NHL Rumor Mill – April 27, 2026
With their postseason over, what’s next for the Senators? What’s in store for the Blackhawks during the offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SENATORS?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators enter the offseason facing no shortage of questions about what the future holds after they were swept from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Topping the list is team captain Brady Tkachuk. The 27-year-old power forward has been the subject of speculation this season. He’s downplayed the conjecture, insisting that his focus is on helping the Senators win the Cup. Tkachuk was a physical presence against the Hurricanes but was held off the score sheet during that four-game series.
Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).
Garrioch cited New York Rangers fans pining for their club to acquire Tkachuk, who lives in New Jersey during the offseason. He’s often been linked to New York-area teams in the rumor mill.
Tkachuk has two more years left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. The earliest the Senators can re-sign him is next July. However, Garrioch thinks a discussion must occur between Tkachuk and general manager Steve Staios to determine the winger’s future in Ottawa.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL insider Frank Seravalli wondered about Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa. He felt that the Senators captain seemed “a little bit off” over the past several weeks, as evidenced by his body language and frustration. He cited Tkachuk’s post-series interview, which was tinged with a bit of emotion, and mused about whether that was recognition on the winger’s part that this could be the beginning of the end of his tenure in Ottawa.
I don’t believe that the Senators intend to trade Tkachuk this summer unless he asks for it. Both sides will likely take a wait-and-see approach throughout the offseason and into 2026-27. If the Senators improve significantly next season, it could convince Tkachuk to sign an extension. If they don’t, he could be reluctant to stay, which could force Staios to peddle him for the best possible return.
The Senators’ lack of offense among their scoring forwards against the Hurricanes was troubling. Garrioch believes it’ll be up to Staios to determine if he should move out a core player or enhance the roster by acquiring a player.
Staios must also determine what’s next for Linus Ullmark. The 35-year-old goaltender took a leave of absence at midseason for mental health reasons, and his performance improved significantly following his return.
Ullmark has three seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Garrioch wondered if Staios might explore the trade market to see if Ullmark’s value has improved. If they retain him, they must find a reliable backup who can play more than 30 games.
WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE BLACKHAWKS?
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers looked at what the offseason could hold for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks.
If the Blackhawks don’t win the draft lottery or if prospect Roman Kantserov doesn’t work out, they might have to add a top-six forward through a trade or free agency. General manager Kyle Davidson has the draft capital (including three first-round picks in the 2027 NHL Draft) to use for trade bait. I Davidson pursues a legitimate top-six forward such as Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, or Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Powers believes it’ll take more than draft picks to land one of them.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks were rumored to be among the clubs that were interested in Knies before the March trade deadline. He lacks no-trade protection and would be the easiest to acquire.
Robertson also lacks a no-trade clause, but he’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer who’s also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. If the Blackhawks were to acquire him, they would risk losing him for nothing to next summer’s UFA market.
Thomas has a full no-trade clause. He was the frequent subject of trade speculation before the deadline, but his post-deadline comments suggest he’s not interested in leaving St. Louis. If so, he could be unwilling to join a rebuilding club.
Powers believes the Blackhawks must also add an experienced top-four defenseman. He suggested the possibility of bringing back Connor Murphy, who was traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Other possibilities could include Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning or Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy might be open to returning to Chicago, but at this stage of his career, he might prefer joining a Stanley Cup contender. Raddysh had a career-best performance this season with 22 goals and 78 points, but there’s a risk that he might not repeat those numbers, especially if he were to change teams. Ferraro could be a more reliable addition given his all-around play.
Powers also looked at which players will return with the Blackhawks next season and which ones could be moving on.
It’s 50-50 that winger Andre Burakovsky, Andrew Mangiapane, and Ilya Mikheyev return. Burakovsky and Mangiapane struggled this season, and could be bought out of their contracts depending on how the offseason goes for the Blackhawks. They want to re-sign Mikheyev, who turned down a contract offer at the trade deadline.
the Devils new GM, Sunny Mehta, has 1st hand experience on working for deals for the Tkachuk family, and Brady lives in NJ during the offseason
just saying
Timo Meier and Simon Nemec would look good in Senators jerseys…
Doesn’t Timo play right side?
What’s Ottawa’s left side depth George?
With all the interest in Brady nj might have to add a good pick too
Timo is a natural LW but can play both sides.
no doubt NJ would have to add a 1st or 2nd to that deal
Not great, Ihatecrosby. Same as RW. Their strength – in depth at least – lies at C where they have Stutzle, Cozens, Pinto, Greig, Halliday and, if they re-up him, Lars Eller – who didn’t have a bad season as primarily the 4th line C.
Greig has played there, as did Stutzle when he first entered the line-up. If they want to retain Stutzle as a C, then maybe one of Cozens or Pinto goes in a deal for upgrades at both wings.
Staios will, I’m sure, be busy to that end over the summer – perhaps even just before the draft.
