NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the latest on Ducks center Mason McTavish, Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, and Islanders captain Anders Lee, plus several teams could be willing to trade their first-round picks, and an update on the Wild.
TEAMS REPORTEDLY CALLING ABOUT MASON MCTAVISH
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes Mason McTavish will be a trade target this offseason. He admits there is “zero evidence” that the Anaheim Ducks are shopping the 23-year-old center, but he said he “knows for a fact” that several teams have inquired about him, despite the fact he regressed this season following a contract dispute.
McTavish has another five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million. According to LeBrun, some teams view him as an “ideal reset candidate”, which is all the more reason why the Ducks won’t move him unless a team makes a major pitch.
Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)
An ideal pitch would be if the Toronto Maple Leafs offered up Auston Matthews, who could have Anaheim on his list of seven or eight potential landing spots. However, LeBrun believes that Matthews will return with the Maple Leafs next season at least.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have over $38.7 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27, which is more than enough to carry McTavish’s cap hit. However, LeBrun noted that Ducks stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are in line for substantial raises coming off their entry-level contracts. He believes that could be a reason why the Ducks might entertain offers for McTavish.
Several teams are in the market for depth at center. The Los Angeles Kings spring to mind, but it’s unlikely the Ducks will send McTavish to a local rival. The Minnesota Wild need a first-line center, but McTavish isn’t ready yet to fill that role, if ever.
McTavish would be a good fit, age-wise, with the young Montreal Canadiens. He could address their need for a second-line center, but there is concern about his speed and his struggles this season.
PROPOSED TRADE DESTINATION FOR SIMON NEMEC
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols observed that just because Simon Nemec didn’t ask the Devils to be traded, that doesn’t mean he won’t be. He believes there would be plenty of suitors if the 22-year-old puck-moving defenseman becomes available.
Nichols suggested the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks as potential trade destinations.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks have the cap space and a need for blueline depth. The Blues are retooling their roster but could balk at signing the promising young restricted free agent to an expensive new contract; his lack of arbitration rights would work in their favor.
The Canadiens’ priority is landing a second-line center. The Predators are attempting to transition toward younger talent and could take a serious interest in Nemec. The Kraken seek a scoring winger, not a young defenseman.
The Maple Leafs’ lack of depth on the right side of their blueline would make Nemec an attractive option for them, depending on the cost of the trade package and his new contract. The rebuilding Canucks could also be a serious suitor.
THE LATEST ON THE WILD
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith recently looked at which players on the Minnesota Wild would be considered trade bait this summer.
Goaltenders Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson have surfaced in the rumor mill this season. However, Russo and Smith consider it unlikely that Wallstedt will be traded, with Gustavsson recently having undergone hip surgery.
Russo and Smith include center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin among the players they believe the Wild would listen on for the right deal. They think the Wild would have to shed salary if they’re re-signing Quinn Hughes and looking to acquire another top player. However, they admit that the Wild should have suitable replacements in place if they’re parting ways with Eriksson Ek and Brodin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild management could have other players in mind as trade candidates. They’ll still need Eriksson Ek and Brodin in the lineup once they’ve acquired that first-line center.
ISLANDERS INTERESTED IN RE-SIGNING ANDERS LEE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports it’s his understanding that New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche is interested in re-signing team captain Anders Lee. The 35-year-old left wing is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after coming off a contract paying him an average annual value of $7 million.
Darche has reportedly told Lee’s agent that the team wants Lee back. However, they need to make some other moves before negotiations can begin. LeBrun stated that Lee would like to return, but they must find common ground on salary and term, which won’t be easy because of his age.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lee will have to accept less money on a short-term deal. How much less, and how short a term, will be the sticking points.
MAPLE LEAFS, SHARKS, BLACKHAWKS OPEN TO MOVING THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICKS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cited league sources claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks are open to the idea of moving their respective first-round picks in this year’s draft.
The Maple Leafs own the first-overall pick, the Sharks own the second-overall pick, and the Blackhawks have the fourth-overall pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every team that owns picks that high in the draft is always open to offers, but they rarely move them. It will take substantial offers that would accelerate their retooling/rebuilding programs to tempt them into trading those picks.
