NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2026
What does Rangers GM Chris Drury have in store for the offseason? Which player could the Penguins target this summer? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano wondered which path New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury will take during the offseason. Will he preach patience and focus on rebuilding for the future, or aim for a quicker turnaround by trying to add to his roster?
Mercogliano stated that two league sources claimed Drury prefers to acquire young, NHL-ready players in any trade involving Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, defenseman Braden Schneider, or others.
The Rangers had planned to use their cap space this summer to pursue a premium unrestricted free agent, but the depth in that talent pool has drained. They could instead turn to this summer’s trade market if any big-name players hit the block.
New York Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad (NHL Images).
Mercogliano said it’s no secret the Rangers have long coveted Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and Auston Matthews’ situation with the Toronto Maple Leafs has grown murkier. However, he’s doubtful they have sufficient trade capital to pull off a trade of that magnitude.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of Drury’s actions have been to stage a quick turnaround rather than a full-fledged roster rebuild.
Drury is following the example of Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas, whose trades usually involve a return of promising NHL-ready players. Dubas has also found some bargain signings via free agency (Anthony Mantha, Justin Brazeau, Parker Wotherspoon) that have worked out well for the Penguins.
The Rangers GM held firm on his asking prices for Trocheck and Schneider at the trade deadline. With this summer’s UFA market depleted, teams will be turning to the trade market to address their needs. By then, some of those clubs could be more willing to meet Drury’s price than they were in March.
NEW YORK POST: Andrew Crane recalled the trade rumors that swirled around Rangers center Mika Zibanejad at this time last season.
The Rangers were in the middle of dismantling their roster. Meanwhile, Zibanejad was coming off a disappointing performance. Nevertheless, he reminded everyone that he had a full no-movement clause and that he still believed in this team.
A year later, Zibanejad has had a bounce-back performance with 33 goals and 75 points. He’s played a significant role in the blossoming of rookie Gabe Perreault and winger Alexis Lafreniere. No longer considered a trade candidate, he’s become a bridge to the future.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers’ plummet to the bottom of this season’s Eastern Conference standings prompted some observers to wonder if Zibanejad might reconsider staying in New York. Based on Crane’s report, don’t hold your breath waiting for him to waive his no-movement clause.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Josh Yohe was asked which star players the Pittsburgh Penguins might target in this summer’s trade market.
He believes Penguins GM Kyle Dubas could take a swing at Jason Robertson if the Dallas Stars put him on the trade block. The Penguins have the trade capital and the salary cap space necessary to acquire him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights who will also be UFA eligible next summer if he and the Stars agree to a one-year deal. Dubas may love Robertson’s game, but he will want assurances that the 26-year-old winger will sign a long-term contract before agreeing to acquire him.
I mentioned it in passing yesterday but I have a feeling that the “big trade” the Habs were supposedly chasing wasn’t Robert Thomas , Vincent Trocheck, Jordan Kyrou, Simon Nemec.
I think they were/are gunning for Nico Hischier and that would be a big lift, surely worth the trade assets that were tossed out there for Thomas.
Now that Tom Fitzgerald is out with new direction coming in to the NJD, it might be easier.
Hughes and Gorton moved out a lot of vets when they took over, key guys who made it to the SCF, most of them still playing in the NHL.
You base this on …?
And I wonder, why would Hischier be easier to acquire in Fitzgerald’s absence? Of course it’s difficult to analyze the appeal of trading a player without knowing what the returns would be, but wouldn’t trading Hischier leave a hole in an important position for the Devils?
Simply give up a 2027 protected 1st, Hage and Reinbacher for Hischier, done deal! 👍😉
How about Suzuki, Hutson and Caulfield too, Johnny? I mean, we wouldn’t want to underpay.
For a legit top 10 center in the league that’s not too far off the mark lj. A bit much but not absurdly so. All three are valuable pieces but none have demonstrated they would be close to him.
You feel Hischier is a top 10 Chrisms. Is he?
I find that a player becomes the flavour of the day here once mentioned in trade rumours, akin to a stock promotion. Let’s take a wide eyed look.
Again, I know one can’t base an evaluation on stats alone, and you may think I am picking the fly sh&* out of the pepper, but 5 years ago Hischier was 19th in scoring for centers, 3 years ago 24th. This year, not in the top 25. Regression?
