NHL Rumor Mill – June 10, 2026
More trade speculation about Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, the latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson, a notable Red Wings prospect could be heading to the Mammoth, and an update on the Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
CAN THE WILD AFFORD TO ACQUIRE DYLAN LARKIN?
THE ATHLETIC: The Minnesota Wild are among the three teams on Dylan Larkin’s list of preferred trade destinations. However, Joe Smith and Michael Russo believe the Wild’s pursuit of the Detroit Red Wings center could be hampered by their limited trade capital.
The Wild gave up three significant assets (Zeev Buium, Marco Rossi, Liam Ohgren, and their 2026 first-round pick) to the Vancouver Canucks in December to acquire superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes. They still have some solid prospects left, such as forwards Danila Yurov and Charlie Stramel. However, it’s debatable that they’re enough to land Larkin.
Wild goaltender Jesper Wallstedt could be considered their “top prospect”, but he’s not going anywhere until starter Filip Gustavsson has recovered from offseason hip surgery. Even then, his solid performance during this postseason could make the Wild reluctant to part with him. It’s also questionable that the Red Wings would want Wallstedt because of the young goalies in their system.
The Wild don’t want to move center Joel Eriksson Ek or defenseman Jonas Brodin. Doing so would be a step backward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith and Russo believe the Wild’s best shot at landing Larkin is if the Florida Panthers and Vegas Golden Knights (the other two teams on his trade list) either aren’t interested or cannot match an offer from the Wild. They also suggested the possibility of the Wild getting a third team involved that would part with an asset that would entice the Red Wings.
THE LATEST ON CANUCKS CENTER ELIAS PETTERSSON
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. The Canucks have new management and a new head coach, and they face a daunting challenge as they attempt to rebuild the roster.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
Kuzma suggested Pettersson, 27, could be a useful trade chip that could fetch the type of return that helps the Canucks going forward.
The Detroit Red Wings will be in the market for a replacement for Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade last week. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Kings need a top-six center to replace the retired Anze Kopitar.
Detroit has over $32 million in cap space, and moving out Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value opens possibilities to take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million AAV. Despite the decline in his production, some believe he can regain his form.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There aren’t many options available for the Red Wings and Kings to fill their needs at center. The Canucks would undoubtedly listen if either club came calling for Pettersson. However, his cap hit and offensive inconsistency could make both teams wait and see if better players become available.
SEBASTIAN COSSA TO THE MAMMOTH?
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff referenced a report by ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, who tweeted that he was told that Red Wings prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa could be on the move, with the Utah Mammoth believed to be among the suitors.
Duff also noted a “false flag” rumor claiming the Edmonton Oilers are also interested in Cossa. However, agent Gerry Johansson, who represents Cossa, recently appeared on “Oilers Now with Bob Stauffer”, saying that his client is hungry for more opportunities in the NHL.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Promising goalies Trey Augustine and Michal Postava have raised questions about Cossa’s future, sparking trade speculation in recent weeks. A first-round pick in 2021, the 23-year-old netminder has only seen one game of NHL action, and he’s hungry for more.
Dylan Larkin’s trade request leaves the Red Wings facing the difficult challenge of finding a suitable replacement. Perhaps Cossa could be packaged with Larkin as part of a larger deal to land a significant return.
Another option could be using Cossa as trade bait to bring in a player who can replace Larkin, or to bring in a return that could be flipped to another team to address that issue.
Barrett Hayton of the Mammoth could be someone the Wings could attempt to acquire. Ryan O’Hara of The Hockey News recently suggested the 26-year-old center could be their best trade chip, with promising centers such as Tij Iginla and Caleb Desnoyers in their system.
Hayton wouldn’t replace Larkin’s skill or his role as the Wings’ first-line center, but he could fill the second-line center role while management shops for Larkin’s replacement. He could also be used as trade bait by the Red Wings in a bigger deal.
THE LATEST ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators’ priority positions to be addressed this summer include a top-six forward, a right-shot, top-four defenseman, and a backup goaltender.
