NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2026
Check out the latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, plus updates on the Blues and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman wondered if Steve Yzerman stepping down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings would affect center Dylan Larkin’s trade request.
Larkin, 29, listed the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers as his preferred trade destinations. It’s believed he expanded that list to include the Dallas Stars.
Bultman believes it’s a complicated situation, looking at several possibilities.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
One of them could be a new general manager taking a different stance from Yzerman’s hard-line approach to Larkin’s request. That GM could be more collaborative toward getting a deal done, which could convince Larkin to expand his list.
For now, it’s too soon to say how this will unfold until a new general manager is named.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes it would be worthwhile for the Red Wings if the new general manager can convince Larkin to stay. They have no one within their system to fill his role as first-line center, and such players are difficult to find in the trade market. His $8.7 million average annual value is considered a bargain in today’s market.
Larkin shouldn’t have any difficulty returning to the Red Wings dressing room if his strained relationship with Yzerman is the reason behind his trade request. Khan acknowledged that Larkin would be booed at first by Red Wings fans if he stays, but that could fade if he continues to produce as he has in recent years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been over a week since the Red Wings announced that Yzerman was out as general manager and executive vice president. So far, there’s no sign that Larkin has changed his mind about his trade request.
Larkin could be waiting to see who replaces Yzerman. On the other hand, his mind could be made up that he wants out regardless of who becomes GM.
THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford was asked if Pavel Buchnevich will still be on the St. Louis Blues’ roster after the 2027 trade deadline.
Rutherford replied that he’d be shocked if the Blues were able to move Buchnevich, whose performance has declined in recent years. He noted that the winger will turn 32 in April and has four years remaining on his contract.
Rutherford was also asked if the Blues were interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies.
The Blues have shown an interest in Nikishin and will continue to do so if the price is right. Rutherford is sure they checked in on Knies, but the asking price sounded exorbitant.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a better chance of landing Nikishin than they do Knies.
The Hurricanes are reportedly weighing trading Nikishin over re-signing the 24-year-old blueliner. Meanwhile, the new management in Toronto isn’t as keen to move Knies as their predecessor was.
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently reported that the Vancouver Canucks’ ownership would like to reduce player payroll by $20 million.
He noted the Canucks are already down $12 million in payroll compared to last season. PuckPedia indicates that their current salary cap payroll is $86,185, 833.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could attempt to free up that $8 million by trading Elias Pettersson, but his $11.6 million AAV and his declining production make him difficult to move.
Brock Boeser ($7.25 million AAV) and Jake DeBrusk ($5.5 million) are more likely trade candidates. One or both could be moved at the deadline, provided those moves don’t put the Canucks below the salary cap minimum of $76.9 million.
Evan Gold was what I hoped the Wings would be replacing Y with. Will he go to the Isles now?
Wings need new blood.
They have needed new blood for some time. Stevie staying around isn’t going to help things in Hockeytown.
Who is rumored that the Isles would have to give up for him?
Kane back to the Black Hawks. Another hole in the Wings’ lineup to fill.
I like Kane going back to Chicago. Good for him, the team and the city to i suppose wrap up a great career where it all started
JohnnyZ he was blocked in Boston by the Old Boy Network!
That’s an interesting note on Vancouver wanting to substantially reduce their payroll. Over the last several years, you notice some clubs are consistently far below their allowed cap, and it speaks to the clubs and their internal cap in terms of profit, income, and expenditures. It often doesn’t get talked about much as it’s such a behind-the-doors topic. But imagine being a Canuck player having the year they had and then hearing management wants to reduce the payroll, yeesh, you could understand how a player would want out. That might also be a factor, or more of a factor in the future, as to how some low-expenditure clubs have a hard time signing or re-signing players as it becomes more obvious which clubs spend to the cap to max their chances at icing as good a team as possible, and which clubs hold back cap money affecting the overall talent level of the team.
