NHL Rumor Mill – May 7, 2026
Who could the Oilers pursue in this summer’s trade market? What could the Sharks do with the second-overall pick in this year’s draft? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHO COULD THE OILERS TARGET IN THIS SUMMER’S TRADE MARKET?
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson wondered how the Oilers would resolve their goaltending situation.
Struggling starter Tristan Jarry has two more seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $5.385 million. Backup goalies Connor Ingram and Calvin Pickard are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Ingram could be an affordable re-signing for the Oilers.
Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson (NHL Images).
Matheson believes it would be difficult for the Oilers to move Jarry unless they include a high draft pick in the deal or take a bad contract in return. If they do move on from Jarry, Matheson suggested Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Filip Gustavsson of the Minnesota Wild, or Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights as trade targets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t hurt to inquire into the availability of those goaltenders. However, it sounds like Binnington will be back with the Blues next season. Gustavsson has a full no-movement clause and could be unwilling to play for the Oilers. Hill has a 10-team no-trade list, but he also carries an AAV ($6.25 million) that would be too expensive for the Oilers to carry, especially if they’re looking at improving other areas of their roster.
Matheson’s colleague, David Staples, mentioned Oilers insider Bob Stauffer suggesting the Oilers could stick with Jarry but could also make a trade with an NHL team that has deep prospect goalie depth.
Stauffer mentioned an Eastern Conference team that has “four pretty good goaltenders in their system right now.” He declined to name the team, but Staples believes he was referring to the Detroit Red Wings, listing prospect netminders Sebastian Cossa, Trey Augustine, Michal Postava, and Carter Gylander.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Staple that Stauffer was likely referring to the Red Wings. They might not part with Cossa or Augustine, but Postava and Gylander could be available. I’d love to see the feedback from Red Wings fans on this. Feel free to weigh in on this in the comments section.
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell suggested some potential trade targets for the Oilers this season. He suggested targeting Colorado Avalanche netminder Mackenzie Blackwood, who has been outplayed this season by Scott Wedgewood.
Mitchell also suggested some options to improve the Oilers offense. He proposed looking into the availability of St. Louis Blues winger Jordan Kyrou and Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blackwood would be an interesting alternative if Binnington, Gustavsson, or Hill were unavailable to the Oilers. He’s in the first season of a five-year contract with an AAV of $5.25 million and a six-team no-trade list. Blackwood might be easier to obtain, but his cap hit could still be a concern.
Kyrou and Tippett have frequently appeared in trade rumors this season. Of the two, Kyrou would be more expensive ($8.125 million AAV) and probably unobtainable given his full no-trade clause.
Tippett is more affordable (but still expensive) at $6.2 million annually, and perhaps easier to obtain as his 10-team no-trade clause doesn’t begin until July 1. However, the Flyers seem reluctant to part with him.
THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka examined the options facing the San Jose Sharks after they landed the second-overall pick in this year’s NHL Draft.
If the Toronto Maple Leafs take winger Gavin McKenna with the first overall pick, the Sharks could select forward Ivar Stenberg, a high-end center such as Caleb Malhotra, or a defenseman like Chase Reid or Keaton Verhoeff.
With the Sharks hoping to challenge for a playoff berth next season, general manager Mike Grier could shop that pick for more immediate roster help. Grier is open to moving that pick, but Pashelka believes his asking price will be steep.
Pashelka suggested Grier could also retain the No. 1 pick, select a winger like Stenberg, and peddle winger William Eklund, who lacks no-trade protection in his contract.
Grier could hang onto the pick and get another high-end talent in the draft. It could be the last time for a while that they’ll be this high in the draft order again.
NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng reports it’s no secret that the Sharks must upgrade their defense corps this summer.
Veteran Dmitry Orlov and 19-year-old Sam Dickinson are the only Sharks blueliners under contract for next season. Restricted free agent Shakir Mukhamadullin could be back, as could a pending unrestricted free agent such as Mario Ferraro or Vincent Desharnais.
Peng suggested Grier could attempt to add a defenseman via this summer’s UFA market, since it wouldn’t cost any of his promising young players.
Options could include Darryn Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning, John Carlson and Jacob Trouba of the Anaheim Ducks, and Rasmus Andersson of the Vegas Golden Knights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson will likely be re-signing with the Golden Knights. It’s believed they’re waiting until July 1, when they will be cap-compliant, to announce the signing.
Grier could also test the trade market. Potential targets could include Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils, Filip Hronek of the Vancouver Canucks, Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers, Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Dougie Hamilton of the Devils.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Devils can move Hamilton, they’ll likely re-sign Nemec. Hamilton reportedly rejected a trade to the Sharks last summer, so it’s unlikely he’ll have changed his mind. The Canucks will likely hang onto Hronek.
Nurse and Rielly are veteran blueliners in decline. They might improve with a change of scenery, but that could be an expensive gamble not worth taking.
Bruins …came across this article in the Bruins news and there’s a lot of it
NHL Trade Rumors: Boston Bruins Urged to Put Their Hat in Brady Tkachuk Sweepstakes
My question is how exactly is this going to happen they don’t have the pieces to get it done unless they are going to move Pasta …
Not to mention that Tkachuk and Senators GM Steve Staios already shot down the trade rumors.
