NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2026
Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Senators winger Drake Batherson, and Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE SHEET WITH JEFF MAREK: ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski weighed in on Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Wyshynski said he’s been in the “Sid’s gonna play somewhere else business for a long time.” He’d love to see Crosby join his friend Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche, or become the elder statesman for his childhood team, the Montreal Canadiens.
However, the more Crosby is in Pittsburgh, the more Wyshynski feels that the future Hall of Famer will stay there and finish his career as a “one-team guy.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wyshynski wasn’t the only pundit wondering about Crosby’s future in Pittsburgh over the past couple of years.
The Penguins exceeded expectations last season by reaching the playoffs, silencing calls for Crosby to move on. That chatter could resume if the Penguins struggle this season, but it will probably be half-hearted.
Every indication is that Crosby intends to finish his career with the Penguins. Barring a significant change in his relationship with the club, he’s there to stay.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports we’ll learn by next week whether Drake Batherson and the Senators can agree to an eight-year contract extension.
Batherson, 28, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Garrioch reports the winger wants to stay in Ottawa and the Senators want to keep him. However, they have until Sept. 15 to get a deal done for the current maximum of eight years.
After that date, the maximum term drops to seven years for re-signing players, and from seven years to six for unrestricted free agents.
Garrioch reports a gap remains between the two sides. Batherson’s current average annual value is $4.95 million. Garrioch cited sources claiming the winger’s camp could seek a deal comparable to Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe ($10.625 million AAV) or Washington Capitals winger Alex Tuch ($10.5 million AAV).
The Senators don’t want to lose Batherson, especially after trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in June. However, Garrioch believes there’s a sense that Batherson could head to free agency next July if a new deal isn’t in place when the Senators open their season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 3.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basically, no change in the Batherson situation. However, talks could pick up now that he’s back in Ottawa for training camp, which opens later this week.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports multiple league sources claim that Mason Lohrei is drawing trade interest around the league again.
Murphy indicated that the 25-year-old Boston Bruins defenseman was in play last season when the club looked into acquiring Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley noted Murphy’s report, adding that Lohrei popped up on Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos’ trade board earlier this summer. Studley noted that Lohrei told NHL.com’s Belle Fraser that his goal this season is to play all 84 games with the Bruins and improve his game.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have a crowded blueline, which could result in one of their defensemen getting traded, perhaps in a deal to address another roster need.
Lohrei’s youth, affordable contract, and potential as a puck-moving defenseman could make him an enticing trade target.
You can never have enough defence-men.
Lohrei is also big physical with a bit of nasty streak. Reasonably priced and All that development investment. Why do they want to move him?
H Lindholm and McAvoy won’t play 84 and likely to miss time at some point
SilverSeven, I gather the main reason is that, considering that the Bruins’ LD situation is the one position that can be described as “crowded” they therefor view Lohrei as a valuable, young asset who could be included in a deal to strengthen a position lacking depth – namely their top 6 F group – especially at the C position.
He may be big but he’s not very physical, not mean at all, and gets beat one on one. Has offensive skills though. Not a big fan of huge defencemen that play like a small Defenceman! Bruins have had too many of those over the years
Well, Jack, if that’s the all-round general perception of Lohrei … good luck trying to find a taker prepared to give you anything of any real value.
I agree with Jack, not sure where SilverSeven has seen Lohrei play aggressive or “big”, I think that’s always been the problem with him in the Bruins eyes, he has the physical attributes but rarely displays them. I think after 4 years it’s safe to say that its not in his character, he’s certainly no Charlie McAvoy in front of the net. I’d imagine they regularly toss his name out there to see if they can sell high on his potential and get a decent return. They’re not going to want to pay him anything more than a 5-6 salary.
Silver.
He is not mean but soft with some upside in offense. His defensive play need work and that is exactly why he’s in the rumours mill.
Obviously you don’t watch the Bruins ( I watch everyone) Lohrei absolutely lacks physicality and a mean streak unless you consider his 30 Hits and 20 Pims in 73 games physical and mean guy gets knocked over and out muscled by smaller opponents constantly. Bruins also have 10 Dmen in camp require waivers to be sent down.
It wouldn’t surprise me if Batherson didn’t get a contract signed till July.
Ottawa doesn’t want to sign him for 8 years or 7 years.
July 1st he’s UFA and it’s a 6 year max which would still take him to 35y/o.
Bingo.
Wouldn’t it be better for both sides to do an 8 year deal with a lower AAV? Tuch is older and got 8×10.5m. Comparable offensive numbers. If Batherson has another season like he just had or better, those numbers go up next July. Probably more like 6x12m. Maybe more.
