NHL Rumor Mill – June 23, 2026
The latest on Zach Werenski, Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson, Bowen Byram, Jake DeBrusk, Valeri Nichushkin, and John Carlson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WILL ZACH WERENSKI REQUEST A TRADE?
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Brady Tkachuk trade has increased speculation about the future of Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.
Like Tkachuk, Werenski has two years remaining on his contract. Team USA teammates such as the Tkachuk brothers and Quinn Hughes have forced trades to teams where they wanted to play, and Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings is attempting to do the same.
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)
Given the Blue Jackets’ difficulties in becoming a playoff contender, Columbus fans could be worried that Werenski might do the same.
Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell recently met with Werenski’s agent, Judd Moldaver. He said both sides don’t know where the “noise” about the Norris Trophy winner’s future is coming from. Waddell remains confident that the 28-year-old defenseman wants to stay in Columbus.
Portzline’s colleague, Pierre LeBrun, believes Waddell’s moves during this offseason could determine Werenski’s future.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger believes Waddell will “seek a king’s ransom” if they end up having to trade Werenski.
“My line is usually, ‘It would be a boatload,” Waddell said. “We don’t want to trade him, but if it ever came to that, then year, it would be (a high price).”
Werenski has a full no-movement clause until the end of next season, when it becomes a 10-team no-trade list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: So far, there’s no indication that Werenski wants to move on. The Blue Jackets came very close to making the playoffs last season, and he could be willing to wait and see if they can get over the hump next season. If they do, it’ll improve the Jackets’ odds of signing him to an extension next July. If they fail again, it could lead to his departure via trade next summer.
UPDATE ON DYLAN LARKIN
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jake Tye cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who believes there won’t be any common ground found between the Detroit Red Wings and Dylan Larkin that would see him return with the team for next season.
Larkin submitted a trade request earlier this month, with the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers his initially preferred destinations. It’s believed he’s been asked to expand that list.
Friedman believes the Red Wings will trade Larkin this summer. He thinks GM Steve Yzerman believes they can’t bring him back and have to move on.
Meanwhile, Michael Whitaker noted that Friedman’s colleague, Nick Kypreos, believes the Dallas Stars are now Larkin’s destination of choice. Kypreos also thinks Anaheim Ducks GM (and former Red Wings assistant GM) Pat Verbeek might try to get in on this.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild are believed to be Larkin’s preferred landing spot, but that might not be possible if they can’t afford the Wings’ asking price. Yzerman will want to get the best possible deal for moving his top center.
As for the Stars, that’ll depend on whether they re-sign winger Jason Robertson. If they do, they won’t be able to afford Larkin’s $8.7 million AAV.
Speaking of Robertson…
COULD JASON ROBERTSON BECOME AN OFFER-SHEET TARGET?
THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos looked at how the threat of an offer sheet could affect the Stars’ contract talks with Jason Robertson.
The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
After the Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Panthers, reports emerged that they would make a big push for Robertson via trade or offer sheet. The Senators have over $25 million in cap space for 2026-27, enabling them to pitch a $14 million to $15 million per season offer to Robertson. The Stars, with just over $10 million in cap space, likely couldn’t match it.
If the Stars manage to re-sign Robertson, Mavrik Bourque could become an offer-sheet target. However, the young forward indicated that he believes he’ll be back with the Stars this fall.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assimakopoulos noted that Robertson would have to want to be open to signing an offer sheet to receive one, and he’d have to be open to joining the Senators for them to make a pitch. If he doesn’t, it won’t matter what they’re willing to offer.
The Senators could attempt to acquire Robertson via trade. He lacks a no-trade clause, but if he’s unwilling to sign a contract extension, the Sens are unlikely to give up assets for a player who would depart next summer via free agency.
Some of you might point out that the Senators did that a few years ago with Alex DeBrincat, but that was under different management. Senators GM Steve Staios isn’t likely to waste valuable trade assets on a one-year player.
COULD THE PENGUINS PURSUE BOWEN BYRAM?
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports a league source told him that Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is “going big-game hunting” this summer.
