NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025
Check out the latest on the Penguins and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TEAMS STILL CALLING ABOUT PENGUINS FORWARDS RUST AND RAKELL
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell “remain considerable commodities on the trade market.” He cited league and Penguins sources claiming “opposing teams still have heavy interest in both wingers.”
Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas doesn’t feel that he needs to trade either winger. They are talented players who enjoy playing in Pittsburgh, team captain Sidney Crosby enjoys being their linemate, and they’re fairly paid.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).
Nevertheless, Yohe cited league sources saying they expect one of them to be traded this summer. He also indicated the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in both players, but instead signed winger Nikolaj Ehlers last week.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggested the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Seattle Kraken as possible trade destinations for Rakell. He also felt the rebuilding San Jose Sharks could be a wild card.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust carries an average annual value of $5.125 million through 2027-28. He had a full no-movement clause until July 1 and now lacks no-trade protection. Rakell is also signed through 2027-28 ($5 million AAV) with an eight-team no-trade list.
Rust seems the easiest to move, but Dubas could give him the choice of potential destinations. We can’t dismiss the possibility of Rakell fetching a better offer from one of the teams not on his no-trade list.
Dubas is trying to rebuild as quickly as possible. His asking price could be a high draft pick or a top prospect bundled with a promising young NHL player.
The Penguins GM can afford to remain patient. If there aren’t any suitable offers for Rust or Rakell this summer, he can try again before the March trade deadline.
CANADIENS ARE STILL SHOPPING IN THE TRADE MARKET
RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens are still trying to make moves in the trade market. On June 27, they acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, and last week shipped defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for gritty winger Zack Bolduc.
D’Amico cited sources claiming the Canadiens are still looking at Blues winger Jordan Kyrou. While his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, he remains a hot topic for teams seeking offense.
The Canadiens are also interested in former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov. They would like to free up some salary cap space before the start of the regular season.
D’Amico also noted some online rumors concerning Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. However, his no-trade clause began on July 1, and the Lightning have no one to replace him.
Mason McTavish has been the subject of offer-sheet speculation. However, D’Amico reports the 23-year-old center doesn’t want to leave the Anaheim Ducks. He also noted teams are reluctant to part with their 2026 first-round picks, which would be necessary as part of the compensation to the Ducks if McTavish were successfully signed away.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues may be willing to listen to offers for Kyrou, but they’re not believed to be shopping Kyrou. Their asking price will be expensive. It could cost the Canadiens a top prospect like Michael Hage or David Reinbacher, their 2026 first-round pick, and a decent roster player.
Kuznetsov played alongside promising Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov in the KHL last year. However, it’s questionable that the 33-year-old center can adequately fill the role of an NHL second-line center. His performance declined significantly during his final NHL campaign in 2023-24. That’s the reason why he ended up playing in Russia last season.
The Cirelli rumor was wishful-thinking nonsense long before his NTC began. He’s among the top two-way centers in the league and was a finalist for the Selke Trophy last season. The Lightning aren’t trading him.
Idle speculation about McTavish’s role with the Ducks blew up into suggestions that he could be a trade or offer-sheet candidate this summer. Like the Cirelli rumor, it was wishful thinking. The Ducks have no reason to trade McTavish; they have the cap space to match any offer sheet, and it’s doubtful any team will overpay to get him.
Kuznetsov to Pitt to play on Malkin line?
Mmhhh interesting..
He is a capital though.so???