Speaking of the Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic recently reported they’re in the market for a quality defenseman to stabilize their blueline. However, it’s unlikely they’ll part with their first-rounder to get him.
Mason would be a nice fit on bruins They have extra 1st pics in 27 28.
MB4 I Don t know if it would be worth blocking Minton and Hagens with his contract and his low ceiling!They are still stuck with Lindholm.Wish they would buy him out!
Eriksson Ek is the closest thing the Wild have for a #1 center, especially after trading Rossi in the Hughes deal. Why would they trade him unless they get a similar 1st line center back in the deal (doubtful) ? only deal that would make sense would be JEE for MacTavish, but that is iffy at best for both sides.
The center depth of the Wild was really exposed vs COL when Eriksson Ek missed the series with injury (to go along with Brodin being out)
and don’t even bring up the overpaid center from VAN, no chance a smart GM like Guerin would even touch that.
Sorry but Ryan Hartman is not a top 6 center
You’d think a smart GM like Guerin would realize that about Hartman as well.
I’ll be shocked if Nemec gets anything more than a 2 year bridge deal for 3-4 mil per. His biggest accomplishment so far was getting drafted 2nd overall. 3 years in league and averaged 51 games per. 82 game average scoring: 8g/17a. 25 hits per 82 for a guy listed at 6’1 190? MacTavish is example of throwing a big contract at a player based on expectations.
Totally agree Slick. I’m a Devils fan & feel this is what will go down.
The hard part to reconcile with your argument is that throwing a big contract based of potential is also how the following got contracts
Draisaitl 8×8.5
Jack Hughes 8×8
Jackson Lacombe 8×9
Nathan MacKinnon 7×6.3
Cale Makar 6×9
Quinn Hughes 6×7.85
Looking up trades for top picks. Isles traded 2nd pick in 2001. Pittsburgh moved up from 3 to draft Fleury #1 overall in 2003. Seriously doubt Leafs or Sharks move back. Maybe they could package their other 1st in a deal for Byram? He’d be top pair there.
If SanJose is offered a legit first pair Dman I am sure a deal can me made.
I keep trying to calculate how the Rangers could add to the 5th pick but dont see how they can outbid other teams
Fox is the only Rangers player that moves the needle, but he has a NMC.
10 even-strength goals for a 22-year-old D is a pretty big deal.
Nemec gets barely any time on the Powerplay.
I wish the Rangers could add him…
2nd overall for the 12th pick and Nemec? is that even close?
Kelly
Is it a 9mil per year good deal?
Slick: Nemec can ask for whatever he wants, but it doesn’t mean much. He doesn’t have arb rights, so he has zero leverage.
If he’s hell-bent on getting 9M a year, which I strongly doubt he is, it shouldn’t be from the Devils.
Re LeBrun on McTavish:
“An ideal pitch would be if the Toronto Maple Leafs offered up Auston Matthews, who could have Anaheim on his list of seven or eight potential landing spots.”
Lyle, is this an editing mistake with other information omitted? Or is LeBrun seriously suggesting McTavish for Matthews?
LeBrun is merely using a hypothetical. If the Maple Leafs were to trade Matthews, McTavish might be part of their asking price if he wanted to go to Anaheim.
Why are they in win now mode? They’re in the infancy of a retool / rebuild.
And again, how does an aging often injured Borodin change anything? When he’s on the sideline for 20+ games a year is he helping?
Ny all time without Fox is 20-23-7
Not exactly sky is falling numbers for a team that has been overall pretty bad. Specifically 5vs5 hockey. Not being able to score regularly 5vs5 and having a pretty weak bottom 6 has been the issue
How does Brodin cure that?
“ The Minnesota Wild need a first-line center, but McTavish isn’t ready yet to fill that role, if ever.”
I mean, is he any worse of an option than their current #1 Hartman? Who was never really a center at the pro level until Minnesota made him a center?
Not to mention he plays in between Zuccarello and Kaprisov and still managed only 43 points. McTavish had 41 on a 3rd line.
I don’t think upgrading the center position is a tall order. Even in a grossly thin free agency / trade market.
