NHL Rumor Roundup – February 23, 2026
The Olympic trade freeze is lifted. With the March 6 trade deadline approaching, check out the latest on the Oilers and Flyers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHICH DEFENSEMEN COULD THE OILERS TARGET IN THE TRADE MARKET?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson observed that the Oilers have acquired a defenseman in two of the last three NHL trade deadlines. As much as they need a third-line center, Matheson believes they have a greater requirement for a right-shot top-four blueliner.
Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (NHL Images)
Matheson referred to TSN’s Craig Button’s suggestion that Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks would be a good fit alongside Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.
Other options include Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets, Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins, Nick Perbix of the Nashville Predators, and Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers. However, Schenn is aging, Peeke and Perbix are “iffy”, and Ristolainen has an injury history.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the available options are either out of the Oilers’ price range in terms of return and cap hit, or could be risky acquisitions if they fail to mesh well on their blueline.
The Oilers could wait a few days to see how the blueline corps responds to the return of Paul Coffey as their defense coach. However, if they wait too long, they could lose out on the few options in the trade market.
What do you think, Oilers fans? Let us know in the comments section which defensemen you believe your club has a realistic chance of acquiring by the trade deadline.
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell also looked at possible trade targets to address the Oilers’ need for a right-shot defenseman.
Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils and John Carlson of the Washington Capitals are mentioned. However, multiple factors (cap hit, no-trade clauses, expensive return) rule them out for the Oilers.
Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers is a good bet to have strong shutdown seasons, but the 24-year-old could be a risky move as a deadline addition. Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames is very good, but the Flames aren’t likely to help their long-time rival.
As for Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks and Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins, Mitchell pointed out that they’re not having strong seasons.
Mitchell believes Artem Zub of the Ottawa Senators would be a perfect fit based on his numbers versus elite talent. However, he’s unlikely to be available.
COULD THE FLYERS MOVE RASMUS RISTOLAINEN AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers would be willing to listen to calls about Rasmus Ristolainen.
Kurz noted there was tepid interest in Ristolainen last season until the final days leading up to the 2025 deadline. He indicated that the lanky defenseman has a year left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $5.1 million.
As a right-shot blueliner, Ristolainen could draw more interest this season, given the limited number of sellers. The Flyers won’t be interested in a minimal return for him.
The Dallas Stars could be a suitor. They could be seeking a right-shot defenseman after losing out on Rasmus Andersson, who was traded by the Flames to the Vegas Golden Knights last month.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen has become a more defensively reliable rearguard in Philadelphia. Having that extra year on his contract would make him enticing for clubs seeking players who will be more than rentals. However, his injury history could lead clubs to pursue healthier options elsewhere.
While getting a RHD with term becoming very expensive you wonder if you wouldn t be better off with low cost rentals like Petry, Schenn, Bogoshian,Oleskiak as options!
I have always thought that Connor Murphy was underrated. The guy just seems to do his job pretty well. The rest of the names mentioned all have issues that the acquiring teams might not want to deal with.
What is better off? Do you think any of these guys will move the needle for your team or are you short bodies and need anyone who can skate?
That’s the question.
None of these guys will move the needle, unless your management feels a certain player has the skills to work with their team. But from what I see, none are clear top 4 guys.
Lyle, when you wrote “Mitchell believes Artem Zub of the Ottawa Senators would be a perfect fit based on his numbers versus elite talent” I almost choked on my coffee. LOL. And that increased when I clicked on the article where he writes “There’s one true “perfect fit” available for the Oilers. It’s Artem Zub of the Ottawa Senators. His numbers versus elites are exceptional: 44 percent of his five-on-five minutes come against the league’s best, and he owns a 57 percent Dangerous Fenwick (similar to expected goals) and a 58 percent goal share. He can defend and move the puck, and has flourished in Ottawa despite below-average foot speed. His contract ($4.6 million with a year left after this one) is an easy one for the Oilers to digest compared to some of the names above.“
“Available” ??? Where in Hell does he get that idiotic thought was my first reaction. But then I read on where he says “There’s no reasonable argument to suggest Zub would be made available, though. He’s a stalwart performer and a foundation piece in the nation’s capital. However, if Bowman ever got the chance to make that trade, the Oilers would be wise to move heaven and earth to get it done.”
