NHL Rumor Mill – March 12, 2026
A look ahead at the Flyers’ potential offseason plans, and the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE FLYERS AFTER THE TRADE DEADLINE?
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James reported Flyers general manager Daniel Briere remained firm on his asking price for Rasmus Ristolainen leading up to last Friday’s trade deadline. He claimed Briere sought a first-round pick and a prospect for the 31-year-old defenseman.
Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen (NHL Images).
Briere stated that he wasn’t trying to dump Ristolainen or get rid of him, saying that the veteran blueliner still had a lot of value to the Flyers. He indicated there were plenty of calls from other clubs, but the offers didn’t make sense value-wise.
Retaining Ristolainen creates a logjam on the right side of the Flyers’ blueline, including Jamie Drysdale, Oliver Bonk, and the recently-acquired David Jiricek.
James believes the Flyers should’ve moved Ristolainen, as his value will never be higher than it was at the deadline.
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco believes the Flyers did the right thing by retaining Ristolainen, pointing out that his departure would’ve left a big hole on the right side of the defense corps, which would’ve led to rushing one of their young blueliners into the lineup.
Di Marco cited sources claiming the Flyers offered Ristolainen and a roster player to an unnamed Eastern Conference team for a prospect and a roster player, but it was rejected by the other team.
The Flyers could attempt to move Ristolainen during the summer. However, they could also retain him and re-evaluate at next year’s deadline.
Di Marco also reported that Flyers sources claim the club will attempt to address its backup goalie position in the offseason. He suggested that Joseph Woll of the Toronto Maple Leafs and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres could be interesting options.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz believes addressing their thin depth at the center position should be the Flyers’ top priority in the offseason.
Winger Garnet Hathaway’s struggles this season could result in a contract buyout this summer. They could pursue a backup goaltender, as Samuel Ersson has played his way off the team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen is signed through next season with a salary-cap hit of $5.1 million and lacks no-trade protection. Unless a rival club makes a significant offer, he will likely return with the Flyers next season.
It’s expected they’ll re-sign starting goaltender Daniel Vladar to a contract extension this summer. He’s currently signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $3.35 million. They’ll likely scour this summer’s trade and free-agent markets for a reliable backup.
Hathaway has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $2.4 million. A buyout would leave the Flyers with a $1 million cap hit for 2026-27 and $700,000 for 2027-28.
IS THIS SAMUEL MONTEMBEAULT’S FINAL SEASON WITH THE CANADIENS?
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes the Canadiens recalling Jacob Fowler from their AHL affiliate in Laval indicates they’ve lost trust in struggling starting goaltender Samuel Montembeault.
The 29-year-old Montembeault has one season left on his contract with a cap hit of $3.15 million. Cowan believes it wouldn’t be a shock if the Canadiens attempt to trade him this summer.
Following the Canadiens’ 3-2 win over the Ottawa Senators with Fowler in goal, Herb Zurkowsky suggested Montembeault’s future in Montreal appears to be in jeopardy, but he cautioned that things can change quickly in pro sports.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have been patient with Montembeault this season. They gave him playing time, they gave him time off, sent him to Laval on a brief conditioning stint, and replaced their goaltending coach. However, his ongoing inconsistency remains a nagging issue as the Habs jockey for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference.
Fowler showed promise in his 10-team call-up earlier this season, going 4-4-2 with a 2.62 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage, and one shutout. The 21-year-old netminder has been outstanding this season for Laval, going 7-1-0 in his last eight games with a 1.95 GAA and a .926 save percentage.
The Canadiens wanted to keep Fowler in the AHL for seasoning, but Montembeault’s struggles changed those plans. If the youngster spends the rest of this season as a reliable backup for Jakub Dobes, this could indeed be Montembeault’s final season with the Habs.
Risto is not worth a first round pick and UPLia not a backup goalie. Of Philly needs a keeper, they should talk to the Sabres who have two young goalies that are out of options next season. Either Ellis or Levi has to go.
My thoughts: Philly did the right move by not moving him…why give him up for nothing when he is in demand
Yes Fowler had a great game last night, but it’s a little premature to think he’s now with the Habs permanently. Prior to his hot run in Laval he wasn’t doing well, and consistency is often elusive for young goalies.
That said, Montembeault indeed has one foot on a banana peel. His future isn’t threatened just by Fowler, as who knows what moves the Habs will make between now and the start of next season. They may well both lose faith in Montembeault and be reluctant to ride such a young tandem in Dobes and Fowler.
Hathaway is one of those guys you hate playing against. Top 10 in hits. Willing to drop the gloves. Philly has over 40m in cap space next year. Why would they buy him out? Once you add another player to replace him to his dead cap hit, there’s minimal savings. And those savings go out the window with extra year of dead cap.