NHL Rumor Mill – June 11, 2026
Check out the latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk, and Blues center Robert Thomas in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun provided an update on the trade request of Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.
Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and Pat Brisson (Dylan Larkin’s agent) continue to try to work through this in a respectful manner.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Yzerman has asked the Larkin camp to expand their original three-team trade list, and Brisson was receptive “to some degree”. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers were the three teams on Larkin’s list.
Regardless of that trade list, LeBrun claimed other teams are also interested in Larkin. One of them is the Dallas Stars, prompting LeBrun to consider it “food for thought” if the Stars fail to sign winger Jason Robertson to a contract extension.
LeBrun also believes a third team might need to get involved to make the assets work for the Red Wings.
SPORTSNET: During the June 10 episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said he’d heard there could be other clubs that Larkin might be willing to join. He believes the Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning could be two options.
Friedman also thinks that teams have already submitted trade offers to the Red Wings, including the Wild and the Panthers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Larkin really wants out of Detroit, he’ll have to expand his list of preferred destinations. Adding two or three more clubs could help Yzerman find an acceptable return for him.
However, the teams on his trade list could lack sufficient trade assets to make the deal work. That’s why LeBrun suggests it could take bringing in a third team to thread the needle here.
If the Stars can’t get Robertson under contract, they could offer him up to the Red Wings for Larkin. The 27-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He also lacks no-trade protection.
In that scenario, the Red Wings would need assurances that Robertson would be open to a long-term contract with them. While that move would address their need for a first-line left winger, it would leave them without a first and second-line center.
ZACH WERENSKI DOESN’T WANT OUT OF COLUMBUS
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported there was speculation over what effect Dylan Larkin’s trade request would have on Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Werenski and Larkin are close friends and were teammates on Team USA’s gold-medal Olympic men’s hockey team.
LeBrun indicated that the 28-year-old defenseman isn’t following Larkin’s lead and asking the Blue Jackets for a trade. However, LeBrun isn’t ruling out the possibility, based on the fact that, at some point, Werenski and Jackets management will have to discuss the blueliner’s future in Columbus.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Red Wings, the Blue Jackets came close to making the playoffs over the past two years, only to stumble during the final weeks of the regular season.
Unlike Larkin, who has five years left on his contract, Werenski has two years on his. He could see how next season pans out before making any decision about his future.
Werenski is part of the 2028 UFA class that includes Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators. However, if their teams fail to improve in 2026-27, they could all be on the move in next summer’s trade market.
COULD THE SENATORS PURSUE JAKE DEBRUSK?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports “two league sources” believe the Senators are among a group of teams interested in Jake DeBrusk of the Vancouver Canucks.
The 29-year-old winger has spent the past two seasons with the Canucks. He has five years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.
Garrioch believed DeBrusk could be a good fit among the Senators’ top-six forwards. He’s reportedly not thrilled about being on a team undergoing a roster teardown.
The Senators also reportedly have an interest in forward Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks and winger Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues. However, it’s believed that Kyrou won’t waive his no-trade clause for Ottawa. The Philadelphia Flyers are also believed to be interested in McTavish.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch believes the rebuilding Canucks won’t be seeking much for DeBrusk because they want to move his contract. They will likely seek a return of futures (draft picks, prospects, young NHL players) in any trades this summer involving their roster players.
The sticking point is DeBrusk’s NMC and whether he’d waive it to join the Senators.
BLUES SOUGHT AN EXPENSIVE RETURN FROM THE FLYERS FOR ROBERT THOMAS
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio cited The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz, who claimed the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues discussed a trade earlier this season regarding Blues center Robert Thomas.
According to Kurz, the Blues’ asking price was winger Porter Martone, prospect center Jack Nesbitt, and the Flyers’ first-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: And now you know why Robert Thomas remains with the Blues and will continue to remain a Blue for the foreseeable future. That asking price was far too much for the Flyers, who know they’ve got a potential superstar in Martone.
I can see a first, top ten protected, or equivalent as the price for DeBrusk. He gives you 25 goals on average, is 29 and on a good contract. Or could the Sens want to send Zetterlund the other way with a 3rd since it seems that Zetterlund hasnt really been a good fit in Ottawa
I can see Canucks being happy with ’26 3rd(FLA) and ’27 2nd
Tho ideally would like to have ’26 1st(32nd)
Debrusk worth that much? He does not go to any dirty areas and had 4 even strength goals last season
Floater on a non-contender who can pop in some powerplay goals.
Senators offer: Ridley Greig, Jordan Spence and their (untradeable–we’ll pick who Detroit tells us to at 32) 1st round pick.
For:
Detroit sends: Dylan Larkin and Annti Tuomisto
Sens have plenty of C, one of the few who actually does, why would they trade for Larkin?
And since their other C after such a trade would include Stutzle, Cozens, Pinto and Halliday, where would Larkin fit? They’re not about to bump down Cozens and Pinto.
Besides, I wouldn’t want a self-centered “bailer” anyway.