Lol
Fair suggestion BUT only up to a certain Cap hit
Pens need to get younger for sure; but if Kuznetsov signs s lowballer contract (unlikely) then that would work
Pens.AGreed look for Mcgroarty Koivunen also Pickering Brunicke harding knocking on dổ dêfense
Pén 13 draft picks
Murashev in goal 20 years old will be starting 2026
Oilers now the oldest team
Now ì we could land isáac howard draft pick ò tampa
Re the McTavish speculation, he is 1 of 7 Centers who, according to this morning’s listings at Puckpedia, are among 31 RFAs still needing contract renewals. Here’s the details by position
C
Gabriel Vilardi (FFA) – Wpg – 6’ 3” 216lbs – 26y/o in Aug 71gp 27g 34a 61pts
Marco Rossi – Minn – 5’ 9” 182lbs – 24y/o in Sept 82gp 24g 36a 60pts
Mason McTavish – Ana – 6’ 1” 220lbs – 22 y/o 76gp 22g 30a 52pts
Connor Zary – Cgy – 6’ 178lbs – 24 in Sept – 54gp 13g 14a 27pts
Morgan Barron (FFA) – Wpg – 6’ 4” 220lbs – turns 27 in Dec 74gp 8g 7a 15pts
Rasmus Kupari – Wpg – 6’ 2” 201 – 25 y/o 59gp 5g 3a 8pts
Thomas Bordeleau – NJ – 5’ 10” 180lbs – 23y/o 1gp (San Jose) 0g 0a 0pts – AHL 59gp 14g 24a 38pts
RW
Kaapo Kakko (FFA) – Sea – 6’ 1” 215lbs – 24y/o 79go (NYR/Sea) 14g 30a 44pts
Alex Laferriere – L.A. – 6’ 1” 205lbs – 23y/o in Oct 77gp 19g 23a 42pts
Maxim Tsyplakov (FFA) – NYI – 6’ 3” 210lbs – turns 27 in Sept 77gp 10g 25a 35pts
Luke Evangelista – Nash – 185lbs – 23y/o 68gp 10g 2a 32pts
Mackie Samoskevich – Fla – 5’11” 180lbs – turns 23 in Nov 72gp 15g 16a 31pts
Sam Colangelo – Ana – 6’ 2” 212lbs – 24y/o in Dec – 32gp 10g 2a 12pts
Alexander Holtz – Vegas – 6’ 200lbs – 23 y/o – 53gp 4g 8a 12pts
LW
Nicholas Robertson (FFA) – Tor – 5’ 8” 178lbs – 24y/o in Sept 69gp 15g 7a 22pts
Mikael Pyyhtia – Clb – 6’ 176lbs – 24y/o in Dec 47gp 4g 3a 7pts
Danil Gushchin – SJ – 5’ 8” 165lbs – 12gp 0g 1a 1pt – AHL 56gp 28g 23a 51pts
LD
Luke Hughes – NJ – 6’ 2” 200lbs – 22y/o in Sept – 71gp 7g 37a 44pts
Bowen Byram (TTA) – Buff 6’ 1” 205lbs 24 y/o – 82gp 7g 31a 38pts
Ryker Evans – Sea – 6’ 195lbs – 24y/o in Dec – 73gp 5g 20a 25pts
Dylan Samberg (FFA) – Wpg 6’ 4” 216lbs – 26 y/o – 60gp 6g 14a 20pts
Jayden Struble (FFA) – Mtl – 6’ 207lbs – 23y.o in Sept – 56gp 2g 11a 13pts
Wyatt Kaiser – Chic 6’ 175lbs – 23y/o July 31 – 57gp 4g 4a 8pts
Donovan Sebrango – Ott – 6’ 2” 221lbs – 23y/o – 2gp 0g 0a 0pts -AHL 50gp 8g 12a 20pts
RD
Connor Timmins (FFA) – Buff – 6’3” 213lbs – turns 27 in Sept 68gp (Tor/Pitt) 3g 12a 15pts;
Drew Helleson (FFA) – Ana – 6’ 3” 215 – 24y/o – 56gp 4g 9a 13pts
Jack Thompson – SJ – 6’ 1” 190lbs – 23y/o – 31gp 4g 6a 10pts
Louis Crevier – Chic – 6’ 8” 230lbs – 24y/o – 32gp 3g 1a 4pts
G
Lukas Dostal (FFA) – Ana – 6’ 2” 190lbs – 25y/o – 54gp 3.10gaa 0.903 save %
Arvid Soderblom (FFA) – Chic – 6’ 3” 180lbs – turns 26 in Aug – 36gp 3.18gaa 0.898 save %
Devon Levi – Buff – 6” 192lbs – 24y/o in Dec – 9gp 4.12gaa 0.812 save %
I have in my mind Vilardi player Wong next to Schedule.
He’s considered a centre? Or has played centre in the past?
