Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 8, 2026
Will the Canadiens trade Patrik Laine? Could the Red Wings or the Mammoth make big moves before the trade deadline? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
WILL THE CANADIENS MOVE PATRIK LAINE AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reported Thursday that Jeff Gorton, the executive vice-president of hockey operations for the Montreal Canadiens, said his club is exploring all options ahead of the NHL’s March 6 trade deadline.
“We’d like to be aggressive, and we will be, if necessary,” Gorton said. However, the Canadiens will balance that need against avoiding anything that could impede their long-term goal of becoming a perennial contender. If they don’t find a suitable fit by March 6, they’ll be content to wait.
Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine (NHL Images).
The Canadiens also have some injured players returning to action soon that could help them. One is Patrik Laine, who’s been out for the last 14 weeks recovering from abdominal surgery. The 27-year-old winger could return to action following the Olympic break, but Engels believes it could be with another club.
Engels cited the Canadiens’ offense improved this season, meaning they no longer need Laine’s goal-scoring ability as much as they did last season. He believes management is willing to retain half of the winger’s prorated $9.1 million salary to get the remainder of his expiring $8.7 million cap hit off their books. However, league sources claim the Canadiens won’t sacrifice an asset to move Laine.
RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico looked at several possible trade destinations for Laine.
The Calgary Flames have some cap space open with winger Jonathan Huberdeau undergoing season-ending hip surgery. The Carolina Hurricanes have significant cap space and have two of Laine’s best friends (Sebastian Aho and Nikolaj Ehlers) on their roster. The Los Angeles Kings and Seattle Kraken seek more firepower.
D’Amico pointed out the market for scoring wingers could thin out with teams like the Kraken, Utah Mammoth, and Columbus Blue Jackets remaining in the playoff chase by the trade deadline. That could work to the Canadiens’ advantage.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine could draw interest from contenders seeking help on the power play. The Canadiens must retain salary or take back a high-salaried player in return. Given his long absence from the lineup, they still might have to include a mid-range draft pick in the deal.
The Flames are out of contention, so it’s unlikely that they’ll waste their time acquiring a pending UFA. The Hurricanes will likely pursue a player who can have a bigger impact on their Stanley Cup aspirations.
The Kings’ recent addition of Panarin addresses their need for more scoring. What they need now is depth at center. The Kraken are in the market for a scorer, but they could prefer a more reliable one with term left on his contract.
THE RED WINGS COULD BE BUSY IN THE POST-OLYMPIC TRADE MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman reported on Thursday that the Red Wings’ biggest need is a second-pairing defenseman, preferably on the right side. He felt they needed someone who could play tough minutes and take some pressure off rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka, who’s been filling the second-pairing right-side role alongside veteran Ben Chiarot.
Bultman believes Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues would be the best fit. Other options include Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils and Braden Schneider.
Those three have term remaining on their contracts. That could appeal to Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman, who is usually hesitant about parting with assets for rental players.
RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Detroit Red Wings are evaluating options for a center in the trade market.
Sources claim the Red Wings seek a veteran top-six center with term remaining on their contract. They’re believed to be willing to pay a high price. The Wings recently moved Marco Kasper to the wing, leaving Andrew Copp as their second-line center.
D’Amico suggested Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers as a trade target. The 32-year-old center is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $5.625 million. He also has a 12-team no-trade list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers are sellers and shipped superstar Artemi Panarin to the Los Angeles Kings last week. The limited number of quality centers in the trade market could make Trocheck a prized trade option for playoff contenders like the Red Wings.
The Wings have plenty of cap space to take on the remainder of Trocheck’s contract. They also have the depth in draft picks, prospects, and promising young players to make a competitive offer to the Rangers. That’s assuming Detroit isn’t on Trocheck’s no-trade list.
If the Red Wings make a big splash for a defenseman, Bultman doubts they’ll have the assets left to pursue a top-six center. They’ll have to decide which is the more pressing need for the trade deadline and address the other in the offseason.
THE MAMMOTH COULD MAKE A SPLASH BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE
RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Utah Mammoth have been looking to make another big move in the trade market since acquiring winger JJ Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres last summer.
The Mammoth are jockeying for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. Sources told D’Amico that they’ve been in talks for a top-six forward to bolster their scoring, which has declined since center Logan Cooley was sidelined on Dec. 5 with a lower-body injury.
It’s believed they’ve kicked tires on several centers, including Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames. Speculation suggests they could take a big swing in the market, with centers such as Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks and Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues said to be available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Red Wings, the Mammoth have the cap space and depth in tradeable assets to pursue a big-ticket center. However, Kadri carries a 13-team no-trade list, Pettersson has a full no-movement clause, and Thomas has full no-trade protection.
Kadri might be the easiest to acquire if Utah isn’t on his no-trade list, but the Mammoth might prefer somebody younger.
The Habs will likely find a taker for Laine in the form of a team seeking a rental who has a history of scoring consistency.
