NHL Rumor Mill – June 4, 2026
The latest on the Canucks, Penguins, and Avalanche in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma looked at the challenges that Ryan Johnson will face as the new general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.
Among them is how he will advance the Canucks’ rebuilding process. Kuzma wondered what winger Jake DeBrusk might fetch in this summer’s trade market.
Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk (NHL Images).
Kuzma also mused over whether Johnson would be interested in Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher to bring some leadership to his rebuilding roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk, 29, has four years left on his contract with a reasonable average annual value of $5.5 million. He’s a streaky scorer, but he has tallied 20-plus goals five times and 40-plus points seven times in his nine NHL seasons, including in this tumultuous campaign for the Canucks. He could bring back a decent return of futures.
Gallagher has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $6.5 million. He has a six-team no-trade clause, but indicated he’s open to returning to his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. Whether a deal can be worked out to send him there remains to be seen.
SKINNER, MANTHA TO TEST THE UFA MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports goaltender Stuart Skinner and winger Anthony Mantha are unlikely to return with the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
Skinner and Mantha are UFA-eligible on July 1. The Penguins are expected to re-sign goalie Arturs Silovs and pair him with Sergei Murashov next season, which would spell the end of Skinner’s brief tenure in Pittsburgh. They wouldn’t mind signing Mantha to a short-term deal, but he’s seeking a long-term contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner and Mantha were meant to be short-term additions.
They took on Skinner to move out the struggling Tristan Jarry and his burdensome contract, using him to buy time until they were certain that Silovs and Mursahov would be a decent tandem. Mantha was an affordable one-year veteran signing as they continue to transition younger forwards into the lineup.
POSSIBLE GM CANDIDATES FOR THE AVALANCHE
THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak listed eight potential candidates to replace Chris MacFarland as general manager of the Colorado Avalanche.
MacFarland departed the Avalanche earlier this week to become president and general manager of the Nashville Predators.
One option is Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic, who has taken over the GM role for the foreseeable future. He previously filled that position from 2014 to 2022, winning the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award in 2022.
Other internal possibilities are special assistant to the GM Andrew Cogliano, assistant GM Kevin McDonald, and director of analytics Arik Parnass.
External options could include Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Tyler Dellow, Columbus Blue Jackets assistant GM Chris Clark, and former Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche don’t appear to be in a hurry to replace MacFarland, probably because Sakic’s there to hold the fort until they have sufficient time to find a full-time GM. They could have a new guy in place before the start of the regular season in October, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Sakic remains in the role until next offseason.
Could the Habs use Gallagher as a salary throw in to get Petey in the return?
Petey ($1M retained) for Gallagher (salary) 2026 1st, Dach, Guhle, and Owen Beck or Josh Roy
The Habs best player in this deal would be Guhle, so I don’t see the quantity of assets hamstringing their future.
Don’t see why any gm would trade assets for Gallagher. When they can sign for free after he is bought out or make Habs add sweetener for a trade
Wow, you’re really overrating EP’s value.! And Why would the Habs add another “WIMP” small guy as yeah he’s 6’2 but weighs less than Caulfield.! 176lbs and please don’t say he added weight as the guy on here did the other day like he’s EP’s personal trainer lol…
I hate the Habs but adding EP will be a huge mistake.!
For that package minus Gallagher you could take a run at Berniers or Mactavish as I see Mason Mactavish as a young guy that has all the tools to be a good 1st line centre as early as next year as I think he needs a change of scenery.! Don’t care about his past year as he is ready but needs a chance.!
GO LEAFS GO.!
Sergei Murashov? Wait a second. He has 5 total nhl games under his belt, how could he possibly be considered a back up in the NHL’
You need at least 50 NHL games before you get a chance to be a back up in the NHL!?
😜
He’ll dodge this requirement by becoming the 1a starter… duh.
Ahhhh, now I see how that works!
Makes perfect sense why this wasn’t a possible path for Garand in NY now! Plus he only had 3 games vs Murashov‘s 5. That in dog games started is huge!
I think you can remove Clark from the list of candidates. The Jackets let two bench coaches go and I just don’t see them letting a third walk. That would leave only Rick Bowness and Jared Boll returning from this season and there’s been a bit of speculation that Boll will be going to Cleveland as head coach when Trent Vogelhuber is promoted to Bowness’ assistant. All of that strongly suggests Clark is going nowhere to me.
Could Vancouver trade back in draft? GM will be in awkward position of what to do at 3 with coaches son being a consensus top 5 pick. Damned if you take him, dammed if you don’t.
Slick can trade picks with Boston and we can toss in. Lohrei Or Middlestadt
Add Poitras to the package!
Just thinking about that 1st NY used on his father, I’m hoping he goes to Vancouver!
Manny had a solid career, but what a waste of a 1st.
I’m sure the conversation has already happened.
“Manny, we’re drafting the best player available, if that’s him, great, if not, we’re not.”
Just read Canucks only team at combine taking McKenna out to dinner. Probably means nothing but why do if he’s considered top pick? Is there a player on Canucks that Toronto would want enough to move back 2 spots in draft?
I’ve seen a couple mocks dropping McKenna all the way to 4. 🤷♂️
If any slick, my guess would be for at least one of the players the Nucks got back from the Hughes trade…maybe something bigger involving Petterson and Rielly as well? Who knows. This is either going to be a crazy offseason or a big letdown. Even the safe and easy choice is picking McKenna 1st, doesn’t seem it’s going to happen until it does.
What’s the problem with Martha? 33 goals and 0.79 ppg for $2.5 million is excellent value. Why not offer him $3.5 million a year for 2 years? At 31 is he looking for a big final payday over 5 or 6 years?
It’s reported he’s looking for term. And with his stats and it being possibly his last shot at a big contract and a weak fa class he’s probably looking for 6+ with term.