According to Garrioch, forward Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks could be a realistic target. He claimed the Senators are interested in pending unrestricted free agent goalies Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers and Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins to fill that backup role.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the limited number of available centers, the Senators could face competition from several other clubs who could be interested in McTavish, assuming he’s available.
Senators general manager Steve Staios knows him from their days with the OHL’s Hamilton Bulldogs, and his father, Dale McTavish, is a Senators scout. However, it remains to be seen if those connections would carry any weight in any attempt on the Senators’ part to acquire McTavish.
With the St. Louis Blues in a full rebuild, Garrioch wondered if Colton Parayko would reconsider waiving his no-movement clause. The 33-year-old right-shot defenseman rejected a trade that would’ve sent him to the Buffalo Sabres at the March trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Parayko didn’t want to join a rising club like the Sabres, what’s the selling point that convinces him to accept a trade to the Senators? I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I don’t see what the Senators could do to sell him on joining their roster.
Parayko – Sabres dodged a bullet by not giving up assets to obtain the old, slow Parayko. I don’t see him leaving St Louis.
Even folks in Detroit are starting to see that Stevie the legend isn’t a good GM. Tampa has been fine without him.
Parayko is dating the owner of Imo’s Pizza’s daughter. Imo’s Pizza is a St. Louis legendary in St. Louis. I had read rumours that SHE didn’t want him or both of them to move to Buffalo.
Both the player and the Sabres moved on
He should have gone…Imo’s pizza is awful. And Buffalo is WAY ahead of where the Blues are.
Its not so much that Yzerman is a bad GM, but a sign of the times. Look at the teams that have been contenders in the salary cap era. How many of them are clubs that are drafting and developing? Versus teams that push the salary cap envelope, hanging the carrot for seasoned veterans.
Feel like NHL is turning into MLB… 25ish teams becoming farm systems for the big spenders.
Don’t know about you all, but buying a World Series or a Super Bowl or a Stanley Cup (like the Wings did in 2002) is not as sweet.
Maybe Guerin could include 31 y/o McCarron as a deal-sealing “sweetener.” After all, he’s cost-controlled for the next 6 seasons and is averaging 7 goals per season over his career to date!
Oh ,,,, wait … he just gave him a NMC as well … ahh well.
As for Parayko to Ottawa, I tend to agree with Lyle … if he already said no to Buffalo why would he OK a move to the Senators?
Rising team or not, it’s still Buffalo.
That’s why so many former players call it home after they retire.
Parayko did say that if he had the time to think it over he may have accepted the trade but being on the road and only having a day or less to make that call henopte to stay. It’s very possible he still says no but I think he’d be more open to a trade in the offseason
All GMs should avoid No movement clauses on players 30+.
Montreal doesn’t have a player with a full NMC. Hutson, Slafkovsky has nothing & Caulfied’s partial doesn’t kick in until 28-29 season
Not quite true Premier – Matheson has a full NMC as does Gallagher, who’s still on the roster
They should adopt a rule change as when you remove your trade clause to facilitate the trade you no longer have one
You are correct George about Matheson. On Puckpedia It says Gallagher has a NMC but it also says he has a 6 team no trade list
Which combination I could never quite figure out Premier. I mean, if a player has a full NMC why is he also given an option to include specific teams? The NMC clause covers that completely.
Geo, he does not ha a FULL NMC but a partial NMC which means he cannot be waived or demoted to a lesser league and probably cannot be left unprotected in an expansion draft
You’re right re Gallagher, Johnny Z … thanks.
Heh. The point is moot, however since I doubt there’s a team in the league that wants any part of him or his bloated contract … not even the Canucks. You’d think that, if anything in the way of an actual trade was going to transpire it would have happened by now. We’re not talking about someone of the calibre of Larkin or Matthews here.
McTavish to Ottawa, however, is not out of the question … especially if he’s open to switching to LW on the 2nd line b/o Tkachuk who holds down the 1st line LW position.