Just another “pie in the sky” day-dreaming article of a type we’ll never stop being subjected to
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/nhl/nhl-trade-rumors-boston-bruins-brady-tkachuk-trade-may-2026/
As Lyle has pointed out on several occasions, both Tkachuk and Staois have squelched the “non-rumors” repeatedly.
Now, COULD a trade still happen involving Tkachuk? Of course. If, for one example, Staios received a concrete offer from one of the teams picking in the top 8 for that pick +, and to where Tkachuk MIGHT waive his NMC (like Chicago, the NYR or Seattle), he wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t at least run it by Brady.
But let’s not hold our breath on that happening.
Plus, let’s not forget to mention how the Sens window to complete has just opened. Why would they trade away one of their best players when they should be charging forward and try to win a.k.a. add, versus subtracting, from the team…especially its captain! It just doesn’t make any sense.
As a Red Wings fan since the ’70’s, I agree they have a glut of promising goalies: figuring out which one is the future is the hard part. For whatever reason management hasn’t given Cossa a taste of the big league, despite investing heavily in his development. Augustine plays lights out, but is considered “undersized” and that may not serve him in the bigs. Postava may be the surprising best of the bunch, but again, he has a very small sample size. They probably need to pick a horse and trade one of them, but I have no idea which one, when goalies can be such a crapshoot. And that begs the question, “what does Edmonton have the Detroit wants?” Savoie for me, but I know that’s not going to happen.
Not a Red Wings fan but obviously a team doesn’t need 4 starting goalies. Might as well trade one of them who isn’t the top prospect if they can get a good return.
I don’t think any of Detroit’s tenders are waiver eligible, so they don’t need to do anything yet.
If Yzerman is anything, he is patient. And agree with PTG, small sample size on all of them other than Cossa, so I would wait.
Talbot is a UFA and old so my guess is Cossa move into the backup slot. Augustine has good upside obviously, but has only played 2 games of pro hockey. Postava was a backup last year in AHL, so he and Augustine share duties on the farm next year to gain experience. Postava has great numbers too.
Right now the tender with value is Cossa as he performed well as a starter, but he has value to Detroit too as Gibson is a UFA after next season and they don’t know for sure what they have yet with the other guys. If you have the time use it.
My guess is Stevie sticks to the plan, seems like that kinda guy.
As far as what Edmonton does with their tending? Who the heck knows. Bowman & Jackson have put themselves in a box.
Safe to say Jarry will clear waivers if they send him down, save a bit there if they decide on that. Trading him will cost assets. Guessing Howard if they do it and it would need to be to a crappy team who has a bunch of cap space and needs young assets.
But then they are shedding quality young players, which is how they got to the place they are in now. They need to focus on who they can add/keep before they start subtracting again.
I think the Wings should trade Gibson and let Cosssa and Postava share the net in Detroit. Stevie would never take such a big gamble, but they did not make the playoffs with Gibson so they have nothing to lose.
That would make sense Biloxi Wing. Gibson, who turns 33 in July, only has one year to run at $6.4 mil before becoming a UFA, and he didn’t have a bad season with a 2.72gaa and 0.901 save %.
He’d certainly be a better option in Edmonton for 1 season than Jarry, and if he performs as well as he has in Detroit, who knows re a short extension.
The Griffens are riding Postava in the playoffs, NOT Cossa!!!!
Over his three postseason appearances, Postava has stopped 67 of 70 shots for a 1.01 goals-against average and a .957 save percentage.
Maybe Cossa can be traded to the Oil. He is an RFA and probably sign a $2M x2 deal. He will require waivers next year.
Even if Tkachuk where to get moved, I doubt it would be to a division rival.
Just read Scott Wheelers post lottery mock draft. He has SJ taking Chase Reid. Most prospect rankings I’ve seen have Stenberg and McKenna in tier 1 with tier 2 starting at pick 3. There’s about 4 dmen that could go in top 10. If SJ where to covet a top dman, it would make more sense to trade back.Yesterday, I suggested a deal with NYR. Moving back 1 spot with Vancouver makes a ton of sense. They’d probably love adding another Swede to play with Petey. SJ could get another pick or player and still have choice of dmen.
The Capitals might make a goaltender available. Their #3 guy, Clay Stevenson, has put up good numbers in limited NHL action. He’ll have to clear waivers next fall to go back to AHL Hershey, and I doubt he slips through, so the Capitals likely trade either him, or Charlie Lindgren. I’d ask for a 2nd rounder for Lindgren, or a decent prospect.
Jarry needs to be moved, especially after his attitude towards his team.
Maybe a swap for Elvis Merzlikins ? two goalies that could use a change
Easier said than done, that’s for sure.!
Oiler’s goaltending. I am not saying this is ideal. At all. But this just what I am prepared for.
Most likely:
Jarry/Montembeault
While I think they may pursue a Cossa/Augustin trade….and other veterans before getting here….i dont think this is their Plan A….but I suspect the combo is what I have to look forward to.
