NHL Rumor Mill – July 29, 2026
What’s going on with the Red Wings? What’s the latest on contract extension talks between the Senators and Drake Batherson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE RED WINGS
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen is wondering who’s minding the store for the Red Wings since their removal of Steve Yzerman as their general manager on July 15. Since then, there’s been little news regarding the search for his replacement, or the handling of key issues.
Yzerman is handling the day-to-day management duties until his successor is found. However, Allen believes Red Wings fans are wondering if Yzerman still has authority to make decisions or requires permission from team owner Chris Ilitch.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Dylan Larkin’s trade request saga hasn’t been sorted out yet. The club still needs more scoring, and restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson still hasn’t been re-signed.
Allen wondered if the interview process for Yzerman’s replacement has started yet. So far, there’s been no media chatter about teams granting permission to interview, who’s been interviewed, and who is no longer under consideration.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers wondered if the change in management might prompt Larkin to rescind his trade request, but there’s no indication he’s going to do that. He could be waiting to see who replaces Yzerman, or it might not matter because he’s already made up his mind to move on.
Apart from signing winger Viktor Arvidsson, the Red Wings haven’t done much to bolster their offense. The free-agent market has largely been picked clean, meaning they’ll have to turn to the trade market, where the cost of adding scoring punch is probably much higher than it was a month ago.
Edvinsson’s RFA status makes him eligible to sign an offer sheet with a rival club. With over $19 million in cap space, that’s likely an empty threat, but it doesn’t mean someone might not try, which could make the young blueliner more expensive to re-sign, assuming the Wings are willing to match.
As for Yzerman’s replacement, the Wings indicated their search will include internal candidates and those from other clubs. They could be leaning toward hiring from within. One reason we haven’t heard much about interviews with external candidates is most reporters and insiders who break that news are currently on vacation.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff noted the trade rumors about Alex DeBrincat that arose after Yzerman was moved out of his role as GM.
The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but Duff doesn’t see him moving on if the Red Wings pay him fair market value to stay put.
Duff believes DeBrincat wants to remain in Detroit. He’s a Michigan native surrounded by family, and he loves playing for the Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrincat is earning an AAV of $7.875 million on his current contract. Since joining the Wings in 2023-24, he’s been their leading goal scorer with 107 total goals (including 41 goals last season) and sits second in total points with 222.
Fair market value could be around $14 million annually after Leo Carlsson set the market with his $18 million AAV on his new contract. The Wings have the cap space in 2027-28 to re-sign him, but that will depend on what they consider fair market value.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators and winger Drake Batherson are far apart in their contract extension talks.
Batherson, 28, is in the final season of a six-year contract with an AAV of $4.975 million. He’ll be UFA-eligible next July. Garrioch indicates that some league executives believe he could command between $10 million and $11 million annually.
According to Garrioch, Batherson wants to stay with the Senators, and they want to keep him. However, finding an acceptable salary number will be difficult.
One league insider told Garrioch that the Batherson camp could use winger Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings as one comparable. Alex Tuch of the Washington Capitals could be another.
The Senators also hope to open contract extension talks with Artem Zub. Like Batherson, the 30-year-old defenseman is eligible for UFA status next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since his full-time NHL debut in 2020-21, Batherson sits third among the Senators scorers with 143 goals and 202 assists for 345 points. He’ll draw plenty of interest in next summer’s UFA market, especially if most of the top stars in next summer’s class re-sign with their current clubs.
Kempe signed an eight-year deal last fall with the Kings worth an AAV of $10.625 million. Tuch inked an eight-year contract on June 24 in a sign-and-trade with the Buffalo Sabres worth $10.5 million annually.
I am surprised that the wings haven’t sorted out the GM mess yet. Usually the steps fall into place quickly so you can get back to ‘normal’.
If an internal name was going to replace Yzerman you would think they would have had that all sorted out and announce it at the same time as when they ‘relieved’ Yzerman of the role. If they were going external, names should be out there by now. Weird situation imo.
If Debrincat wants to stay they should retain him.
As for Batherson – tuch/kempe seem like fair comps. And 10 to 11 seems market value.
The 2026-26 NHL season starts two months from today…9/29. The Red Wings are starting to look like a real mess and time is running out to resolve key issues by then.
It’s looking as though Detroit’s front office is a mess. They waited at least two years too long to replace Yzerman, but also too late this summer as it’s reasonable to think the best candidates are already in positions. Now, since I’m a Blue Jackets fan, I welcome anything that upsets Detroit’s improvement track. Even so, one wonders just what Detroit’s ownership is thinking.
“Yzerman is handling the day-to-day management duties until his successor is found.”
That seals it, you won’t hear a peep from Larkin till Stevie is “uninvolved”.