So, why bring his name up at all? Sure, if Staios was ever rumored to be thinking of dangling him, yeah, the line would start to the right. But the Oilers, with what they would even think of moving, would be at the end of a long line.
If he’s been following the chatter around the league he has to know that Ottawa is seeking to ADD a RD – not deal one.
A look at the standings would also show him that Ottawa is 1 point back of Edmonton in the overall standings, and with a game in hand, are 6-3-1 in their past 10 while the Oilers ar 5-5-0, have 7 less goals scored than Edmonton … and that’s without a McDavid or Draisaitl … have relinquished 10 less goals than the Oilers, and Zub has 1 more season to run at a cap-friendly $4.6 mil All of which is to say that he’s a “perfect fit” in Ottawa as well. He’s not going anywhere any time soon.
Good rant, George.
LOL….some of those salty Sunday tears spilling into George’s monday morning coffee.
Zub was a diamond in the rough find. The next four or five games will determine if Ottawa are buyers or sellers. With Yakemchuk coming….I could see a scenario (if they’re out of it) where Zub gets moved. Staois wants a 1st round pick. Somehow.
Not having one if we are outside the dance is a bad look. I know it wasn’t Steve’s fault but it still doesn’t look good. This season went off the rails due to goaltending. And that IS on him. If ottawa goes into sell mode anyone not named Tkachuk, Stutzle, Sanderson, Batherson or Pinto are probably on the block.
Heh Dark G. Not really. And while I agree Zub could conceivably move for a solid return that would have to include a 1st Round pick, that won’t be to Edmonton since their pick figures to be low in the Round. Nor do they have anything else … that they’d be willing to relinquish … that Ottawa would want.
In fact, a move to ANY of the top 8 in both Conferences would carry much the same limitations … unless one of them has more than one pick in the 1st round, including that of a team not destined to make the playoffs.
That’s why I added he won’t be going anywhere any time soon.
As for “tears” – nah … while it would have been satisfying to many fans in this country to win another Gold, I enjoyed the games for their competitive nature, but my schnozz isn’t out of joint due to the loss. Good for the Yanks … they’ve been waiting a long, long time for another Olympic win.
No Saros rumblings?
he was very very good and be wasted imho
ds, I think the non-rumblings stems from the fact that hockey writers (and many fans) have given up trying to figure out what Trotz may .. or may not … do.
Hell, I don’t think Trotz knows for that matter!
Trotz brought in past prime stars. Traded away Askarov. No way he trades Saros. I see them as a good bet to make playoffs.
He’d bring a haul, but I don’t think Nashville has anyone in their system that could take his spot. The Leeds have become a pretty subpar organization in recent years.
But really, I guess no one can blame Trotz. I mean, it’s not like Nashville is out of reach of a playoff spot, sitting 10th in the Conference with 59 points in 57gp – a .518 pace. That puts them 4 points b/o Seattle and Anaheim, who sit 7th and 8th, with each holding a game in hand on the Predators, and just 5 b/o Utah and Edmonton, who hold down the 5th and 6th spots and Nashville holding a game in hand on the Oilers.
Mind you, in order to clime to what appears to be the Western cut-off of 91 points, Nashville would need to raise their % pace over the final 46 potential points left to them to .696 – a whopping jump of .178. Edmonton, too, will need to increase their pace – but only minimally from .552 to ,563 – since they have the fewest potential points left to them of 48. The other three could drop slightly and still reach 91 – Utah from ,561 to .540, and Anaheim and Seattle both from ,563 to .529.
GeorgeO,Nashville is fortunate to be in the their conference.If they were in the east they would only be in front of the NYR and NJD in points!
Yep. That’s the way it always shapes up when one Conference has 5 sub-.500 teams and the other just the one.