NHL Rumor Mill – May 11, 2026
What is the top offseason priority for the Bruins and Flyers, and how can they address it? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
BRUINS COULD HAVE DIFFICULTY FINDING A FIRST-LINE CENTER
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley recently reported that Bruins team president Cam Neely believes his club needs more talent and more speed to compete with the top teams in the league.
Neely believes the Bruins need a first-line center. Studley noted that promising forwards Fraser Minten and James Hagens are candidates to fill that role at some point in their careers. The Bruins felt they had one two years ago when they signed Elias Lindholm to a seven-year, $54.25 million contract, but his offensive output is not what is expected of a first-line center.
The Bruins are projected to have over $16.3 million in cap space for 2026-27. They also have another future first-round draft pick to work with if they choose to explore trade partners.
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes the Bruins have limited options to find a No. 1 center in the offseason.
Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei (NHL Images).
The Bruins have the cap room to add one, and they have tradeable assets such as three 2028 first-round draft picks, forward Matthew Poitras, and defenseman Mason Lohrei.
However, the few centers potentially available, such as Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks and Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, could be outside the Bruins’ price range.
The pickings are slim in the free agent market. Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins is 39, spent as much time this season on right wing as he did at center, and isn’t a good match. Former Bruin Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets could also be available.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins might be forced to return with Pavel Zacha centering the first line and Lindholm the second. They could also see how Poitras, Minten, and Hagens develop next season, but it’s doubtful either of them will be ready to fill that role.
THE FLYERS COULD TRADE A WINGER FOR A CENTER THIS SUMMER
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Carchidi believes the Philadelphia Flyers must find a high-end center and a defenseman to anchor their power play during the offseason.
The free-agent market is thin on center, prompting Carchidi to speculate that general manager Daniel Briere could turn to the trade market by peddling a winger.
Carchidi noted the Flyers have over $38 million in projected salary-cap space for next season. However, that will be reduced by new contracts for Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Emil Andrae, and perhaps Samuel Ersson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with the Bruins, the asking price for Pettersson and Thomas (if they’re available) could be too high for the Flyers. The same goes for Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, who has recently surfaced in trade rumors amid speculation over his future.
Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers might be a more affordable option. He has three seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.625 million. However, he’s best suited in a second-line role.
Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken has also popped up in rumors. He seemed poised for a breakout performance after a promising 44-point performance last season, but he struggled under head coach Lane Lambert this season. The 22-year-old was projected to become a first-line, two-way center during his draft year. He hasn’t established himself in that role yet, but he might benefit from a change of scenery.
any other team will just be insane if they offer top picks/prospects for Elias Pettersson, who has struggled for 2+ seasons now. Considering his aweful contract why would you raid your picks/prospects for him?
Center options are slim.
Not sure Elias Pettersson is a 1st line center anymore (even though his salary is).
Robert Thomas might be available, but the asking price seems huge.
That’s why I was shocked when Trocheck wasn’t traded this past deadline. He might “only” be a 2C, but he also provides great face off and penalty kill work under a great contract.
Part of me wants the NYR to keep him, but I also recognize that he might bring back a good return to help accelerate the rebuild.
When it comes to centers who might be available, it sort of surprises me to some degree that no one seems to consider Ottawa’s depth at that position.
It should be obvious that, if Staios does make a significant off-season move to improve the scoring at a wing position – which seems to be a main focus – the best option would be one of Cozens or Pinto, both of whom can certainly fill the # 2 C slot.
With Stutzle embedded as the # 1 and whichever of Cozens or Pinto is not dealt as the # 2, followed by Greig at # 3 and probably the recently-re-signed 6′ 4″ Halliday at # 4, that has to be their primary trade bait, since they have nothing in the way of picks at the moment, nor are they deep enough at wing or on LD/RD.
There has been discussion about the Sens’ strength at center, George, and for a while. HF30 opined as far back as the off season last year about the Habs possibly acquiring Pinto, for example.
The discussion is about first line centers, and while Pinto is a player for sure, but after Stutzle, do you see any of their centers stepping into a 1C right away with another team?
Cozens could on some teams for sure. And Pinto, in addition to having some offensive pop, is one of the best shut-down Cs against opposing teams top Cs. I know he drives MacKinnon nutso,
When it comes to UFAs who have or who can play center, the term “slim pickings” doesn’t even begin to describe that situation.