Yeah, but I’m not for mortgaging the future based upon a “what if.” What if he DOESN’T repeat that … or even come close? Huberdeau sure as Hell didn’t in Calgary.
What if applies to anyone’s future. Batherson has been a durable, consistent player that I’d bet on. If you can limit trade clauses and bonuses you could structure so final couple of years are buy-out/trade friendly.
A 6 year deal for Batherson in July would probably take the Sens out of the equation. He is saying all the same things Alex Tuch said to the Sabres. This will make Batherson an own rental unless they crater out of the playoffs. He would fetch a nice return at the deadline then. Of course a season ending injury to him would really make for an interesting situation.
Gary,
I like the player, love to have him on the Habs but not at the term and dollars he wants.
At the end of the day I think he likes Ottawa, I think Staios will be able to point to the Habs and talk him down from his position.
If not, there might be some GM out there ready to do something stupid.
Crosby isn’t going anywhere. He has a ton of accomplishments behind him, almost legendary. Why would he risk going somewhere else with the possibility of falling short? We all know nothing is for sure in the NHL these days.
I am sticking to this.
Anyone who thought Crosby was ever going to leave Pittsburgh doesn’t know much about him or the city.
Never say never. What if his numbers start declining? What if he gets hurt? Lots of things could derail Pens season. Sid might decide to retire. If they’re out of playoffs he could agree to go elsewhere for a final Jorah.
I agree with DMR. Crosby is a Pittsburgh guy. He’s staying.
Heh, Slick62 … didn’t you just remind me a few slots above that “What if applies to anyone’s future.”?
Boston signed Minton to a 7 year deal with an AAV of 7.2m. 35 points in his 1st full season? Going back to yesterday’s conversation, I don’t think Lafreniere salary would keep Rangers from being able to trade him if they chose to.
I like the kid, but this seems abit rich for the player. Leafs should be prohibited from ever trading with the Bruins again.
Agree seems rich but, teams seem confident cap will continue to rise and these deals could end up being steals. 7.2 though? After 1 year of 3rd line numbers? Boston must really like him.
Should Batherson be the higest paid in Ottawa if all things were equal? No.
But the timing of his free agency and the current market/cap conditions across the league mean he is going to get around 8x$10.
And he’ll be the highest paid Senator until the next top guy hits his free agent window and gets an even bigger contract.
Look at it this way. If you let Batherson walk because you don’t want to pay 8x$10M, you aren’t finding anything better in free agency to replace that level of production for a lower AAV.
Frasier Minton just got $7M plus for having 40 points in 107 games. The landscape of contracts moving forward has totally changed, and that makes Batherson worth the investments, especially if he is one of the few who WANTS to be in Ottawa.
Brilliant deduction by Boo-Boo The Stenographer … last day for 8-year terms is next Tuesday, so we will know by then whether the Sens can extend Batherson.
Or want to.
I like the Minten signing. His all round game is really good. He may not have the offensive ability to be ranked in the elite category, but he can contribute offensive’s , together with good faceoff numbers, good +/-, good hitting, good support and defensive coverage and decent size.
Regarding Lohrei, I doubt that he alone gets them an NHL player you would call an upgrade, but you could package him in a trade, you could trade him for a decent prospect, or for draft capital.
That’s a big commitment to a third line forward
I have a feeling Brunet will be taking his (Lohrei) place. This kid was the fastest skater on Providence last season 6 3 210 big his defense is every bit as impressive as his offense. Minton’s a good player maybe a little too much money but they obviously believe in him. Still think the bs need a#1 centre.
This is why it is a priority to move Lohrei and Jokiharju. I really don’t want them to send Aspirot to the minors as they will loose him to waivers. Same goes for Brunet. So they need to make room for these guys on the roster who are overall upgrades.
Brunet contract makes him providence bound. Can not risk losing on waiver wire Bruins gave too many nhl players on q1 way deals so something has to give
The big money being thrown around for young players and potential superstars is getting ridiculous. Minten has had one season in Boston. Sweeney backs up the Brinks truck for him but won’t sign Poitras to a one way deal. Lohrei is still young and has some offensive upside. Anyone remember Paul Coffey? Ya same type of player. Crappy defensively yet a great skater with offensive instincts you can’t teach. How many cups did he win?
Frankly I tire of the Sweeney show, and I’ve been among the most patient, but he’s skating on thin ice after Adams was brought in.
Sign Poitras to a two year two million dollar deal, because if you lose him, it will be a big mistake. Do something, ANYTHING to show your own draft picks you are not a total moron Don.