NHL Rumor Mill – February 6, 2026
The latest on Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault, Flames center Nazem Kadri, Sabres winger Alex Tuch, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
KINGS WERE INTERESTED IN VINCENT TROCHECK
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Los Angeles Kings’ recent acquisition of winger Artemi Panarin doesn’t diminish their need for a center. They reportedly tried to get Vincent Trocheck included in the deal with Panarin, but his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference. Kings general manager Ken Holland is also looking to move winger Warren Foegele, who’s been a healthy scratch lately.
New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)
Friedman also mentioned that the Detroit Red Wings attempted to sign Trocheck when he was an unrestricted free agent, but the Rangers beat them to it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is going to draw plenty of attention leading up to the March 6 trade deadline. The 32-year-old center is signed for three more seasons with an average annual value of $5.625 million and a 12-team no-trade list. Most of the teams on that list could be from the Western Conference.
COULD THE PREDATORS SHOP MARCHESSAULT AND O’REILLY?
Elliotte Friedman believes Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault could be a trade candidate. He has a full no-movement clause, but could waive it to go to a place with a good minor hockey infrastructure for his children.
Friedman believes the Montreal Canadiens are interested in Ryan O’Reilly, but it’s unknown if the Predators center will be traded.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchessault could be available, but his stock is down from two years ago because of the decline in his production. He’s 35 and carries a $5.5 million average annual value through 2028-29.
As for O’Reilly, Predators general manager Barry Trotz said he hasn’t received an offer suitable enough to take to the 34-year-old center. That could change as the trade deadline approaches, but he could be content to stay in Nashville.
THE LATEST ON FLAMES FORWARDS KADRI AND COLEMAN
Elliotte Friedman believes one of the reasons Nazem Kadri’s market slowed is the availability of Trocheck and St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. He said the Utah Mammoth checked in with the Calgary Flames and believes this could pick up. There is a slight concern about the remaining term in Kadri’s contract, but the Flames are willing to be flexible.
Friedman also mentioned there has been a lot of talk linking winger Blake Coleman to the Montreal Canadiens, but he doesn’t think that’s feasible.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are facing pressure to move Kadri and Coleman because the duo is signed beyond this season. Nevertheless, one of them could be on the move by the March 6 trade deadline.
Coleman seems the most likely candidate because of his versatility, experience, and affordable $4.9 million cap hit.
OTHER TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes some teams will use the Olympic break to engage in contract extension discussions.
He wondered how the Winnipeg Jets and center Jonathan Toews might feel about another year. Meanwhile, there’s been some discussion between the Buffalo Sabres and winger Alex Tuch, but they’re not close to a deal. He noted that the Sabres aren’t interested in making their team worse, which suggests they’re not going to move Tuch. Friedman also thinks they might add a “beefier blueliner, if possible.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are in a good position to end their 14-year playoff drought. They won’t risk upsetting that by moving Tuch even if they can’t agree on a new contract. They’ll hang onto him and revisit those discussions in the offseason.
The Toronto Maple Leafs seek a first-round pick for winger Bobby McMann. What makes it challenging is that several possible suitors, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, and Vegas Golden Knights, traded away their 2026 first-rounders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs could end up settling for a second-round pick bundled with another pick or a prospect.
The Edmonton Oilers need to move Andrew Mangiapane.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Easier said than done thus far. They have reportedly trying to trade him since December without success.
Detroit has a whole bunch of interesting prospects this Ranger fan would take back for Trocheck.
A young center who can skate would be nice.
Rangers team speed is slooooooowwwwww
Not sure I understand the Leafs demand for a 1st round pick for McMann. Yeah, he’s having a decent season for a non-drafted player with 19g 13a 32 pts … but that still ranks him around 147th in the league as of this morning, and I don’t see any other names around there projecting to get a 1st round pick.
George,
Leafs likely assume that because they give up 1st rounders for spare parts (Carlo,Laughton) everyone else will too.
George. This sounds just like the Keifer Sherwood rumors. And he was dealt for two 2nd’s and an AHL player.
George what is the value of a player in his prime who now has shown to be able to score 20g per season, skates like the wind, has a bit of physicality, defensively aware and is 6’2/200 and does this against other teams best lines? I guess the cap hit just makes him more available to more teams…who can’t fit him in? If he was available by any other team but the Leafs, we would say he’s worth a 1st plus.
But realistically he’s mostly going to only be a 35-45 pt player which is still midrange top six player. I’m curious to see what your thoughts are.
George O
What makes McMann unique isn’t simply the player, it’s the player and the contract.
How many 20G scorers are available that have a $1.35M cap hit? How many of those players are one of the fastest guys in the league?
This season is the first time a playoff salary cap is in effect. If the Leafs retain 50% a contending team tight to the cap can get a 20G scorer for $635K cap hit.
That’s why they’re asking for a 1st round pick. This pick would be a low first round pick most likely.
I doubt they are going for a 1st. But you don’t ask for what you are looking for. You ask higher and hope you get the second.
Chrisms
During the break the Leafs need to ask McMann’s representatives if he will resign and for how much. Or, if he’s willing to go somewhere on a playoff run and come back as a UFA?
This is a unique situation for playoff teams. This is the first season to have a playoff salary cap.
McMann is on a dirt cheap cap hit for what he provides. If he was making $4M a season, the conversation wouldn’t be the same.