The most prolific is also the oldest of a small group, but while Evgeni Malkin (who turns 40 on July 31) and just had a season in which he scored 19g 42a 61 points in just 56 gp, his tendency towards frequent injury absences may give teams pause. That, and how much less than his expiring 6.1 mil cap hit he is willing to accept.
Then there are 2 from Columbus who could fill the # 2 or 3 C slot on a lot of teams. 33 y/o Boone Jenner finished with 13g 25a 38pts in 68gp and was nursing an injury for much the season that also caused him to miss 15 games in Nov-Dec. He’s coming off an expiring $3,750,000 cap hit. The other is 34 y/o Charlie Coyle who played all 82 games, potting 20g 38a 58pts with an expiring cap hit of $5,250,000.
After that it drops like the proverbial rock:
29 y/o Jack Roslovic of Edmonton who had 21g 15a 36 pts in 69gp – most at a wing – with an expiring $1.5 mil cap hit;
31 y/o Jason Dickinson also of the Oilers who played just 47 game with 6g 7a 13pts at a cap hit of $4,250,000;
31 y/o Oliver Bjorkstrand of Tampa who CAN play C – in 80gp he had 12g 20a 32pts at a cap hit of $5.4 mil;
32 y/o Scott Laughton of L.A. who had 13g 7a 20pts in 64gp with Toronto and L.A. on an expiring cap hit of $3 mil;
35 y/o Erik Haula of Nashville who can also play C – he had 14g 24a 38pts in 81 gp for an expiring cap hit of $3,150,000;
37 y/o Lars Eller of Ottawa who had 5g 10a 15pts in 69gp on a cap hit of $1,250,000.
Would a pinto or cozens to play 1 C work for Boston and Ottawa? What might a package entail that actually fills Ottawa needs?
I never get into “X for Y”, Ihatecrosby. I might suggest trading a Cozens or Pinto for a specific position, but leave the “who” to the GM – that’s his job and, if he wishes to keep it, the return had better be a good one.
George, Malkin at his age and production is at best a 2nd line center. The rest are 3rd/4th line players. Coyle was the only player who had the contract year bump. Roslovic has bounced around now is a better winger but poor defensively. None are awe inspiring. The trade route looks best.
The Sabres have some up and coming centers in Ostlund and Helenius which could make some of there centers in play.
I totally agree, Gary, on that UFA “crop.” Even calling it a crop is charitable.
I’d make a play for Cole Prefetti or maybe Frost. You want young, on the verge of break out years with cost certainty.
At full cap hit Pettersson would be cheap, at 8m I don’t know, a first not in top 15 and a good prospect? And Philly isn’t a place Pettersson would agree to go to. If I had a need of a C and 8m in cap space and a late first to spare I would take a chance. At 8m he is barely worth it but with the hope that a change of scenery would make him great again
I do not see Seattle moving Beniers BUT Philly could put together an offer and see what Seattle may want.
Philly does have draft capital
Beniers fits Phillys age group and is dynamic and plays with pace. Something Briere and Jones have put value on.
That would fill that role.
But overall and very weak pool of availability out there unless GMs overpay and I just don’t see movement happening this off season.
With centers being in such high demand and not many on the market Boston should look at all the available wingers and go after them. Montreal is a good example of being a team with talented wingers and only Suzuki as a bonafide top 6 center. Look for young top 6 wingers under contract and trade for them. Other than Geekie and Pasta,the Bruins are not even close with their wingers. Ardvisson is not the answer due to his age and his ability to stay healthy!
With centers being in such high demand and not many on the market Boston should look at all the available wingers and go after them. Montreal is a good example of being a team with talented wingers and only Suzuki as a bonafide top 6 center. Look for young top 6 wingers under contract and trade for them. Other than Geekie and Pasta,the Bruins are not even close with their wingers. Ardvisson is not the answer due to his age and his ability to stay healthy!
I wonder if Habs were turned off Michkov or just didn’t like him at #5.
The jury’s still out on Reinbacher as he was injured again this year and couldn’t finish the year in Laval.
I think he’d look good as a Hab under MSL tutelage.
Here is the Athletic’s view of the Reinbacher pick, just after the draft. Not saying it is the same as the Habs view, but it can’t be far off:
Analysis: Reinbacher is an excellent all-around defenseman. His mobility stands out immediately, especially as a 6-foot-2 right-shot defender.