Meier stays, his NMC will NOT be waived for the Sens. Mercer is more likely be a trade candidate.
Isn’t that what you said … among others … when it was rumored that Ottawa was dickering for Ulmark?
How could you – or anyone else for that matter outside of his agent (or maybe his wife) possibly know for who Meier would – or would not – waive his NMC?
a little nudging out the door by the organization, might convince Timo to waive his NMC.
don’t see Mercer coming anywhere close to matching Tkachuk’s offense, at least Meier has a track record of racking up goals
With their trade capital in the first round does it make sense for Chicago to peruse Beniers in Seattle and see what package might get that done as the Kraken rebuild or retool.
Berniers has been inconsistent this season (like the rest of his team). is he REALLY that much of an improvement over the Hawks young centers (Nazar, Boisvert,Frondell) ? seems like the Hawks should target a scoring/playmaking winger for Bedard
i think the Hawks have a better chance at acquiring (UFA) Alex Tuch than Robertson or Thomas, who they would have to trade picks and probably young players from their roster, such as Nazar or one of their young d-men
Yeah, if Thomas waives he picks LA.
Johnny Z, possibility he’d be a great fit between Kempe and Panarin I’m not familiar enough with the Kings prospects or picks to speculate what a deal would look like. Utah and Vegas also in the mix. However given Thomas’s play after the Olympic break he’s not likely to be traded. Especially since the Blues strength is on the wings and, like most teams, not at center.
I don’t get to see Brady play much but my impression is he’s a bull in a china shop type. Great leader, physical player, and pesky like his brother but not nearly as skilled offensively as Matthew. He certainly has star power which is important in the big media markets but I’m not sure how much a team should give up in a trade for him. There sure is a ton of rumors about him and it only seems to be growing. As I said I’m not sure what value he brings I will defer to the numerous Senator fans on here.
Finally, the Oilers problems again come down to average goaltending and having Nurse and Bouchard as your top 4 dmen.
Yeah Snold, Thomas should be kept. Trocheck does not wanna go to LA, and Petey has too big a contract and could be too much a gamble. But I think Holland goes for Petey as he may be the only real option.
Oil hung Jarry out to dry and yes, Nurse and Bouchard do not defend well. Same problem, different day!
Really like the Ducks tenaciousness though!
That’s if Tuch does not work out a deal with Buffalo to stay with the Sabres. He’s a local kid who suffer through bad teams for years. Leave when they finally get good?
“To say it was a beatdown is the understatement of the century. Despite stellar goaltending, the Senators completely squandered their first round opportunity against a goaltender with a .874 save percentage. Not once in the entire series did Ottawa hold a lead. Brady Tkachuk was a complete non factor, unable to produce a single point in four games. Tim Stutzle, the team’s first line center, had just a single goal in the entire series.
The Senators were outplayed, outmatched and outmaneuvered every time they were on the ice. They finished an underwhelming four game series booed off the ice by their own fans on home ice. ”
Do the Sens really run the same lineup again??? Maybe their media and fans run Brady and Ullmark to seek greener pastures? Maybe Giroux bolts to the Bolts? Stay tuned as quite a drama is yet to unfold!
Can’t argue that assessment at least JohnnyZ. The “culture” certainly needs a swift kick up the butt.
Tkachuks wife is from Red Bank NJ, home of Jay and Silent Bob. Pretty much same distance from Newark NJ, NYC, and Philly. I’ve been predicting him to Rangers since 4 Nations.
Was on group chat with JT Miller when fights were discussed with Canada. Has now also played for Sullivan in Olympics. Played for asst coach David Quinn at BU. Since handing locker room over to Miller, Brady would be exact guy Drury would covet. Already got accused of tampering. I said the other day I’m not sure how I’d feel about this. Wait and see what the ask will be.
George O, you up yet? What say you. How would Ottawa be better after a Brady trade? How about: Lafreniere, Cuylle, Schneider, and Dallas’ first rd pick? You throw in Kleven.
Heh. Kleven is soon to be known around the league as a D you want to avoid if there is any chance at all you’re open for a hit. He’s a “throw in” for nobody.
As for Tkachuk – could dealing him away make Ottawa better in several areas? Hell, yeah. But Lafreniere wouldn’t be one of them. Quit trying to peddle that 1st overall bust here. Maybe the Habs might take a flyer on him … but even they aren’t giving up a whole lot to acquire him.
And I’m up and around every morning at around 6:00 am
I don’t get up that early if there is a good late game! I watched the Oil-Duck game, but could not make the OT. Was up a full 5 minutes before 8AM!!! Can’t short my sleep since my heart surgery last fall.
There are a lot of teams with big decisions to make. The top tier in the league Colorado,Minn.,Dallas,Carolina are set. Tier 2 Montreal,Vegas,Edmonton ,Anaheim,,Utah,TB,are potential contenders. Everyone else including the teams out of the playoffs you can throw in a blender.Should be a lot of player movement this off season!