How about Swayman And Hagens for Draisitl .
1Oilerfan
Is Edmonton’s problem really just the goalie or a team issue with a lack of commitment to team defence?
If you’re continually giving up grade A chances, it’s going to cost you goals against regardless of who is in net.
They had a goal differential of +17. Colorado had a +101 goal differential.
Perhaps better defensive players would be a good start instead of pinning it on another goalie…
2 things can be true at once Daryl, and both your comments are.
McDavid needs to also be better defensively/smarter with the puck at times. Last couple seasons he did just that come playoff time. This year he as dealing with a broken foot/ankle, so tough to judge him on that.
Speaking of Goalies
Anyone want to trade anything for Korpisalo ?
Florida will need a goalie. Will they take Jarry for a 7th?
Fits Florida budget
EDM can make a pitch for Bob.
Do you really see Florida wanting Jarry?
Thought is who do they pitch for with limited cap.
Jarry better than Elvis. Maybe they pitch for Korpisalo
This way they don’t really have to give really anything to obtain a goalie bc I think Bob will not come down to 6 and under
Helly is coming to FLA, unless Detroit trades Cossa + for Helly! 😁
Then they let all their other goalie prospects gain experience.
Detroit’s goaltending depth is impressive. You have Gibson, Cossa, Postava, Augustine, and Gylander, who impressed in GRG in his 8 games. Guimond dominated in the USHL. Then there’s Pradel and Miller, who continue to show their stuff at a professional level.
Does Trotchek and the #5 get you the #2 to draft stenberg and a 3rd?
No, I don’t think Trochek would be of interest to SJ at least not for a potential franchise forward. He is too old…he will be about 34-36 when the Sharks are a consensus contender.
I can see a NYR/SJ swap but not with Trochek as the prize back.
Trocheck has stated he wants to stay in the Eastern conference.
Detroit could use him.
If the Rangers are intent on trading him, Detroit needs to use some of their prospects to get it done.
Are the Rangers committed to rebuilding? They have Zibanejad at 33 years old. Miller 33, Trocheck 32, Shesterkin 30.
Detroit’s goalie issue isn’t an issue.
In the old days, Habs had 3 young goalies in the system Vachon, Esposito and Dryden to go with Worsley and Myre.
Vachon was traded, Esposito was released, all 3 had great NHL careers.
Vachon was at least traded, Tony 0 was released and Dryden, we all know what happened to him.
While reading the post about Oilers and goaltending I did a little digging… they may have the most abysmal goalie draft history I have ever researched. Other than Fuhr, Moog, Skinner, and Dubnyk, I don’t think a single one has been a success in the league at all.
How about Swayman And Hagens for Draisitl .
It a Yes from me
That’s a big yes from Edmonton.
I am also a Wing’s fan from the 70’s and Olympia, and it appears that Cossa is not the guy as Postava is getting the starts in GR. But goalies are always a mystery and Cossa might be betterin the bigs than Postava. Augustine is just starting his pro career so there is no rush now. Gylander has been good but wonder what he looks like in Grand Rapids with the pros. Either way if they do decide to trade one, this team has s many holes that I hope they can fill one, but as of late I have zero confidence in Yzerman right now.
Hey Michael. Loved the Olympia … The Old Red Barn … used to try and get there for a game if possible any time I was visiting Windsor as part of my job (and that goes back to the late ’50’s).
That steep pitch for the 5 levels was VERY disconcerting and if you weren’t used to it you’d think you were headed for the ice surface if you leaned over too far (never mind walking down steps to y our seat!). That was also beneficial to the home team as some visiting players were reportedly intimidated by that “atmosphere.”
And those boards! Gordie Howe, Ted Lindsay, Alex Delvecchio and Red Kelly – among others – played them like a friggin’ billiard table.
The sound quality in that arena was also incredible as, no matter where you were seated, you could clearly hear skate sounds and even voices – some of them VERY colorful!
And who can forget the “green” ice experiment?
One of the classics.
I’ll never understand why teams trade (or try to) Core/best players. R. Thomas 1st line ctr? Brady? If you do, you’re are utterly starting all over! Sens aren’t going to trade Brady. (unless he asks for it). And, I don’t care what you’re offering.
Why in the world would any team trade for a backup goalie like Jarry that is paid like a starter & 2 years left? Trading Jarry is a pipe dream, Oilers should look at a buyout at the first window they can & call it a day.
Potlicker
They already have one of those…Jack Campbell
As I mentioned above, is the problem only the goalie or is it a fundamental problem with the team?
Their prospect pool isn’t very deep and neither is their draft capital. It might be a case of addition by subtraction…
Postava had been better than Cossa this season. Grand Rapids played him in all 3 playoff games, including back to back. Cossa is likely on his way out but I’m not sure if Edmonton has anything Detroit wants.
Trade #2 OA …..No! Pick Stenberg, trade Eklund or Graf for Schneider
Another post I seen:
Would the Rangers have any interest in the Sharks 2nd pick for Schneider, Robertson, and, Morrow?
Dunno if NYR would deplete their dept on D, maybe Schneider and Robertson and the Canes 2nd?