NHL Rumor Mill – February 25, 2026
Check out the latest on the Canucks’ Elias Pettersson and Evander Kane, the Flames’ Nazem Kadri, the Maple Leafs and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CANUCKS GETTING INTEREST IN ELIAS PETTERSSON, COULD MOVE EVANDER KANE
TSN: Darren Dreger reports there is renewed trade interest in Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, but they haven’t yet received an offer worth considering. Pettersson’s agents are aware of the trade discussions. However, they won’t include their client (who has a no-movement clause) until it reaches a point where there is a potential deal.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s declining production is a stumbling block in the path to a trade, though the teams that have inquired about him likely believe he’ll regain his scoring form with a change of scenery. Nevertheless, his no-movement protection and his $11.6 million average annual value through 2031-32 are also significant hurdles that could keep him in Vancouver beyond the March 6 trade deadline.
Chris Johnston reports Evander Kane was the subject of a fair amount of trade discussions. It’s expected the 34-year-old winger could be moved to a playoff club by the March 6 deadline, with the Canucks willing to retain half of his $5.125 million cap hit. The Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars are among the clubs that have made inquiries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is more likely to be moved by March 6 than Pettersson, especially if the Canucks retain half of his remaining salary. He might cost at most a third-round pick.
FLAMES COULD MOVE KADRI, LOOKING AT INTEREST IN COLEMAN AND MORE
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Calgary Flames are still testing the trade market for Nazem Kadri. He claims the 35-year-old center wants to be traded. They’re also looking at the interest in winger Blake Coleman and defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Zach Whitecloud. Dreger stated that Flames general manager Craig Conroy will remain patient to ensure he has a full assessment of the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All those players are signed beyond this season. That’s why Conroy can play the waiting game. He’s under no pressure to move them at the trade deadline. If there are no suitable offers by March 6, he can wait for the offseason to see if the trade market improves.
Chris Johnston suggested the Colorado Avalanche might be a suitor for Kadri, who played for them for several seasons before signing with the Flames in the summer of 2022. The Avalanche created extra salary-cap space on Tuesday by trading defenseman Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins for blueliner Brett Kulak. They’re expected to use that additional cap room to add a forward, probably a centerman.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri carries an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29 with a 13-team no-trade list. It’s a good bet that the Avalanche aren’t on that list. He’d probably leap at the opportunity to rejoin the Avalanche and pursue another Stanley Cup with them.
WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS BECOME SELLERS?
TSN: Darren Dreger thinks the next two or three games for the Toronto Maple Leafs will decide if they become sellers at the trade deadline. They’re currently six points out of a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference with four clubs to leapfrog.
If the Leafs decide to sell, Dreger believes UFA-eligible forwards such as Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton could be put on the trade block.
WHICH PLAYERS’ TRADE VALUE WAS AFFECTED BY THEIR OLYMPIC PERFORMANCES?
DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin examined which players’ trade value changed for better or worse by the performances in the Olympics.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington topped the list of those whose value went up. Binnington had a solid performance between the pipes for Canada. New York Rangers winger Mika Zibanejad and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen also likely got a boost from their efforts in the Olympics.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller, and Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen saw their stock go down.
Apart from the game vs Finland when the whole Swedish team played bad, Pettersson played pretty good, the coach received some flak for not playing him more from Swedish reporters. Get him to a new place and some players that compliments him and I think he will be at least a PPG player again. But of course there is a risk
You should get more than a point per game for 11.6 Kent.
I just lost a list of players who score at a point per game pace and those at 11 million who score at more than a point per game, and I’m not going to waste time repeating the research, as the statement itself stands on its own merit.
Barkov is a point a game player with elite defence capabilities. Pettersson is above average defensively. Combine they wit 80 points and I will take that all day long. With the cap going up $11.6M is probably a good contract.
Those elite defensive skills showed -15 and – 10 the past two seasons. Sure, the Canucks have stunk the past two seasons but if you’re inclined to his +/- the two years before which were good, then you will also have to factor in better teams.
