NHL Rumor Mill – February 26, 2026
Who could the Maple Leafs peddle if they become trade deadline sellers? What’s the latest on Canadiens winger Patrik Laine? Could Brendan Shanahan and Marc Bergevin join the Predators’ front office? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
MAPLE LEAFS TRADE CANDIDATES
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan looked at five potential Maple Leafs trade candidates if management becomes a seller by the March 6 trade deadline.
Bobby McMann topped the list. The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Maple Leafs currently lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Given the way first-round picks are thrown around in trades now, McMann could fetch one.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann (NHL Images).
McMann has said he wants to re-sign with the Maple Leafs, but that could cost between $4.5 million and $5 million per season. Koshan believes he’ll be moved if he hasn’t signed an extension before next Friday.
Scott Laughton is also UFA-eligible, and he hasn’t provided the return that the Leafs sought when they sent a first-rounder and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to the Philadelphia Flyers last year to get him. He could be an effective depth player for a contender.
Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $3.5 million. He could be an attractive piece for teams with Stanley Cup aspirations.
Goaltender Anthony Stolarz’s four-year contract extension begins next season with an AAV of $3.75 million. Injuries have hampered his performance this season.
Like McMann and Laughton, forward Calle Jarnkrok is due to become a UFA on July 1.
TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports the Maple Leafs would like to re-sign McMann, but it doesn’t seem like they’re willing to pay him up to $5 million annually. They’d also like to keep Laughton, but where his salary number starts is debatable.
There’s not much of a goalie market heading toward the trade deadline. The Leafs might have to wait until the offseason to determine who stays or goes between Stolarz, Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby.
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon listed some possible trade destinations for McMann.
Topping his list is the Edmonton Oilers, followed by the Utah Mammoth, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMann’s style of play and his affordable $1.4 million cap hit will make him among the most desirable players at this year’s trade deadline.
The Oilers lack their 2026 first-rounder, and their prospect pool is getting shallow. The other clubs have their first-rounders, while the Islanders and Kraken each have two, though their spare first-rounders come with conditions attached. Most of them also have plenty of prospects and promising young players to draw on for trade bait.
CANADIENS AND KINGS DISCUSSED PATRIK LAINE
TVA SPORTS: According to Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period, the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings had talks about Patrik Laine in recent weeks.
The Kings are looking for a top-six forward and spoke with the Canadiens about Laine, who is due to return to action after being sidelined by abdominal surgery since October. However, there doesn’t seem to be a fit right now, and the Kings are looking elsewhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was expected that the Kings would return to the trade market following Kevin Fiala’s season-ending leg injury during the Olympics. No surprise that they checked in with the Canadiens, who could be having some difficulty fitting players returning from injuries back into their lineup.
It’s doubtful that Laine will end up with the Kings by the trade deadline, but the 27-year-old winger could end up with another playoff contender by March 6.
The Canadiens have played well in Laine’s absence, and he no longer fits in their plans. He’s UFA-eligible on July 1. The asking price won’t be high, and the Canadiens could be willing to retain part of his $8.7 million cap hit.
COULD SHANAHAN AND BERGEVIN JOIN THE PREDATORS?
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports multiple NHL sources claim Brendan Shanahan and Marc Bergevin have been linked to the Nashville Predators.
Shanahan is the former president of the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Bergevin is the former general manager of the Montreal Canadiens and currently an associate GM with the Buffalo Sabres.
Predators general manager Barry Trotz has indicated he will step down as soon as a suitable replacement is found. It’s rumored that Shanahan would become the Predators’ President of Hockey Operations while Bergevin would be their new general manager.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy stated that his sources caution that nothing is set in stone yet. Shanahan and Bergevin could be among several candidates for those positions.
For now, Trotz remains as general manager and is handling the club’s plans for the upcoming trade deadline. There is no timetable to replace Trotz, but it’s believed the club prefers to do so before the 2026 NHL Draft in June.
