NHL Rumor Mill – May 19, 2026
Check out the latest on the Sabres, Wild, Blackhawks, and Jets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SABRES?
ESPN.COM: Kristen Shilton looked at what’s in store for the Buffalo Sabres in the offseason following their elimination from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The first task for general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is to nail down a contract extension for Alex Tuch. The 29-year-old power forward is completing a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $4.75 million and is in line for a significant raise.
Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)
Given the limited depth in this summer’s UFA market, Tuch will be highly coveted by other clubs if he becomes available on July 1.
Meanwhile, forwards Peyton Krebs and Zach Benson are restricted free agents. Krebs has arbitration rights, while Benson is coming off his entry-level contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored earlier this season that the Tuch camp could seek a deal comparable to the eight-year contract ($10.625 million AAV) that Adrian Kempe signed with the Los Angeles Kings last fall. The Sabres could prefer signing him for between $8.5 million and $9.5 million. It’ll be interesting to see if they can meet in the middle.
Shilton believes Kekalainen must find “suitable scoring depth, a little extra physicality, and some defensive help.” She noted that there could be some “intriguing names” in this summer’s free-agent market that could help them, such as Rasmus Andersson of the Vegas Golden Knights, Anthony Mantha of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and Viktor Arvidsson of the Boston Bruins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that the Golden Knights have an agreement with Andersson on a new contract, but they must wait until July 1 to make it official once they place sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo on offseason LTIR.
THE LATEST ON THE WILD
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report that Minnesota Wild GM Bill Guerin believes his club is in a window now where they could win the Stanley Cup. “If there’s a chance for us to get better, we will,” Guerin said.
Russo and Smith believe Guerin’s objective is to find a No. 1 center. Given how weak this year’s free-agent class is, the Wild GM must find that player in the trade market.
Doing so will mean giving up more of their future after parting with three young assets and a first-round pick last December for superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes. Speaking of Hughes, Guerin said signing the 26-year-old blueliner to an extension is his top priority.
The Wild have about $15 million in cap space, and that doesn’t include re-signing some of their pending UFAs and re-signing restricted free agents such as Bobby Brink and Daemon Hunt.
TWINCITIES.COM: Dane Mizutani believes Guerin must find that first-line center regardless of the cost. He recommends packaging young goaltender Jesper Wallstedt in a trade package, depending on the outcome of Filip Gustavsson’s offseason hip surgery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s well known that Guerin attempted to acquire a center before the March trade deadline. Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers was thought to be the target, but the 33-year-old center prefers to remain on the East Coast or as close as possible.
A recent report claimed Guerin made a trade offer to the St. Louis Blues for center Robert Thomas, but the Blues rejected it. Thomas joins Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Nico Hischier and Jack Hughes of the New Jersey Devils as potential trade targets for the Wild. However, those players carry various forms of no-trade protection, and their teams could be unwilling to move them.
Wallstedt was floated as a trade candidate before the deadline, so it’s unsurprising that he’s come up again. If Gustavsson makes a full recovery and is good to go for the start of next season, Wallstedt could get packaged with draft picks and prospects for a first-line center at some point.
WILL THE BLACKHAWKS BE AGGRESSIVE IN THIS SUMMER’S TRADE MARKET?
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope believes Blackhawks GM Kyle Davidson must be more aggressive in this summer’s trade market to acquire high-end players who will accelerate his rebuilding plans.
Pope noted this summer’s shallow free-agent pool could result in a busy summer trade market. He wondered if notables such as winger Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, forward Thomas and Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues, or goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would be available this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks have the cap space and the trade assets in draft picks and prospects to use as trade bait if any of those players become available. Thomas, Kyrou, and Hellebuyck all have full no-trade or no-move protection. Robertson doesn’t, but Davidson would have to ensure that he’s willing to sign an extension before pursuing him.
DAILY FACEOFF: cited a report from Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the Blackhawks are willing to trade the signing rights for pending UFA forward Ilya Mikheyev. He’s in the final season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.75 million
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks offered Mikheyev a contract extension before the March trade deadline, but he rejected it. His signing rights won’t fetch much of a return, but Davidson could bundle him into a trade package in his pursuit of a high-end player.
COULD THE JETS GO THE OFFER SHEET ROUTE?
THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates suggested the Winnipeg Jets should target players with offer sheets this summer. He believes it will be difficult to upgrade their roster this summer through free agency, trades, or with the eighth-overall pick in this year’s draft.
Ates observed that some exciting young players will be restricted free agents this summer. He proposed that the Jets should target teams facing a salary-cap crunch this summer. Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights would be the best target.
WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Mike McIntyre suggested the Jets consider bringing back Patrik Laine on an affordable short-term contract. The 28-year-old winger is UFA-eligible this summer and won’t be re-signed by the Montreal Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both scenarios seem unlikely, but the Jets targeting Dorofeyev with an offer sheet is more plausible than bringing back Laine.
Faber and Hartman for Nemec and Hischier signed to a 7 year contract. (after July 1)
You don’t even get Hischer alone with this offer.
Boy, is THAT ever true!
Unless you win a cup.GMS have to be careful in signing older players for long term contracts. Boston fell in love it’s Krecji and have not found a replacement for him or Bergeron since they retired!
Let Tuch walk and get his $10M+ elsewhere.
Sign Anders Lee, Marchmant or McMann
The Sabres will not let Tuch walk. They’ve finally broken through and can ill afford a step backward now. They’ll find a way to sign him. He’ll likely want max term and at least $9m. AAV.
I agree Johnny that he’s not worth it. He turned 30 last week. He has only one season of more than 67 points. He’s a good but not great player. The back half of his next contract will not be good. But as I said the Sabres have no choice.
Depending if they can trade for a goalie and need cap space Tuch could walk.
Helenius and Ostlund both rookies and look very promising same as Kulich.
The question is, what do they have to replace him with? Do they have any young wingers is the system and a 2nd/3rd liner that can improve and replace him? Can Quinn be better with more icetime, can they afford to trade a D or a C for a winger?Then walk away, if not I can see 9-9,5 but not more. Know when to walk away, he isnt Kempe in LA who has “much” better numbers at 10,6ish
Don’t see how you pay him after his playoff performance Howard. Absolutely invisible, and regardless of where he goes he cost himself some money with that effort.
Can’t let emotion enter into the decision. I’ve loved his game, but predicated on speed which is the first thing to go. Classic decision trap we’ve seen GMs fall into so many times. Time for ruthless decision making is at hand. Have to let him walk. Not going to sign with bottom feeding team out west, and I don’t see many top teams awash in cap space, and willingness to take the risk that he is the guy to get them over the top.
Sabres have the leverage. Get him at the terms they want (money and duration) or let him walk. In a position to fill from young talent coming up. Their young guys were best players in the playoffs.
@Kent
Helenius showed poise and Lindy was not afraid to give him ice time in the playoffs.
Both Ostlund and Kulich look like they belong in the NHL already.
Can they really pay Tuch market , find a goalie AND be able to resign all these kids in a few years? The Tuch contract might be a big old anchor in a few seasons
Agree with Eagle.
Signing Tuch to an 7 year, $9M + contract will hurt them more than help in the long run, especially with all the young forwards on the roster getting a year older & better.
Also have to consider that Benson is RFA this year and Ostland & Kulich next year.
Plus you have Kesserling (RFA) and Stanley & Shenn (UFA) on D to deal with this year.
Pouring $9M+ into Tuch will handcuff the team with all their other needs.
Will be interesting to see how Buffalo proceeds after finally breaking their playoff drought.
I don’t read too much into the lack of points in the playoffs, he was OK not great. Puck wasn’t going in for him, or that line which is why Ruff shook them up. Happens sometimes, playoffs or regular season. But agree 100 with the rest of Eagle’s post.
He’s a good player, but not a guy you absolutely have to sign to keep you window open.
Sabres still have a bunch of talent coming, some is already on the roster and will continue to improve. Now they have playoff experience to boot. And agree they did thrive and drove the team, along with their D core.
If he wants to sign a deal with reasonable $$ and term, by all means sign him. 8 x $9M seems excessive when you consider the other talent that should improve, and thus will get paid.
Sabre’s are paying Jeff Skinner $6.4M next season. Ouch.
I wasn’t to impressed by his playoff play I’d, offer 6m x 6 years and no more, and if he walks wish him luck and say the offer drops $100,000 per year for every week after July 1st
Eagle hit the nail on the head.
Facts.
Not emotion.
If I was Winnipeg or anyone…I’d be targeting Zack Benson.
Re: Zach Benson:
I remember in the Bedard final U-20 worlds, how Benson shined with huis snarts in the attcaking areas, so smart anbd quick. I don’t think Sabres can simply take the picks that the RFA brings them, but crazier things have happened…
Eagle I agree that emotion cannot be the basis for the decision. And I agree that Tuch will not be worth whatever he will get. And I can see everyone’s argument not to sign him and I generally agree. But I’m just saying that I believe the Sabres will sign him, even if it’s not a good idea. If they lose him there’s no one to replace him and that would cost the Sabres in the short term. After finally exciting the fan base for the first time in forever, the Sabres cannot afford even a short term setback. So they will overpay him. And regret it in 4 years.
