NHL Rumor Mill – March 9, 2026
The trade deadline has passed, but the rumor mill keeps churning as the focus shifts toward offseason moves. Check out the latest on Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Roman Josi, and Simon Nemec in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE PENGUINS PART WAYS WITH MALKIN AND KARLSSON THIS SUMMER?
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported that Evgeni Malkin’s contract situation overshadowed the trade deadline for the Pittsburgh Penguins and could continue to do so over the remainder of this season.
Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).
Malkin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 40-year-old center has expressed his desire to return with the Penguins for another season. He’s had a solid bounce-back performance as the Penguins jockey for a playoff berth in the Metropolitan Division.
However, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas indicated contract discussions would be put off until the offseason, prompting Malkin to express his disappointment publicly. Dubas praised Malkin’s performance and acknowledged what he means to the club, but indicated that he has to do what’s best for the organization.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This issue will likely fade over the remainder of the season as the focus shifts to the Penguins’ efforts to clinch their first playoff berth in four years. However, it will flare up again in the offseason, especially as the July 1 opening date from free agency approaches.
Speaking of aging Penguins stars enjoying bounce-back efforts, Erik Karlsson has one more year left on his contract. However, Pierre LeBrun speculated that the 35-year-old puck-moving defenseman could be moved this summer if there’s an opportunity for Dubas to recoup some assets.
LeBrun acknowledged that Karlsson carries an expensive cap hit but believes there would be genuine interest if the Penguins agreed to retain half of it. The veteran blueliner would also have to waive his no-movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson has an average annual value of $11.5 million, of which the Penguins carry $10 million, and the San Jose Sharks carry $1.5 million. He’ll earn $1.5 million in actual salary next season once his $6 million signing bonus is paid on July 1.
KEEP AN EYE ON SOME OF THE PREDATORS’ STARS THIS SUMMER
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cites a source saying it might be worthwhile to keep an eye on Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi this summer.
If the Predators deepen their rebuild by trading Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault, Josi would probably want to speak with management about the club’s direction.
LeBrun believes Josi would probably stay in Nashville. The 35-year-old defenseman is loyal to the team and has two years left on his contract. Nevertheless, LeBrun isn’t ruling out the possibility that he might consider moving on.
THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reported Friday that Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz said he received calls about Stamkos, O’Reilly, and Erik Haula before the trade deadline.
Trotz indicates he told Stamkos and O’Reilly that he didn’t want to get rid of them, but if he got irresistible offers, he’d speak to them and give them the chance to decide if they want to accept a trade. He also indicated that he came “fairly close” to moving either guy, but “until it’s done, it’s not done.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators are expected to be under new management by this summer. Trotz’s successor could prove more aggressive in peddling veterans such as O’Reilly, Stamkos, and Marchessault, which in turn could prompt a conversation with Josi. It would indeed be something worth monitoring in the offseason.
DEVILS COULD CONTINUE SHOPPING SIMON NEMEC THIS SUMMER
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils were listening to trade offers for Simon Nemec. However, their asking price for the 22-year-old defenseman was a young, impact, top-six forward.
Nemec is slated to become a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract and has changed agents. LeBrun believes his camp intends to use teammate Luke Hughes’ contract (seven years, $9 million annually) as a comparable.
It would make more sense for the Devils to retain Nemec and move veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million. However, it’s proven difficult to move Hamilton. Given the interest in Nemec, LeBrun believed the latter is more likely to be moved.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether the Devils can get a young impact forward in return for Nemec remains to be seen. There’s a better chance of landing that type of player in the offseason, but that doesn’t mean it’s a certainty. Devils management will have to sell Nemec’s potential as a No.1 defenseman.
NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Following Friday’s trade deadline, Sheng Peng reported San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier shot down a rumor claiming he offered up winger William Eklund to the Devils for Nemec.
“I think that was more Twitter stuff,” Grier said. “It’s something where you call and see if someone’s available and then see what the asking price is. That was really about the extent of it. There wasn’t any real getting into it.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s worth pointing out that the Sharks were reportedly interested in Hamilton last summer, but he declined to waive his no-trade clause.
I was asked the other day if I had any info on which big swings the Habs were trying to make that fell through and while I don’t have any scoop, I do have some guesses.
1) Matthew Kneis TML
2) Will Borgen NYR
Going out, some combination including:
Guhle
Laine
Rheinbacher
Hage
draft picks
I would say the big swing might have been Tom Wilson for the Habs.
You have to wonder if Ovechkin’s annoyance at the trading of his close buddy Carlson might start him to thinking about one last chance at another Cup and asking to be dealt.
That certainly would be a reverse kick-in-the-teeth towards management to counter how veterans must have felt about seeing a mainstay like Carlson – still a pretty effective player – shuffled off.
It is up to Ovi, he is a UFA. Maybe him and Carlson sign in Buffalo next season.
Nah. Vegas finds a way to sign both of them. Isn’t that right George?
Sanderson week to week, George. Hopefully the team can pull together and help each other out with that big defensive hole. But as Norris showed us, you need to take your time with shoulder injuries so they don’t turn into a chronic situation.
Yeah, saw that Owen and posted it in the other thread. As I say there, all things considered, I guess it’s “better” news than “season-ending surgery.”
“I was never asked anything from the Blues. Everything that I heard was coming from insiders and different things online. I just want to be clear, I was never asked (to waive his no-trade clause), nor did I ever ask for a trade.” Robert Thomas
A lot of smoke by Army! What about Kyrou?
What I want to know is WTF went on with Parayko?
Seems like they didn’t ask for a list, or went to a team not on it, or didn’t say sh*t to him.
I dunno, but if anyone Blues fans out there know the details of what went down, let us know.
Ray Bark, Armstrong went to all of his veterans with NTC and told them he was going to listen to offers on them and to be prepared to consider waiving their NTC.
Apparently the Parayko trade was discussed and Armstrong went to Parayko asking him to approve and before he decided the trade leaked and all hell broke loose.
According to Friedman there were multiple trades from the Blues that got vetoed by the players involved and the discussions on these got very heated between Armstrong, the players and the agents. My guess besides Parayko were Kyrou, Binnington, and to a lesser degree Suter and Buchnevich. You have to accept Armstrong saying his side didn’t leak it given these other trades that didn’t leak, yet.
I don’t believe Boston have the right stuff to make the playoffs I want to see Sweeney and Neely fired they have ruined this franchise
I’m OK if they don’t make the playoffs John Apple. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve come this far this season, might as well get in, but not a big deal IMO as we’re winning a cup either way.
It’s about the future with this team, I think Sweeney is a bit surprised they have been this good this year just like some of us on here.
So far the retool has gone pretty well IMO.
They will make it unless a to Pasta, McAvoy or Swayman
I was hoping they’d make it but the loss to Nashville and the way they lost to Pitts. I think that was the end of the line. Why can’t they at least bring up Dipietro he’s been killing it this season Providence ND this brunet is a real gem.
Swayman has to start playing some back to back games. It would be a shame if they didn t make the playoffs. Let s hope we get Torontos first round pick this year.
I wasn’t expecting a whole from the Bruins this season. Even if they miss the playoffs, they’ll have two lottery first round picks they can either keep, or fill holes on their roster