Larkin – we have beaten this drum to death. If he wants out he needs to expand his wish list. Otherwise he will need to play for the wings. The only team of the 4 that likely have legit interest may be the wild but unfortunately for Larkin and the Wild, I dont see them as great trade partners unless a 3rd team is hauled in and there doesnt seem to be much interest in that by the looks of things.
As for Vancouver it makes perfect sense to reduce payroll during a rebuild. Why spend extra dough when there is no chance to compete yet and the vets you do have, no disrespect, are not marquee draws. If things go right with the rebuild in a few years the team will once again be a hot spot. Its just the cycle of things.
Is there a world where Larkin goes to Minny, Petterson goes to Detroit, and picks and prospects to Van? Obviously Det will need more but the framework could be there.
I’d still like the bruins to try and trade for larkin at some point. Trade Zacha and a number one. if the incoming GM handles it right maybe he can persuade Larkin to expand his list. Come on Dylan you know you want to wear the black and gold. You’ll most likely get meet Ray or Bobby.
I don’t see him coming to Pittsburgh.
Zing! Nice one, chrisms.
Oringinally the Penguins colours were mostly baby blue and white with some darker highlights. But over time they recognized the Bruins had a very beautiful colour combination and history, so they copied the Bruins. It’s flattering, but they are copycats and the Penguins will never be the black and gold as that title is already taken by the original.
Nah. Black and gold are the city of Pittsburghs colors. Until the Red Sox Celtics and pats adopt the black and gold all Pittsburgh teams own those colors. Bostons been usurped.
Nice try Chrisms and the first time I have seen usurped used on this site. Stick tap for that.
Fact is the NHL already had a 1 black and gold team, now they have 2. So by definition, copied them. Like Lindsay said, flattering for the Bruins, but a little embarrassed for the Pens.
Plus, aren’t most Penguins predominantly black and white? That would have been fine. Some Penguins have other various colors. Could have gone black, white and blue as some have that as well.
So many choices, and yet….
They are wearing Pittsburghs colors. Not sure why the bruins are wearing the city of Pittsburghs colors. I think Boston as a whole needs to get their excrement together and pick a color scheme. In the nhl Boston was first granted. But an entire city’s sports color scheme trumps one individual teams having had it first. It’s science.
Of course Boston has multiple color schemes, they are able to do more than on thing at a time.
Like I said a bit embarrassed for the Pens, and now you kind of make me feel a little embarrassed for Pittsburgh.
I’ve been to Pittsburgh a couple times, nice people, seemed normal and capable to me.
There is no reason the folks of that fine city shouldn’t have higher expectations than settling for one simple color scheme.
It works out nice. Go anywhere in the country and say I root for the black and gold and people think Pittsburgh. Very unifying. Creates a nice sense of pride to be the sole owners of a color scheme.
Would Pittsburgh be willing to include Kindel for starters?
If notice doubt it could happen
Chrisms is kind of right on this all Pittsburgh pro teams are Black and Gold (Steelers, Pirates).
The original color scheme was expansion marketing gone stupid which they finally got right.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHQsOk4W7PA
Yes, all the Pittsburgh teams have the same color scheme, simple concept to understand. And great for Pittsburgh if simple is what they want.
Not sure why that’s even a thing though?
Plenty of major markets don’t have a “city color scheme” and multiple pro teams. Boston, Philly, NY, Chicago, LA, San Fran, Houston, Dallas etc.
Bruins had it first in the NHL, Pens copied them.
Which is fine, and I get why Chrisms wants to come up with reasons why that isn’t so, but it is.
Not “arguing “ that Boston was first. But pens didn’t copy them. They put on the colors of the burgh. Boston having black and gold was irrelevant in the pens decision. And because of the city wide adoption of those colors the pens have inarguably the most claim to it at this time. I’ll use it again but Pittsburgh usurped the colors. Ours now. So naa naa na boo boo stick your head in doo doo ray😝 😂
Haha.
And I thought I was bad for having to get the last word in all the time.
Wrong they’re copycats.
RB,
Watch the video at the link I provided for a breakdown of how and why Black and Gold are Pittsburgh colors.