IMO, Mctavish’s ceiling even is f he doesn’t improve at all is no lower than Hartman as your #1 option.
Today i like Brodin for Trocheck
Yuck! Why?
He’s 32 and hasn’t come close to seeing a full season in 7 years and counting!
Other than that , yeah, I’m in! Lol
No, seriously, you’re not going to see them trade Trocheck for a constantly broken 32 yo d-man.
If they do, then they really don’t understand how to retool or rebuild. This is a colossal step in the wrong direction.
ds
If team looking to get younger, why would you want a player slightly older than Trochek with a slightly higher cap hit? Doesn’t make much sense.
@ capt and slick
Rangers need a 2nd pair Dman. not sure how many available.
Brodin is better than anyone outside of Fox or Gav on the roster.
Didn’t Vinnie already block a trade to the Wild at the deadline, why would he change his mind now? They will get a better return for him once the season ends and we get closer to the draft.
Also in my mind the Rangers have 3 second line centers…. Mika JT and Trocheck. Mika had 1st line #s last year but @ 33 how much longer? A team could use Tro as their 2nd line center. not sure how we get a useful pieces like a top 6 winger or a 2nd pair D. probably a pick and a prospect
They could certainly do better than a 32 yo d-man 6 per for 2 years and can’t play more than 60 games a year for Trocheck.
If this is the going rate for Trocheck, just keep Trocheck.
Robertson hasn’t looked terrible. And Forscetue looks even better.
Why make an awful panic trade now?
@Captain Obvious
did you see the win/loss without Fox?
Team needs a 2nd pair that can contribute now.
Drury is going all in now….
My fellow Rangers fans here are way more optimistic about the young dmen as well as the return for Trocheck(limited destinations as well)
If they dont add top 6 speed and scoring+ another defenseman who can transport and outlet the puck at a high level it does not matter how good Igor is
I’m more optimistic of 2 younger d-men than I am an aging guy that misses 20 games a year on average.
I’m starting to suspect you have some sort of hope that somehow this team is in win now mode? I don’t think a team that announces they’re in a retool is a n win now mode a month or two later.
I wouldn’t ask for the day off for the trip down canyon of heroes just yet.
I’d at least wait to see if this same team that has failed to make the playoffs 2 years in a row even come close to sniffing playoffs. Or maybe even a significant winning streak of any kind.
The the last 2 years they haven’t won more than 4 in a row. When they climb to 5-6 in a row I’ll start setting up my time off for the cup run. Until then, we should probably all temper or expectations.
ds. I agree team needs a top 4 LD. Carels could be the pick at 5 and maybe can step in as a rookie. I’ve mentioned before that Buffalo has a glut of Left Shot guys. I’d love a deal for a younger player like Byram or Samuelsson. Gonchar actually looked good in camp last year. Curious to see if he’s put on some weight since.
Hi Lyle,
Not all teams are open to listen to offers on a high draft pick. I’m pretty sure the Oilers weren’t even willing to listen to offers for their first overall pick in 2015.
Why is trading the 1st round pick something to not consider seriously?
All 4 first picks go to teams that are filled with holes that need to be filled by a number of players who don’t have to be studs, just good NHL proven players.
In the last 25 years some1OA won SC but it takes years to get there, usually many.
Marc-Andre Fleury (2003 Draft): Won with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
Sidney Crosby (2005 Draft): Won with the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2009, 2016, and 2017.
Patrick Kane (2007 Draft): Won with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010, 2013, and 2015.
Steven Stamkos (2008 Draft): Won with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021.
Alex Ovechkin (2004 Draft): Won with the Washington Capitals in 2018.
Nathan MacKinnon (2013 Draft): Won with the Colorado Avalanche in 2022.
Aaron Ekblad (2014 Draft): Won with the Florida Panthers in 2024.
Fleury and Crosby are outliers with Penguins drating 1-2-1 three years in a row Fleury/Malkin/Crosby and it still took 6 years.
A team willing to trade a top 4D, top6F, pk defensive specialist, a goaltender for one of the top 4 in a draft rich year is something to think about.
Vancouver and TML could become relevant quickly, San Jose and Chicago are prospect rich and veteran short, they could jump to upper level quickly.