Horrible trade imo. What would you give up a young, versatile gritty, no drama, Canadian center on a ridiculous contract and a upcoming solid RD who has exceptional possession numbers for a disgruntled, American on a big contract who might pull the same move Like Kent said, Sens don’t need centers
This is a joke, right? RIGHT?
The Sens are so centre heavy it’s embarrassing. While I don’t want to see any of them go, I think the time is coming.
Sens need to shed a centre for a scoring winger.
A Debrusk trade makes more sense than this in any timeline.
If that’s what the Blues are asking the Flyers for Thomas, the equivalent demand from the Habs would be Demidov, Hage and a first. Absolutely no way!!! Thomas is staying in St. Louis for the foreseeable future.
Good comparison, Howard. And yeah, preposterous.
While I happily acknowledge my opinions are just that of a fan sitting in the bleachers, the latest on Larkin is what I have been saying: his camp doesn’t hold all the cards, and he won’t get to dictate where he goes. However reluctant Larkin is to expand his trade list if he wants out of Detroit he will have to compromise.
And yes, any trade would almost assuredly need a third party. Larkin wants to go to a contender. Contenders aren’t shovelling back a C that Detroit needs, and won’t trade assets that make them worse off by acquiring Larkin.
The arrogance of his thinking any of his three preferred teams want him is another matter and I will spare you all my rant on that. For now 🙂
I wonder of his high asking price on Thomas or even Thomas’ suppose availibility simply was mis direction to make his prices for Faulk and Schen seem like deals (prospect, 1st, 3rd) in comparison.
I could swear we’ve seen crazy asks as a return for certain players in the past only to see when they actually do get traded the packages are nothing close to what was rumor to be. Could this also be the case with Thomas and these reports of huge demands? Or maybe it’s just the Blues don’t want to trade him and if they do, it’s gonna be something crazy which kind of makes sense.
Paul, Geekie, Duke & a pick from the Lightning for Larkin with maybe a pair of D swapped out as well?
Richard, you know the Bolts a lot better than I do, but why would they want Larkin when they have Point and Cirelli, and with an aging D including Herman and his health concerns, and a 36 year old McDonagh?
CIrelli becomes third line C & adds some scoring making it three lines deep, Larkin vastly improves faceoffs Not a trade either team would make if not for pressure from Larkin. Also insurance in case Kuch negotiations go sideways. Dylan Duke is a Michigan guy the Bolts are growing into the role…..so
Ok, your forwards are looked after, but the D?
To Dallas: Larkin
To Van: J Robertson (poor Robo)
To Detroit: Petey and Debrusk
Never gonna happen, Robertson will never resign in Vancouver and if Detroit goes for Pettersson it will be a separate deal. As in a C somehow for Larkin, can be a grade A prospect. And then offer something small for Pettersson while taking the full cap hit
Still won’t work. Robertson walks after next year
Some pundits suggest the Canucks should take on bad contracts to get to the cap floor next year. Now Garrioch says they won’t want much for Debrusk because they want to move his very team friendly contract. Which is it?
Gored1970, which pundits are suggesting Vancouver take on bad contracts in order to reach next season’s cap floor of $76.9 mil??
In fact, the Canucks are projected to be at $82,606,666 – some $5,106,666 OVER the minimum … and still with UFAs Kane, Bleuger, Douglas and Forbort to possibly re-sign – or replace – and one RFA in Joseph.
Even if DeBrusk’s $5.5 mil cap hit is dealt, what comes back is likely to involve at least 1 player under contract to cover the difference of around $400,000, never mind the re-signing of any of the foregoing.
Trading Pettersson would put them below the cap floor.
The Canucks will try and maximize their return on DeBrusk just like every team does with every player.
Not saying it will be great as he has a NMC, but to suggest they don’t want much seems kinda nuts IMO.
Pretty good player, warts and all, on a good contract.
Canucks are above the floor. Even trading Debruak they can still get there.
Gored1970 … rather than a ploy to reach the cap floor, those pundits are likely suggesting the Canucks “weaponize” their cap space.
That could include players like Nurse, Ross Colton of Colorado, and even Jarry to accumulate future assets.
One thing is for sure, neither Edmonton nor Colorado are going to be able to dump those can hits without adding some significant sweeteners.
Kills me .5 years left on his contract and he wants to dictate where he wants to play because he has a NMC. Well Detroit has 5 years to deal with this and maybe Larkin should shut up play hockey and focus on getting his team to the playoffs. If he really wants to move he has to give a little and give at least 10 teams he would like to go to. Tired of athletes want everything their way. Zero respect.
Not many people are talking about Trocheck anymore.He would be a good fall back for everyone chasing Larkin. A little older yes,but cheaper with 3 years left on his contract.
The fact that Don Sweeney didn’t overpay as usual to keep DeBrusk should tell you all you need to know. He’s just another guy. Doesn’t do anything spectacular but wont really hurt you either. With the salary cap going up, he could be a good third line winger who you can insert into the power play. No way would you give up a first for him.