The Leafs have some interesting trade targets, but I doubt any of them will bring a first rounder. I would have resigned Laughton, not just for what they gave up for him, but what he brings as a bottom 6 forward. Ekman-Larsson could be the most attractive of all.
Tonight’s Toronto/Florida game be interesting to watch for both teams.
The other issue is also who has a 1st round pick to pay with? The Leafs could ask but the team being asked such as the oilers, just don’t have one. I do agree, OEL is playing lights out and value will never be this high…problem is, the Leafs D is already crappy and thin.
This is a transitional period where good management turns things around but knowing the Leafs, this is where we watch them fall to a perennial bottom dweller.
Maybe OEL can fetch a young dman to build with.
Toronto St Pats
I think that McMann will bring a 1st or an A prospect and 2nd round pick.
He’s one of the fastest guys in the league. He’s big. He’s on pace for 27 goals. He’s defensively responsible. His salary is only $1.3M…and the Leafs can retain 50% so teams that are up against the cap can easily fit him in.
Laughton as a 3rd/4th line player is okay, as long as his salary is no more than $2M. If he’d agree to it. Great. If not, move him to a contender for a 2ns and B prospect.
The Leafs needs to see what they have in Quillan, Groulx, and Villeneuve. Bring them up and play them to their strengths.
Daryl – you listed all the reasons why I think the Leafs should resign him. Also good in the corners.
But if he is that valuable, who will be willing to give the #1 and have a spot for him in their top 6? I doubt a team will give a #1 for a guy pegged for their bottom 6 this spring.
Shanahan and Bergevin heading the Preds hockey ops. Yeah that’ll speed them to Cup contention.
As I posted yesterday, Laughton’s value to another team will center primarily around his ability as a Grade A penalty-killer and substantially less on his contribution to the 3rd or 4th line.
If the Senators can win 3 of their next 4 leading up to trade deadline day and consequently put themselves in a good position to make the playoffs over their remaining 21 games (at that point), I’d love to see them make a deal to bring him here … if the ask isn’t beyond their capability (or willingness( to meet.
Losing 3 of the next 4, however, and they’re done like dinner, so it won’t matter this season.
He great in the dots too. Good room guy but I doubt the Leafs would trade him unless he prices himself out. He’s a pretty underrated player and has lots of intangibles the non analytics guys love.
I agree Ron, he’s an underrated team guy. That’s why I think they should find a way to keep him.
Just not sure where he’d fit, George. It would require Ellers going the other way, but I feel like that’s a lateral move. Better PK maybe but I don’t see a huge upgrade there, especially if it means giving up such few assets the Sens have.
Owen, there have been two major contributors to the shaky position they find themselves in with 25 games to go: 1) inconsistent goaltending and 2) one of the lousiest pk records in the entire league.
All they can do about 1) is hope their # 1 has it together for the final stretch, augmented here and there by the veteran presence of Reimer. The only answer to 2) is to bring in someone noted for his pk abilities.
I don’t know that Eller is necessarily gone, but if he is, they are well-positioned at C down the stretch with Stutzle, Cozens, Pinto and Halliday, with Grieg available to move there as and when necessary.
Moving Amadio or Zetterlund would seem the likeliest to make room for a Laughton. I don’t know if either are used here and there on a pk … but if they are, they sure aren’t doing it any good!
I could see the Canes being interested in Stolarz or Woll. Thinking the Leafs would trade Stolly if they could.
I hope the Leafs arent silly enough to resign either Laughton or McMann- trade them away and if they arent signed July 1st you can re visit. You cannot be afraid to lose 3rd and 4th line players… Would prefer AHL players who are almost NHL ready as opposed to picks.
Sam, all teams need good players and players of a certain type. Both Laughton and McMann can help teams be successful with Laughton being harder to replace.
If you want to move off guys, think Rielly, Domi, Jankrok types as obvious players to move/upgrade from. All replaceable with minimal issues. There are a bunch of useful players that will have some trade value you can also move off of but a lot of them you’ll still need and will have a heck of a time replacing, if you can; or, they have the greatest value on your own team…then there always the underwhelming returns.