Further, if you want to site Barkov, here is a list of the top vote getters for the Selke last year: Pettersson doesn’t appear to have gotten a single vote:
https://www.nhl.com/news/florida-panthers-aleksander-barkov-wins-2025-frank-j-selke-trophy#:~:text=NEW%20YORK%20%2D%2D%20Florida%20Panthers,the%20Professional%20Hockey%20Writers%20Association.
The only thing the Av’s have that would be of interest to the Flames are picks.
That’s what every armchair GM thinks
From all indications Scott Laughton is widely considered to be a very good, and in some contexts even elite, penalty-killer and viewed as a crucial, “indispensable” part of the Toronto Maple Leafs’ defensive unit.
He averages 2.14 minutes of PK per game, one of the highest among Leafs forwards, and is very effective at winning crucial PK face-offs, blocking shots, and playing an aggressive, in-your-face style that disrupts power plays.
With a rising cap I truly don’t see why they wouldn’t re-up him, but depending upon what they would want in return, I’d love to see Staios make a pitch to help shore up one of the weakest aspects of the Senators game this season.
considering his NTC, salary and term remaining, trading Pettersson will be next to impossible. Only way it could happen is if the deal included a similar bad contract going back to VAN. Unless VAN is that desperate to get rid of EP40 why would they take back a similar bad contract, that won’t improve their cap situation?
would Kadri really want to be a 3rd line center with the Avs, even if they could win the cup? we’ll see, but obviously MacKinnon, and Nelson, are better center options that Kadri
NO, the Avs really want O’Reilly.
Weegar would be a great acquisition for just about any team. Not sure I am in the majority, but I have always liked his game. He’s the one defenseman that might be available that could fit into a good team’s too 4 defenseman.
So what’s the price for Laughton?
Toronto St Pats, from what I have been able to glean from a number of sources, most figure the Leafs would seek a 2nd Round pick and a minor prospect.
That’s considered a reasonable return by most based on his role as a bottom-6 C/W, his production (8g 3a 11pts in 39gp) and his pending UFA status and $3 million per cap hit, particularly if Treleving agrees to retains 50% of his cap hit.
Especially being a rental. I think they could get more if he had more term left beyond this year.
I understand why the Leafs acquired Laughton. He is a valuable bottom 6 forward. I just wish they would have extended him. It would have made giving up the first if we could keep his skills around.
George O
Laughton’s full cap hit is $3M, but 50% is being paid by PHI
If the Leafs were to retain 50%, Laughton’s cap would be $750K. I don’t concern myself with the actual math of how it breaks down over the course of the season. It’s easier to just use the AAV from the start of the year. I think the Leafs may be able to squeeze a 1st for him, or at least an A prospect and mid round pick. If they take a poor contract back they may do even better.
By no means should the Leafs concern themselves with making the playoffs. They simply need to make the right moves for next year
Toronto has all 3 of their retention spots open
Thanks for the clarification, Daryl. A 1st from Ottawa would, unfortunately, have to be from a future year.
Zibanejad is back at center with Rangers, his primary position. Not sure anyone really improved or hurt their value in a few all star games over 2 weeks. Still don’t think Trochek goes anywhere unless it’s a huge overpay. Curious why Panthers haven’t been mentioned much here. Someone brought up Bobrovsky last week and I saw a tweet from Kevin Weekes yesterday pointing out there’s been no extension talks and he’s ufa eligible. Weekes doesn’t always chime in on rumors. Maybe something involving LA’s Kuemper for Bob? Florida needs to get their future cap space in order. Bobrovsky could join his buddy Panarin.
Slick62, by the trade deadline of March 6 the Panthers will have played 4 games – at home to Toronto on Thursday (the day after the Leafs are in Tampa) followed by a visit to NYI on Sunday, at New Jersey next Tuesday and in Columbus on Thursday. Sitting 14th in the Conference with 61 points, they are 8 b/o of a WC slot and need to climb over 6 teams to get there. With a potential 50 points left to them in their schedule, anything short of a 4-game sweep would write “finis” to their playoff hopes, especially if any of the teams they’d need to climb over are in a winning streak of their own.
So, when they visit Detroit the day of the deadline, Bill Zito is apt to be one of the busiest – whether by necessity of selling or buying.