Jeff Noel, I’m going strictly by the NHL.db site for each player, and assume they show position based upon a player’s majority of games played
https://www.hockeydb.com/ihdb/stats/pdisplay.php?pid=187453
Of the teams represented in the above list, in those instances where the RFAs are still subject to offer-sheets, here is their alleged “vulnerability” in terms of cap space available – least to most, with the number immediately following the team name indicating the number of players currently committed to with contracts. No team, other than perhaps Florida and maybe Buffalo, appears to be particularly “vulnerable” given their available cap (or LTIR options)
Vegas – 22 – $7,638,571 over the cap (Pietrangelo $8.8 mil to cover)
Montreal – 23 – $5,419,167 over the cap (Price $10.5 mil to cover)
Florida – 22 – $2,950,000 over the cap (Tkachuk possibly to cover)
NY Islanders – 23 – $3,875,000
Ottawa – 22 $4,294,286
Toronto – 23 – $4,983,081
Los Angeles – 22 – $6,768.333
New Jersey – 22 – $6,906,667
Nashville – 21 – $10,116,039
Minnesota – 21 – $10,186,835
Seattle – 21 – $10,757,621
Buffalo – 21 – $13,640,319
Calgary – 22 – $15,412,500
Columbus – 22 – $16,342,501
Winnipeg – 19 – $19,898,901
Chicago – 20 – $22,312,024
San Jose – 21 – $23,890,812
Anaheim – 19 – $28,988,812
Jeff Noel … then, to help add to the confusion for those of us who don’t follow a team closely, this site shows Vilardi as the RW on line 1, Toews as the 2nd line C when no one knows how he’ll respond once the pre-season gets under way, and doesn’t even mentioned Morgan Barron
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/teams/winnipeg-jets/line-combinations
If I’m the oilers I’m interested in nick Robertson. 15 goals with minimal ice time has a lot of upside for little risk.
What else can Nick do? The goals are nice and promising but it seems that the construction for the Oilers going forward is to have their depth forwards contribute beyond just one facet. They want them to be able to check, play PK, etc as well.
If he can do that then it is possible. If he is more Jeff Skinner like then I don’t think the Oil are interested. Even 2 of their more likely rookies to grab a spot spent time killing penalties with the condors.
It is an approach that I am a fan of.
Yup. Agree. That’s why Staios likes Cousins, Amadio, Greig and Zetterlund.
Hi Uncle Bob
1Oilers fan is correct
Unidimensional AND small
Probably not s wise move for Oilers
I don’t see any of the names mentioned coming to the Habs, either too expensive or entrenched with their teams.
I can see 2 targets.
Pavel Zacha
Marco Kasper
The Wings would trade Kasper to their division rival because …?
Why not?
Two years ago they traded Lidstrom and a 4th rounder for Petry.
Yzerman might fill a need with avet for a young guy again.
habfan30 : It was Gustav LiNdstrom, it would be sacrilegious to trade Lidstrom!! 😣
Johnny Z,
Now that was worthy of correction, apologies.
Do the Habs have a vet they can part with? Laine is the only one I can think of.
Kasper was able to handle 2C at the end of the season. I don’t see him going unless there is a very big price being given for him, and Laine is not it……….Laine and Reinbacher? I hope not but I think Y could be desperate by now.
I don’t know who but Detroit has been out of the playoffs for so long, Yzerman must be desperate to get in this year.
He has $12million cap space and missing the playoffs with money in the bank will be hard to swallow.
Habs have a number of vets with playoff experience. it’s up to Hughes.
Well, of course, there’s Buffalo at 14, then Detroit at 9, Anaheim at 7 and San Jose 6.
The Ducks have $28,988,812 with 19 signed and 4 RFAs to re-up – McTavish, Helleson and Dostal combined might exceed $15-$16 mil, still leaving them with a good chunk.
San Jose, with 21 signed, has $23,890,832 and 2 RFAs to re-sign, neither of whom are looking at big raises.
Wings ain’t trading Kasper. The kid shows a lot of promise and too good to give up.
Kyrou trade not happening. Cirelli was never anything but a ridiculous rumor. McTavish will stay in Anaheim.
Kuznetsov is certainly past his best before date but there seems to be no better option for a center. Neither Kaspar nor Zacha will be traded. Any such deal would have happened before the draft. A one year deal with Kuznetsov may be worth the risk. No long term commitment and likely won’t cost much. Would help Kuznetsov as well as he’ll get a good opportunity with the Habs.
