hard to be a coach and GM – try to motivate guys behind the bench to play better, then have to negotiate them down at contract time to pay them less than what they may ask for.
Guys like Punch Imlach
Yeah .. staying on though until they hire a replacement – then he’s retiring. No interest in going back of the bench.
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/barry-trotz-to-step-down-as-gm-of-predators/
Morgan Reilly makes darned for NYI
Send them a 2nd and Pierre Engvall and Soucy
With a rising cap he would fit right in
That would give them a solid 6 d. Mayfield DA and pulock
On right side
Reilly Romanov and Schaefer on left
That’s formidable
I’d say
Where is Pelech?🤔
Oops can Romanov play Right side?
Maybe move Reilly to right side with pelech on left
As an Isles fan I would love that deal. Why would anyone want Engvall though?
Nobody wants Engvall. He’s 6’5” but softer than Charmin’ tissue. We’d take the 2nd round pick and Boqvist
Rielly to Pittsburg to reunite with Dubas? Letang is out for a while after having surgery.
Pittsburg doesn’t have an nhl team. Pittsburgh says no spank you.
Totally agree with Howard and LJ about no to Kadri, (it must be right because we all don’t usually agree jk).
I do think the Habs are poised to make a big and some small trades as the assets are there.
There are a number of roster players that the team has done without or only used sparingly and the team didn’t lose a step.
Dach, Newhook, Laine, Texier, Veleno, Blais, Struble, Guhle not to mention guys on the farm like Beck, Xhekaj, Davidson, Roy,
There are young guys 26-27 who are either having off years or hard to sign such as Thomas, Kyrou, Robertson, Eklund or D like Schneider or Paschal that could slot right into the roster.
The players lost in the transaction wouldn’t even be noticed,
The buzz is that the Hab’s interest in Kadri “has cooled”.
Here’s a moonshot… Brady Tkachuk to the Habs for Michael Hage, a conditional 2028 1st (conditional that Tkachuk signs an extension in 2027), a 2026 2nd, Patrick Laine (that they can re-sign or trade), Newhook or Dach, and another AHL prospect. I know Tkachuk has a NMC, and the Habs drafted KK just before him, and Tkachuk might prefer to relocate to USA once his contract is up. But, what if… Thoughts?
YC
I don’t see Ottawa agreeing, but I’d alter it a bit.
Brady Tkachuk to the Habs for a conditional 2028 1st (conditional that Tkachuk signs an extension in 2027), a 2026 2nd, Patrick Laine (that they can re-sign or trade), Newhook and Dach, and another AHL prospect.
LOL. In that scenario I think Tkachuk exercises his NMC.
YC, if he were ever to waive that it would be to go to a U.S. market … like Florida.
Besides, the Habs could have had him at his draft, but they turned up their noses at him and chose, at # 3 instead, the great Kotkaniemi. You remember him … identified as “WHO???” by that incredulous couple in Habs jerseys who were fully expecting to hear Tkachuk’s name … or perhaps Quinn Hughes.
More like Neptune shot. A conditional for Tkachuk! That’s almost laughable. A redraft of that year he probably goes second. He scores as much as Schevnikov but does so much more. Wasn’t Hage drafted mid 20s? Sens are in win now. They won’t trade their all star captain for a late first rounder and protected first that might pan out years from now.
Can’t have the signing condition on a pick anymore, going back about 5 years.
Kadri MIGHT be good for a play-off run AFTER a month off to rest, but that suggests he won’t be practicing much with a new team over the Olympic break.
With that in mind, he is only worth a late first and a 2nd rate prospect at best. More likely that the Flames won’t retain another salary without a Top 6 pick and a good prospect.
Not many of those on the go…maybe a couple of teams who could make that offer to Calgary…but doubtful that they would willingly ante up.