NHL Rumor Mill – May 29, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, check out the latest on the Rangers, Flyers, and Sabres, plus an update on Morgan Rielly.
WHO COULD THE RANGERS TARGET THIS SUMMER?
THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano looked at what players could be available to help the Rangers this summer through trades and free agency.
Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres would be the most appealing option for the Rangers via free agency. Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning is the top UFA defenseman, but they’re unlikely to splurge on a right-shot power-play quarterback when they already have Adam Fox filling that role.
Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)
The Rangers require a top-four, left-shot defenseman. Bowen Byram of the Buffalo Sabres might be a target option if the Sabres should put him on the block to free up cap room to re-sign Tuch and restricted free agent forwards Zach Benson and Peyton Krebs.
Mercogliano wondered if the Dallas Stars would make Roope Hintz available in a cost-cutting move to free up cap space for Jason Robertson’s next contract. He also mused about the Rangers dangling defenseman Braden Schneider to the San Jose Sharks for a young winger such as William Eklund or one of their promising prospects.
Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues could be available, but the Rangers aren’t likely to pay the high asking price. Pavel Dorofeyev of the Vegas Golden Knights might be a trade candidate if the Golden Knights become fearful of losing him to an offer sheet.
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker also looked at several options for the Rangers to address their needs through trades and free agency this summer.
Affordable free-agent options on defense could include Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks, Ryan Shea of the Pittsburgh Penguins, or Jake Bean of the Calgary Flames. Pavel Mintyukov of the Anaheim Ducks or Michael Kesselring of the Buffalo Sabres could make good trade targets.
Top-six forward UFA options could include Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, Anthony Mantha of the Pittsburgh Penguins, or Viktor Arvidsson of the Boston Bruins, though the latter would go against their push to get younger. Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets might be a trade option.
Bobby McMann of the Seattle Kraken or Jordan Greenway of the Buffalo Sabres could be good additions to the Rangers’ bottom-six forward lines.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers general manager Chris Drury is expected to be busy this summer bolstering his roster. He has $26.575 million in salary-cap space for 2026-27, which is plenty of room to make a significant addition or two, which could include at least one of the players mentioned by Mercogliano and Walker.
Drury can free up another $5.275 million by trading veteran center Vincent Trocheck. He could use some of the pieces from whatever return he gets from that deal to put toward acquiring another player.
THE LATEST ON MORGAN RIELLY
THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary noted a report by The Athletic’s Chris Johnston, in which the latter claimed the Toronto Maple Leafs and defenseman Morgan Rielly are likely to explore trade options this summer.
Rielly, 32, has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million. He has a full no-movement clause, but Johnston indicated that he’s softened his stance on waiving it.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Rielly’s performance could hurt his value in this summer’s trade market. It would also prompt teams to request the Maple Leafs retain part of his salary to facilitate a deal.
SUGGESTED OFFER SHEET TARGETS FOR THE FLYERS
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James listed four restricted free agents that he believes could be worthwhile offer sheet targets for the Flyers.
They include Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov, and Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have the cap space to match James’ suggested $10,008 million offer sheet for Fantilli. Ditto the Ducks for the proposed $6.059 million for Mintyukov, and the Hurricanes for the $6.44 million for Nikishin. However, the $8.060 million pitch for Nemec could be difficult for the Devils to match, unless they’re moving out Dougie Hamilton and his $9 million AAV.
UPDATE ON THE SABRES
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn looked at possible options to upgrade their goaltending via trade or free agency.
Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets could be a trade option given his pointed questions about the Jets’ direction. However, his $8.5 million salary-cap hit would be an issue for the Sabres, who have only $12.9 million in cap space with forwards Alex Tuch, Zach Benson, and Peyton Krebs to re-sign.
Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers is the best option in this summer’s UFA market. The big question is whether he’d come to Buffalo, and there could be teams that could offer him more.
Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild is a more appealing option given his age (23), solid performance this season, and affordable $2.2 million cap hit for next season. However, it’ll take a lot to acquire him, as the Wild have been in the market for a center for some time.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck’s questioning of the direction of the Jets was understandable given their collapse this season after winning the Presidents’ Trophy last year. However, it’s unlikely that he’ll force a trade.
Bobrovsky will probably re-sign with the Panthers. If he does become available, his preference could be playing with a southern NHL team.
Wallstedt would be an excellent fit with the Sabres. However, the Wild won’t part with him until Filip Gustavsson has recovered from his recent hip surgery. If they move Wallstedt, it’ll be in a package deal to acquire an established first-line center, which the Sabres don’t have to part with.
Drury sure has his work cut out for him. I don’t see a miracle turnaround for them next season. Important work to decide on:
– figuring out the center depth. Is Zibenjad/Miller/Laba your top 3 ? then Trochek can be traded for picks/prospects which can be redirected for help elsewhere
– defense: too many on the right side no depth, beyond Gavrikov on the left. What is the direction with Schneider? should he be dealt to fix this defense depth?
– Lafreniere : the $100k question, is he the played who played well in the second half or more the player who struggled the 1st half ? is he a LW or RW?
if he isn’t the answer then deal him
Tuch would be a nice addition but would be viewed as a replacement for Panarin, but he really isn’t.
Sullivan is a good coach but has a flawed roster that needs to be fixed but the GM, who made several questionable moves in the last year or so, yet somehow got an extension and more power in the organization.
Trade Schneider and Laffy to Buffalo for Power and Greenway
Don’t think Rangers need a miracle. Weird start last year where defensively played great but couldn’t score at home. Then you lose your Vezina and Norris winners. If Tuch or Ferraro leave their respective teams, it’ll be to chase the bag. No thanks to either. Schneider should get a nice return but, keeping Borgen who is 5 years older doesn’t really line up with stated goals. Rumors are nice but until certain players actually become available it’s hard to figure out what Drury does. Can they get an NHL ready prospect with 5th pick? Kyrou and Byram would fill 2 big needs through trade.
@mikep
The Rangers lack speed, dmen besides Fox+Gav who can transition the puck well and consistently and shooters.
Mika is really the only fast forward with offensive.
IMHO they need a 1st or 2nd line center or wing who is under 30+can skate. Tuch will be $ and he is declining(also he how many 30+ goal seasons?)
Drury has said he is retooling which makes sense when you have a goalie like Igor. but this current roster cannot keep up with the Canes etc pace compared to the team from only 3 seasons ago
Mintyukov is young and a first rounder . In a bigger package maybe . Him and McTavish would be attractive
I would offer sheet Dorofeyev just because it is Vegas
Wallstedt has a year left on deal. I’d keep him. 2 good goalies for a combined cap hit of 9m?
Maybe next summer when he’s rfa
who knows how long Gustaffson is going to be out, so it only makes sense for the Wild to hang onto Wallstedt, especially if they want to make another run with Quinn Hughes.
Oops make that Power, Levi and a 4th for Laffy and Schneider
Gotta fill the position of need for NYR
Thank you, Mollie Walker, for not finding some way to drag Brady Tkachuk into your musings about options for the Rangers (sticking tongue out at Slick63 – LOL).
George. I’m sure his name will pop up again before summers over. As I mention in other post, until all the big names actually become available, it’s just something to talk about.
If NY was involved in talks for Q Hughes as reported, no reason Drury wouldn’t be interested in any other twenty something year old stud on market. Assuming Trochek gets moved, they’ll be well stocked with picks and prospects. Not to mention cap space.