NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2026
Check out the latest on Dylan Larkin, Morgan Rielly, and Jake DeBrusk in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
RED WINGS SEEK MATT BOLDY IN RETURN FOR DYLAN LARKIN
PUCK GONE WILD: Chris Schad recently cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, who claimed the Detroit Red Wings “would have no problem” trading center Dylan Larkin to the Minnesota Wild if they got Matt Boldy in return.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Larkin, 29, included the Wild on his three-team list of destinations when he requested a trade last month.
According to Kypreos, apart from Boldy, there is nothing else that Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman is interested in.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yzerman reportedly seeks a return with a good young NHL player for Larkin. Boldy won’t fill the Red Wings’ need for a first-line center once Larkin is traded, but he would address their need for a top-six winger.
Nevertheless, it’s unlikely that the Wild would part with Boldy for Larkin; otherwise, that trade would’ve happened by now. The Wild see themselves as a Stanley Cup contender with Boldy on the same line as their new first-line center. He also has terrific chemistry with superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov, so they’re not going to mess around with that.
It remains to be seen how the Larkin situation is resolved and whether the Wild will be his destination. However, they won’t part with Boldy to get him.
THE LATEST ON MORGAN RIELLY
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports there is nothing imminent regarding a trade for defenseman Morgan Rielly. Nevertheless, GM John Chayka and Rielly’s agent, J.P. Barry, will continue to try to get something done.
Rielly, 32, isn’t beating down Chayka’s door demanding a trade, and the Leafs GM has no desire to give him away for nothing. If a move takes place, it’ll be a hockey trade involving a player who can help the Maple Leafs.
If no trade happens this summer, Rielly will report to the Maple Leafs training camp in preparation for his 13th NHL season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: So far, there is no sign that there are teams with serious interest in Rielly. Based on Chayka’s recent remarks, he has no issue with the veteran blueliner being in the Leafs lineup when the regular season begins in October.
UPDATE ON JAKE DEBRUSK
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug reported Wednesday that there was no dialogue between the Vancouver Canucks and Jake DeBrusk about waiving his no-trade clause. For now, it looks like he’s staying.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I missed this during the blizzard of activity in the free-agent and trade markets on July 1. Since then, there’s no sign that this situation has changed for DeBrusk, but we’re still early in the offseason. The 29-year-old winger could draw more interest now that the free-agent market has been picked nearly clean of quality talent.
DeBrusk is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $5.5 million. He has a full no-movement clause but is reportedly open to waiving it to go to a contender. A playoff club seeking a second-line winger could come calling.
It seems Larkin has overplayed his hand. He either has to give more teams or play. And I wouldnt trade Boldly either
Strange that De Brusk hasnt got more suitors with a history of scoring and a good contract. As for Rielly, he is still a top 4 D and the contract isnt terrible, I wouldnt give him away either
I wonder if Pettersson at 9,5 for Appleton, the lesser of Kasper/Danielson and a 2nd from Detroit would do it? However I doubt Pettersson would waive for Detroit
Kent: IMO Larkin has misread the market and will have to expand his list. But Vancouver is nowhere close to a playoff contender, which is what Larkin seeks.
You missunderstood the comment, the proposed trade is separate from any Larkin trade, maybe I was not clear enough
He’s frustrated over the GM not being able to build a winner. Larkin has invested his entire career in Detroit, only to see the team spin their wheels year after year.
I don’t generally like players demanding trades, but I can also understand his frustration with the lack of progress in Hockeytown.
If Larkin really wanted out it would have been kept under the radar since he no “right” to get out of his contract.
He has to put his big boy pants on and play.
What’s he going to do, underperform?
lol that would be an interesting lawsuit or criminal fraud case.
Yzerman has the think end of the bat here as there’s 5 more years of contract left, he can tell Pat Brisson to get his client to waive his NMC and STFU.
Which is exactly what I hope he’ll do.
I think Chayka has done a good job so far with the Leafs. He has a lot of ground to make up, his predecessor did the team no favors.
Y signed other team’s cast-offs on FA day, including Arvidsson (but I liked this signing) because FA’s no longer flock to Detroit or other players will waive their trade protection to go there.
Y is just being belligerent in demanding Boldy in a Larkin trade. It is like demanding Robertson in a Larkin trade, knowing Robo will not sign in Detroit.
The culture needs to change in Detroit, starting with Yzerman and his cronies leaving. Gretzky knew when to throw in the towel on managing, Y needs to do the same.
Patrick Kane looking elsewhere to sign now and there are rumblings that DeBrincat will not re-sign in Detroit.
Time for Stevie to pack up.
In my opinion the Wild should shut down all this #1 center nonsense. Look what they were going to give the Rangers for Trochek. Way more than Utah sent. A player like Zacha (Boston) would be just fine. Stop gutting the picks. Why is Spurgon the sacred cow? If they had traded him for a bag of pucks, they might have had enough for Lee AND maybe P Laine
Tin man
Not sure what you think Guerin was willing to give up for Trochek. If that’s true what reason would there be for Drury to take a lesser deal? Agree he should stick with what he has. Let Stramel and Yurov play. Address needs at next deadline.
In my opinion the Wild should shut down all this #1 center nonsense. Look what they were going to give the Rangers for Trochek. Way more than Utah sent. A player like Zacha (Boston) would be just fine. Stop gutting the picks. Why keep an old expensive d man, If they had traded him for a bag of pucks, they might have had enough for Lee AND maybe P Laine
Tin man my feeling on Boston and Zacha is the following,if they look like a non playoff team he could get a small ransom. A lot depends on the development of Minten and Hagens. Now if you look at their D corps they have 8-9 on NHL contracts.. With Mcavoy out for the first 6 games they will probably play all their D men and evaluate who they want to trade and keep. Also keep in mind that Middlestadt like Zacha is in the last year of his contract so he could be moved. I m glad Sweeney didn t sign Trouba and got Borgen a similar player for 4 million dollars a year less. Looks like an interesting year for Boston who s management team has a lot of pressure from ownership to make the playoffs.
Funny Larkin wants out of Detroit because of Yzerman not making moves to Larkin liking.
Now he wants Yzerman to trade him to a team of his choice for a bag of pucks.
This guy is a joke. If you want out expand your list of teams. Maybe this is why Detroit is not in the playoffs. Their Captain lacks character.
Funny if that were true……….🤔🙄
I wonder if Dubas would have interest in Laine as another reclamation project, and if Laine would be willing to take an incentive laden contract? Seems like a natural fit for the Dubas plan.
I’m beginning to lean that way myself as a result of this Giroux waffling. Let him wait until a “cup contender” comes calling and use the cap space (and bonus additions) to bring in Laine.
I have to admire what Chevy is doing in Winny. He has kept the news of Hellebuyck’s wishes private and has just gone about his business in a quiet manner not playing to the press like the messes in Detroit and Columbus.