It even explains how and why the blue and white snuck in at expnasion.
Further it explains that while Boston complained about the Penguins change of color, Pittsburgh won the right because they had Black and Gold hockey uniforms pre-dating Boston.
Bruins uniforms were originally Brown and Yellow btw.
Pittsburgh apparently is the only city in NA in which ALL the teams use the same color scheme.
Spoiler alert it originates with the William Pitt family coat of arms.
HF30, thanks for the effort, but this is probably the 3rd time at least chrisms and I have debated this. SOP started it a while ago I think.
And neither of us really cares if the other is right or wrong or makes a good point or not. Just chirping each other, because why not.
Just bored since there is no real hockey news to discuss this time of year. Don’t really feel like talking about Larkin again. So might as well chirp chrisms about the Pens copying the B’s jerseys again.
All in good fun for sure. It’s honestly one of the dumbest arguments to have which makes it fun. But I actually appreciate the link from … oh god… a Habs fan. Some history I didn’t know.
Today was productive.
He’s met Ray and Bobby many times.
Most teams would want Larkin as at least their 2C, but Larkin clearly wants to go to what he considers a legit Cup contender. That isn’t the Bs.
Besides, why would Detroit want Zacha with one year left on his current contract? And why would Zacha want to sign an extension with Detroit?
John Apple ,Mcavoy and Pasta should be recruiting him right now. Boston has the assets to get it done.
John Apple ,Mcavoy and Pasta should be recruiting him right now. Boston has the assets to get it done.
SR I don’t know if you’re serious or not but I’ll go along with that. I’ve seen other players expand their list before. You get someone like Charlie and Pasta to banter back at Larkin and encourage him that might be enough to change his mind.
Being a Wings season tix holder, screw Larkin. All y other season ticket holding friends feel the same way. If he didn’t want to be here and his relationship with Stevie was strained, he shouldn’t have signed the contract extension. As a Captain, he has failed to lead this team and he blames Stevie for not picking up someone. three years in a row, this team has collapsed when it matters most and where was the Captain in all that? Whining they didn’t trade for help. If he doesn’t want to expand his trade list, let him sit out the season. Screw him.
Hellebuyck must have been drinking the same Kool-Aid as Larking during the Olympics, its the exact same rhetoric, wanting the team to speed up the contending process so that they can be the Panthers part two. There’s 31 other franchises trying to do the same thing organically. Being so called team leaders they need to look in the mirror and work with management, maybe the Jets and Wings can partner together to package these clowns to the same end destination, oh wait, Vegas and the Panthers are out of any usable resources to make a deal like this happen.
The Wings best player asks for a trade and their GM is canned and kicked upstairs (or maybe it is more side-ways). Definitely, Detroit has big problems and why would anyone that has talent and wants to win a cup would want to be there?
Exactly, Jeff Mussin. From a hockey team on paper standpoint, having your 1C locked in for five years on a bargain contract is great. Sports fans love their teams, though – and their players. Larkin has poisoned the well in a variety of ways (and the rumors of the root causes of his discontent aren’t helping, even if some are fairly implausible).
I’ve seen one (wildly unrealistic) option for him to regain some good graces: He wants to play with his Olympic buddies, so if he can entice one or more Hughes, Werenski, and maybe another to Detroit, there will be some forgiveness. It won’t happen, but if it did, his trade request, limited approval list (of only top contenders), complaining about lack of action at the deadline paired with March collapses, possible anger at having his friend (Bertuzzi) traded or rumored entitlement to the captaincy, etc. etc. will still hang over him.
Larkin is actually a great bargain. Robertson as a winger signed 1 year @ $12 and will get more moving forward somewhere
Whomever is the GM in Hockey Town needs 3-4 very good assets or he doesn’t move.