Hischier is pretty darn good for sure. But top 10? Not in my books.
And yes, you did make a funny comment a while ago about Habs fans loving their draft picks, and there may be that in my assessment. But I don’t move Hage for anyone unless we get into deep fantasy of a package for McDavid.
His defense work is under appreciated. But I did say it was a bit exaggerated. But center is a premium position and he’s a premium center. For example. Most non Habs fans I’d wager wouldn’t trade him straight up for Suzuki. Would you trade Suzuki for a mid to late first and two highly rated but untested prospects? And yes… I believe your gm is damn good. But I think he could very possibly cost you a cup shot by not striking while the irons hot and upgrading the roster now at the cost of future. Your nhl core is young and primed. You could end up missing out by staying in the mind set of hoarding futures when the future is now.
But Chrisms, the future is not now. The Habs have one of the youngest teams in the league.
I understand I come across as being trade negative – ask HF30! 😉
But Hughes is not.
Here’s a quote from him:
“Don’t misinterpret the lack of (trade) results as a lack of interest in doing anything and just being completely focused on the future and not the present.’
Let’s see what he does in the off season.
I said what I base it on…a feeling.
Supposedly the trade was for a name not discussed publicly.
New GM/President wants to put his own stamp on the team he’s taking over.
Hughes/Gorton traded away Toffoli, Chiarot, Edmonston, Petry, Romanov, Lehkonen who were all solid contributors in the Stanley Cup run- they put their stamp on the team.
Hischier was asked about re-signing with NJD and his answer was a non-committal one so if nothing else he’s worth talking about.
The cost? He’s UFA at the end of next year so a trade could go in many directions.
Get whatever you can instead of having him walk.
Get a bidding war going to max a return.
He has a 10 team no-trade list, has an impact.
Dach/Newhook/Texier plus a 1st is what I’d give.
That makes for 3 top 6 players and 1st round potential for a guy who could very well be walking.
That proposal for Hischier easily gets beat by other teams. No needle movers whatsoever, and what could be a mid to late first rounder for a guy who went first overall. This is regardless his upcoming UFA status.
I am not saying Hirchier isn’t a good center. He would be an upgrade over where Kapanen is now. But (surprise) I want to see Kapanen’s ceiling. And I also want to make room for Hage. Yes, he may start out at wing; in any event he would need a couple of years to really contribute.
You can’t fully appreciate a player just by looking at them alone. But they suggest Hirchier is a 70 point per year player.Not shabby, but based on Hage’s performance at the world juniors, IMO he will be better than that and I would not want to give up assets to take the 2C away from him, even at this point.
But … again, what do I know. You may end up being correct.
Hf30,stop pawning off Newhook and Dach on other teams. They both are players that cannot stay healthy. Why not add Laine to that mash unit.You are hesitant to offer younger high draft picks that have not made the big club yet!
IMO Hischier is a excellent player and the most valuable player the Devils have.
Hughes puts up more points, better possession #’s etc, but he gets fed offensive minutes against easier competition.
Hischier plays the most minutes and % of his ice time against elite competition in NJ, Hughes a distant 3rd. Starts less than half his in the O zone, Hughes 71%.
Plays the PP and the PK, Hughes just PP.
He’s a Bergeron or Barkov light.
Guys like him have big value IMO, at least how I value C’s.
Not sure he fits in MTL as you have Hage coming, but he fits in lots of places. I would kick the tires if I was Sweeney.
As always, depends on the cost.
LJ,
My proposal moves 3 roster forwards and a 1st round pick leaving holes that need to be filled.
After Hischier becomes 2C, there are two roster slots open on the team so what’s the concern about Hage and Kapanen?
Owen,
What do you think a player heading into UFA who’s attitude is “we’ll see” when asked about re-signing is?
Plenty of better offers? Such as? and are they on his no-trade list? For all I know Habs are on his list.
We aren’t talking about Hischier in year 3 of a 7 year contract who would then be prime value.
What did TML get for Marner? 0
Plenty of UFA walk-aways before him
Tavares
Panarin
Pietrangelo
Chara
etc etc
Speculation on my part not tied to any stories or info being mentioned by anybody anywhere that’s all.
