NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: what’s next for the Wild, more speculation about Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies, and potential cost-cutting trade candidates for the Stars.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WILD?
ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looks at what’s ahead for the Minnesota Wild following their second-round elimination by the Colorado Avalanche.
Wild general manager Bill Guerin has eight players slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer. They include Vladimir Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, Nick Foligno, Marcus Johansson, Michael McCarron, Zach Bogosian, and Jeff Petry.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild have just over $13.5 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27, with 17 active roster players under contract.
Zuccarello should be back for sure, given his value to the Wild. Johansson and Tarasenko might also return on affordable short-term deals if they remain interested in playing for a contender. McCarron’s physical style could also earn him a new contract.
Clark believes the Wild must consider adding top-six help. He noted that they will have limited cap space for next season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored that Guerin was in the market for a first or second-line center before the March trade deadline. The Wild were linked to Vincent Trocheck, but there’s no certainty the 33-year-old New York Rangers center would agree to be traded to Minnesota when his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference.
Guerin must balance his need to add a center for his top-two forward lines with signing some of those pending UFAs to affordable contracts.
THE LATEST MATTHEW KNIES SPECULATION
TSN: During an appearance on “Overdrive” with Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan, Chris Johnston discussed the potential trade strategies this summer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Among them was what type of return Matthew Knies might fetch in the trade market.
Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).
Knies surfaced in the rumor mill before the March trade deadline as former Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was reportedly listening to offers for the 24-year-old power forward.
Johnston wondered if new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka would reopen those Knies discussions. He believes a key part of that deal would be what the Leafs would get back for a defenseman if they’re going to take a forward with the first-overall pick in this year’s draft.
Asked why Knies’ name came up in the trade market before the March deadline, Johnston said his lack of no-trade protection was the biggest factor. Trying to move someone like William Nylander would be difficult because his no-movement clause limits where he might prefer to go.
Johnston said he spoke with someone who works for an NHL team who claimed they would be willing to give up more for Knies than for Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. That’s because Matthews has only two years left on his deal, while they would have five years of Knies in his prime. Johnston claimed one team offered six pieces for Knies before the trade deadline, but it wasn’t good enough for Treliving.
There’s a new front office in Toronto now, and they might not be as willing to move Knies. However, Johnston isn’t ruling it out.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those six pieces were probably mostly draft picks and prospects, whereas Treliving was seeking a return that would provide more immediate help for his struggling roster.
Recent reports suggest Chayka thinks highly of Knies and doesn’t seem keen to move him. We’ll see if that’s the case as the offseason unfolds.
WHICH MEMBERS OF THE DALLAS STARS COULD BECOME COST-CUTTING CANDIDATES?
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos listed four players the Stars could trade to create enough cap space to sign winger Jason Robertson to a new contract.
Robertson, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who is also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. Robertson could seek a deal comparable to the eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million AAV) signed by teammate Mikko Rantanen last year.
Assimakopoulos listed forwards Radek Faksa ($2 million annually through 2027-28), Sam Steel (one year at $2.1 million), and defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin (one year, $3.25 million) and Tyler Myers (one year, $1.5 million) as potential trade candidates.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected $11 million in cap space for next season with 19 active roster players signed. How much Robertson gets will determine which (or how many) of those four will be moved.
Myers seems the most likely, as he wasn’t a good fit after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks before the trade deadline. However, his struggles with the Stars could also hurt his trade value.
could see Myers getting bought out, especially after being a healthy scratch in the playoffs. but that barely leaves any space to resign Robertson. good luck getting other teams to bite on Lyubishkin’s contract w/o giving up a 1st and top prospect, or having to take a bad contract back. Faksa’s injuries might damper interest from other teams
Guerin also needs to reserve cap space for 2027-28 if he could get Quinn Hughes to resign, which would take the remainder of cap space (including whatever the cap goes up to for that season). so tough sledding for Guerin. There downfall came down to injuries, in the series vs the Avs. Would have been a closer series if Eriksson-Ek and Brodin were able to play
I think the market value was set with Dumba. 2nd round pick sweetener to move him would be my guess.
Myers only has a $1.5M cap hit! But OH! That pesky NMC!!!!! He should be kept.
Lyubushkin would have to be moved, maybe they get away with retaining half his salary and trading for FCs. That saves $1.625M
I think there are a handful of teams that would take Lyubishkins contract of Dallas´hands for the right price, doubt it would be that expensive
mikep
There have been rumblings that Guerin thinks very highly of Auston Matthews.
Would Guerin have the appetite to trade Brock Faber (8.5M) and 2027 1st, 2026 3rd for Auston Matthews ($13.25M) with money retained?
