NHL Rumor Mill – July 31, 2026
Check out the latest on Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider and Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano was recently asked whether the New York Rangers would offer defenseman Braden Schneider to the Seattle Kraken in exchange for center Shane Wright.
New York Rangers defenseman Braden Schneider (NHL Images).
Mercogliano believes the Rangers would like to leverage Schneider into forward help. Given the few “sure-fire options” in the trade market, it might have to be for a reclamation project such as Wright. He also wondered about “defense-needy teams” like the Anaheim Ducks, Calgary Flames, and San Jose Sharks, and “change-of-scenery” candidates such as Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Connor Zary of the Flames.
Rangers general manager Chris Drury could be content to stick with Schneider until the right deal comes along. It could be revisited at the March 1 trade deadline or next summer, when the 25-year-old blueliner will be a restricted free agent again.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers currently don’t have to rush into moving Schneider for a forward. Drury can take his time and wait for the right opportunity, perhaps from one of those clubs Mercogliano mentioned.
Still, unless Schneider improves his stock to the point where the Rangers would prefer to keep him, he’ll likely remain the subject of trade rumors this season.
RG.ORG: Daria Tuboltseva reports defenseman Alexander Nikishin is staying out of contract negotiations with the Carolina Hurricanes, preferring to let his agents handle it.
Nikishin, 24, is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He is ineligible to receive an offer sheet because he hasn’t played the required number of NHL games.
The young defenseman had a solid NHL debut last season, with 33 points in 81 regular-season games. However, his role diminished during the Hurricanes’ run to the Stanley Cup, with one assist in 17 games as his ice time fell from 18:11 per game to 14:50.
Nikishin became the subject of trade rumors following the playoffs, but he said he hasn’t reacted to them. “Trade rumors are normal for us,” he said. He didn’t say whether he hopes to sign a long-term contract, but he noted that player contracts are getting bigger.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The New York Rangers were reportedly very interested in Nikishin, but their acquisitions of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi likely take them out of the bidding. It was recently reported that the St. Louis Blues had the young defenseman on their radar, but it depends on the Hurricanes’ asking price.
Why do the Rangers want to move Schneider ? Young mobile D. Certainly behind Fox but as good as any other on that squad
I like the Flames D . Bahl Middleton and Whitecloud are solid. If the young guns pan out
I would consider one of the best in the not too distant future
Nikishin got rocked early in the playoffs. Like lights out and surely concussed. Was not the same after that
Schneider has been inconsistent and to my eyes regressed somehow.
Rangers also have a bunch of Righthanded D in the system… Scott Morrow, EJ Emery etc
Schneider had shoulder surgery last off seasont to fix torn labrum he had been playing with. Always liked him and was hoping they’d trade Borgen before him. Did not figure on adding Durzi. 1 year deal for 5.5m pretty much sealed his fate here. Arbitration eligible next year and can’t see him cracking top 4 or NY paying him to play 3rd pair. I think he could be top 4 elsewhere, but not Seattle. Larsson and Montour at RD for next 3-4 seasons. Dunn and Lindgren on left side. Would they trade 1 of them? Rangers don’t need to move Schneider right now unless you’re packaging him to CBJj for Marchenko. Probably not happening either.
That hit, which came courtesy of 6′ 5″ 230-lbs LD Tyler Kleven confirmed, in Nikishin’s mind, the league-wide advice to keep your head up if he’s on the ice because it can be like “running into a brick wall.”
Another D prospect in the Ottawa system, 19 y/o 6’ 7” 220lbs Gabriel Eliasson, ex of the Barrie Colts of the OHL (taken 39th overall in the 2nd round), is looking to emulate Kleven in his development, which begins this season in Belleville.
Never mind them, George. Keep your head up when Hutson’s on the ice. He hit a kid in his last year in the NCAA and that kid is now orbiting the earth!
Schneider and lafenriere to Dallas for Robertson ??
Big gamble on what might be a 1-year rental.
What if:
Verbeek signs Cutter to a $13.5M x 5 contract then;
He trades Carlsson and one of Kreider/Kilorn in a cap cutting move to Detroit for Larkin and Faulk and and Mazur?
Larkin could have better production than Carlsson in the next 2 years at half the cost, Carlsson would eventually be the face of Red Wings and has the cap space to get another big name to join him next year.
None of that will happen because Gauthier is not going to take $13.5. The Ducks will not be trading Carlsson either.
I believe they can’t trade Carlsson for at least one year`
Oh yeah! You are sooo right! 🫢
I’m so confused on the narrative on Shane Weight. A reclamation project?? For a kid who had a solid junior career, a great rookie season in the AHL, and a solid rookie season in the NHL. I think that is pretty impressive when you think that he lost a couple of development years due to COVID. Plus he plays a premium position.
Like a lot of rookies do they take a step backwards in the 2nd year.
Slavkovsky had 10 points in his rookie and then back to back 50 point season before his breakout season last year.
To be fair to wright may be we should allow him a couple more years before he is labeled a reclamation project.
Slavkovskly also has a better chance to thrive as he is on a far superior offensive team than wright is Seattle.
Let’s bet on this kid and stop the negative narratives.