NHL Rumor Mill – September 20, 2025
The latest Penguins speculation and an update on Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden wondered what Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas would do if the opportunity to trade Sidney Crosby presented itself.
It would have to be the deal of a lifetime to trade the Penguins captain, but Madden thinks Dubas would do it. He thinks the 38-year-old Penguins captain would fetch a king’s ransom of at least a first-round draft pick, a top prospect, and an NHL-ready top-six forward or top-four defenseman.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Madden claims the Montreal Canadiens would reportedly overpay to get him, believing the asking price must include promising winger Ivan Demidov.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas would set a high asking price. Whether he’d get that full king’s ransom is another story. Crosby at 38 doesn’t hold the same value as he would’ve if he were five years younger and had more than two years left on his contract.
The Penguins would still get a significant return for Crosby. However, finding one that would match what Madden suggests would be difficult, especially with Crosby’s no-movement clause giving him full control over where he could be dealt.
As for the Canadiens overpaying to get Crosby, most of that speculation flies in the face of what they have been building over the past three years. If the Habs were to make a pitch for Crosby, Demidov won’t be part of it. And if Dubas said no, they’d have no problem moving on to other trade targets.
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski reports Evgeni Malkin doesn’t want to leave the Penguins and isn’t anxious to be traded to a Stanley Cup contender. Nevertheless, he said he didn’t know how he’d react if he were asked to waive his no-movement clause.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin has said he prefers to retire as a Penguin, but that would depend on whether the club wants to keep him. Maybe he would consider it if Dubas approaches him, saying a Cup contender is interested in acquiring him. Maybe not.
PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel reports Bryan Rust laughed off questions about hearing his name in trade rumors during the offseason. However, he realizes there’s a real possibility that he could be moved this season.
Rust’s no-trade clause expired on July 1, meaning the Penguins can trade him anywhere. However, he’s hopeful they’ll hang onto him. “Yeah, I plan on playing here until I’m 40,” said the 33-year-old Rust.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust is also signed through 2027-28, which would also make him enticing for a contender seeking a top-six winger with cost certainty. Given his contributions to the Penguins, Dubas might give him a choice on where he could be traded. However, he’ll most likely move him to the club with the best offer.
THE HOCKEY WRITERS’ Mark Scheig reports Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov is open to staying with the team. He reiterated his love of the city and the fans, adding that he and head coach Dean Evason “understand each other” after talking recently.
SPECTOR’S NOTE Chinakhov, 24, requested a trade through his agent this summer, citing “misunderstandings” with Evason stemming from a reduction in playing time last season after returning from a back injury. It appears they’ve cleared the air, but this situation could still bear scrutiny depending on his performance to start the season.
Habs management should be fired if they traded Demidov for Crosby
anyone get the feeling that the Pens trade Malkin to the Caps at the deadline? Malkin/Ovi both going out together would be a great story
Chinakhov is in an unenviable position. He’s arguably the most promising offensive player in the Blue Jackets system. On the other hand, he’s injury prone. Waddell probably can’t get equal value in a trade because of his injury history. Yet, if he can stay healthy, Chinakhov is a first line winger. It will be interesting, watching this play out, especially since Chinakhov’s injury, last year, allowed Voronkov to show that he’s a first line winger.
Mark Madden says a Habs offer would have to include Demidov and adds:
“Too bad. To get, you’ve got to give. If Montreal balks, the Penguins can keep Crosby and the Canadiens can keep being vanilla.”
Talk about a homer comment.
Crosby was an outstanding player but at 38 y/o, time is not on his side.
When it comes to being vanilla, Penguins are the over-the-hill-gang without the Hollywood ending.
Penguins future lies in a rebuild that’s stalled by aging contracts that they can’t dump and a tank for a hoped for 3rd generational strike in a row, the McKenna kid.
No question the Habs are a better team with Crosby.
No question that Demidov hasn’t proven anything in the NHL.
No question that Demidov at 19, looks like the most talented player to wear a Habs jersey since Guy Lafleur.
No question that the Habs, at this stage, are an exciting young team on the rise.
No question, the Penguins are only trading Crosby if he wants to be traded.
A move to Montreal is a talking point and given the make-up of the team it makes some sense, but only if the key parts are left intact and only if Dubas puts on his Johnston hat.
If trading Demidov for Sid=10000% a Stanley Cup parade they do it but it does not of course.
Trade could be either Dach or Newhook. 1 of Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, Joshua Roy or Owen Beck and a future 1st rounder.
which is still alot for a 38 year player
Montreal has better pool for the Pens than the Avs
A lot does not mean quality…As to have to give to receive and Montreal with Crosby get quality even at 38 and most of all and of course a lot of marketing $$$$$$$$$$$.
for teams like Toronto, Montréal even if they don’t win the house is full and marketing $$$$ rake in and its all they care about!
and yes they do want quality but as always don’t want to give anything or maybe thats just the media and fans talking
Madden is a buffoon.
Click bait isn’t even attempting to be disguised
Mark Madden is a wrestling writer and mark. Despite being a Penguins fan, he’s got zero hockey credibility, not even in his own fantasy league. IMHO, of course.
Would like to be a real estate agent in Pittsburgh. There is going to be a lot of houses,condos for sale this year.
