NHL Rumor Mill – March 5, 2026
The trade deadline is Friday. Check out the latest on the Bruins, Devils, Maple Leafs, Flyers, Senators, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BRUINS EYEING JUSTIN FAULK AND ROBERT THOMAS
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins continue to monitor the St. Louis Blues as that club attempts to move out several veterans before the trade deadline.
St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk (NHL Images)
One source said Bruins general manager Don Sweeney remained interested in right-shot defenseman Justin Faulk. He was also believed to have been looking at Colton Parayko, who will be heading to the Buffalo Sabres if he waives his no-trade clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney tipped his hand regarding his intentions when he attempted to acquire Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights in January. Adding a right-shot defenseman (such as Faulk) remains his priority.
Sweeney was also believed to have gauged the Blues’ asking price for Robert Thomas. Murphy’s source believes the asking price would be young forward Fraser Minten, top prospect James Hagens, and the Bruins’ 2026 first-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely Sweeney will meet that asking price for Thomas.
COULD THE DEVILS MOVE NEMEC FOR A FORWARD?
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols weighed in on yesterday’s report from TSN’s Pierre LeBrun, indicating the Devils are willing to entertain offers for Simon Nemec. They’re reportedly happy to keep him, but could be open to moving him for a return that significantly improves their forward lines.
A source told James that he considers the 22-year-old Nemec to be a solid No. 2 defenseman. He believes that the blueliner would have to be part of a package to fetch the return the Devils seek.
James wondered if the Philadelphia Flyers would be interested in Nemec as a potential replacement for Rasmus Ristolainen, suggesting winger Owen Tippett as a return. He also proposed dangling Nemec in a package deal for Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reported the Boston Bruins had spoken with the Devils about Nemec and fellow blueliner Johnathan Kovacevic.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins might not be able to spare a player who would significantly improve the Devils’ forward lines.
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS CONJECTURE
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Colorado Avalanche could be looking at center Scott Laughton. The Boston Bruins and Detroit Red Wings have been linked to defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, while “a whole bunch of teams” could be eyeing winger Bobby McMann.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those three were held out of Wednesday’s game against the New Jersey Devils for “roster management reasons.” They’re also unlikely to play in Thursday’s contest with the New York Rangers.
UPDATE ON THE FLYERS
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James looks at how yesterday’s trades involving defensemen Tyler Myers to Dallas, MacKenzie Weegar to Utah, Nick Blankenburg to Colorado, and Colton Parayko potentially to Buffalo could affect the trade market for Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen.
Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues and Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames are the most notable defensemen besides Ristolainen in the trade market. Clubs that are seeking defensemen include the Boston Bruins, Detroit Red Wings, and possibly the Tampa Bay Lightning.
James believes the proposed return to the Blues for Parayko (a first-round pick and prospect defenseman Radim Mrtka) bodes well for the Flyers’ hopes of getting at least a first-rounder for Ristolainen.
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman wondered if the Lightning might be interested in Flyers winger Bobby Brink. He’s a right-hand shot and doesn’t carry an expensive contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 24-year-old Brink carries a cap hit of $3 million this season. He’s in the final year of a two-year deal and is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.
SENATORS STILL SHOPPING FOR A RIGHT-SHOT DEFENSEMAN
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators remain in the market for a right-shot defenseman. They were among the clubs interested in MacKenzie Weegar before the Calgary Flames shipped him to the Utah Mammoth on Wednesday.
Options include Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers, Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers, and Brandon Carlo of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils are also believed to be available.
Teams have inquired about Senators forward Ridly Greig, but the Senators aren’t interested in moving him. Trade chips could include Fabian Zetterlund, Stephen Halliday, and Nick Jensen.
The Senators have also received some calls about UFA-eligible players such as Claude Giroux, David Perron, and Lars Eller. Perron isn’t expected to move because he’s recovering from sports hernia surgery.
COULD THE DUCKS GO SHOPPING FOR A BLUELINER?
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes the Anaheim Ducks could attempt to shore up their defense corps as they attempt to secure their first postseason berth in eight years.
Stephens indicated the Ducks are open to adding an older defenseman, and they won’t mind if he’s a rental player. However, they’d prefer one in his twenties with term remaining on his contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are my dark horse in this trade deadline. They have the cap space and tradable assets to address this need on their blueline.
NO GARLAND FOR THE ISLANDERS?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports trade talks between the New York Islanders and Vancouver Canucks regarding Canucks winger Conor Garland have stalled. The Isles are apparently balking at Vancouver’s asking price.
COULD ERIK HAULA BE THE NEXT PREDATOR ON THE TRADE BLOCK?
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported Nashville Predators forward Erik Haula is drawing interest from teams that may miss out on Predators center Ryan O’Reilly and New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck.
If Parayko hasn’t decided by now, then it’s time to look in other directions. He knew a trade may have been coming. A stretch run requires commitment and if he doesn’t have it, then move on.
What kind of time do you give a vet like this? 24 hours?
RayMach, based on reports surrounding the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline rules, Parayko has until tomorrow 3:00 p.m. ET to decide whether to approve the deal and waive.
The Blues’ vets were all told in advance that changes were coming and they core players may be involved. The possibility of being traded is not news. If he does not want to be a Sabre, then just make the call. I am certain both Sabres’ management and fans would respect the decision. Move forward.