This would give the Wild their #1C and still allow them some cap space to sign other players.
You don’t trade Knies unless you are in the position for a full tear down.
Toronto fits that description. Worst management in North American professional sports. What a waste of talent.
Teams that are left in the playoffs have one thing in common,rosters that spend wisely on their secondary players. Everyone needs top level talent and high priced players usually about 4-5 players per team. It s players 6-12 that make or break your season. Just look at the guys that are scoring for Montreal,Buffalo,Colorado,Anaheim and Vegas. Not many of them are making up words of 5-7 million.
Would you take Owen Power for Knies?
I would make that deal tomorrow. Question though is, who takes Power’s spot in the Sabres’ top 4 defensive corps? That is another deal to be made. Money left over for Tuch’s new contract.
Power and Greenway for Knies and Carlo
No way Sabres make that deal. They have a Knies in Tuch. Don’t see many teams lining up to take Carlo.
Owen, they could trade Carlo for a decent return tomorrow. He won’t be lighting the scoreboard but he’s a good player on a good contract.
He is not the Leaf’s problem.
Leaf fans just don’t like him because Minten had a good year in Boston, and the 1st RD pick almost ended up being Boston’s and in the top 10.
That isn’t Carlo’s fault. He was actually a plus player on a team that finished 5th worst in the NHL.
6″5″, 227, RD, plays the tough minutes, PK, and can skate for a big man.
He makes $3.5M.
Ray, that’s fair. He’s a solid 3 pair RD. However, if Sabres made that trade, they’d have hole to fill for their 2nd pair RD. Like I said, they have Knies in Tuch, albeit probably a more expensive option. RD is a much harder position to fill than a power forward as well.
Hi Owen, wasn’t commenting on the trade proposal, just Carlo.
I’m not sure I make that deal if I was Buffalo either. But maybe.
But Buffalo has 4 D that are top 4 quality, that all shoot left. Power, Dahlin, Byrum and Samuelsson.
They could play Carlo in their top 4 IMO with any of the LD’s I mentioned.
But Carlo only has a year left before UFA. Will he re-sign in Buffalo? Probably IMO.
What happens with Tuch? Will he stay and if so how much?
I actually asked his Dad that question a couple weeks ago. He wasn’t sure, and suggested he may head south, meaning Florida. But he really didn’t actually know and was joking with me as I suggested Boston being a Bruin fan and all.
So if Tuch plans on leaving, makes a lot more sense I think. And I like Power and think he continues to get better.
Ray Bark,I watched Carlo his entire career in Boston.He plays much smaller than his size. Had concussion issues in the past. Got hurt this year. Until last year he played on good Boston teams that prioritized Defense with solid goalies and surrounding cast. Closer to a bottom pair D than top 4!
We will have to agree to disagree on that one Sr.
I believe the Sabres want to move on from Power and his contract. Toronto would welcome a
Young defenseman with term, even with his deficiencies. Sabres need to make cap space for Tuch.
Even then ….
Toronto wouldn’t do that deal and Tuch won’t be a Sabre after July 1st as someone is going to throw ALOT of money his way.!
Knies for Power +a first rounder and then some.! When they lose Tuch they will get desperate enough for the Leafs to take advantage.!
Ray, a new coaching staff should help Carlo and the rest of the d – corps imo.
I wish they had grabbed Cassidy when he was fired but ” the process “….. Argh!
BCLeafFan, the Leafs should be better next year if they stay healthy.
Might get into the playoffs.
I would be surprised if they got back to competing for the division crown, but they should be better.
Carlo is a good player. Kind of guy you need for the role they used him for. Defense first and the PK. Has experience, good team guy.
IMO what they need is the puck mover type of D. Maybe he could be included in a trade for that type of player.
My comment – “even then” below was meant for your post Toronto St Pats. The inference being. he’d then be the very type of player they’d then be searching for in the re-build. Might as well do the re=build AROUND him.
(LOL – these things seem to find their own mis-placement. I distinctly posted the above in “Reply” to Toronto St Pats above … and yet here we are …..)
So it seems officially Knoblauch has now been fired.
What a circus.
While I didnt view Knoblauch as the primary problem (it is hard to identify the primary issue when their are a dozen or more) i also didnt see how he could transform into the solution in the present conditions.
I think the rift was between mngt and coach. He wasn’t hired by Bowman and a challenging season was all the reason he needed i guess.
We will see how things unfold. It seems we all know who is at the top of their wishlist.
I do like the idea of an experienced NHL head coach. Will it make a difference…idk.