Kakalainen gave Laine his current contract when he was in Columbus. Maybe he can get him on a reasonable prove it deal to replace Tuch. I thought Buffalos defense was their strong point. Could look to trade Byram for a shutdown right shot. Power would be a good trade chip and give them cap space. Trochek would be a good add for Sabres. Give them help on faceoffs, PK and secondary scoring.
Trade Norris and Levi for Trocheck + Cuyle
McLeod is their Trocheck. And I would love Power or Byram on the Rangers but their strength is that D core… you have to run with that first.
Cuylle is not as fast as Tuch but he is not a bad big winger option for less $.
Buffalo has a good pool of prospects they could part with. But i dont see Tro making sense there
Trochek is 33? So no thanks. If you can find a C at +5 years younger I might be interested. Byram has only one year left, depending on if he stays they need a new D since they have to trade him this summer. Chicago comes to mind. They have some good young D but wants to upgrade now and they have the money to pay Byram what he wants, my guess is 8-9m
Now that the Sabers have broken through and did well in the playoffs, they could be a “destination”.
Play hardball with Tuch and offer a $9M x5 contract, tops! Don’t let that contract go sour with a long term!
I could see Drury trading something for Tuch rights to sign if Buffalo walks
Tuch’s chance for last big contract. Rangers will overpay him
No thanks
While I agree with the view that Tuch is the wrong age and hasn’t the consistent big numbers to deserve a 10 million contract, consider the rising cap:
2026-27: $104,000,000
2027-28: $113,500,000 (projected)
Everyone, GMs, players, and agents, know this of course and it means that an egregious overpay today loses its cap impact in the near future.
That plus the fact that so many teams want 2Cs, RHDs and goalies in the off season, that this July’s UFAs will be overpaid relative to their immediate value. Tuch and even budding RFAs will benefit.
The Wild cant afford a trade for Jack Hughes. Besides, NJ would want a center in return. I guess there’s always going to be unsubstantiated rumors around the brothers.
Count on it. And Brady Tkachuk. And Austin Matthews. And Trochek. And Hamilton. And Pettersson. And probably Wallstedt.
And most of the Tamp roster. The though among some in Tampa (I’m on the fence) is the Bolts are stale and predictable, and what has been missing in the playoffs in the last few years is the ability to make a 6-8 minute push that creates chaos and overwhelms the other team for a moment and results in a goal. That’s never been their DNA…..
Hagel can be wild but Kuch, Point, Guentzel, (Stamoke when he was here) could all be described as clinical; hence the appeal of the gourde coleman goodreau line in the cup years.
SO the thought is that a hockey trade with even talent and money might be available to almost anyone to change the chemistry.
Didn’t Tuck move in the expansion draft ? So not protected then and a lot younger. Good value at current deal but to double it is a mistake. But hey not my money.
I disagree with most, you pay to play in the playoffs most of the Sabres stood up except Tuch . Zero points and a something like a dash 9 in the Habs series . Maybe he was hurt After-all Rantanen had a torn MCL and dressed
Rising cap or not, Alex Tuch just turned 30 and had a listless playoff, a power forward on the wrong side of the calendar is going to become a bad contract.
He is a good player not a great one, anything resembling $9mx8 needs an imbecile for a GM.
He’s a top 6 guy but far from star category which is the way he wants to be paid.
Sometimes the best deal is the one you don’t make and anything beyond $7m x 4 fits that category.
Sabres prospect pool is loaded with defenseman. The forward group other then Ostlund,Helenius,and Kulich is not so promising. Brodie Ziemer is about the best after that. It should be noted that Kulich’s future is murky because of a blood clot issue. It was revealed that he had surgery to remove the clot. If anyone is moved out it will probably be Bo Byram with 1 year left before becoming a UFA.The 6.6 million cap hit for the Jeff Skinner buyout next season is the albatross the Sabres have. Beck Malenstyn is also a UFA too . He may get a contract overpayment from another team. Krebs plays with a lot of heart and emotion. That is about it. At best a 3rd line player. I see the Sabres using him in a trade.
Buffalo is set for years at forward, a Kulich is back, he’s playing next year he just said. Helenius, Ostlund, Benson, Doan, all young. We don’t need anyone right now.
My comparison for Tuch is Josh Andersen. Even though he has withstood the test of time in Montreal,I doubt he has been the player that Montreal expected when they acquired him!
Anderson is a 20-39 point scorer, Tuch is a top PK guy, most short handed points last two years or 2nd, Tuch gets more goals than Anderson has total points.
Why would Buffalo need defensive help? Their top 4 is probably best in league, they led. NHL in goals as well in playoffs, 2nd in regular season. We have Stanley, Timmons, Metsa bottom pair