NHL Rumor Mill – February 21, 2026
What could the Bruins do at the trade deadline? Could the Islanders try to boost their offense? Will the Sharks go after a defenseman? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BRUINS COULD BE BUSY AT THE TRADE DEADLINE
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa wondered if the Boston Bruins will be buyers, sellers, or both at the March 6 trade deadline.
General manager Don Sweeney’s attempt to acquire Rasmus Andersson last month indicates his intent to bolster the right side of his defense corps.
The Bruins have two first-round picks in 2026 and 2027, but they might not part with the first-rounder they received from the Toronto Maple Leafs in last year’s acquisition of Fraser Minten. Shinzawa believes that rival general managers could be interested in the offensive potential of Mason Lohrei and Matt Poitras.
Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (NHL Images).
Sweeney will likely want to add players in their late-twenties who will be around to help David Pastrnak, Charlie McAvoy, and Jeremy Swayman. Shinzawa also believes the Bruins could use help at center and on the wing. They’d also like to add to their prospect pipeline.
Bruins on expiring contracts, such as forward Viktor Arvidsson and defenseman Andrew Peeke, could become trade candidates. They could also see if there’s any interest in goaltender Joonas Korpisalo.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley noted a recent report by RG. Org’s James Murphy indicated the Bruins are interested in St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk. However, the latter’s age (he turns 34) and the Blues’ high asking price would make this an unnecessary move unless the asking price is dropped.
Studley also examined what the Bruins might receive in return for their trade chips. He thinks Peeke could fetch at least a third-round pick. Given his status as a right-shot defenseman, his value could increase.
Shinzawa indicated the Bruins won’t part with Arvidsson for a mid-round pick. As for Lohrei, the Bruins would likely move him only for a more established defenseman. He was reportedly part of the package Sweeney offered the Calgary Flames for Andersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins currently hold a wild-card berth and will attempt to solidify a playoff spot down the stretch. Sweeney wants to address the club’s weaknesses, but not with aging quick-fixes. He’s looking for returns that will benefit this team beyond this season, provided he doesn’t have to overpay to do so.
Lohrei and Poitras should draw lots of attention if Sweeney dangles them in the trade market. Peeke could also be an enticing trade option if the Bruins GM finds another right-shot defenseman.
WILL THE ISLANDERS PURSUE A SCORING FORWARD?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias believes the New York Islanders need scoring depth as they attempt to secure a playoff spot. He indicated they have the third-fewest goals per game and fourth-fewest actual goals in the Eastern Conference.
Macias suggested Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues if Islanders GM Mathieu Darche wants to make a major move. Nashville Predators forwards Steven Stamkos and Michael Bunting have popped up in the rumor mill. Oft-injured sniper Patrik Laine of the Montreal Canadiens could be available on the cheap.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Darche recently acquired Ondrej Palat from the New Jersey Devils. He’s put up three points in six games before the Olympic break, but his best seasons remain behind him. The Isles GM could keep his eye on the trade market for a scoring forward, but it’s doubtful he’ll pay the high asking price for Kyrou.
WILL THE SHARKS TRADE FOR A DEFENSEMAN?
NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng recently looked at potential trade targets for the San Jose Sharks to bolster their blueline.
Options include Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils, Justin Faulk of the Blues, Mason Lohrei of the Bruins, Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames, Logan Stanley of the Winnipeg Jets, and Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton reportedly rejected a trade to San Jose last summer. Unless he’s changed his mind, the Sharks will have to look elsewhere. Hamilton would also be an expensive pickup as the Devils won’t just give him away. They might retain salary, but they’ll want a significant sweetener in the deal.
Faulk is another who would be expensive. Given his age, the Sharks might prefer someone a little younger and more cost-effective who would fit into their long-range plans, such as Lohrei, Whitecloud, Stanley, or Schneider.
I’m happy the Sharks have lots of options for defense. However, given the youth movement in SJ, I’d like to see them pick up Schneider. There will definitely be a bidding war though, so we’ll see what happens in the next week or so.
There had to have been a discussion on Weegar to the Bruins.
Lohrei Poitras B”s first 2026
Hold some money on Weegar and add a third ?
Flames should be busy
Yeah was thinking that as well Silver & Conroy & Sweeney probably have all the posturing formalities already done from the Andersson talks. Weegar is probably a better target for the B’s but I would want the Leafs 1st in that cause its looking like more of a mid round pick the way the Leafs are trending.
If Lohrei is part of the package I would not include a first for a player of that age with so much term on his contract.
If there was it would’ve been done already I’d imagine. Isn’t he a left shot?
Good luck at getting a right shot . Depending on money held of course
Term is called cost certainty . I don’t think Weegar moves without a first involved
Which Ottawa doesn’t have … at least this year. So (thankfully in some ways) there goes that suggestion. Unless Calgary would settle for a 2027 pick. Which, after sober second-thought, I hope they don’t.
Weegar has a NMC, so it’s up to him. If he pulls a Panarin, it could drastically lower his asking.
Well Owen, if Coleman & Kadri get moved, which is pretty likely, Weegar would likely go to a contender if given the chance. & seems like Ottawa wouldnt be a hard sell either I would imagine. Sorry George but Flames probably would have no qualms taking that protected 2027 1st off your hands & would imagine Halliday & Kleven to be added with that might move the Conroy needle hahaha.
I know you arent a Weegar fan. I think you would quickly change your mind if you do wind up getting him & realize how much you will have upgraded your top 4.
Potlicker, I’ve seen enough of him this year in televised games of the Flames to know that, yes, he still has the tools to become a very effective top 4 RD with the right partner on his left, and that that could very well be Jake Sanderson.
So, it isn’t because I’m not a “Weegar fan” per se that I say those things above. But as Habsfan30 reminded me a few days ago, he is 32 y/o now and will be 37 when his $6,250,000 per cap hit expires in 2031. And a lot can change in a player’s effectiveness in a 5-year span taking him into his late 30s, and to give up a 1st round pick PLUS a Halliday and a Kleven to risk it would be a suicidal move by any GM.
All things considered, they are likely better off seeing how Yakemchuk and Hensler develop, and trust in Matinpalo (who played VERY well with Finland in the Olympics leading to that Bronze) to benefit from that experience against the world’s best.
As well, there might be a chance at one of the other RDs whose names have begun surfacing as possible trade options, like Murphy (pending UFA at $4.4 mil and hope Ottawa is not on his 10-team no trade list or, if they are, he’d be willing to waive) or Schneider (younger and a pending RFA at $2.2 mil and no trade protection).
Neither one of them will command a 1st plus young term players like Halliday and Kleven (I would hope).
Slight correction – Halliday is a pending RFA coming off an ELC of $950,000.
Wonder if bruins want Carlo back ,?
Minten and 1st lol
If Lohrei is involved in a Weegar swap, I don’t see why a 1st needs to be involved unless another Flame, like Farabee, is coming with him. It wouldn’t surprise me that Lohrei and a 2nd gets it done but no $$ are involved. We’re still talking about a 32 year old dman who has played the game tough and has a lot of miles on the body.
The Bruins aren’t interested in him
Would the Bruins now pursue Hronek knowing that the Canucks are in a rebuild that will last a few years?
Hroenk a top pairing right handed dman at 27yrs old and with 6 more years at just over 7 mil a season.
Currently a 0 in plus minus on a team that is minus 61 in goal differential