NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2026
Check out the latest on Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly, Canucks center Elias Pettersson, and Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
KNIES AND RIELLY HOPE TO REMAIN MAPLE LEAFS
SPORTSNET: Sonny Sachdeva reports Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly reiterated their desire to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Rielly has a full no-movement clause in his contract. When asked about waiving it, the 32-year-old defenseman acknowledged that it’s something he must be prepared for, but said he loves being a Maple Leaf and wants to stay.
Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (NHL Images).
Meanwhile, Knies admitted he’s not pleased that his name surfaced in trade rumors this season, and could continue to pop up in offseason trade speculation. However, he said that those things are out of his control, that he’s not bothered by the rumors, and maintained he wants to stick around.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly and Knies said that any decision to move them rests with whoever becomes the next Leafs general manager. However, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment president and CEO Keith Pelley recently said the club was not rebuilding. Moving Rielly and Knies would be considered part of a rebuilding process.
Ultimately, the futures of Rielly and Knies in Toronto will depend on how much autonomy Pelley is willing to give the Maple Leafs new general manager.
CANUCKS CENTER ELIAS PETTERSSON
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes the future of Elias Pettersson is the first order of business facing the Vancouver Canucks as they chart the direction the franchise will take with the expensive center.
Pettersson’s offensive production remains down, netting 51 points this season. However, his defensive play has improved as he led all NHL forwards this season with 108 blocked shots. He has six more seasons remaining on his contract with an expensive average annual value of $11.6 million.
The 27-year-old Pettersson told Kuzma that he remains committed to the Canucks and is invested in their future. However, trade rumors have swirled, with some suggesting the club might be willing to retain salary.
If the Canucks were to trade Pettersson, Kuzma suggested the Detroit Red Wings might be a good fit. However, he has a full no-movement clause and didn’t sound to Kuzma like he wanted a change of scenery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s contract gives him full control over his situation. If he doesn’t want to go, the Canucks will have to find a way to get more out of him offensively if they want this rebuild to succeed with him as part of it.
THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nicholls observed that Dougie Hamilton politely declined to speak with the media during the Devils’ locker cleanout day earlier this week. He believes the 32-year-old defenseman’s silence speaks volumes about his future with the club.
Hamilton frequently surfaced in trade rumors going back to last summer, with one report claiming he used his no-trade clause to block a move to the San Jose Sharks. Following last month’s trade deadline, now-former GM Tom Fitzgerald claimed he wasn’t shopping the puck-moving blueliner.
New general manager Sunny Mehta might be able to mend fences with Hamilton, but Nicholls considers it unlikely. He believes the veteran blueliner’s tenure in New Jersey could be drawing to a close.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton has a 10-team trade list, but Nicholls pointed out that he might be willing to expand that list to facilitate a deal. We can expect the Hamilton trade rumors to continue following the postseason.
Petterssons wife just had her second miscarriage so he is dealing with off ice issues. They don’t explain how his production cratered as it has but it could in part explain why he has been unable to fix whatever the problem is
Pettersson’s production could improve with better wingers. He played most of the year with old/slow Evander Kane on one wing and a mixed bag on the other. In one game I saw him set up DeBrusk for 5 grade A scoring chances which either missed the net or hit the logo. Maybe he will click with McKenna.
Very Valid !
Trade him to Toronto for Morgan Reilly straight up
So, basically, since Pelley has decreed that the Leafs will NOT embark upon a re-build, whoever is hired as the GM – despite what their instincts might tell them after examining and analyzing the 53-man roster – will have NO choice but to toe the “party line” and try, instead, to “re-tool” without moving out any of the so-called “core”veterans
This, coming from someone who probably couldn’t differentiate between a puck and a large chocolate brownie. Ridiculous in the extreme.
I truly feel sorry for elements of that fan base, which includes a daughter-in-law and a grandson in his 30s.
Best thing happened to Ottawa was a new owner. Melnyck couldn’t keep his claws off the running of the team and it seems Toronto has a similar issue.
Hire competent people to do the job they are hired to do and stay out of their way.
Toronto needs a one cook kitchen.
Back to the Ottawa comparison. I live in Winnipeg and attended the game when they visited. Talking to Jets fans I was relieved that no one new who the current owner of Ottawa was. Again the best thing Andlauer has down is not seek out a camera at every opportunity.
Well that, and turfing Dorion, Jeff.
As for Andlauer, you’re absolutely right. He no doubt stays tuned-in to any various moves being considered … but he lets his GM do the job he hired him to do.
Some owners, unfortunately, have inflated egos competing with common sense.
Welp. Canucks just fired Allvin. Will be interesting to see who’s next.
Came out in Swedish papers 8 hours ago. Foote is next and really, if they are rebuilding, is Rutherford the guy for that since he wont be around in 2-3 years
Now they just need to sh*tcan Rutherford, the Sedins and the rest of their management team.
Alvin takes the fall but this mess is on Rutherford.
Now we find out – if they start competing with Toronto for a specific GM – who among the likely candidate out there wants the lesser of two pressure and spotlight jobs. Mehta certainly didn’t wait around on the Leafs job after it came out a few days on one of those ubiquitous panel shows that he was high “on their list.”
Does Fitzgerald get re-cycled? Shanahan?
Canucks on paper don’t look bad. Adding McKenna or Stenberg to 15th best prospect pool (according to Wheeler) will be huge. If Demko and Chytil can only stay healthy. Vancouver is the place for Swedes. Stenberg next to Petey should keep him happy and perhaps boost his numbers.
Knies is a pretty decent young player. If Leafs “retool’ then I think you have to keep him. A “rebuild” and I think Leafs should trade him for as many assets they can get.
Conversely, if they can trade Rielly, just do it for his sake! I would think the Nucks (his home town) or the Jets would be happy with him especially if the Leafs retain a million.
@George
Someone who couldn’t differentiate between a puck and a large chocolate brownie
Ridiculous to the Extreme !!!
It’s painful !
Back to Back “Horrific” GM’s has dismantled this team
No other choice than a Rebuild
Mats Sundin , charismatic , a face , A voice , should help ..
They need a “hockey” guy with a vision , Intillect , Savvy to compliment …
So it would be conceivable that he could hire Chris Pronger, who has absolutely no management experience, as POH.
@George
This will be an ongoing “funk” as per the direction of Leafland
Led by the direction of Pelley , A hockey guy will not want to retool , therefore , a likely “puppet” will be appointed ..
The Leafs so called , “Core” is not the ideal match for the organization either …
Cubs had the Bambino curse , not sure what curse follows the Leafs
Ken: Red Sox had the Bambino curse. The Cubs had the Curse of the Billy Goat, I think…
@Sneaky Pete
lol, YES -U R Correct !!!
Émilie Castonguay is an assistant GM in Vancouver and she was highly touted as a potential replacement for Marc Bergevin. Word is that she was on the shortlist when they chose Kent Hughes.
Darche who’s now NYI GM was on the shortlist too.
I have no clue how she has been in BC but she’s highly respected in Montreal.
@Sneaky Pete
lol, YES -U R Correct !!!
If Van really wants to move Pettersson why. It approach Carolina.
Ask for high picks high prospects then take Kotenami (spelling?) in lieu of holding salary in EP
Carolina gets a better center
Van gets a 3 c under cost control and clears 7plus million to rebuild with along with picks and prospects
Win for both clubs
As for new leadership they could look toward teams like Dallas and Minnesota front office to good scouting and player development to be their next leaders.