Yeah, as a listed C he’ll be the target of any number of teams desperate for improvement at that position. But Ottawa is also probably the ONLY team with 5 C, NONE of whom have NM/NT protection: Stutzle, Pinto, Cozens, Greig and Halliday! If any team can dangle a C that could fill the needs from lines 1 to 4 … and STILL be able to cover their own needs from 1 to 4 …. it’s the Senators.
McTavish could end up on top line when Brady goes to NY.
HAHAHA Slick62, you just can’t stop yourself from poking that bear any opportunity you get.
No, at that point Lafreniere will be there to play with Stutzle, and maybe whoever the Sens would select with NY first round pick at number 5 this year. Mctavish could play with Cozens and Greig on the second line.
Owen, that trade proposal is terrible. I would hope Drury wouldn’t even consider sending Lafreniere and the 5th OA for Brady. As I have stated many times, he is not the answer to the Ranger’s problems and certainly doesn’t make them a playoff contender. I personally believe that after the Panarin trade, Laffy is finally getting the opportunity to show what he really has to offer. He was the best player on the Rangers, except for Igor, after the Olympic break and I believe he is about to make some big strides in his game.
I was joking a bit, but Slick is dreaming if Rangers will get Tkachuck on the cheap.
HAHAHA Fair enough Owen. For the record, no one is getting B. Tkachuk on the cheap.
“Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators’ priority positions to be addressed this summer include a top-six forward, a right-shot, top-four defenseman, and a backup goaltender.” Brilliant reporting – I imagine this applies to just about every NHL team.
Ya. Garrioch. Better air coming out of a 3 day old party balloon.
No thanks on McTavish. Don’t care he’s from here or what his dad does. He’s a dud. Enough of this mediocre pick ups because we “know” them. Do we? Then why don’t we draft more Ottawa 67’s ??Well coached talent right in our own back yard. You can watch them play, watch how they live and conduct themselves.
That’s not really being fair, Gored1970. Yes, it’s quite obvious and really needs no mention to anyone who seriously follows the team. However, not every fan spends a lot of time analysing their teams’ needs. and so that type of journalistic “analysis” will fill columns of just about every sports writer over the “dog days” of summer if there’s nothing else worthy of inclusion and until they are addressed by the team concerned.
As for “every team” needing those specific positions, that just isn’t factual. Where a back-up goalie is concerned, for example, there are – realistically – just 3 to maybe 5 seeking a starting-calibre or proven back-up type, with Ottawa being one of them. They desperately NEED a proven backup to spell Ullmark to the tune of at least 35 games.
Edmonton goes without question, Montreal has to decide if Fowler will do the trick at 1B b/o Dobes IF Monembeault is sent packing, maybe St. Louis and, of course, Florida if Bobrovsky is deemed at the end of the line.
If I was Staois, I’d run it back for the most part. I think Halliday will take Eller’s spot most likely and I think he’s ready for it. I would try a 3 goalie system with Ullmark, Levi, and Reimer. Only real need is to get a 2-way LD with some experience to help if a LD goes down. We were pretty thin after we lost Sebrango to the Panthers. I like the team and I feel as though they just got real unlucky with injuries at the end of the year and playoffs.
Owen, before I insert Merilainen in any NHL games, I want to see some promising and consistent performances at the AHL level. I’d prefer he continues to show his tendency towards inconsistency in Belleville than in Ottawa.
Its been hard to watch the Wings go through this. Going back to Yzerman, Lidstrom, Zetterberg, Datysuk, there was a culture in that organization, not only of winning, but keeping players opinions or requests out of the sight of the media. Not since Fedorov allowed that offer from Carolina in 98 (and we know what the Illitch’s did with him after that contract was complete) has this clubhouse showed cracks in unity… even through the 10 years of missing the playoffs.
Its going to take a 3 team trade to get Larkin into any of those teams. As mentioned for the last several Rumor postings (to almost nauseum), none of those have any assets that solve the 1st or 2nd line center issues Yzerman was supposed to address this summer.
Tough sledding for Redwings fans right now. Hoping the “The Captain” can spin that straw into gold.
Wingnut, perhaps they could deal Larkin to Ottawa – if he’d waive – for roughly the same quality of return they gave Ottawa when DeBrincat engineered his move to Detroit.
