NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2026
Check out the latest about Blues goalie Jordan Binnington, Ducks center Mason McTavish, and Avalanche center Jack Drury in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HURRICANES INQUIRED ABOUT JORDAN BINNINGTON BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports sources suggested the Carolina Hurricanes checked in with the St. Louis Blues about goaltender Jordan Binnington before the March 6 trade deadline. However, that’s all it was, as the talks never got serious.
St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington (NHL Images).
LeBrun’s report was part of his interview with Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky, which included a discussion about the club’s limited activity at the trade deadline. He noted that Tulsky wouldn’t comment about the Binnington-to-Carolina rumors leading up to the deadline. The Hurricanes GM indicated they tried everywhere to upgrade the roster.
The limited options in this summer’s free-agent market could send Tulsky into this summer’s trade market. He indicated that his club will be “actively pursuing any means” to bolster their roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes were expected to take a big swing at a major deal before the deadline. Following the deadline, Tulsky noted that the asking prices were too high for his liking. Whether they’ll become more affordable this summer remains to be seen.
The Blues are expected to remain sellers this summer, with Binnington among the players they’re willing to move. Tulsky could revisit his interest if his current tandem of Frederik Andersen and Brandon Bussi fails to backstop the Hurricanes on a deep playoff run.
SHOULD THE FLYERS PURSUE DUCKS CENTER MASON MCTAVISH?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Dailey noted the Philadelphia Flyers have had a good trade history with the Anaheim Ducks, bringing in Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale. He wondered if they should continue that streak by inquiring about the availability of center Mason McTavish in the offseason.
McTavish, 23, has struggled this season with 13 goals and 32 points in 62 games, and was a recent healthy scratch against the Montreal Canadiens and Philadelphia Flyers. He’s in the first season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million, and lacks no-trade protection until 2029-30.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is McTavish’s first season under head coach Joel Quenneville, which could explain his difficulties this season. He also missed part of training camp last fall due to his contract negotiations.
McTavish never came up in the rumor mill before the trade deadline. Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean teams seeking depth at center (like the Flyers) won’t make inquiries about his availability this summer.
COULD THE AVALANCHE TRADE JACK DRURY THIS SUMMER?
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen was asked if the Avalanche might trade Jack Drury. They acquired Nicolas Roy from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the trade deadline, and could decide to move the 26-year-old Drury, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.
Deen thinks trading Drury this summer is a real possibility. It could allow them to recoup some of the assets they gave up to acquire Roy and Nazem Kadri. However, they could keep him if they could get him signed to a reasonable contract.
Drury is a bottom 6 player at best. Colorado should probably try and move someone actually taking up cap space, like Nikushkin. Hopefully, Chris Drury doesn’t bring his nephew in. Already carrying dead weight with his son in law. Already overloaded with mediocre players.
AI search: Chris Drury does not have a son-in-law; he has a son named Luke and two daughters, Dylan and Kelly.
So who are you talking about?
JZ. Oops. It’s Sullivan’s niece who is married to Connor Sheary. Sullivans daughter is married to Charlie McAvoy.
Regardless of whether or not they make the playoffs this year, I fully expect Staios to be somewhat busy making a few roster changes – either through trade or UFA signings – as there are at least these 4 current roster players who, in all probability, won’t be back (showing age & position): Eller 36 C; Jensen 35 RD; Reimer 38 G; MacDermid 31 LW.
Another 4 could also be moving on somewhere through trade: Thompson 25 RD; Gilbert 29 LD; Zetterlund 26 LW/RW; Matinpalo 27 RD.
That’s not to say none among the rest will be on the move … but since they figure to be close to, if not matching, their 97 points last season, and even if they come up short as to a playoff spot, it has to be attributed to a much tighter top to bottom Eastern Conference, so I believe the basic core of 16 will return, bolstered hopefully by improvements over at least that first group of 4 above.
Mason McTavish is another of the many casualties of protracted animus in negotiation impacting the player’s game after contract settlement.
Whether it’s starting the season behind everybody by missing training camp, feeling out of place, disrespected, coach Q, this is a player who needs a change of scenery and is at his lowest value.
I agree there. History has certainly proven that, irregardless of their established skill level, players who miss training camp – whether due to contract disputes or injuries – more often than not experience significant performance difficulties due to a lack of proper conditioning, missed team bonding, and falling behind in game-readiness after missing out on crucial high-intensity on-ice training as well as any new system implementations being drilled into the team. Some that jump to mind include Swayman and Jason Robertson last season, Nylander, Mikheyev in Vancouver 2 seasons back, and Ryan O’Reilly way back in 2013-14.
Shane Pinto had a significant drop off after returning from his suspension fr gambling prior to the 2023-24 season, the same y ear both Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale had contract negotiations drag on into that season.
An exception to the rule could be Brady Tkachuk who missed a lot of 2021-22 through contract difficulties.