Yohe believes Bowen Byram is a player worth watching. The 25-year-old Buffalo Sabres defenseman has a year left on his contract and will seek a significant raise. It would cost a lot in trade pieces and future cap space, but Byram is a player the Penguins like a great deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas and the Penguins have the trade assets that could entice the Sabres if they put Byram on the block. It will depend on how much the Sabres want, especially if they seek a good roster player as part of the deal.
THE LATEST ON JAKE DEBRUSK
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes the Ottawa Senators trading Brady Tkachuk puts them in the market for a left winger. He speculated that they could make a move for Jake DeBrusk. The 29-year-old winger has a full no-movement clause, but he’s looking to join a contender and doesn’t want to play for the rebuilding Canucks.
DeBrusk could be a good fit with the Senators. He also carries an affordable $5.5 million annual cap hit. The Canucks’ asking price could be the 25th overall pick, which they could pair with the 24th overall pick would be a good return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers suggested the Canucks could use those two picks to select twin brothers Liam and Markus Ruff. That’s assuming the two forwards are still available at that point. Liam is the 20th ranked North American skater while Markus is 23rd.
Johnston also reports the Columbus Blue Jackets could be interested in DeBrusk. The Blue Jackets hold the 14th overall pick.
NICHUSHKIN AVAILABLE? CARLSON TO THE LIGHTNING?
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who reported he’s started hearing Valeri Nichushkin being mentioned in the rumor mill.
“Colorado is looking for some (cap) flexibility, I think. His name is out there. We’ll see,” Friedman said during Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichushkin’s inconsistency, his health, and well-documented off-ice issues make him a risk acquisition. The 31-year-old winger carries an AAV of $6.125 million and a 12-team no-trade list.
RMNB: cited Friedman saying “most people” wouldn’t be surprised if John Carlson signs with the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 36-year-old defenseman recently told the Anaheim Ducks that he was going to test the market, and it’s believed he wants to return to the Eastern Conference.
Carlson playing with Hedmon (and a nice picture of them both in pirate gear at the all-star game) was a thing a few years ago. Bolts already have two D-men at that Age, Heddy, and MacDonough. Adding a third might mean too much work for the trainers, and too much cap for 35+ D contracts that you’ll have to run out without relief, assuming Carlson wants a contract and not a 1Yr 2MM to try for a cup run deal.
Hope werenski stays with the blue jackets. I think they are on the right track.
If you believe byram is a true number one/two defence man. Should the leafs not be doing everything to get him? Knies straight up for Byram (if he is willing to sign a long term contract)?
If Larkin is all about the playoffs there are probably 10 teams you probably count on making them next year. Yzerman should work out the best deal he can with those teams. If Larkin doesn’t want to go then he can spend the next 5 years in Detroit. There are many examples where the relationship is fractured but teams work it out. First thought that comes to mind is Lecalvalier in Tampa. They went on to win a Stanley Cup.
Would Detroit have the assets to acquire Byram without including sieder, Raymond and DeBrincat?
I hope he stays there too
Larkin to Montreal makes sense if he wanted to be a part of a team that could have a good playoff run.
Question for my friends north of the border. In your opinion, why is it that players like Tkachuk no longer wanted to play in Ottawa or other cities? And I trying to fully understand from a a Canadian perspective.
Thanks
Reading through this I found my self thinking about the comments often posted on social media of how great the GM of Florida or Vegas is. Are they really that great. Sitting back doing nothing and having players asking to come to you and then just needing to make a trade from a position of strength doesn’t seem a great skill.
GMs in places like Ottawa, Winnipeg and even Columbus have to deal with no trade clauses and players not wanting to sign with them long term. Seems a GM of a team facing these challenges is far support than a GM who simply needs to put his feet up and keep enough assets available for the player who suddenly announced he wishes to come.
Players want to win. That is their primary motivation for playing, other than money of course.
For many years, the Florida Panthers were not a preferred destination because they were not a winning franchise. Zito and the Cats’ ownership changed that and now players want to go there.
It’s not just hockey, the same holds for most sports these days.
So. It would cost the Senators 4 first round picks over 11million offer. I believe the devil in the details is that it has to be “their” picks in the next three years and the current year. They have those pics. But that’s a lot to give up and then throw 13 million or something at the kid for 5 years.
Dorfayev might be a better target. But somehow the Knights will pull a rabbit out their ass and figure their pay structure. I don’t see a lot of realistic offer sheet targets actually.