Howard,
Trades happen after the draft and the free agent market settles . Sellers can wait to see what the market will bear once the pickings get slim for example.
Teams can evaluate the draft picks , their trades and find they need something.
McCagg on Kuznetsov
https://x.com/grantmccagg/status/1942606884869136398
Wouldn’t a Byram for Kyrou make sense?
Only if Kyrou wishes to waive his NMC……to Buffalo!
Which ain’t happenin’
BUF would do that quickly
Kent Nilsson, no it wouldn’t the Blues were looking for more offense before trading their rookie breakout power forward Bolduc. Why would they then trade their leading goal scorer and 2nd leading points getter for a 2nd pair dman that wants 9 million per
If you trade Kyrou and Bolduc who’s going to score since everyone will be smothering the Thomas line.
Agree Snold, the mix in STL looks good right now. I wouldn’t mess with it too much, those boys were rolling at the end of last season.
Good young forwards pushing so maybe a year from now look at moving a guy.
I think Byrum is a top pair guy all day. He played the 2nd most minutes in BUF already, so kind of is now, playing his off side.
I think Byrum thinks it too, needs to go some where where they will give the kid the reigns, including the PP.
Can’t see Kyrou waving . He has a prominent role: re ice time and situational play . Only to a much better team make sense with a better cup chance . However, that with a bag of chips get you no closer. Ask Oiler fans
I think the Habs need to pause and see what they have. Would not be in a rush to move Matheson or any other adds or subtractions
Hutson can have a set back in trajectory- sophomore jinx, Demidov might take until Xmas . Dobson some time to adjust. Is Dobes going to continue to improve ?
Dubas has all of the leverage right now, has to decide if he wants to deal now or wait until the deadline. If he waits, he always runs the risk of injury, especially with Rust. Jersey dangling Hamilton might also lessen the chances of trading Karlsson, whose market is small to begin with.
Whoever winds up with next year’s 1st pick won’t likely get McKenna right away if they do draft him https://www.msn.com/en-ca/sports/nhl/gavin-mckenna-expected-to-commit-to-penn-state/ar-AA1I9d3J?ocid=winp1taskbar&cvid=af49dc81be414620a81274505cfc686c&ei=14
Not a bad thing IMO George. I have always thought the player better be darn special and developed physically to make the jump at 18. Maybe one a year is like that? Celebrini was.
Not sure any of the top guys in this past draft should? Schaeffer only play 17 games this past season. Martone is physically mature, plus a winger, so maybe?
The new rules with CHL players allowed to go south isn’t good for Jr Hockey in Canada, but I think it’s good for the players to have that option. Fewer games, more practice and skill development time, and more time in the weight room.
Can’t hurt in the long run?
An extra year of development never hurts a player. Junior hockey will survive easily Ray. What won’t is the Jr.A and the USHL. The OHL is looking to take over a few of the USHL locations in the east and the WHL has already expanded into 2 of the strongest BCHL sites, Penticton quickly folded the Jr.A franchise. If kids were looking for a path to the university Jr.A and the USHL were their options, now the CHL provides that path too, making it tough for them to compete.
Ray, since the NCAA has openly become pro sports leagues, kids like McKenna can make a lot of money playing at an American college. They are basically free agents every year as well.
Pretty funny when you look back at the former NCAA rules that didn’t allow juniors from the CHL who made (and still make) peanuts playing three, sometimes four regular season games a week from September through March followed by the playoffs.
Talk about a meat market.
Fair points on the other leagues Yogi. I guess my concern is the top end guys end up down south which hurts the product on the ice and ticket sales.
The best players doing it makes perfect sense to me, especially after their draft year, to get the extra practice and gym time. All those hours and days riding the bus out west, is just wasted time when your goal is the NHL.
Ya BCLeaf Fan, everything you said is true.
Major Jr teams are profitable for the most part, but can’t compete with the facilities and or $$. Not sure how much $$ the hockey players will get as isn’t it about selling the likeness or brand? I’m not a subject expert.
Hard to compete with the atmosphere of being on campus too. Including the ladies away from home for the first time and being independent. Those days are some of the best memories and most fun I think I have ever had. The kids in Jr will have good times too, I’m sure, just not the same IMO.
Why not George?