Just read that Crosby will be out 4 weeks. Pens might want to consider going into sell mode. Currently in 2nd place in Metro. That could change real quick. A LOT of pending ufa’s.
So, one more to the list of Fiala, Rantanen, Morrisey, Faksa and now Crosby.
Of course, they could have been injured in a regular season game … but they weren’t … and since being there is what they wanted and demanded, tough cookies season ticket holders and regular walk-up ticket buyers.
Nobody’s forcing those folks to buy the tickets, George. And those that do know there’s always the risk that one of their favorite players could be missing from the lineup because of injuries.
So, how do you feel about teams sitting players to avoid getting injured before the playoffs, George? After all, there’s nothing wrong with the players, they’re healthy, but the teams don’t want to risk those players getting injured in what is essentially a nothing game at that stage of the season. Seems to me that would be more upsetting to the season ticket holders and walk-up ticket buyers. A perfectly healthy player sitting out rather than performing in front of the people who pay his salary.
Or how about players who suffer non-hockey-related injuries, like getting burns from setting their barbecues on fire? Or cutting their hands/fingers with knives while preparing meals? Or cutting their hand on a waterglass in a restaurant?
Or, like one of our goalies a few years back missing some clutch games because he slipped on a bar of soap or something … at home. LOL.
I get what you’re saying, Lyle, I truly do. I guess what’s at the crux of the matter … for me anyway …is, that whenever a serious injury occurs at an Olympics, it’s ALWAYS to a key member of some NHL team, that winds up hurting their following performance in league games, sometimes for extended periods.
Pittsburgh, for example, while having a good season, is by no means home free in terms of a playoff spot. How much will not having Crosby for the next 4 weeks hurt them? Or the loss of Fiala hurt L.A.’s chances of overtaking a playoff spot?
That, regardless of the arguments, will always bug me. Again, I know Crosby and Fiala could also suffer an injury in league games. But there, when injuries do occur, it’s nowhere neat 100% that it will be a top player. In the Olympics, it always is.
Fair enough, George. That explanation makes more sense to me. Cheers.
Both Rangers and Panthers have big decisions to make between now and March 6. The Rangers are in a form of rebuild, while the Panthers are still in a position to get into the post season. Or do the Panthers decide to sell some assets and attempt to retool? “Bob” on the market would be huge.
I suggested trading Bob, I think here, last week. I 1st suggested it last summer, when the goalie market was weak. Evidently you don’t trade a SC Cup winning goalie…….ever!
The Blues are in a unique spot at the deadline. They haven’t been contenders since the leadership and talent loss of, Petro, Steen, O’Reilly, Tarasenko and Boumeester. The current core hasn’t cut it. So I’m hoping for some big moves.
Kyrou is god as gone if not now over the summer, both parties are ready for a change.
Thomas, hs recent tepid comments regarding his ntc leads me to believe he’s been approached about a trade
Faulk, if Kulak gets you Girard and a 2nd what can you bring in for Faulk.
Parayko a big fast shut down dman that is consistently among the league leaders in blocked shots and take aways.
Binnington who has proven time and again that he plays his best on the biggest stages. I wonder if he and McDavid had any conversation about coming to Edmonton for a cup run.
The return for some of these players added with what is sure to be a top 3 pick in this year’s draft and a couple of prospects knocking on the door could make for an entirely different team next year.
Only problem is that all those Blues players have NMC or MNTC. So unless they want to move they are not going anywhere.
Can’t directly tie the kulak trade to a Faulk trade as far as value. That was as much about the cap space as it was the player.
Chrisms… I agree ! I thought it was good for both teams.
Penguins get a younger, slightly more talented player who can really skate and move the puck and a second round pic.
Avs….Get much need cap space and a battle playoff tested guy in Kulak who has been good in the playoffs for Montreal and Edmonton last two years.
Detroit is reportedly after Thomas……..BIG TIME!
definitely a 1st, Danielson, a rostered player (Probably Rasmusen of Compher) and a goalie prospect not named Cossa or Augustine
Detroit has 3 other very good goalie prospects besides them.
