Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025
Recent updates on Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Erik Karlsson and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently released his updated offseason trade board.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of this is a rehash of previously reported rumors by Kypreos. However, it’s been a slow weekend for rumors, so I’m including them as a recap.
The big question regarding Jason Robertson is whether the Dallas Stars are willing to sign him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old left winger is among the Stars’ top scorers and is a restricted free agent next summer.
Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley as RFA-eligible with arbitration rights next summer. However, they have over $27 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to re-sign both to expensive new contracts if they choose.
Robertson was mentioned in trade rumors after the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. However, it doesn’t appear as though there was any serious effort on their part to move him. That could change if they fail to stage a Cup run next spring.
Three members of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson) are on the list. It doesn’t include Sidney Crosby but Kypreos suggests keeping a close eye on the Penguins captain.
Kypreos claimed there’s “a ton of interest” in Rust. The 33-year-old wing has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection.
Rakell also has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million, but carries an eight-team no-trade list. He could interest teams that are still seeking top-six scoring depth.
Karlsson is now owed a total of $11.5 million in actual salary over the final two years of his contract. If the Penguins retained part of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million cap hit, the 34-year-old defenseman could become an appealing trade target.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Pittsburgh claim Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t shopping Rust and Rakell but is willing to listen to offers. There has been little indication that he’s willing to retain any part of Karlsson’s salary; he’ll have to if he intends to move the aging blueliner at some point.
As for Crosby, he’s in the first season of the two-year extension he signed last fall. All the speculation about him leaving the Penguins isn’t originating from Pittsburgh. Indeed, the local media is constantly reminding everyone that Crosby wants to stay put.
That could change, of course, but until it does, there’s nothing to see here.
Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri was added to the list. Given how thin the depth is for centers and his performance last season, the 34-year-old’s stock has never been higher.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos claimed that Kadri was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Toronto and Montreal. Previous reports indicate Kadri hasn’t requested a trade and the Flames aren’t willing to move their top center and leading scorer. If they were, the Maple Leafs lack the trade assets to acquire him, and the Canadiens aren’t giving up assets for a center who turns 35 in October with an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29.
Speaking of the Flames, Kypreos believes Rasmus Andersson will most likely be playing on a new team by the March trade deadline. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and there’s no indication he’ll sign an extension before then.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’ll definitely be moved if the Flames are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline.
Kypreos wondered if Morgan Rielly might waive his no-movement clause for a fresh start elsewhere. The 31-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m guessing Rielly has no intention of waiving his NMC.
Speaking of the Maple Leafs, Kypreos adding Brandon Carlo to the list. While it’s hard to believe the Leafs could trade the recently acquired defenseman, a lack of sufficient trade assets to acquire a scoring forward could make Carlo expendable.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos published this list before the Leafs acquired checking-line forward Dakota Joshua. He won’t address that need for a scoring winger, which suggests they’re shoring up depth elsewhere in the lineup instead. That would mean the current makeup of their top-six forwards is what we’ll likely see to start the season in October.
According to Kypreos, the Jordan Kyrou trade rumors won’t go away. St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong would like to make more changes to his roster, and he could move the 27-year-old winger for a big return. Kyrou is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.l25 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kyrou rumors died away on July 1, when his full no-trade clause kicked in.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 32-year-old carries a $9 million AAV for the next three seasons with a 10-team no-trade list. Kypreos wondered if they might move Hamilton for a return that brings back a solid contributor. He thinks we could get a clearer picture once the Devils re-sign blueliner Luke Hughes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out, especially with a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space this summer. That doesn’t mean Hamilton is certain to be traded, but it could make it easier if one of the teams not on his no-trade list is interested in him.
The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the latter the subject of trade conjecture. Wild GM Bill Guerin said he’ll match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center. Kypreos believes there could be clarity on this once the Wild sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos suggests Guerin could be unwilling to part with Rossi until he knows for certain how much it’ll cost to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wild GM recently insisted that his club wants to retain Rossi.
The Colorado Avalanche must sort out Martin Necas’ future. The 26-year-old forward is a year away from UFA status and could seek around $10 million annually.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $26 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. There’s plenty of room to re-sign Necas, but they must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Cale Makar to the hefty raise that he’ll seek when his contract expires in 2027.
Jonathan Marchessault could become a trade candidate if the Nashville Predators decide to shed one of their expensive long-term contracts.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz shot down speculation that Marchessault was unhappy in Nashville and would welcome a trade. He’s got a full no-movement clause. Trotz said he wanted to allow his veteran core to rebound from last season’s poor performance.
The Florida Panthers must shed salary to become cap-compliant if Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t start the season on long-term injury reserve. Winger Evan Rodrigues could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.
Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to create some salary cap space by peddling defenseman Ryan McDonagh.
Kypreos wonders if the Seattle Kraken’s addition of left-side defenseman Ryan Lindgren could make blueliner Jamie Oleksiak available.
Other than the games themselves, I’m beginning to think Hockey – like almost every other business – primarily works on a 5-day week, 9 to 5, basis.
I say that because it seems trade/signing announcements are confined to weekdays, with weekends, in that regard, almost totally dead from the rear-end up.
Penguins history General Manager works Sundays 😉makes trades. Latest last Sunday, July 13, Penguins traded 4th round pick to Canucks for goalie Arturs Silovs.