2008 – Craig MacTavish
2009 – Pat Quinn
2010 – Tom Renney
2012 – Ralph Krueger
2013 – Dallas Eakins
2014 – Todd Nelson interim
2015 – Todd McLellan
2018 – Ken Hitchcock interim
2019 – Dave Tippett
2022 – Jay Woodcroft
2024 – Kris Knoblauch
2026 – Bruce Cassidy (probably) David Carle???
Maybe it’s not the coach?
Between the D core and goaltending…
Even McDavid cannot will the last 4 playoff run goalies to a Cup
22 Mike Smith+Koskinen
23 Skinner
24 Skinner
25 Skinner/Pickard
Maybe not…but is that a list that inspires confidence? Not really a whos who of in the coaching world is it?
So is it all on coaching of course not.
Just like it wasnt all coaching as to why they got to back to back finals.
But as I said…this reeks more of Kris not being Bowman’s pick more than anything else.
The posts boy 1Oiler, Johnny and ds sum up the Oil’s situation pretty well, IMO.
And I have to think Kaprizov and his 17 million has put the Wild in the same boat as the Oil have been, too much money on too few players.
Assuming he waves.
Linus Ullmark to Edmonton.
For
Savoie
Edmonton’s 2nd rounder this year
Ingram
Dark G, you must be joking. I think Ullmark proved he can be a force. Yes, he’s had his ups and downs, but that return for Ullmark is not going to cut it. I would cringe if I saw Staois running ingram next year as our top goalie, especially as we have no back up signed.
Have to agree there, Owen. Yeah, Ullmark had a brutal 1st half, underscored by his mental issues, But his second half and n into the playoffs was like night and day, despite the fact they went out in 4. Every game was close – 2 into OT – and essentially low-scoring, and a lot of credit for that has to go to Ullmark’s play.
They have to go with him again, while perhaps acquiring a younger, decent back-up to spell him, especially in back-to-backs. Their D was among the best in the league over numerous stats, and kids like Kleven, Matinpalo & Spence showed they are improving steadily. So did the veteran Gilbert before he was hurt.
Top priority should be a scoring winger and for that they’ll likely have to dip into their C depth.
And I believe, from all reports at least, that Yakemchuk could be full-time this coming season.
Stay the course … with a bit of tinkering.
I should have included Lassi Thomson with Kleven, Matinpalo & Spence above. Another RD who is finally at home in the NHL.
See my Coach’s Carousel in the Headlines thread 1Oilerfan. They’ll now be on their 12th coach in the past 2 decades – same as Ottawa and exceed in that span by only New Jersey, who’s on their 15th different bench boss.
Yeah…its a pretty sad track record for all. I’d love to be a fly on the wall for some of these discussions and interviews.
The GM has to have a vision on what type of team they are going to be and where they are going in terms of the roster. Then he needs the right coach to accentuate that.
The turnover says that someone is not holding up their end…and I doubt it is the coaching as often as these teams make them the fall guy
A reporter for La Presse in Montreal posted a summary of the lousy trades and signings that Bowman has made in the last year. And concluded by sarcastically posting that it’s always the coach’s fault.
Harley is the elephant in the room! He has no trade protection, so the Stars move him for a big return and cap savings!
Maybe Hronek waives for a contender like Dallas:
Hronek and Sharks 2nd for Harley
That gives Dallas over $3.25M more in cap space and the RD they need! There are many other D-men they could swap Harley for to make a similar impact.
Signing Robo is more important than keeping Harley!
I would keep Harley over Robo.
This is too funny, 6 pieces for Kneis? It was turned down?
If it is true then it had to be 6 bags of hockey pucks.
I like Kneis, he’s on a good contract but he isn’t a guy you build around, he’s a player used to build around others.
He’s an added piece not the centerpiece on a team.
Kris Knoblauch was fired today, he’d get TML on their feet.
Habfan30
Your Habs “Homer” vibe is coming through again.
Knies and Slavkovsky are very similar in age, stature, and career points.
Would you have the same things to say if somebody offered Montreal “6 bags of pucks” for Slavkovsky?
Young, big, fast, cost controlled power forwards are not plentiful, which is exactly why it was rumoured that Montreal was interested in him at the TDL.
Look back to what CHI received for for Hagel in 2022…2 prospects and 2 – 1st round picks
It’s not a stretch to think the number of pick/prospects would increase if none of the picks were in the 1st round.
SEA has said they have trouble attracting UFA…do you think they would offer up 2 – 1sts for Knies?
Berube going home to Edmonton. 👍👏
So, a guy who wasn’t the right coach to get a top-heavy team like Toronto on the right track (consistently), should now try his luck with a Western version of the same situation.