Interesting synopsis of the NHL Scout’s final rankings of the Top 100 in the entry draft as reported by Jason Bukala of ProHockeyGroup
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/scouts-analysis-final-ranking-of-the-top-100-nhl-draft-prospects/
Stenberg is now the consensus # 1, with McKenna 2nd and Caleb Malhotra 3rd,
This is not a synopsis, George.
“A synopsis is a brief, objective summary of a book, article, or plot. It outlines the main points or the narrative arc without incorporating personal opinions or critiques.”
This is merely Bukala’s own opinions on how players should be ranked, based on his readings of multiple Scouts’ opinions.
A true “synopsis” would have much more weight.
As it is…… it’s just one guy, another guy.
Be well.
.
rattus: it is nice of you to want to improve our language skills, but you have chosen a narrow, and pedantic and definition of synopsis.
Here is one from Newcastle University:
“A synopsis is a brief summary which gives readers an overview of the main points.” Bukala’s synopsis fits the definition of synopsis. Let’s call it a synopsis.
For your consideration, a definition of pedantic:
“someone who is overly concerned with minor details, formal rules, or displaying their own narrow expertise.”
Namaste.
As a former NHL Director of Amateur Scouting and an AGM with substantial background in the game, his reports for Sportsnet and other outlets are, in fact, highly regarded. So when he lists something like that they usually differ from NHL Central Scouting rankings simply because they reflect his personal views based on their assessment.
As for being a “synopsis,” perhaps some might look at his report as not being one in the strictest sense of the word, as it doesn’t cover something like a book or movie – I realize that, I didn’t just fall off a turnip truck. But since the words has been frequently “adopted” when it comes to sports media as a fitting description for a brief, concise summary that also includes player’s rankings, strengths, weaknesses, and a high-level overview of their abilities, I choose to use it.
And regardless, I still think it’s interesting and thought to pass it on in the event it was missed by others.
Be well yourself.
LJ
Quote:
“ After poring over hundreds of game reports and confirming my opinion with the assistance of video, I’m relieved and excited to present my own top 100 draft list for the 2026 NHL Draft:”
is what the article reads.
“my own top 100 draft list”
Like Wheeler
Like Pronman
Like Lyle, maybe even?
It was not a personal attack on George.
Big respect there.
And my longtime impression of George is that he is intellectually honest enough to agree with me – it was not a “synopsis”.
Plus that he does not seem to have personal insecurity issues.
So, you “misunderstood”
Be you and have a good day.
rr
George,
Agree, Bukala is good.
But in the end, imo, all prognosticators are just hunter-gatherers.
Nature of the beast.
“I am a part of all that that I have met”
I truly doubt it, but what do I know?
If I did offend you, then – sorry.
And again, vaya con dios.
.
rattus rattus, aka house rat, ship rat, roof rat or any other genus of rat: when the site needs a grammarian I will nominate you.
Otherwise stick to hockey.
LJ
I suspect I was on this site long before you were.
Lyle was still in the army, back in the day.
My response was germane, to the import of George’s evaluation of Bukala’s column.
I write what I please, but thanks for the rec.
.
Igualmente.
George,
Were it a feature here, I could rec pretty much every post you write.
Informative
Accurate
Your hallmarks.
Was why I posted.
rich
.
Oh rat. Been a long time. How’s ya bin?
I’ve been OK.
Yourself?
What goes around comes around. For those who can remember it , Dominik Hasek backed the Sabres into a corner when he told the Sabres he wanted out and would only go to the Wings. He also told them that they could not get full value from the Wings in a trade.The Sabres had to settle for 1 year of the forgettable Slava Kozlov and a late 1st round draft choice. Touche, Wings.
Same with DeBrincat dictating his move to Detroit for leftovers. Sort of a fitting example of “what goes around comes around” with the Larkin situation.
Some Gen Z got their feelings hurt. However, you can’t get away with some of the tactics of decades past.
I think it was Eddie Shore tied a rope around a goalies neck to keep him in the crease and upright