NHL Rumor Mill – April 23, 2026
Check out the latest on Flyers winger Owen Tippett, plus updates on the Canucks and Blue Jackets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Bailey noted that Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett was the subject of trade speculation since last summer. However, he believes his performance through 2025-26, including in Game 2 of their current first-round series against the Pittsburgh Penguins, should silence those rumors once and for all.
Bailey admitted the 27-year-old Tippett’s offensive production never quite aligns with his overall skills and athleticism. Nevertheless, his two-way play has established him as a core player for the Flyers as he enters his playing prime.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tippett has tallied 20-plus goals and 43-or-more points in each of the last four seasons, including two seasons with 28 goals and 50-plus points. His offensive stats could improve as his younger teammates improve, but his all-around play has made him more valuable to the Flyers.
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk is at a place in his career where it’s about winning and chasing the Stanley Cup.
Kuzma speculated that the 29-year-old could find a rebuild difficult to embrace and might welcome a change of scenery. He has five years remaining on his contract with an affordable average annual value of $5.5 million, which might attract several suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk frequently surfaced in the rumor mill before last month’s trade deadline, and as the Canucks approached the end of this season. Whether he returns with the Canucks or is traded elsewhere depends on who is their general manager. Speaking of which…
The Canucks will interview former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams as they seek a new GM. They’ve also sought permission to speak with Toronto Maple Leafs advisor Shane Doan.
Kuzma believes further changes to the front office could be coming if Jim Rutherford steps down as president of hockey operations. That explains why they’re casting a wide net for candidates, including Adams and Doan.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams’ name on the Canucks list of GM candidates raised eyebrows around the league because of the Sabres’ years of futility during his tenure in Buffalo. However, Kuzma pointed out that Adams’ fingerprints are all over the current Sabres roster.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Aaron Portzline believes a culture change is coming for the Blue Jackets with head coach Rick Bowness returning next season.
Portzline wondered if Boone Jenner would return as the Blue Jackets’ captain. The first hurdle is his contract situation. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and played fourth-line minutes under Bowness this season. At 33, he’s not the same player that he was a few years ago.
Forwards Charlie Coyle and Mason Marchment and defenseman Erik Gudbranson join Jenner among the Blue Jackets’ prominent UFAs. Portzline considers it unlikely that all of them will be re-signed.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline considers Coyle to be the most valuable of the Blue Jackets’ pending UFAs, followed by Marchment, Jenner, and Gudbranson. Management likely shares that opinion and could make re-signing him a priority over the others.
Mason Marchment would be the player I would go after. You just can t find top 6 wingers that score and play with that kind of sandpaper.They really show up in the playoffs.
Marchment is indeed a key target for teams scouring the UFA pool this year IF he’s not re-upped by Columbus.
Same applies to the following 5, widely regarded as among the best potential UFA “steals”
RD Darren Raddysh – quite possibly THE best value this past season for a sub-$1 mil cap hit;
LW Anthony Mantha – a relatively cheap acquisition for Pittsburgh who experienced perhaps the best “be-back” performance;
LW Bobby McMann – size and speed alone will make him a prime target in spite of his tendency towards being “streaky” in his performance over a season;
RD Connor Murphy – at 33 likely isn’t going to get any long-term offers, but his size and pk ability will have several pursuers pitching offers;
C Jason Dickinson – the epitome of a “defensive” C skilled at neutralizing other team’s top C
“best bounce-back” …. “be-back”??? \WTF?
Mantha looks nothing like his regular season self these 3 games
Hope Dubas does not fall in the 5 yr offer trap for him or 5m trap either
He is streaky beyond
Debrusk and 1 mill retained to Detroit for pick and prospect
Right age for Redwings current grouping
If the young guys can’t take the job at 1 or 2 LW giving up a prospect and pick to get cost cornfield and age appropriate help is not a bad move with cap rising
Then come up with a package to offer TML for Matthews. At least make an offer regardless if they are selling. Show the locker room and fans you are trying to use the capital to build a winner with a bold move
Canucks would be fine with Adams as GM but he can’t be the only voice so what about former nj devils Gm Fitzgerald as President of hockey ops
They built two decent rosters
(Underperformed but on paper decent)
Then hire a real analytics guy to keep them in check
Then work to build the cupboards
That’s quite the roster of slower than molasses senior citizens Scooby Dubas has assembled in Pittsburgh.
G.M. of the year calibre.
Hayley Wickenheiser : Head of the Maple Leafs Player Developement Department.
Dubas gone, Treliving gone, Shanascam gone.
Leafs have one of the worst prospect pools in the league yet the good Dr is still employed. How? Why?