Toronto St Pats good point however it’s not that cut and dried.
Parayko is the 3rd longest tenured Blue in their history. He had very strong ties to the community especially children’s hospital. Who can forget his commitment to Laila Anderson the cancer victim that became the symbol for the Blues cup run. He is still a part of her life today. His entire career has been in St. Louis that’s all his family has known. He has said in the past the only team he would waive for is the Oilers, not sure Buffalo was even a consideration. It was reported last night that he reached out to Josh Allen of the Bills for his thoughts on playing there. I would suspect he talked to Tage Thompson as well since they were teammates.
However to your point it’s problematic at this point. If he says no how do you return to poison water and face the fans that want a tear down and rebuild into a consistent contender. If he says yes the Buffalo media and fans say what took you so long didn’t you want to come here.
Bottom line it’s a dilemma he created by not being decisive. Also a byproduct of the NTC clause that we hate but are here to stay.
I seriously doubt Giroux will finish his career anywhere but Ottawa. I believe he’ll be re-upped for next season IF he doesn’t decide to call it a day, and when he does retire, I think a job of some sort within the organization will be part of his future.
Lars Eller, on the other hand, could be on the move if they decide Steven Halliday is to be kept in Ottawa. In fact, once it becomes obvious – and that could come very soon – that there just aren’t enough points left in the schedule or realistic chances of climbing over 3 or 4 teams to get to the last WC slot, others in Belleville like Yakemchuk and Kalliyev could finish off the season in Ottawa as well in order to get a good look at how they stack up against NHL skating.
One move they absolutely need to make between now and the start of next season, is to acquire a younger tried-and-true back-up type goalie. While that could happen today or tomorrow. it’s more likely a summer quest.
Don’t give up hope George! We only have two teams to jump and we have a few games in hand on the caps.
However, Inmightbconsider moving Ellers if it was a decent return. I think if Inwas Staois I would only make a move for a legit top four RD and/or a goalie like you said, but they’d have to take Reimer or Sorgaard back the other way.
There’s no point of a rental as with our assets it would be a lateral move for a bottom six/pair player and I like our team as is. They are playing great hockey.
Just need some help getting into the playoffs and this team could be a hard out.
NJ should absolutely dangle Nemec + in an attempt to acquire Kyrou and/or Thomas from St Louis. Include the likes of Mercer, Hameenaho, picks, and possibly Bratt to retool the Devils forward group.
After seeing what EDM gave up for the two guys from CHI, I do not understand what Treliving is doing.
It’s rumoured that EDM was interested in Nic Roy. I can’t believe TOR couldn’t squeeze EDM for a return of a 2027 1st, Samanski, and Mangiapane for Roy and Jarnkrok (50% retained)
Also find it strange that the Oilers weren’t in on Parayko. Big RHD from Alberta would have really looked good on the Oilers blue line.
With tge Leafs holding out Laughton, McMann, and OEL last night it looks like they may be on the move.
Hopefully they can add Karnkrok, Domi, and Lorentz to the list.
Daryl
Yeah I have to think leafs could had gotten something done with the Oil had they wanted to and were willing to take on Mangiapane.
After seeing Parayko on the Olympics…I am ok passing on him. Armstrong isnt easy to trade with hence…none but maybe Parayko…has been moved to date. The oilers needs have been out there a long time and I doubt bowman. Just picked up the phones to make calls thos week.
He got deals done with Chi…and not Tor or Stl -whether that is because their prices were too high or because the oilers assets were as attractive…Will we ever know.
We will see how things shake out as we get close to the finish line.
Id like to see the oilers get mcmann…but I dont see that happening now.
Bruins would be stupid to pay the so called asking price for Faulk. And they do not need another 3rd line forward in Garland. He does not move the needle If they are going big it needs to be a player in his prime and signed for several more seasons. Don’t waste your assets you just got from last deadline. If ask for Thomas is Bruins 1st plus Hagens and Minten. Laugh and move on
It’s fun debating/discussing the moves that are going to or should be made by fans like us who feel we know a thing or two about the.
It’s also sobering to know that more often than not that moves that actually are made are surprising to us all.
Apparently we have enough information to have an opinion but not enough for an informed one considering how we are rarely right.
With that being said I enjoy the back and forth of fan talk that we have and the good spirit with which we engage.
With Boston trading Brandon Carlo to Toronto this time last year , was a real game changer for the Bruins .
Fraser Minten – who is performing well and only going to get better PLUS a top 10 in this years very deep draft .
That trade is going to haunt the Leafs for years to come , especially with their social media and fan base , which isn’t welcoming for any Leaf player .
Obviously , deadline deals are in the works for the Leafs, I am afraid to open my eyes and view the results .
I know Braden Schneider name has been out there, but other than he’d probably bring back a slightly better return, why would Drury trade a 24 year old top 4 dman…. Why not shop Borgen instead? He has a full ntc but it becomes a 15 team ntc in summer. I think he’d be open to waiving. Ducks make a ton of sense. A couple familiar faces there and he previously played on west coast. Cost controlled at a very affordable 4.1 mil per for next 4 seasons. Trouba and Gudas both ufa in summer.