Hamilton carries a 10 team TRADE LIST not a 10 team NO-TRADE LIST!
So, in effect, a 21-team no-trade list.
But the point is moot since he also has a full no movement clause. So even if they tried to deal him to a team he listed on his 10-team OK list when he first signed his current contract, he can reject that based on his NMC if he thinks that team is no longer a desirable re-locate.
Talk about having total control!
He can be traded to 10 teams without his blessings, George. He can’t be waived or moved to an expansion club is all his NMC is good for now.
He had to submit his10 team trade list on this past 7/1. I believe the teams on the list desirability have not changed much. It comes down to relationships at this point. He either puts down teams he wants to go to; teams he knows Devs will not trade him to (NYR, NYI, Phi, etc) or a combination of both. If there is a will, there is a way. My opinion is the Devs are do not want to trade him unless they are overwhelmed, and I do noy see that happening. Now Palat….
Thanks Johnny Z and redmonsters. My confusion stems from what Puckpedia is currently showing, which says “No Movement Clause – Cannot be traded, sent to minors or waived without player approval.”
They need to clarify that
Jason Robertson and Lyubushkin for Rasmus Andersson + Zary
Morgan Rielly should get out of town while can and is still young enough to contribute to an appreciative franchise.
Why wouldn’t he waive a NMC considering how much flak goes his way, it can’t be much fun going to the rink.
Wanna rethink your post? The Toronto sports media opinions and thoughts do not reflect the attitudes of the fans. I think most fans appreciate him and like him, in some cases more than he deserves sometimes…so your comment is a bit wrong, like very.
I agree that he is one of the players finding it hard to reshape his game for the new coach who has a completely different approach to how Rielly plays. That is the only reason for trading him or thinking of trading him. And I don’t think there would be a short list of teams wanting him and what he brings.
I know they lack cap space and assets but I still believe Karlsson to the Leafs makes sense. He can still play and they dont have a good PP QB.
Yeah Toronto doesn’t have that elusive 8th rd pick to acquire Karlsson and that terrible PP they have only operated at 24.8%. So why exactly would they bother when a centre would be a better use of cap space
I have no other problem with that solution except there is none available for a reasonable price. Tell me who is available? And say what you will about Marner but they will miss him on that PP
I think Knies may prove to be a big surprise on this coming season’s 1st pp unit
Wonder if Reilly would be interested in Colorado. I think that would be a good fit for him. Reilly and Cowan for necas. Necas fill the no 2 centre spot and pushed taveres to 3rd line centre.
Jeff the Leafs are in transition of removing guys who are no-shows in the postseason….can you tell me what Necas has done in his previous postseasons?
Not that much, eh?
I guess we should get rid of Matthew’s then?
Why would Colorado want 2nd Pairing D that makes $7.5 for 5 more years? They have Makar to resign in a couple of years and having Reilly’s contract on the books would only hamper their ability to fill in holes.
I think you have the right idea in that getting Reilly to waive his NMC will probably require a team that has a chance to win. Problem is that there aren’t many out there that have the cap space and the willingness to take on his cap hit for so long. It is not like a team would be trading for a top pairing defenseman.
I am wondering if all of this media attention of Karlsson or Hamilton joining the Leafs is factual
Leafs do need a quarterback for the power play …
Maccelli , Pezzetta , Joshua Dakota , Christoper Roy –
4 players at 11 mil cap
Mariner at 12
Leafs lose a star player , but at the same time , balancing out the lineup was imperative
There are now only a few holes to fill …
Will be interesting to see if Morgan Reilly remains a Leaf
You know, I think Brandon Carlo is really going to step it up with the Leafs this year. I think he’s underrated, the right-handed defenseman they have needed for some time. I was surprised the Bruins traded him, always liked him with the B’s.
If you watch Carlo enough you see he has many limitations. He does not handle the puck well as his passes and offensive game is ultra conservative. He really is not very physical for a player his size.Defensively he is a 2, offensively a 3. He is a good kid with a great attitude and is a solid teammate.Just Don t expect much flash .
SR – I agree, there is not much upside. His biggest issue is staying healthy.
But I think he’s going to prove to be an excellent teammate for the Leafs this year, steady and solid but not dynamic. No issue being boring sometimes.
TorontoStPats,he is well respected in Boston.The popular opinion is that we all wish him the best.He s a great kid. Tough person not to like. Wish him all the best!
Karlsson needs to go, so the Penguins can see some younger defenseman and what Dubas and company have for the future.
I can not see Kadri moving . Who would the number one center ?
Frost or Backlund ? A 2 and a 3 at best. Andersson will definitely be on the move.
Toronto will have to adjust on the PP without Marner, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done with the players they already have. To say Toronto doesn’t have the assets to acquire a salary dump like Karlsson is a laugh and Karlsson can’t play Berube hockey, so how does Karlsson fit in. Karlsson makes little to no sense, now if you could convert Karlsson into a centre ala Red Kelly, but would that be a worth while gamble and would Karlsson go for it
Yogi, as I posted above, I do believe Knies will be a force on their 1st pp unit as a regular there now with Tavaress and Nylander and a D pairing of Rielly and Matthews.