NHL Rumor Mill – April 22, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we look at several suggested free-agent targets for the Maple Leafs and the latest on the Red Wings.
THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan observed that the next Maple Leafs general manager will have a projected $22.2 million in salary-cap space to work with for 2026-27. That will give them enough room to pursue a player or two via free agency.
Koshan acknowledged that this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market is thin on talent, but he singled out six pending UFAs who might help the Maple Leafs.
Topping the list is Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darryn Raddysh, who had a career-best performance this season with 22 goals and 48 assists for 70 points. However, there is a concern that he’d be a one-hit wonder, especially for any team that pays him more than $7 million annually.
Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raddysh could either succeed beyond the Maple Leafs’ wildest dreams or become a very expensive bust.
Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres is a complete power forward, scoring at least 33 goals in three of the last four seasons. He’d slot in nicely on the Maple Leafs’ first line, but his asking price of between $10 million and $11 million is a concern.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch would be a great fit on the Maple Leafs, but it seems more likely that he’ll re-sign with the Sabres.
Former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving attempted to acquire defenseman Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he was shipped to the Vegas Golden Knights. Adding Andersson or Raddysh might be more palatable if the Maple Leafs could move Morgan Rielly.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson has a better body of work than Raddysh, making him a better fit on the Leafs’ blueline. However, it’s believed the Golden Knights will re-sign him once they become cap compliant for next season.
Edmonton Oilers winger Jack Roslovic, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba, and Oilers blueliner Connor Murphy round out Koshan’s list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic’s inconsistent play explains why he’s bounced around the league so much in recent years. Trouba isn’t likely to return north of the border. The 33-year-old Murphy could quickly become an expensive depth defenseman.
Meanwhile, Koshan’s colleague Lance Hornby listed the top-five general manager candidates to watch as the Maple Leafs’ search for a new GM appears to be nearing its end.
Former Vancouver Canucks GM Mike Gillis tops this list, followed by New York Rangers assistant GM Ryan Martin and former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka. Dallas Stars director of hockey operations Scott White and Boston Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold round out his list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: What say you, Leafs fans? Who would you prefer to see as your next general manager? Let us know in the comments below.
WHAT WILL THE RED WINGS DO TO IMPROVE THEIR ROSTER?
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at what the Detroit Red Wings must accomplish this summer.
Finding a top-line left wing is among their priorities. It’s been an issue plaguing them since last season. Rookie Emmitt Finnie filled that role for most of this season, but they must find a more proven option or a player with the potential to become one.
The options in the free-agent market are weak. Bultman suggested finding a solution in the trade market, perhaps a player who might thrive with a change of scenery.
Bultman also believes the Red Wings must reshape their bottom-six forwards. “They need more offense, more physicality, just more to make the lineup deeper and more balanced.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Improving the bottom six could be an easier task than finding a first-line left winger. Their need for a reliable second-line center could be a greater priority.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Red Wings’ need to bolster their roster this summer through trades and free agency means they won’t have much room to retain their unrestricted free agents.
They include right wing Patrick Kane, left wing James van Riemsdyk, left wing David Perron, defenseman Travis Hamonic, and goaltender Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now expects the Wings will re-sign Kane and part ways with the rest.
Vancouver has to many left wingers so De Brusk could be available. Not sure he is a top line LW but definetely a top 6 LW. He has played half of the last season as RW which might explain his numbers at even strength. He wont come cheap but not expensive either and his contract is more than fair.
Looks like Gillis is a done deal as POHO. No idea who is the best fit of the guys mentioned as GMs. Chayka intrigued me bc he has experience and had nothing to work with in Arizona $$$ wise. As is Scott White just because he has been around that Dallas front office .
If Steve Yzerman wasnt a Hall of Famer – he would have been let go..another guy who is just too afraid to make a bold move….
I’d like to see Mark Hunter – head of hockey ops. Let him figure the rest out.
Please explain your rationale on why Hunter would be a good fit in Toronto?
Running a team full of teenagers is markedly different than running a team of millionaires.
Mark Hunter’s draft record is awful outside round 1
Daryl speaks the truth.
See – patrick roy – in the NHL.
Kevin Adams in Vancouver. Lulz. The Sabres will probably pay to fly him out there. Heck put Pierre Dorion on the same plane as his assistant.
I don’t know about that, Dark G. the Sabres team you see out there now was almost entirely built by Adams. Sure, it took them too long, but he does appear to have gotten it right in the end.
And Vancouver’s turnaround will take forever anyway, so he might be the perfect guy.
Agree Whalercane, he fingerprints are all over that team. More to come as well.
He didn’t become the GM until June of 2020, so can’t blame him for the previous failures.
And if I had to bet the Eichel situation was out of his hands, and he did well considering. Meaning it wasn’t his call to deny the medical procedure Eichel wanted.
More good players that he drafted will be on that team in the next few years. His trades were pretty solid too.
If VCR is rebuilding, which they absolutely should be, he seems like a guy with good experience doing that.
Andis, if Hunter has any identifiable skill set it’s probably one better suited towards scouting and talent identification. When it comes to managing a pro salary cap, and working his way around the complexities of an NHL roster construction, it’s bordering on zilch.
In that regard he would be very much like Barry Trotz who, while an undeniably-excellent NHL coach, proved he was the exact opposite when given the responsibilities of running a team at the managerial level.