I still cannot believe people are knocking down Yzerman on this Larkin crap. The fact of the matter is Larkin is a princess – sometimes you got to look in the mirror – do your job – weren’t the red wings in top form at the end of January- where was your captain – too busy talking with his buddies on other teams –
Get real – I agree with Yzerman
If Larkin doesn’t expand his list – you are not getting traded –
It seems wrong to have the Senators featured, above, and not see any comments from George O.
Sure does
I think George is on summer vacation to the northern fishing camp off the grid. Probably being devoured by deer/horse flies.
10+ for Batherson is a tad rich for me. He disappears. A LOT. I’d be fine with 8.5 x 4. Limited no trade. He’s also won the green jacket in the NHL. While his 2 way play has improved. It hasn’t improved to 10 million plus territory. I’m sure it’ll get done. He probably also believes he was on a team friendly deal. And that may be true. But the team also put up with his warts. And his disappearing act in the playoffs didn’t help either.
Zub….is getting old quick. No more than 4 years. Not not a huge raise. He got some unexpected points last year but that was a figment. Don’t price yourself off that blue line.
You are not going to get Batherson for 8.5 @4. He has gotten better every year. His defensive game has gotten better, he’s big skilled. he’s going to get in the neighborhood of 10.5 @ 6 I believe he’s been on a steal of a contract for the last two years and will want to get paid. I personally think he deserves it and would pay that much for him.
Heh. Dark G. No. I wish. Been checking in now and then (old habits die HARD), but been preoccupied with getting audited by Revenue Canada … related to medical expenditures claimed, primarily those dealing with my wife who is in long-term care with dementia and with all sorts of expenses piling up.
Thankfully, my taxes were filed through H&R Block who handle all aspects of the audit. Still a pain in the ass checking and double-checking (and getting MORE copies of invoices, etc.). I just wonder when was the last time they audited a billionaire? LOL.
Re Batherson … and as I say, old habits indeed die hard … I have been sort of following what they have been doing – or rumored to be doing so far over the summer … he only turns 29 next April and is a 6′ 3″ 210-lb RW … one of the most sought-after of the wing positions by Ottawa … who just finished a season of 74gp 34g 33a 67 pts. If they don’t get him re-signed they’re looking for TWO RWers who can put the puck in the net.
And speaking iof the “right side” – Zub is a coveted, experienced RD (Hell, even a UFA RD they let walk – Nick Jensen who turn s 36 in September – has been signed by Anaheim for TWO years at an AAV of $2.25 mil per!) and Zub is only 31, coming off a cap hit of $4.6 mil.
Nor are those two the only pending UFAs next year. So, depending upon whether the team is in the thick of things, or fading out of sight as the trade deadline approaches, there’s the question of their other 5 UFAs (assuming they’re still with the team at that point): LW Burakovsky (age 32 – $5.5 mil), LW/C Foegele (turns 31 in April – $3.5 mil), RW/LW Amadio (turns 31 in May – $2.6 mil), LW/RW Giroux (age 39 – $2 mil), and RD/LD Matinpalo (age 28 – $875,000).
Of course, if the team is doing well, Staios will attempt to re-sign the ones he really wishes to retain – and at what he deems to be “fair” cap hits – while some – if indeed not all – may wish to test the UFA waters regardless of how the team is doing, given that this will likely become their last contract – for the most part.
Welcome back, George.
Good to see you back George. We missed you.
Those old habits that are hard to shrug off – despite my stated intentions back in early July – have included frequent checking of Puckpedia to see if Staios has made and further moves, and the more I scan through the Ottawa line-up there, I become more convinced than ever that another deal by Staios is a certainty. And I base this on two distinct possibilities:
1) the first involves the team’s depth at C and the chatter that, in the pursuit of more offensive output from the RW, Cozens will be moved there on the 1st line, with Pinto moving up to the 2nd line C position – so
1st line – Eklund ($5.6 mil) – Stutzle ($8.35 mil) – Cozens ($7.2 mil)
2nd line – Burakovsky ($5.5 mil) – Pinto ($7.5 mil) – Batherson ($4.975 mil).
In that scenario, the other two lines would likely be:
3rd line – Zetterlund ($4.275 mil) OR Foegele ($3.5 mil) – Greig ($3.25 mil) – Giroux ($2 mil)
4th line – Zetterlund OR Foegele – Cousins ($1,587,500) – Amadio ($2.6 mil).
2) on the other hand, if Cozens DOESN’T move to RW, and barring a trade to obtain a scorer for that side, the 4 lines would probably be:
1st Eklund – Stutzle – Batherson
2nd Burakovsky – Cozens – Zetterlund
3rd Foegele OR Grieg – Pinto – Giroux
4th Cousins OR Grieg – Halliday – Amadio
Even the D has obvious questions. The top 2 pairings and half the 3rd are likely set: Sanderson/Zub, Chabot/Spence and Kleven alongside either Matinpalo or Yakemchuk .with the other becoming the 7th D or in the press box. But what’s the point of having either Matinpalo or Yakemchuk sitting in the press box or dressed as a 7th D with limited ice-time? The latter does have AHL options left, but the talk seems to be he has shown enough improvement in his skating and defensive-zone coverage to elevate to the NHL level. Would another year starting in Belleville do him good – or stagnate his development?
