Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 10, 2026
In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at what’s next for the Flyers, plus the latest on the Oilers and Maple Leafs.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE FLYERS?
ESPN.COM: Kristen Shilton looked at what the offseason could hold for the Philadelphia Flyers, who exceeded expectations by making the playoffs and advancing to the second round before being swept by the Carolina Hurricanes.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras (NHL Images).
Shilton believes the rebuilding Flyers are in a good spot now. Among general manager Daniel Briere’s priorities will be signing forward Trevor Zegras, a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, who is coming off a career-best 26 goals and 67 points in 81 games. The fit between the player and the team is so strong that Shilton expects they’ll get a deal done.
Defenseman Jamie Drysdale and backup goaltender Samuel Ersson are also RFA-eligible with arbitration rights this summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zegras, 25, was earning $5.75 million annually on his three-year contract. He could get a long-term deal worth over $8 million annually.
The 24-year-old Drysdale matched his career high for points (32) and is in line for a significant raise after earning an average annual value of $2.3 million. As for Ersson, he might end up as trade bait if Briere decides to add a more experienced backup for starter Dan Vladar.
Shilton observed that the Flyers have salary cap space to spare, which will allow Briere to determine the club’s direction. He’ll also need to figure out how to improve their woeful power play via a coaching or personnel change.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers weren’t expected to make the playoffs this season. However, the additions of Zegras, Vladar, and Christian Dvorak last summer, and those of promising youngsters Porter Martone, Alex Bump, and Denver Barkey during the season played key roles in their improvement.
With $38.5 million in projected cap space for 2026-27 and 17 active roster players under contract, Briere has sufficient room to re-sign Zegras and Drysdale, and to sign or replace Ersson, and still have enough for a significant addition or two. They need experienced depth at center, especially on the first line, and on their blueline.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently noted the uncertainty over Auston Matthews’ future with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He wondered if the Flyers could afford the steep cost of acquiring the superstar center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Matthews becomes available, there’s no certainty he’ll want to go to the Flyers even if they’re ahead of schedule with their rebuild. He has a full no-movement clause, meaning his list of preferred trade destinations will be a small one.
If Matthews were willing to join the Flyers, the Leafs would probably want a promising center with first-line potential, or a young defenseman with first-pairing capability; two things that the Flyers themselves currently lack. They could also want Martone or Matvei Michkov (probably Martone) as part of the deal.
Speaking of the Maple Leafs…
THE LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel recently examined the priorities facing new Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka.
Topping the list is selling Auston Matthews on his vision for the Maple Leafs’ future. If successful, the Leafs will continue to retool their roster. If not, and Matthews decides to move on, they’ll go into a rebuild that will likely be centered around potential first-overall draft pick Gavin McKenna.
Siegel noted that Matthews isn’t expected to decide until he sees what the Maple Leafs do during the offseason. It might not be until sometime in July when they learn whether he’s on board with their plans.
Landing a second-line center could also be on Chayka’s “to-do” list. There’s not much available in this summer’s UFA market, with Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets the best short-term option.
Chayka could turn to the trade market to address that issue. Siegel noted there are several theoretical possibilities with a degree of risk, including Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks and Mike Zibanejad of the New York Rangers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players carry full no-movement clauses and have not indicated that they want to move on. Vincent Trocheck of the Rangers is reportedly available, but he has a 12-team no-trade list and could prefer a destination closer to the Eastern seaboard.
Siegel also mused over making another attempt to bring back Ryan O’Reilly, but he wants to stay in Nashville, and the Predators are treating him as though he has a no-trade clause.
Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News included Coyle and his Blue Jackets teammate Boone Jenner as possibilities to address the Leafs’ need for depth at center. He also suggested trade options such as Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, and Barrett Hayton of the Utah Mammoth. Of those three, Wright might be the most attainable because of his struggles this season under Kraken coach Lane Lambert.
Siegel also speculated that the Leafs could attempt to trade some defensemen, such as Morgan Rielly, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and Brandon Carlo. That would require pursuing replacements, perhaps by using winger Matthew Knies as a trade chip.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka faces a daunting challenge trying to retool the Maple Leafs into a legitimate playoff contender in a way that would meet with Matthews’ approval. He’ll likely attempt to make a significant move or two, but it might not be enough.
UPDATE ON THE OILERS
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson wondered if Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse would waive his no-trade clause this summer.