He’ll play 25/26 year at Penn State (with older and bigger guys than in the WHL); definitely put on weight (and maybe grow an inch or so; he’s only 17 1/2 now); get drafted in June; then he’s ready to play in 26/27 in the NHL
Why would he play 2 full years of College hockey before playing in the NHL?
Barring an injury; I fully expect that he plays in the NHL in 26/27
Why not George? You make it sound like I’m opposed or something.
I was just passing along an article on the potential decision, and with the way some have been drooling over the opportunity to get the 1st pick and grab McKenna, that the main thinking was he’d go straight to the majors. Every player taken there going back 8 years at least has, and I’m sure the Islanders will give Schaeffer every opportunity to do so as well.
But as Yogi suggests, this may be the start of a new trend for some draftees.
Hi George,
Your statement was
“Whoever winds up with next year’s 1st pick won’t likely get McKenna right away if they do draft him”
Nowhere in the article does it state or even infer (or suggest) that McKenna would play for Penn State in 26/27 (the season after being drafted)
He is playing for Penn State THIS fall, that’s playing in the 25/26 season
He will be drafted next June (after already playing 1 year fir Penn state)
That is all the article states
What from that article leads you to “won’t likely get McKenna right away if they do draft him”
Why would they NOT get him right away?
It sounds like you are convinced that after being drafted first overall ; with a late birthday (so 19 years old 2 months into the 26/27 season) ; he is more likely to choose a 2nd year at Penn state over playing in the NHL
Anything is possible; but this would be a long-shot
You’ve used “won’t likely” ; meaning more likely he opts for a 2nd year of college
My question to you is why do you have that opinion (that it’s more likely he chooses a 2nd year of Penn State over the NHL)?
If NIL money ever gets close to football or basketball money,that could put a dent to all Junior leagues.The NCAA money is getting crazy.Players could reap the benefits and work towards a college degree at the same time!
IVY league schools like Harvard, Cornell, and Princeton do not offer athletic scholarships or allow Freshman to play varsity sports. Their programs will effectively end with new NCAA rules.
Sandman,check your source,freshmen especially in hockey play freshmen.
Yes Rust and Rakell are of interest to s few teams
Easy way to increase the number of teams bidding…. Retain 50%
Dubas needs to retain 50% on Karllsson as well
Moving Karllsson and ONE of Rust/Rakell to 2 different teams ; by retaining 50% in both will get in return; 4 young players for the 25/26 roster:
For EACH of the 50% retained trades; the return would be a young current NHLer with term AND an NHL ready prospect (under contract) who IS expected to play in the NHL this year
Dubas, do NOT wait until TDL
Who knows what team has space then; who knows what could possibly happen to any of the three between now and TDL (stats plumett; injury??)
Make thr move now; have the new 4 start on Pens in Oct
Can’t understand why they don’t fire Dubas and hire you immediately.
George O. 😂😂😂😂😂😂
@8787
Agreed at least $3 million retai ed on karlsson.
I think carolina í a greaT fit wifh a strong team coach culture and he would be ideal pảied with slavin
Rust. Rackell. Arent going anywhere
Dubas MUST retain 50% on Karllsson
I can’t think of a team who would take him at $7M ; unless at least $4M in crap comes back
Re Rusty/Rackell not going anywhere
Sadly, this may be true
Dubas needs to improve the team; and they are our two best trade able assets
But Dubas is “just taking calls” right now; instead of actually trying to make s trade that improves the team
Brett Leason is a UFA available
Only 25
6’ 5 1/2”; 228 lbs; one year removed from an 82 game pace of 13-13-26 playing 4th line 10 min/game for Ducks
Offer him $1.25 M
Oilers just can’t win they pay the top 4 way too much to fill in the roster with quality players. They spend very little on goaltending and if there is an injury or two they have zero depth. Toronto finally figuring it out but way too late and I don’t see the Oilers moving Leon or Connor so would need to be Nurse.
IVY league schools like Harvard, Cornell, and Princeton do not offer athletic scholarships or allow Freshman to play varsity sports. Their programs will effectively end with new NCAA rules.
Sandman,Ivy league schools most certainly allow freshmen to play. Just look at the Harvard hockey team!
Lightning trade Isaac Howard to Oilers for Sam O’Reilly.