At least Ullmark-Ersson seem set as the goalie tandem, which means Merilainen has to be kept up as a 3rd goalie, or face having him claimed off waivers!
That’s why I figure there’s 2 bodies too many and so there almost HAS to be at least one (or two?) more deals involving one of Greig, Foegele or Cousins and possibly Merilainen. If someone sees a way they can keep all … and that they can get decent ice-time in doing so … please enlighten! In the meantime, I’m getting a headache! LOL.
Awww, I knew you couldn’t stay away, George! You missed us too much! 😉
Hey George, glad you’re back. Getting audited sucks.
I’ll peg Ottawa for over 100 pts this year and continued improvement, even with Tkachuk gone.
Unfortunately it might still mean a WC spot as the Atlantic is a beast.
The huge sense of urgency in Detroit is coming from the fans and the media. They want everything to happen yesterday. Then they will complain and say the wings rushed the new hire if they don’t like the new guy. If Edvinsson was interested in an offer sheet it would have already happened. It’s summer and there is still plenty of time to get things in order.
Yes and no Ed. Camp opens in about 6 weeks.
To bring in a new Gm, get them up to speed (if external), presumably handle both the edvinsson and larkin situations, seek improvements, look at PTOs etc and prep for camp etc is not all that much time.
I understand that fans want things done quick but this summer has been a mess for wings fans and there doesnt seem to be any urgency from the team to get to mopping it up.
I agree with Ed, and don’t think it’s a mess at all. They have a GM until they find a replacement, his name is Steve.
There is nothing to do with Larkin, the list he submitted won’t work. He needs to add, or one of Minny or Florida need to give the Wings the return that will make the deal happen. Boldy or Lundell plus. Until they do, Steve can hang with the family, play golf, fish or whatever he likes to do in the summer.
Edvinsson deal will get done, Detroit just won’t overpay and it will be fair.
Just because Briere and the Flyers make stupid contract offers doesn’t mean the rest of the GM’s have to.
Just because Larkin decided to point a gun at the Wings and then tie their hands with regards to options doesn’t mean the Wings have to do anything, there is a contract in place. Larkin made a decision, now the Wings get to make a decision that they think is best for the Wings. It’s no more complicated than that.
I hope that Illich doesn’t over ride Yzerman now, and hope the new guy takes the same approach. Put the ball back in Larkin’s court to make a choice. Play, sit or expand your list.
Larkin is out and about enjoying the off season and doesn’t seem concerned about it, why would the Wings be?
Except Ray Bark:
10 years no playoffs, a very unremarkable summer with no club improvements (and no reason for optimism that next season will be better than the last), an unsigned young player when there is very little other business to attend to (this i admit is nothing more than a nuisance at best but it is still on the pile) the captain wants out and a GM no longer the GM still sitting as acting GM and by all acounts little if any movement in replacing him.
Its a mess.
1Oilerfan, I don’t think it’s a mess because I think Yzerman is a good GM and proved it in TBay. Hasn’t gone as well as expected in Detroit and he got pushed upstairs, fair enough, that risk comes with the job. We’re not talking about someone in way over their head here.
He’s been there for 6 years, not 10.
And he knows the game, you don’t captain teams to 3 cups without that knowledge. He mentored under one of the most successful in Ken Holland. Nill was also their then.
Detroit doesn’t suck, they’re close. Larkin just made it tougher and likely make it take longer.
Larkin’s a goof, whatever. He wants to play hardball, back at ya. You can’t make a totally one sided deal, you just can’t. Easy decision IMO.
Edvinsson will get signed. RFA’s often take longer and sometimes right up to training camp. There are plenty still unsigned.
Gauthier, Graf, Fantilli, Nikishin to name a few. Are those teams a mess? No, they’re not, just the process as the agent and GM’s play chicken as neither side is in a rush. Happens every year.
This is not the time for Detroit to get panicky and succumb to outside pressure.
The actual big decision is the strategy moving forward if you assume Larkin leaves. That convo has definitely happened. Wait for him to expand list so can move for high quality prospects & picks, move DeBrincat too for same and build around a younger core or try and stay competitive for a playoff spot right now.
Agree with #1 oil-fan,
Larkin is within his rights, but he is pausing in expanding the list because he may be back. The new guy will have a talk with him.
Larkin never wanted to get outta Detroit, he just doesn’t want to work for Stevie. Will he work for Drapper or Horcoff…..maybe not. 6 weeks to get off the pot!!