If Nurse is willing to accept a trade, Matheson suggested shipping him to the Toronto Maple Leafs for Morgan Rielly. He pointed out that both players are signed through 2029-30, with Nurse carrying a $9.25 million AAV while Rielly’s is $7.5 million. Matheson also noted that Nurse is from Hamilton, and he and Leafs forward Max Domi grew up together.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Swapping two struggling defensemen in their early thirties doesn’t seem like it would improve either club. The Oilers would come out ahead only because Rielly’s cap hit is less expensive.
THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell looked at some possible UFA targets for the Oilers this summer.
Topping the list is Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres. However, it’s unlikely that he’s going anywhere. If he becomes available, the Oilers would have to move out a big contract to free up the cap space to sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell also included pending Oilers UFAs such as Connor Murphy, Kasperi Kapanen, and Jason Dickinson on his list. It’s more likely those three will be re-signed.
Reilly for Trochek and Vaakanainen?
TML gets a 2c two way play
nYR balances their top 4 D
Pair Reilly with Schneider or Borgen whomever doesn’t get traded
Adds a pp2 QB
doubt Trochek will waive his NTC to go to Toronto, more likely he’d prefer DET or BOS.
Why would EDM to Nurse for Reilly ??? Nurse is so much better of a two-way dman, and the stats show him paired with Bouchard very strong.
Reilly has NEVER been considered even decent defensively, and his main offensive attribute, really slipped this season. His confidence is shot. Don’t see how his game will improve EDM, when they already have Bouchard, Walman, Ekholm.
Nurse’s name is out there because his cap # doesn’t seem to justify his offensive output.I’m sure many other teams will be willing to take him on, especially if EDM retains some space or takes back a contract
IHC
I like Reilly but, kind of defeats the purpose of trading Trochek. Not sure Drury looking to add another player on wrong side of 30 with that cap hit for another 4 years. Trochek to Buffalo makes more sense. Their top 4 are all LH. Trochek plus whatever for either Samuelsson or Byram. Was watching Sabres game and it was mentioned how bad they are on faceoffs. Trochek would help with that plus 2 way center depth.
Yup. I get he is 30 plus. My thought was nyr doesn’t have a top 4 LD. People are raving about Samuelson and burns. Cannot see Buff moving anyone after what they accomplished.
This trade IMO GIVES AN UPGRADE TO THE TOO 4 nyr Dcore.
Gives a chance to develop over the next 4 and show Fox ya ain’t rebuilding but retooling
Not a perfect trade but keeps cap space to find two top 6 wingers thru draft and possible trades.
Rangers roster is just a mess
the late Ed Snyder would have done everything in his power to trade for Matthews, no matter what damage it would have done to the current team depth
Flyers are under good management now, highly doubt they would wreck a good thing and trade away too much for a big star like Matthews. More like adding guys from free agency or players they can get for picks.
Flyers have a strong core of young and old that are on the rise. those teams are known to take a short step back after success, but overall they should be fine. Rick Tocchet has done a great job running the team as well and motivating the players (well not all…)
Michkov and their 1st rd and something either solid pick or solid prospect
To OTT to see if Brady would come to Philly
??
He is def a flyers type of player
Heh. Why in Hades is everyone so frikken convinced that a) Ottawa wants to get rid of Tkachuk and/or b) he wants out of town?
Are they just choosing to shrug off what both he and Staios have said – repeatedly – as less than truthful, and that THEY know what’s really going through his mind?
As I keep saying, Staios COULD try to get Tkachuk to waive his NMC IF an offer came in that was a true eye-opener. Michkov, a 1st that figures to be around the 22nd pick and an unproven (at the NHL level) prospect isn’t going to raise any eyebrows.
An offer to OTtawa. Not saying Ottawa is actively trading. It’s how it is written. There was no suggestion Ottawa is actively trading.
Philly is ahead of schedule so why not pitch for an ultra talent that helps their top 6.
Gotta calm down. Gunna give yourself a heart attack.
Ever team makes pitches for untouchable players all season long. To gauge temperature.
Staios will listen to offers but, they’ll need to be similar to what Vancouver got for Q Hughes. Then maybe he considers and brings it to Tkachuk camp, at which point it’s probably 10% chance he agrees.
Hehheh. No danger of that. But fantasy trade “proposals” in here don’t do much for me. I prefer to look at things froustm what I hear from the horse’s mouth … not the horse’s ass. Which is what 99% of those blogs are.