Avs 3rd line center would be the first line center for the Wild.
They need to find another center. missing EK was huge for them
Please take JT /Miller
Trochek remaining east is more geographic than conference. Is he ok going north of border to an EC team? It was more an issue at deadline. Not wanting to uproot his family during season. Not as much an issue in summer. Home for him is Pittsburgh. I don’t see Minnesota being on his ntc. 10 team list in JulyThey’re probably kicking themselves for not getting him at deadline.
agree
but PGH has cap space for him now too
ds. I think Pitt is definitely a possibility. Minny was heavily rumored at deadline. I’d add Buffalo, Philly, Columbus, Detroit as some top spots. Not sure how keen they’d be trading in division.
If he was a free agent I could see maybe Pitt trying to sign him but Dubas said he would be looking to use his trade assets for young guys their early to mid twenties. So I don’t see a match.
Minny makes more sense for Vinny T. if he wishes to pursue a cup.
Detroit makes sense if he wishes to stay East and he has many ties to SE MI from his pre-NHL days.
13,5m how is guerin fitting a 2nd line C with that and 5 more players?
Rangers trade them JT for 50% retained
Not happening Drury gave him the keys
He ain’t. That move for Hughes is looking like it was a big gamble for a cup this year. No way Hughes looks at this team and thinks it can win a cup as currently built down the middle.
If the Wild won the series with the Avalanche the 1st round pick they traded to the Canucks would have dropped from 24th to 28th. Now that the Wild are out it stays at 24th and can move up to 23rd if the Ducks rally to beat the the Golden knights.
How much does it cost to bring back Zuccarello? He’s 39 in September. Still has skill but he’s basically a PP specialist at this point. Only had 9 goals and 24 assists even strength. Misses time. Maybe time to move on. Johansson can still motor and had a minimal cap hit.
If Eriksson Ek was healthy the series is still going on, a healthy Brodin on top and the Wild are contending.
Bogosian was/is no impactful loss.
How far are they expected to go with their 1C injured? What “depth” is supposed to make up for that.
Sure they can use a top 6 centre along with almost every other team.
Exactly – those are two huge losses for the Wild.
Every team is always looking to upgrade at #1c or #2C. Guerin will be looking for upgrade options for Ek but will have no trouble rolling with him again next year if nothing materializes.
HF30. Need depth in playoffs. By not adding Trochek, they left themselves vulnerable. He could’ve made a difference even if Ek was healthy. Pp. pk. Faceoffs. After getting Hughes they should’ve been all in.
Slick62,
Get real, Trocheck is almost 33y/o and signed to 36y/o @ $5.625m.
What did NYR want for him in a trade?
Charlie Stramel, a 2027 first-round pick, and David Jiricek was the offer, NYR wanted Yurov, a 1st, and a roster player supposedly.
Nobody makes that trade for “insurance”
HF30. Get real?
You are aware contenders add at deadline. It’s not just “insurance”. As I said, after getting Quinn with no guarantee he’ll be here for more than 2 playoff runs, Trochek would’ve made them a better team. Even with his ppg dropping after deadline(understandably) it was still better than all of their other centers, including Ek. Trochek will be 35 at end of contract. His cap hit is reasonable, especially when combined with Ek. 11 mil for 1 and 2 C’s. Av’s traded for 33 year old Brock Nelson last year and gave him a 3 year extension for 7.5 mil.
I trade Knies if you get a true pairing right handed D.
Does Nemic fit that role?
Jeff
Not sure the Leafs would do Nemec for Knies straight up?
TOR doesn’t really want to trade Knies. However, with the top players in the draft being LW they may consider it to augment the back end.
Would MIN consider Faber for Knies?
Same age. Similar contract.
CHI was rumoured to want Knies as far back as the Hagel trade. He’d be a great compliment to Bedard. Knies for #4 and Nazar.
Would CHI do #4 and Nazar for #1 to pick Bedard’s cousin, McKenna?
If true Q Hughes wants out of Minn .. if true hello Bruins
for what?
McAvoy & a piece
McAvoy and Geekie for Q Hughes
No
Coming to Hab-land! 😀
https://www.facebook.com/reel/2179321682607477
To paraphrase Kucherov:
“The fans in Buffalo and Hab haters acted like they won the Stanley Cup last game… Are you kidding me?”
😀
Dobeas let in 3 of 4 so far!
Johnny Z,
hmmm, why did Buffalo pull Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen for the 3rd period????
He let in 5?
hmmm Lyon already let in 1
I spoke too soon! 😬
Hughes is signing in New Jersey when unrestricted they might as well trade him there now.