Reinbacher’s gap control is quite strong; he kills a lot of plays due to his feet. He can close on guys with his body too, and shows a high compete level to win back pucks. He’s very polished defensively for such a young player, and projects to shut down good NHL forwards. He’s able to both skate and pass pucks up ice.
He’s got good offensive touch, showing solid hands and better vision. He’s not dynamic with the puck but showed this season at a young age he could make plays and move the puck like a pro. His sense is very good and he projects to be a power-play guy in the NHL. Reinbacher is a potential top-pair, all-situations NHL defenseman.
The author, Pronman, had a glowing view of Michkov:
In my opinion, there is a significant drop in ability from Michkov to Carlsson. The drop in talent is equivalent of that from Carlsson to the 18th-ranked player on my draft board.
I have Will Smith from the U.S. NTDP closely behind Carlsson, but in terms of Michkov to the next best non-Carlsson/Smith player, that drop is cataclysmic. It’s the equivalent of the difference between Carlsson and players rated as late-round picks in terms of hockey ability. If Carlsson, Smith and Fantilli are gone and you take someone other than Michkov, in my opinion, you are picking a dramatically worse player.”
But here is a (not the) key in the Habs decision making, IMO:
“The situation is volatile there (russia), who knows what could happen next?” said one NHL scout, who, along with the other scouts and executives I interviewed for this article, was granted anonymity in order to speak freely about Michkov. “You saw with the Flyers last summer. They couldn’t get that goalie [Ivan Fedotov] over because he was arrested and enlisted. Maybe your guy gets arrested. Maybe he is forced to enlist. There’s all kinds of uncertainties.”
By the way, HF30, here is a snippet from TSN on Reinbacher. I have no opinion to offer, as I haven’t seen him play in Laval, but wonder why you think the jury is still out:
Reinbacher, 21, and Engstrom, 22, are both defencemen, appearing in two and 15 games respectively with the Canadiens in 2025-26.
Both excelled in the AHL with Reinbacher scoring five goals and 19 assists over 57 games while Engstrom had 10 goals and 24 assists over 45 games.
LJ,
The jury is still out on Reinbacher not on account of his ability but on account of his inability to stay healthy.
He looks very good in Laval and held his own in the few games he played with the Habs.
If I was making the decision now I wouldn’t trade him but I’m ready to let Enstrom go.
As I suggested yesterday, Kapanen and Engstrom for Michkov is a trade I’d make.
My intention wasn’t to question the value of Reinbacher to Michkov, it was wondering if they didn’t like the player, didn’t like him at #5 or were they afraid to waste a pick on a guy who might not come over.
If they didn’t like him at all, then case closed.
If it was for other reasons, well he’s here and might be affordable.
Would love to know what offers Drury turned down on Trochek. I think the whole wanting to stay in east was a bigger issue at deadline. Moving family and getting kids settled is much easier in summer. 12 team ntc becomes 10 team July 1. Minnesota was heavily rumored at deadline to be a landing spot. Could be in play in summer. CBJ if they don’t sign Jenner or Coyle. Flyers, Pens, Sabres, Wings…maybe Chicago?
Why would Team Sweden trade Pettersson?
11.6 million reasons but the amount of add ons and salary retention required to find a sucker, I mean trading partner for EP40 would cripple Vancouver for years.
Too much Sedinery in Vancouver. The entire front office should have been fired not just Alvin being scapegoated out the door by Rutherford.
I think you could trade Pettersson if the Nucks ate $3-3.5M without giving up assets to do it. The return wouldn’t be much, so I don’t know why Vancouver wouldn’t just wait and see if he gets it turned around. That’s what I would do.
Not saying I would trade for him either, I have been pretty outspoken about that, but have to think some GM out there decides to give it a go at the right price. I put it at 50/50 if the nucks eat $3.5M
I believe Rutherford has already announced he is also leaving the organization in the off season.
Ray & Ron – I’ve been wondering what could have happened to affect Pettersson’s game so drastically after being impressed by his play prior to the past 2 seasons any time I saw him in action.
He alone can’t be made responsible for their stunning fall-off which saw them finish 38 30 14 90pts 236gf 253ga -17 in 2024-25 (itself a stunning decline from 2023-24 when they went 50 23 9 109pts 279gf 223ga +56), to a pathetic 25 49 8 56pts 216gf 316ga -100 this past season.