Larkin is gone. Especially being the captain. How can the locker room fully accept him again ?
Well if he stays Johnny all is well in Detroit. If true it’s kinda weird that he needed Yzerman gone though, how often do signed players interact directly with the GM?
Maybe more than I think.
If Larkin goes back I think it will be OK, he was skating with DeBincat I hear. Players can separate those things. They may feel he is being an A-hole with his trade demand and unreasonable list, just like I do, but it’s in everyone’s interest to play well and win games.
If it’s that bad he can expand his list.
I’ll say this, if DeBrincat is “worth” $14M annually, the NHL is going to be in a world of hurt cap-wise as more top 6 players become free agents in the coming years.
That Leo offer sheet may really have broken hockey free agency going forward.
Celebrini just extended for 5 x $18.8M.
Celebrini 45G, 115 Points.
Leo 29G, 67 Points at $18M/year.
Leo better double his point production this year so the “comps” with other 70 point players are put back in perspective.
Leo wasn’t signed to that deal in hopes his offensive production doubles. Leo was signed because he is an elite two way player . Which is very rare at 21 years old.
Carlsson will be Barkov only better. I would think he’s more of an 80 point guy (maybe 80-100) rather than a 120 point guy.
All that being said, I posted here 2-3 days before he was offered sheeted , not understanding why there was literally zero talk of an offer sheet on any rumor page.
I’ll take Carlsson over Celebrini , Mcdavids all day every day. Probably not going to be a popular opinion. But the Barkov’s / Kopitars stack cups / rings while the Mcdavids and Celebrinis stack personal hardware and stats.
True story!
Fair point Captain. And I too have a great appreciation for Barkov and Kopitar, and will add in Bergeron.
You can throw any of those guys over the boards against the other teams best and come out of it better most of the time. Which is the point of the game. Score more than the other guy, and 1-0 is fine.
But I do think McDavid gets all the way there, and he was super close in 2025 and 2024 especially in the playoffs. Even though this year he took a step back.
Celibrini too, although he has further to go as a 20 yr old, he is well on his way to being a dominant 2 way guy. That team just needs to grow up. Look at his +/- compared to the rest of his team, and his possession # vs rest of his team. Outstanding.
I don’t decry anybody getting the best deal, or the money they believed they are owed. Celebrini and the San Jose Sharks have agreed to a five-year, $94-million contract extension, that’s $18.8-million average annual value. My question is, how do you build a balanced/deep team? Salary concentrated in very few players doesn’t help team construction, exhibit A: TML. Just my thoughts.
Agree.
TML were the example over the last 4-5 years. They overpaid for offense and the D suffered.
Edm too with so much tied up in McD, Leon, and Bouchard and they couldn’t fix their goalie issues (and that’s even with McD already giving a discount.)
Anaheim might be then next example if they give Gauthier $15M+ on top of Leo’s $18M and then they can’t round out their D core.
Going to be interesting to see how GM’s juggle the cap as new free agents continue to demand the “new market value”.
And soon Minny if they are going to pay Quinn $15M+ on top of Kiril’s $17M.
If you look at their projected lines and depth chart, it’s pretty thin right now after those 2 and Boldy – – who luckily is locked up at “only” $7M for another 4 years.
Briere will have a tough time being invited anywhere in the NHL.Good luck trying to make a deal with other GMS!Many of the players whose contracts run out when they get in the 30 s got screwed.Those 8 year deals aren t looking so good now.
Agree with #1 oil-fan,
Larkin is within his rights, but he is pausing in expanding the list because he may be back. The new guy will have a talk with him.
Larkin never wanted to get outta Detroit, he just doesn’t want to work for Stevie. Will he work for Drapper or Horcoff…..maybe not.
DRWs you have 6 weeks to get off the pot!!
Wow that’s way too much! Celebrini 18 million a year?!?! How are any teams expect to have a successful run with that kind of money being thrown about. Greedy owners and Agents.
Just saw an interesting post on Twitter. As a % of the Cap, these are the contracts of some top players coming off their entry level deal:
Crosby: $8.7M in 2008 was 15.3% of cap at the time.
McDavid: $12.5M in 2018 was 15.7% of the cap.
Celebrini’s new deal will be 16.6% of the cap when it kicks in for the 2027/28 season.
So it’s not far off.
I guess the important question becomes: will the NHL continue to see revenue and cap growth moving forward at the same levels they experiencing right now?
Having said all that, it still becomes very hard for a GM/team to construct a true Cup contender with so much cap poured into just a small core of players.
Unless you’re the Hurricanes.
SY isnt a bad GM, but he made a major mistake in trying to get out of the rebuild 1-2 years to early, they needed at least one more top 5 pick
Welcome back George 😀
GeorgeO,been kind of boring without your presence!
Yes, now we can all do our happy dance! 🎉🕺💃