So true Habfan30. Others who followed the same route include
Marian Hossa from Det to Chicago; Scott Niedermayer from NJ to Anaheim; Brian Campbell from SJ t Chicago; Ed Belfour from SJ to Dallas; Brandon Montour from Fla to Seattle; Dougie Hamilton from Carolina to NJ; Taylor Hall from Arizona to Buffalo; Milan Lucic from L.A. to Edmonton; Ryan O’Reilly from Colorado to Buffalo; Alexander Radulov from Montreal to Dallas; Scott Gomez from NJ to NYR (which the Rangers would like to forget); Chris Drury from Buffalo to NYR.
Kinda agree with HF30, it’s only one year of Hischier so Habs aren’t trading Hage.
Maybe Reinbacher, as the Habs are well stocked on D, but skeptical they would. He’s been hurt a lot already, so maybe.
Sign and trade won’t increase the value much as then the player picks where he goes, so market shrinks.
I dunno, Kappanen and a 2nd?
Agree with LJ, not sure MTL is a great fit, they’re sitting pretty good right now as much as it pains me to say that.
Hischier and Marner are in different positions with Marner having a full no trade and Hischier only having a 10 team, and Hischier having a full year of playing on his ridiculously cheap contract. I think if it got to the point of trading him, interested teams will be given an opportunity to assess his willingness to sign. Obviously I can’t speculate who would give up what, but surely a team on the cusp is winning would give up a often injured 14pt a year player, a 4th line center, and mid to late first rounder for a #1 overall pick who plays a great two way game.
Ok, fair about roster spots, HF30 — for the next couple of years. Hischier will command a 7 year deal. Hage is where in years 3 – 7? Which of the two become 3C? In short, I look at this long term, and yes with an optimism about Hage you might not share.
Thinking more about it, Habsfan, I would say his situation is close to Quinn Huges. An extremely talented player who has a year left at a great number and has a M-NTC. So what did Vancouver get for him? Pretty great haul, definetly more than what you offered from Montreal.
I wouldn’t trade Isaac Lundestrom for what you suggest for Hischier. And your logic is flawed. Just because two other GMs made ridiculous trades when they were first hired doesn’t mean New Jersey’s new GM will. Notice that Don Waddell has been making slow, incremental trades since being hired.
That proposal for Hischier easily gets beat by other teams. No needle movers whatsoever, and what could be a mid to late first rounder for a guy who went first overall. This is regardless his upcoming UFA status.
This consulting firm Pelley has hired landed Rutherford in Vancouver , Keith jones in Philadelphia , Pat Verbeek in Anaheim
This is not a glowing referral IMO
Surely to god they can finally make it Right
Unfortunately, when it comes to that, Ken, only time will tell.
2 outta 3 ain’t bad! 😁
Robertson is going nowhere. Jim Nill, for whatever reason, is the “Free Agent Whisperer”. He’ll talk Jason into some crazy deal tp stay, and still get him paid enough to make him very comfortable.
Rangers have been a completely different team since Olympics. Losing Norris and Vezina trophy winners hurt any chance of making playoffs. They became sellers and players like Laf have flourished without Panarin. Drury needs to package players into acquiring a stud. A top 6 scorer (winning lottery would help)and a top 4 LD. If they don’t get back to playoffs, Drury will be gone at end of next season.
Rangers were reportedly in on Quinn Hughes. No idea what they were offering but, wondering what it was and if it would cost more or less for Tkachuk.
I am a huge Q. Hughes fan. But I don’t think he and Fox on the same team would be a good idea.
Certainly not paired together other than on the PP.
Lafrenière, schieder and NYR 2026 1st round pick for Matthews
Lafrenière and Fox for Matthews
What a fascinating trade/debate/proposal back and forth in here yesterday.
I just finished reading all of them. Polite. Concise. Good stuff gents.
I don’t have too much to add. I don’t know much about Hischier other than he often gets compared to Bergeron. Who was irreplaceable.
The Tavares and Chara “walk away” situations were complicated George as you well know. As much as I can’t stand the Leafs their manager was in a tough spot with Marner. Gifted play maker who (as an avid leaf hater) I thought was pretty damn good in the playoffs.
I think the Golden Knights are about to implode and there might be opportunity to pick off some goodies. Same with the Kraken.
Finally. Rangers fans. IF Brady is ever traded because he won’t sign…..it’ll be a poison pill contract to a western team. The poison pill will be 2 first rounders if he plays in the eastern conference in the following 2 seasons. They know his value. And they know how much fun it is to play against him.