NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2026
A look at the remaining notable UFA players, plus the latest on Alexander Nikishin and Shane Wright in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE NOTABLE REMAINING UFA PLAYERS
SPORTSNET: On Friday, Luke Fox looked at the top players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.
Anthony Mantha topped the list. The 31-year-old winger had a career-best performance (31 goals, 33 assists, 64 points) last season with the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he has a history of injuries and inconsistency.
Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).
According to Fox, the Montreal Canadiens, Buffalo Sabres, St. Louis Blues, and Winnipeg Jets are still in the market for wingers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Montreal claim the Canadiens prefer to address their roster needs through the trade market. The Jets made a noteworthy foray into the UFA market this week, signing defenseman Mario Ferraro.
The Detroit Red Wings would welcome back Patrick Kane, but the 38-year-old winger appears headed to his fourth NHL team. Fox claimed Kane is reportedly working on a contract with his hometown team, the Buffalo Sabres.
Logan Stanley, 28, is still weighing his options. The big defenseman is reportedly seeking a four- or five-year contract worth $25 million.
Winger Eeli Tolvanen, 27, was believed to be weighing offers of four or five years.
The Ottawa Senators are leaving the door open for Claude Giroux. However, the 38-year-old winger reportedly received interest from the Canadiens, Colorado Avalanche, and Philadelphia Flyers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said there’s no confirmation yet that Giroux was about to return to the Flyers. That’s probably because they’ve been busy signing Leo Carlsson to an expensive offer sheet worth $18 million annually. If they succeed, they might not have enough cap space to bring Giroux back to Philadelphia.
Friedman also weighed in on Vladimir Tarasenko, wondering if the Edmonton Oilers might take a look at the 34-year-old winger.
Fox also heard that the New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild were reportedly considering taking on winger Patrik Laine as a project.
UPDATES ON NIKISHIN AND WRIGHT
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the St. Louis Blues are taking a long look at Alexander Nikishin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Carolina Hurricanes indicated two weeks ago that they were open to moving Nikishin. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He is ineligible to receive an offer sheet.
The New York Rangers were reportedly keen on acquiring him. However, that may have changed following their recent additions of Marcus Pettersson and Sean Durzi.
Friedman also indicated that Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright is a player to watch. According to his agent, Kurt Overhardt, the Kraken have agreed to move the 22-year-old Wright this summer to a team seeking a top young center.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wright surfaced in the rumor mill before the March trade deadline, but nothing came of it. The fourth-overall pick in the 2022 NHL draft, he’s struggled to establish himself as the “top young center” that his agent considers him to be.
The Kraken reportedly seeks a fair price and won’t be rushed into moving Wright. Still, he could be an affordable gamble for a club looking for promising depth at center.
Shane Wright, “top young center”.
Good one, lol
teams still need a third line center but thats what… tops a 2nd round pick
Wonder if Verbeek goes the easy route and matches offer for Carlson or maybe take the 4 draft picks add a decent prospect and try to get Larkin from Detroit?
I think he matches but with Verbeek you never know.
considering Verbeek hired Quenneville last offseason, to get advance the franchise, I can’t see how Verbeek lets Carlsson go. After trading MacTavish the team (and Zegras last offseason) they don’t have a lot of depth at center (beyond the aging Granlund). But keeping JC is going to raise the price to keep Cutter Gauthier. And will probably force the team to trade Pavel Mintyukov, weakening their defense depth after already trading Zellweger.
Not a fan of Overhardt. Wright is not a star but he will demand top money like he is . Good luck
Not passing the eye test for me and likely another top prospect that did not pan out as hoped
Remember a “One” is never “Done” and he will still end up with a NHL career .
Calgary needs any centres and will look at him but should have no interest in Laine.
I’m surprised Henrique’s name hasn’t been mentioned much. I know his production dropped significantly last year but that was largely due to injury.
He could bring value to a team looking to add experience and versatility for cheap.
Another team that might consider dickering with Claude Giroux are the Oilers
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-claude-giroux-ottawa-senators
If it was me I let Mr 18m walk and take the picks to get Larkin. Anaheim could us a better leader and who doesn’t like sunny CA over. DETROIT? Get Larking save some money, sign the other guys and build long term. Philly will be hamstrung with a horrible contract they can’t move for a guy that isn’t even close to a point a game ( with all that talent around him)
AZ clearly not watching Anaheim if you are disregarding his talent so aggressively. Anyone with eyes can see what he is. A monster in the making. Cornerstone player.
100% agree.
This guy is grossly underrated. Grossly.
Shane Wright, I’d take a chance on him.
As for his value, he wouldn’t get an offer sheet as Barrett Hayton did if he was RFA this year, and that costs a 2nd round pick to match.
That’s the most Seattle could hope for.
My comparison for Shane Wright is Jack Roslovic. If he follows his career path,Don t buy a house,you won t be there long!
Heh … yeah … simply can’t see the ongoing fascination with this Happy Wanderer Bachelor – now on his 6th team since coming into the league more-or-less full-time with Winnipeg 9 seasons ago!
Habsfan30 – 100% percent on Wright.
He has had 3 coaches already in Seattle, had a very strong first full season under bylsma with 44 pts and was poised to break out but under lambert was deployed differently it seems often in the bottom 6 role where….on a team like Kraken…points would not easy to come by. But notable to me, on a team with a negative goal differential he still has a positive plus minus.
Maybe the ducks take a gander if they walk back from Leo? Idk.