I don’t agree that Ellers stock went down due to his Olympic performance. He was on a team that was consistently outmatched.
When he has played for Ottawa he has been a solid two way checker, decent at faceoffs and has moved around to play the wing.
I think lots of lots of teams would be interested.
He also has a Stanley Cup winning goal.
I agree Owen. What games was that person watching? I thought the Danes looked pretty good as a whole. And the three Sens playing for them did all they could.
Very true, guys. And Denmark’s overall performance was amazing, considering that the population of the whole Country is just 6.03 million. Hell, the Province of Ontario alone has 16 million and New York City has, I think, more than that. Maybe L.A. as well??
Clarification: when I say “New York City has, I think, more than that …” I mean more than Denmark’s population … not the Province of Ontario.
Wonder if Seattle would gamble on Pettersson. Willing to pay Panarin $16M per year suggests they would. Wright for Pettersson and a 1st round pick.
Why would Vancouver do that?
I don’t know. I’d probably go for that. Get rid of Petterson’s contract, get a first that might be a mid round pick and decent player back too. Van are rebuilding and don’t want to be good for the next couple of years. I think they could maybe do better though, but maybe not without retaining some salary.
I still think Petterson is a good player in the right circumstances. It’s that 11.6 and term that scares people away.
If I’m the oilers I’ve got interest in petterson at $8 mil.
With Crosby being out now do you think the Pens consider moving a guy like Mantha? Having a career season and is a winger with size. Still fairly young. Not giving up but with the limited sellers as is he should bring in a 1st or atleast a conditional 2nd you know win 2 rounds or something.
Unless he brought back a young nhler with upside… I doubt it. Pens have lots of picks.
Find it weird that team Canada lied to us about Sid’s health obviously he had no attention of playing in Gold medal game. Did they think they were going to trick the USA into thinking he was playing how juvenile.
Obe: Where was it reported that Canada “lied” about Crosby’s health? He attempted to play but couldn’t. He skated in practice before the semifinal and the gold medal game. Crosby really wanted to play, but took himself out of both games because he wasn’t capable of doing so at the level that was acceptable to him. . There were no “tricks” here. Crosby wanted to play, Team Canada’s medical staff did everything it could to make it happen, but it didn’t work out as he hoped.
Lyle he’s out a month obviously they lied wake up I’m 62 not 5 my opinion counts as much as yours.
Obe: You claimed Team Canada “lied” about Crosby’s condition. Please provide substantiation to prove this. Otherwise, your opinion on this matter is baseless.
Ok well they didn’t tell the truth there was zero chance he was playing in my humble opinion if he was close to playing he wouldn’t be out at least another month. You go with he was close to playing I’ll go with there was zero chance. Is it still ok to have different options or are you always right ?
Obe: The facts as reported are as follows: First, Team Canada stated Crosby suffered a lower-body injury following the game in which he was hurt. They stated they would learn more about whether he would play in the semifinal. They subsequently stated that he wouldn’t play in that game, but he would try to play in the gold-medal game. Before the gold medal game, head coach Jon Cooper told the media Crosby had a better chance of playing in the gold-medal game than he did in the semifinal, a fact substantiated by Crosby, who has praised the Canadian medical staff for their efforts. Crosby skated with his teammates on Saturday, skated again the morning of the game, and he decided that he couldn’t play.
All of those facts were duly reported in real time by the media. No one lied about his condition. It was serious, yes, but Crosby still felt he could play and the Canadian staff did everything they could to make it happen.
A difference of opinion is one thing, Obe, especially if you can back it up with facts. However, you accused Team Canada of lying about Crosby’s condition in order to “trick” the Americans into thinking he was playing. The truth was Crosby wanted to play, but ultimately he took himself out of the lineup because he knew he couldn’t play at the appropriate level. Your accusation is baseless.
Ran across this trade proposal:
Binnington for Montembeault, a 2nd or maybe a 1st, a salaried player (Laine, Anderson, Newhook, Stuble. WiFi, fill in the blank). The better the salaried player, the lesser the pick.
No no no no no no
0 interest in Binnington, send him to Tampa.