In his first 306hp with the Jets he had 82-game averages of 38g 30a 68 pts, and since leaving Winnipeg has played 231 with Columbus and Montreal, with 82-game averages of 30g 31a 61pts – not that much of a dip.
A team will, however, want their medical staff to give him a thorough examination to make certain he’s fully recovered from that abdominal surgery.
Seattle is one possibility.
I don’t buy the Hurricanes acquiring him. Their PP is 3rd in the league.
Anyway, speaking of Seattle – GO SEAHAWKS!
Just DON’T – if you find yourselves inside the 1-yard line and 4th down – drop back to bloody pass!!!
There is always a team looking for a home run hitter headed into the playoffs.Laine is hoping to get hot for a couple of months and get another contract.Wont take much to get him!
That’s very true, Sr … which brings up the question … since the Habs are one of the teams almost assuredly headed for the playoffs, why wouldn’t they retain him as an own-rental to boost their scoring – especially on the pp – rather than settle for “not much?”
Lyle, curious as to your thoughts on that considering your affinity for the Habs.
From my end – and if the Senators don’t make it and in which case I’d be pulling for Montreal – I’d prefer they retain him.
You said Lyle, but I know you meant LJ. How could you not?
The Habs style is north/south with a reliance on speed. Laine’s tendency is to sometimes slow the game down, or play east/west. When Laine played last he found himself on the 4th line, something that is not going to change given the stability the Habs have on their first three lines. That won’t work for him or the Habs.
Not even on a pp LJ? Like everyone is saying … if he is dealt he’s probably not going to bring back anything that will impact the Habs line-up right now.
No, he won’t get a great return George. But better to trade him than have him doing squat on the 4th line. And he would add something to some contender’s PP.
Besides, even if the Habs have to eat some of his salary moving some of it frees $ to spend on someone else if the Habs target a player.
Would St Louis consider, choice of two out of Blake, Hall, Stancovin plus a pick for Thomas?
Hall has a full NMC. So he won’t be going to blues anytime soon
The supposed ask for Thomas us 2 1sts. A nhl player and prospect
For an admittedly good scorer who, unfortunately, has an injury history – and always seemingly for different reasons – as long as my arm??
I don’t think they’re about to get anywhere near that.
https://sportsforecaster.com/nhl/p/26558/Robert_Thomas/transactions
Rebuild vs retool?
I still don’t see Trochek getting moved unless the return is worth it. Speaking of best friends, him and JT Miller are childhood friends and along with Zibanejad the 3 leaders moving forward. If Detroit wants him, I would imagine Drury would want at least 1 of their top young players. Think Kasper or Edvinson. Trochek has given Rangers most bang for the buck. 236 points in 289 games in NY at half the price they paid Panarin. More the style Drury prefers and probably the reason he’s still here.
Lyle, Schneider doesn’t have term left but is rfa and teams would control his rights. Again, another player I would think should bring back a high return but should really be part of group moving forward. If in Drury is shop Borgen and see if he’s willing to waive his nmc. Can’t see both being back next season and a lot will depend on Schneider next contract.
Laine is great if you want someone to stand on his off side ( literally not moving) on the PP. Otherwise no contact very little hustle or aggression and I doubt could even stay healthy for a playoff run . Hey but he can score
No thanks . Especially for that kind of money
Anyone is for sale.
I think the Trocheck ask is a significant 4 assets. Likely the same for R Thomas
Center ice gets the top return .
ST Louis just claimed a 3rd/4th line center on waivers, Finley, so he’ll be rostered for the rest of the year. More likely then that they move someone off. He’s big, but not really physical tho he’ll make the effort and can score a little. Probably 50% plus on faceoffs as he gets time.
Marchessault for Laine ($2M retained)
Marchy goes home! It is a beutifu feel-good story that will inspire his play! Nashville gets rid of 3.3 years of Marchy’s contract, Preds decide if they wanna offer a much younger player in Laine a proof-it contract.
Marchessault wanted more term than the Habs wanted before he signed with Nashville, Johnny. He is 35 with three more years left on his contract.
This is the same profile Gorton said the Habs are not interested in.
And sentiment belongs in Hallmark stories, not in pro sports.
Trocheck and Schneider for 2026 1st and 2028 1st (both top 7 protected), JT Compher (salary and a NHL center) Amadeus Lombardi (a 22 yo C that is nearly a pt per game in AHL Grand Rapids) and 2026 3rd
I don’t see any point in trading Laine unless he’s part of a package for an impact player.
He worked like a dog all summer to b ready, he and Demidov put in hours together, he got back from this last injury earlier than expected so he must be chomping at the bit.
He has been watching and practicing all season clearly seeing the changes in system the team has gone through so all this talk about stationary on the dot is overplayed.
A speedster loses a step, a grinder loses stamina but a shooter doesn’t lose his shot.
In practice Laine has been playing into the new system, crossing over switching high-low, cross seam passing, all the things he never needed to do.
Where does he fit?