In his 407gp prior to the past 2 seasons he scored 170 goals 242 assists 412pts for 82-game averages of 34g 49a 83pts and was a collective +56.
In his 138gp the past 2 seasons he has scored 30g 66a 96 pts for 82-game averages of 18g 39a 57pts and was a collective -40.
He isn’t the biggest/robust C in the league by any stretch at 6′ 2″ and a razor-thin 175lbs, so you can bet he’s had some major difficulty dealing with the increased attention he’s received over the past 2 seasons as a result of his top-level stats over the previous seasons.
That, and performance drop-offs by a number of other roster players – including their goalies – not to mention the huge contract awarded on the basis of his earlier seasons – has put him square in the spotlight for more abuse than he perhaps deserves.
Who knows, with the right wingers who can better protect him out there, he could experience a resurgence. He only turns 28 in November.
It is the classic risk reward George.
We can focus on what he isn’t, which is strong and physical, and determined/intense.
Or we can focus on what he is. Skilled and smart (defensively).
What we don’t know – will he ever produce again? And why is he struggling so much?
I dunno George, I’m no therapist, but generally I’m pretty good at reading people I hire, and what we test for to determine success etc.
And this guys general demeaner, interactions with the media, and what we heard from behind the scenes, sure points to a guy who is the opposite of someone with a strong desire to succeed and to be viewed as someone who is succssful. Which is the strongest indicator of future success (along with past success).
It can also mean other stuff in his life is dragging him down, distrust of the press, etc.
But I would sure as heck want to know the answer to that question before making the move. He is signed for a long time, so big commitment. The kind of move that gets you fired if your wrong.
But if someone does that, and the price is right….
Humans have a great ability to rationalize decisions, especially the bad ones.
Develop the kids from Providence. Poitras went down to “work on the little details”, he’s ready for the NHL. Merkulov, leading scorer on the baby Bruins and Brunet can replace Peeke.
I know Sweeney has pressure to deliver, but if he’s going to follow the same path of bringing in under-whelming players when the aforementioned three are available, then he will be slipping back into his old bad habits of trading the farm to get a little better next season.
He must stick to the plan, the Habs are a good example of how long it takes to build a team from the Carey Price years.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Keep the draft picks, maybe even pick up a few more by trading a roster player or two, 2028 will be here before you know it, and they will have three first round picks by then.
Northern Bruin. Brunet and Dipietro yes.Other players are more like bottom 6 players which they have to many of on the roster. They need top 6 forwards either wings or centers.Other than Geekie and Pasta,excluding Ardvisson because of age and injury history,they have none. Was very disappointed at the P Bruins short playoff run.
The one thing that concerns me about Pettersson is because of his injury history some experts have hinted he’s lost a lot of speed. Hope the bruins pass. Too much money and you’ll have to give up a kings ransom to get him.
Your point prompted a more thorough search on that score, John, and you are bang on/ Here’s what I found:
“Yes, there is significant evidence and analysis suggesting that Vancouver Canucks forward Elias Pettersson has lost speed and experienced a decline in his overall skating effectiveness over the past two seasons (2024-25 and 2025-26).
According to data and reports, the drop-off is not just a perception but is supported by tracking data, including:
• Reduced Top Speed: NHL EDGE data showed a significant drop in top speed from the 94th percentile in 2022-23 to the 72nd percentile in the 2024-25 season.
• Fewer Speed Bursts: His speed bursts of over 20 miles per hour (MPH) fell from the 88th percentile in 2022-23 to 53rd percentile in 2024-25.
• Reduced Rush Production: Data from Corey Sznajder’s “All Three Zones” project indicated that by April 2025, Pettersson was driving 35% fewer controlled zone entries and his ability to generate shots off the rush fell by over 40% compared to his peak.
• Physical Limitations: Reports have linked these issues to a nagging knee injury and knee tendinitis that hindered his ability to train in the 2024 offseason, as well as an oblique injury that cut his 2024-25 season short.
Recent Performance (2025-26 Season)
• Entering the 2025-26 season, there were continued concerns about his “lack of zip” and pace.
• Despite some improvements in health, analysts still noted that he wasn’t consistently showing the same elite speed that defined his 100-point season, leading to a prolonged slump lasting from early 2024 through the 2025-26 season.
Note: The 2025-26 season concluded with Pettersson posting 51 points in 74 games, a performance below his previous elite level.”