I guess he can withhold services . Good thing he has 5 left or Detroit would be screwed . I doubt he is the captain next year but think he laces up for the Wings
Fantasy Larkin may be a great bargain. Larkin, the hockey player and team captain comes with questions that make it hard for anyone to look at giving up the assets needed, plugging him in, and getting immediate results. Even in a positive environment both ways things can take some time Stamkos in Nashville seems to have delivered the effort but the results took a bit of time. And were the results enough, even if the player eventually met individual expectations? The fans didn’t turn on Steven, because he was positive about the move from day one, and the effort was obvious; Tampa fans gave standing-O returns because he stayed positive about his time there. Hard for Larkin to stay, hard to go to one of his choices if he isn’t an instant star, hare to go elsewhere and be accepted because of his stated choces.
He’s a MIchigan guy with a long history. With Stevie Y gone, a real apology (I let the emotion of wanting to win & the Olympics get to me, I still want to win and here, I spent my whole career in Michigan) and good, head-down play will likely rebuild his Red Wingo’s position. And he’s a good contract for them to build around, still, if he stays.
Vancouver reducing payroll should be a result of rebuilding, not a mission by itself. If you want the rebuild to go as fast as possible, you take on bad contracts for a price or sign players to 1-2 years at a higher price, rebuild value and trade at 50%. If this is as it is written its stupid, its like trade Boeser, dont care what we get in return, or trade Pettersson, 3m retained for nothing. These players, including Pettersson has value, if they dont see that they are idiots. Ironically this the fan base opinion of the currents owner, so maybe the rumour is true;)
Good points Kent..I took it to mean the more intelligent approach but yeah who knows lol.
Agree on taking some bad contracts and signing UFA that you can trade. And ya, the natural result of a rebuild.
But.
You want to absolutely suck for at least 2 years, preferably 3. Not go as fast as possible, if that is what you meant. And add other high end guys from the top 10 during the 4-5 or so years of drafting high.
Do what the Sharks and Hawks have done. Pick in the top 3 or at worst top 5 multiple times. Meaning you need to finish in the bottom 3 multiple times.
Sharks last 3 draft years – Celebrini (1), Misa(2), Stenberg (2) (lotto luck). The year before Celebrini was Smith at #4.
That is their new core, and it will be good.
Hawks – Bedard, Levshunov, Frondell and turned #4 pick into Byram who was himself a #4 OA pick. That is the new core and it will be good unless Bedard’s shoulder issues become chronic.
In a couple years both those teams will start their cup windows and it will last for years.
Detroit didn’t suck, like bottom 3, enough for long enough. Only Raymond was top 5 at #4, and Seider was close at #6. Both good players, not elite.
Sucking doesn’t guarantee you win a cup, but not sucking almost guarantees you won’t. And IMO the cup should be the goal. You need elite players.
It takes patience and that includes the fans.
Pettersson and Boeser both have full nmc. Boeser just started new deal last season, and maybe regrets signing and watching Hughes leave. But, Canucks got a nice return. 3 players that were all former 1st rd picks and are good young players. Pettersson actually salary jumps to 14.45m in 2027 and then 12.25, 8,8,8. How many teams have the space or the balls to gamble on him bouncing back? Minnesota meanwhile has just over a mil in cap space. They would need to move some salaried players to take on Larkin this year. Also need to figure Hughes salary will probably double next season. Are they really willing to gamble on Larkin putting them over top while losing other key players?
Van should trade Elias to the canes for Kotkaniemi an prospects
Gets them closer to cost expenditure goal and nabs more assets for rebuild
See what parameters around a Boeser plus to islanders to Barzal looks like too
Or send Elias to Detroit for Larkin then flip to Minny for assets which keeps cost down.
When healthy, trading Demko would be useful
Closer to deadline or even NJ who needs a starter
IHC. As mentioned above. Minny can’t just trade assets. Must dump salary to fit Larkin
Minny gets Larkin
Van gets Yurov, Hartman, 2028 1st (top 10 protected)
Detroit gets Petey ($2.6M retained), Stars 2027 2nd
Nope. If that deal were possible, it would’ve happened already.
Petey has already said no, To waiving his NMC per numerous insiders.