H ave there been concrete pitches made to Staois for Tkachuk? Possibly. But we’ll never know for certain because that is not something GMs tend to blare all over the media.
Imagine the rancor that would set in if he. for eample, had blared something like “Briere just offered me Michkov, his 1st pick and X (one of his minor league prospects) and I said no thanks?” Or any other such comment from any manager?
Nor do I trust the ubiquitous “inside sources told me ….” They’d never be identified, of course, even if they were true, so I’d bet 99% of them never occurred … just a way to make the “rumor” sound plausible.
HF30: I do not know if you saw my response to you late in the day last night. In case you did not, it bears repeating:
It was both gracious and broad minded, and I appreciated it. Thank you.
LJ,
np, I meant every word.
Thanks for acknowledging.
The two Matthews, Auston and Knies, in TOR hold the keys to this situation for the Leafs.
If Auston Matthews won’t commit past two years, then you keep Knies and build around him.
If Matthews will commit to stay, you turn Matthew Knies into a couple of 1st round picks and NHL players.
It is rumoured that SEA is having trouble attracting UFA…would SEA jump in on Knies for their 7th pick, 38th pick and Wright?
Don’t look now but the Marlies just beat out the Rocket in the AHL playoffs…maybe the Leafs prospects aren’t so bad after all?
Probably because J. Fowler is up with Le Habs!
Also, the Griffens are going to round 3 against the Wolfs. They used Postava exclusively against Manitoba and not Cossa!!He lead the Grand Rapids Griffins with a 1.25 goals-against average and a .945 save percentage during the Central Division Semifinals.
If any of these super star players come available via trade that have a NTC. Don’t expect teams with these players to get fair value. Especially if that player says he’ll only waive his NTC to go to one team.
Dave
It’s understood that the players with a NMC may only accept one destination. It doesn’t mean the team is obligated to trade them at all.
It’s not a good look for a pro to pout about his team’s fortunes and want out. Especially when demanding top dollar which limits the money to be spread around for complimentary players.
You only need to look at Crosby as an example. With his resume he could ask for much more.
Kinda worked out well for Matty Tkachuk and Jack Eichel! As well as others….
Hearing more & more Brady T to bruins trade rumours,
along with Robert Thomas, Raddysh rumours
Would love to have either one of these players in the black n Gold. The rumour mill Brady whispers are getting louder.
like, where? Share
The hockey news for one I can’t remember of all of them. Just go over to some of bruins sites you’ll most likely find something.
If you mean things like this parochial crap, well … enough said
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KVuI85Y4AA
The reference to The Hockey News stems from a SUGGESTION by a pundit that the Bruins “should at least inquire about the availability of Brady Tkachuk.” and then goes on to say “With what we’ve been hearing lately, it feels unlikely. Tkachuk and Steve Staios recently shut down speculation about the captain’s future in Ottawa, publicly dismissing rumors of a potential trade.”
Follow-up latching-onto by blogs and their plethora of resulting wishful-thinking should never be confused with concrete rumors.
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/shocking-trade-destination-emerges-brady-192143803.html
Steel yourself, George. The “Tkachuk to …” will continue through the summer. But, Sens fans are not solely singled out for abuse. Leaf fans will have to endure the same about Matthews.
Hey if Gretzky can be traded anyone can George.
I totally agree. And I have said as much in here – repeatedly – about Tkachuk, i.e., IF Staios received a concrete eye-opening offer that would clearly improve the roster, he wouldn’t be doing his job if he didn’t at least run it by Brady … who does have a full NMC by the way.
What I don’t look at with any tendency to believe are out-of-left-field claims on blogs, and even some so-called “journalists,” who dream up transaction details and then try to pass them off as “well-founded rumors.”
Gretzky was sold. Not traded. These days you can’t sell stars. They have well earned nmc / ntc.
Matthews for Byfield and Clarke
GeorgeO,that s a smokescreen using Tkachuk,the player teams really want is Stutzle!
None of the big three are going anywhere. Batherson, Pinto, Greig. While they shouldn’t trade any of them, those are the ones that Staois is quietly moving around on the white board.
While he got his pick back, it’s essentially a 2nd rounder and he can’t even trade it. I’d move on from Chabot and Zub this summer. You’ve gotten the most you’re getting out of both. I do like the whole crew as it was assembled last year. They just ran into the wrong team at the wrong time in the playoffs. It happens.