NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2026
A look at the latest regarding the top remaining unrestricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at the latest speculation regarding the top remaining unrestricted free agents.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
Patrick Kane tops Fox’s list. He noted there were rumors that the 37-year-old winger was considering contract offers from his former club, the Chicago Blackhawks, and his hometown team, the Buffalo Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane seems to be taking his time to consider his options. He’s unlikely to be an expensive signing for either club.
Defenseman Logan Stanley is reportedly still weighing his options. The 28-year-old is said to be seeking a four- or five-year contract worth up to $25 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stanley might have to revise his asking price. The best opportunity for him to get that deal was within the opening week of the market.
Winger Eeli Tolvanen is believed to be seeking term on his next contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 27-year-old Tolvanen is among the youngest players in this summer’s market. It’s a little surprising that he hasn’t signed yet. The longest term he’s had on his previous contracts was three years.
Some observers wonder if the Edmonton Oilers might have an interest in winger Vladimir Tarasenko after they previously “kicked tires” on Claude Giroux before he signed with the Ottawa Senators.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News has the Oilers on his list of suggested destinations for Tarasenko. The others include the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Utah Mammoth.
Defenseman John Klingberg is fifth on Fox’s list. He noted the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers remain eager to boost the right side of their defense corps.
Winger Patrik Laine remains available. The New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild were reportedly considering him as a reclamation project.
Other notables include forwards Michael Bunting, Reilly Smith, and Philipp Kurashev, and goaltender Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The remaining players on this list might have to wait until late August or early September to get new contracts. Some could end up on professional tryout offers during training camp.
Logan Stanley I think would an excellent addition to the bruins unfortunately he’s left d.
Bruins desperately a good r d. have to agree with Spector not too many people will bite at his asking price. Payrolls getting tight at this time of the year.
Boston has to many NHL defensemen under contract now. What would they do with Stanley?There 3 RD are Mcavoy, Borgen who is a Carlo clone and Clifton are manageable 3rd pair defensemen.
Sr
I would even say too many forwards signed to nhl contracts as well. So hopefully Sweeney will rectify this situation with a trade or 2. Still need a top 3 d man 1 ctr and another scoring option
Tolvanen and Bunting, both 30-40p players, I doubt that they will get term, and at that production, teams with prospects will let them play instead
Kent Nilsson, I agree about Tolvanen, even though his game translates well to today’s NHL and a middle 6 role, teams would see him as a stop gap until their own prospects are ready for larger roles. I can’t see him signing for anything more than a 2-3 yr deal, possibly around the 4-5 mil/yr range. Lots of good attributes though, I’d like him on my team, doesn’t take a night off.
What’s the bruins fans take on Georgii murkalov ? Avalanche signed him ; another reclamation project that the Avalanche seem to prefer with many signings on the cheap. Nichushkin being the one big project that payed off as well as malinski from cornell. But the Avalanche seem to have this pattern of trying to rejuvinate the careers of some guys that don’t pan out . I believe due to being cheap but if they can come and be productive, what do I know ?
The book on Merkulov is he is a tweener, and due to his lack of speed his offence won’t translate in the NHL. And he is small/slender and doesn’t focus on the defensive play.
The guy doesn’t check well is the bottom line.
The guy produced points consistently in the AHL, has great instincts/vision and offensive skills. But will cheat for offense.
If he becomes more responsible, hits the gym, who knows, could become a good player.
Ray Bark ok, thanks for assessment! Seems pretty thorough! IDK, the Avalanche seem to have this ” change of scenery” oasis going on with not only these two guys they recently signed from Boston but they also have signed other free agent guys who are career minor league guys to shore up their AHL team; perhaps, they get one more opportunity to make it with the Avalanche? Maybe they find a gem I guess but at times it seems to me it’s more like they don’t have many good prospects in their system or have traded away so many draft picks for a chance to win . They better win one more soon or I fear they are going to start taking a step backwards?
tommy boy,
He has no defensive awareness or ability, he plays small and doesn’t have speed, so he’s useless on a 4th line
He isn’t “needed” on top 6.
I imagine the idea is to give him some very sheltered minutes and pop in a few as his offense IQ is high.
He’s a low risk signing that you can’t go wrong on for 1x$850k
Tommy Boy,the only problem I had with Boston is that they never gave him or Lysell a legitimate chance to play in the NHL. They both had a total of 21 games that they played in theNHL.What bothers me is they gave Minten whom I really like and KMan a whole season to prove themselves.I honestly think management wanted this to happen because they traded for both guys.Boston did sign a similar player from TML in Alex Steeves and they rewarded him with a contract of 2 years. Interesting to see what they do with Hagens if he struggles.Will they let him play through it like Minten or will they send him down to Providence. They never let Lysell or Merkulov play through anything.
Sr.
I believe the Avalanche do the same with some of their guys. I think Ivan is going to be good for Boston. He is definitely responsible but couldn’t find the back of the net ; however, I think he deserved more ice due to his efforts. Perhaps because he takes penalties? Bardakov, another went to KHL. I would have given him more ice
I think that mitten is pretty good player. Hagens, he is Boston college kid right? He’s
got some skill. IDK good thing I am not GM, lol. I am growing tired of some Avalanche adjustments. I think schwartz and juulson are good moves but some of their depth decisions not so much. The cupboard is not that well stocked!
Sr
The problem was Minton didn’t struggle. He was a consistent player and a good defender. That gets you more ice time.
Both Lysell and Merculov not defending. So when they pop in they have to get points. They didn’t now they are gone. No loss to bruins when all said and done.
Geez, how many of these low risk signings do we need? IDK I think that is my point: on the cheap! I hope maybe if he is young enough and grows more physically than yeah ok but how many guys that you accumulate like this are going to pan out . If that was the case, their original teams would have held onto them? We will see. I hope they take off but am feeling discouraged by some of these moves.
Avs will need many low-risk signings next year when they have to pay Makar! Get used to it!