The Leafs have 3 salary retention spots. It’s foolish if they don’t use them all
Leafs trade MickeyMann to Utah for Maveric Lamoureux (6″7″ RD) and NYR’s 2nd
IMO, teams would have to overpay for Trochek. Feel like Drury sees him as part of core he wants to retool around. Already gave up Panarin for futures. They’re supposedly looking for young., NHL ready players.
If they don’t trade Trocheck, then it’s really not a retool or a rebuild.
Panarin was never going to bring back much if NYR could not get 2 or 3 teams bidding against each other.
And there really isn’t anything else of value on the roster to trade that will bring in younger, faster roster players that can help jumpstart the team next year.
So if they don’t trade Trocheck, then they better have a huge draft and offseason.
Capt. this wasn’t knocking the Panarin trade. I didn’t want him back at 35. Just can’t see Drury doing another trade like that for picks and prospects.
Foley. I guess the return would define whether it was retool or not. Trochek isn’t exactly the slowest skater and could be one of their best 2 way players. Hes the Protoss Drury wants. Gritty and unlike Panarin, plays a north / south game. Any trade would have to bring back nhl ready players.
Rangers “should” get a major haul for Trochek, except for one major stumbling block. Drury is the GM. This could be his chance to disprove the doubters, me included. Let’s just say that I’m not optimistic.
Robert. What would please you? What contender is giving up a young stud from their roster? I don’t see Drury wanting more picks and prospects. I believe the retool will happen in the summer. Any deals before deadline will most likely be for depth players.
Capt. I replied under wrong person. I’m fine with Panarin trade
That’s refreshing. Seeing what NY fans thought was a realistic expectation in return is insanity!
I think about 70% expected a Bedard or Cellebrini in return.
I don’t necessarily disagree about Drury. But people beating him up for the Panarin trade is a little misguided.
He had a full NMC. He wanted a team that was willing to extend him. And most importantly, Panarin said LA or nowhere after being allowed to talk to multiple teams.
People keep saying Drury got fleeced. But did he? Not sure that Greentree turns into an NHL’er. But he is ranked around 30 in prospects.
If I were Holland, I’m not giving you more than a 3rd or 4th rounder.
Did LA win that s trade? Today , sure. But does anyone out there see LA as a contender?
I think this is a lose lose move for Panarin and LA. Panarin gets to go to the playoffs, but I’ll fall out of my chair if they win a round. Never mind beyond one round.
Everything I’ve read about Greentree is that he will be an NHL player Captain.
Big strong boy who isn’t afraid to use it and can score. Skates good enough. Not slow, but doesn’t wheel.
Question, as it often is, will he score at a level to play in the top 6. But even if he doesn’t, he’s the the type of guy who will contribute on the 3rd line with the rest of his game.
If he ends up scoring 20+ goals long term, Rags win the deal.
Unless LA wins the cup during Panarin’s time there and I would bet against that.
Yeah I like Greentree. Him +Laba is a nice young heart+soul punch(Laba might always be a 3C guy…but)
They need to add speed upfront…..
Cuylle Laf Perreault all lack elite wheels……. Berard can fly but not sure he cuts it in the NHL
Tro instantly changes the scope for Detroit or Minnie down the middle for a playoff run.
But Drury issues or not a team still needs to be on Tro’s approved list
Detroit has plenty to offer but I believe the Wild’s cupboard is close to bare?
Minny can have Brodzinski. He deserves a playoff run such a pro and won’t cost Minny much
Trocheck for Wallstedt?
Perfect understudy for Shesty!
Wall stat will be edging towards the end of his prime by the time shest contract is done wouldn’t he?
NYR gets Pinto
Ott gets Wallstedt
Minny gets Trocheck
Yeah, with Shesterkin on the books for 5 years. Why would they be looking for anything other than a younger replacement for Quick?
McMann won’t be dealt for less than a good first round-pick and a player under contract for next year.
I doubt very much that they want to trade him.
Size, speed, hits a lot, kills penalties, a big shot and stands up for his team-mates. He is essentially the guy who replaced Zack Hyman for them, but has been constantly moved around the lines depending on injuries and missing pieces. That is the only reason his stats are not 15 points better.
Pretty sure that the team wants to re-sign/extend him, and would only trade the pending UFA if they thought he would not extend.
Any Bobby McMann trade likely comes at a very high price (as a first round pick is unlikely to be immediate help next season) and happens after the Olympic break, if at all.
Hey I like the guy but he’s not close to being Hyman. There’s a few categories you can say he’s better than Zack such as speed or shot but he definitely lacks consistency in all aspects of his game compared to Hyman. I tend to value consistency over anything else. In any case you’ll always need two to dance and I’m hoping if they do move him they find someone who thinks he’s worth what your asking.
I’m sure teams are inquiring about Trochek.
Point of interest. He’s not a rental. He has just as much value to NY. And unlike Panarin, he hasn’t been held out of games for “roster management”. 4 games after break before deadline. We’ll see.
“Panarin’s arrival does not diminish the Kings’ desire for a center. There were reports they tried to add Vincent Trocheck to this deal. I can’t speak to that, but word is Trocheck prefers to stay East with what control he has. That doesn’t mean it’s a guarantee, but it is his preference at this time. Detroit, by the way, went hard at Trocheck when he was a UFA. Rangers beat them for his services.”
There’s no doubt he’s the type of player the Red “Wings need to get over the hump and elevate their top six.”