Is that a chance the Leafs want to take given the precarious position they find themselves in now?
You hear this every year but this off season is really shaping up to be a big one for trades… No UFAs of substance, new GMs, GMs on the hot seat, young up and coming teams looking to take the next step…
if you were ever going to trade away established star players (ahem Leafs ) this is the year to do it…
Wings could use guys like Blueger, Lombard, in the bottom 6. Buy out Rasmusen, re-sign Kane and JVR. Bring up the youth, stop the search for a 2nd line center that is beyond 30!!
Raddysh burst on the scene two and a half years ago from out of nowhere and exploded this season. He’s a beneficiary of the Lightning system and would struggle to produce elsewhere. He’s 30 years old now and will look to cash in on term and coin.
Tuch has been a solid winger but he’s also about to turn 30 and he’s had only one season of more than 67 points and only three of 60 or more. He’ll also want to sign long term for an AAV in the $10m. range. Way too much.
Both of them are likely to become expensive mistakes.
We can only hope that the Leafs hire John Chayka, seems like everything he does has a scandal around it… PERFECT FIT!!!!
I think Leafs should start the rebuild and trade their star s now.
Ufa players I would try to add would be McMann , kasperi kapanen mike McLeod . Guys with speed
Could really use a GM like chuck fletcher then he’s rally good at tearing down a franchise
Leafs could really use a top of the line 2-way passing winger
oh wait…
Roar. Well played.
Lmao, good one.
Funny cause it’s true.
Gillis? Mike Gillis?
Good luck with that Leafs.
Tuch is finally on a team that’s not a complete trainwreck. Why would he leave a first place playoff team to join the Wee Willie Mr 60 Ice Capades?
He might leave Buffalo but I highly doubt it would be for Toronto.
Terry Koshan, the master re-treader. Here’s a bunch of guys that if or when the Leafs sign them, will immediately become daily targets…same goes for Gillis who another terrible “reporter”, Dregs coined “our pick” meaning who the media, picked as Torontos PoHO.
Regardless of who they pick, any warts they may have will be talked about enough to make you think it was the wrong choice.
Fans usually have little to no knowledge of hockey execs, just like movie lovers rarely, if ever, know anything about the execs behind the movie they are enjoying. Having said that, Ryan Martin, came from the good old wings days and is Drury’s right hand man and I think oversaw the AHL team…seems to have the ability to work in/for a tough market/over baring owner. Chayka, sounds like noise to me. Scott White, sounds only plausible because the Leafs already poached a Stars executive in scouting…other than that, haven’t heard or can say much of anything about him. Evan Gold, built the Bruins AHL team from nothing and has done as good as a job anyone could ask.
All three of these guys are “new” to running an NHL team but put their time in. I’d be surprised if they pick only one of these guys as their GM and not have a structure similar to what Montreal has in their executive office.
Also there is the chatter of brining in Sundin and/or Roberts in the group…you can never have enough of Roberts! Either or both would make for an interesting hire, right? Two beauties right there. 😀😀😀
Ron.
Rangers 3rd worst record in NHL and Hartford dead last in AHL. Not sure Drurys right hand man is a top choice right now.
Detroit with 4th best prospect pool. Either start sprinkling into lineup or make some trades for established players. Need to sign Edvinsson long term. DeBrincat needs extension this summer. Honestly, Detroit should be inquiring what would it cost to pry Matthews from Toronto.
@Ron
I was thinking about the Habs organization last night , as per their Structure
Hughes hasn’t even been with the organization for 5 years ..
His scouting system must be strong , which goes unnoticed
And of course , an overall strong supporting staff to compliment
I totally agree , as per Sundin and Robert’s viewpoint
Does anyone know that Hayley Wickenheiser is an emerg Medical Doctor above and beyond her duties with the Leafs
Talk about drive and passion, we know more people like her !
What a resume …
So between Gillis who hasnt been around for 12 years and Sundin who has no experience and hasnt lived on the continent since he retired. To say nothing of the fact wouldnt waive his NTC for the leafs only to sign with Vancouver the following year? Hard pass on Sundin.. at least have some experience or pay your dues in the minors…
Sam he hasn’t been out of nothing for 12 yrs. He hasn’t managed a team over the past 12 but has been doing a lot of other crap…look it up, you might be impressed…or not but at least you’ve formed your own opinions.
Past work, recent is better, should be the main focus in your search for a new GM. Regardless, they will hire the wrong guy.
How about Dave Poulin as next Leaf GM
I was shocked that Detroit didn’t add someone like Trocheck this past deadline to fill the 2nd line center role.
Wonder if Drury’s ask was too high, or if Yzerman’s reluctance to deal young players was too much. Or both.
Maybe they dust off the conversations again around the draft. Troch is on a great contract (3 more years at $5.6M) and provides a great win-now window.
NYR can also throw in some cheap, short term bottom 6 guys if Detroit needs that too (Raddysh, Rempe)
I think Trocheck was ill and wasn’t 100% until after the new year. Drury was smart to hold on to him cause he knew that and would be forced to sell low because Trochecks numbers were lower due to him getting over his lung infection.
The Vancouver Canucks has requested permission to speak with Toronto special advisor Shane Doan for a position per Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. It is not yet clear what position Vancouver sees Doan stepping into.