Sid AND one of Rust or Rackell —- total two players coming to Habs
BOTH players coming in at 50%…. Total $6.9 M in Cap coming in
Dach going back
That keeps Habs Cap compliant AND still (after sending one other player down to get to 23 [2coming in, Dach out]) leaving Habs at $2 M or more in Cap space
To make that deal; cost:
Hage, Reinbacher, Florian X, 1st (‘26)
Pens give back a 2nd (‘28) and a 3rd (‘26) to balance the trade
Imagine
-Sid/Rackell/Laine or Sid/Rust/Laine as a new line
-the presence of Sid in the dressing room motivating and succeeding in increasing productivity/output of the rest of the squad
-PP to pick from : Sid (and one of Rackell/Rust); Suzuki, Caufield, Laine, Hutson, Demidov—Wow
-that total Roster has a fair shot at winning at least a round in ‘26; and a good shot at getting to ECF (where anything can happen, so shot at SCF appearance) in ‘27
-If they get to (but just lose out in ) ECF in ‘27; can see Sid re-upping for 27/28; SCF appearance in ‘28
The above scenario comes at the expense of losing just 1 current roster player (Dach)
You can keep Rust or Rackell, the Habs have enough wingers (Caufield, Slaf, Laine, Demidov, Bolduc, Newhook, Gallagher and Anderson).
Plus Mtl aren’t giving up that type of package for a 38 yr old Crosby. You are basically expecting Mtl to give Pit a prospective full lineup of centres (if these players hit their forecasts) and even a worst case forecast is:
1C = from the 1st round pick
2C = Hage
3C = Dach
4C = Xhekaj
plus a top pair RD in Reinbacher.
NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. ZERO CHANCE.
As put above the best Pit will do is a young roster player (Dach or Newhook), a prospect (Kapanen or Engstrom) and a lottery protected pick. Or I could even see Hughes making the pick contingent on the playoff results, each round they win the pick rises by a round so if they make the CF then it is a 1st but a 2nd if they only win a round, and if they don’t win a round at all it is a 3rd.
Drivefor25
My offer was NOT giving all that up for Crosby
It was for Crosby and Rakell ; AND both at 50%; and s 2nd and a 3rd
It’s Crosby/Rackell 68 G and over 160 points replacing Dach’s 10 G and 22 points
It’s not really disrupting current roster (just one guy out)
It’s bringing in a 3 Cup champion loaded with individual awards
It’s shoring up C’s down the line for Habs
Just having Crosby in the room and on the bench will make every other player produce more
Adding Crosby and Rackell would make Montréal’s PP2 & PP2 totals jump tremendously in production
The net effect of Crosby and Rackell (plus their instigation of getting surrounding cast to increase production) replacing Dach is, at a minimum; another 10 standings points; a guaranteed playoff birth and a reasonable shot at winning a round (maybe 2) next spring
That team has a fair shot of a ECF birth by ‘27
You have to give to get
The first being given up will be mid 20’s (as Habs will be doing so well) reasonably close in value to the picks coming back: early (could be 1st pick in 2nd round) 2nd rounder plus early third rounder giving up in trade
You also are getting Crosby and Rackell for two years
Getting all the above; still having Cap space; at really the cost of Florian and Hage (NHLers down the road) and injury prone Dach is well worth it
The trade proposed doesn’t happen only due to Dumbas not being able to pick up the phone
If Crosby was considering moving (I do believe that is way more s possibility than it was at the end of last season (due to Dubas not at all improving club over the summer) ; he would jump on a plane as fast as possible if it was for yhe deal above. So would Rackell. They’d go from a bottom feeding team to s reasonable shot at a conference final (where anything could happen) in 21 months
Hughes would absolutely jump all over that deal
It will NOT happen; but that is only because of Dubas
He can’t even pick up the phone to retain just $5 M cash to move EK, to get s young NHLer AND an NHL ready prospect
The above deal has Dubas retaining even more cash; and Cap retention for more years (3 on Rackell)
Hughes would jump on it
Sid and Rackell would live it
Dach would have less pressure in him
Habs winning playoff rounds (plural) s couple of years ahead of schedule; makes Habs fans happy
Pens will be sad to see Sid go but with those two gone; for sure Pens finish bottom 3; better McKenna odds; and they are getting futures back
Overall Pens fand happy
Fair deal all around
Again; won’t happen even if Sid is begging out; as Dubas just can’t (won’t ??) make deals
The trade return for Crosby that Madden suggests isn’t happening. Lyle hits on every point why. I’ll add the return doesn’t address cap. Will Pitt retain or take back salary? Crosby isn’t going anywhere at this time. IMO they go into season with guys they have. Let’s talk when we get to Olympic break.
I agree. And I think the fact Rust and Rakell are still there is that Dubas has discovered the market for either is surprisingly thin, a situation not helped by what he expects to get in return.
A classic illustration of that is what Pittsburgh received for a much better Jake Guentzel. In that March 2024 deal with Carolina, Pittsburgh got Michael Bunting and prospects Ville Koivunen, Vasily Ponomarev, Cruz Lucus and a conditional 1st round pick that eventually became a 2nd round pick along with a conditional 5th round pick.
Bunting was just OK in Pittsburgh – certainly no replacement for Guentzel – and on March 5 this year was traded to Nashville with a 4th Round pick for Tommy Novak and Luke Schenn. Two days later, the later was dealt to Winnipeg for a 2026 2nd Round pick and a 2027 4th Rounder.
In 8gp last season in Pittsburgh, the 22y/o left-shot RW Koivunen, a Rd 2 51st overall pick by Carolina in 2021, had 0g 7a 7pts and a decent 63gp in the AHL with 21g 35a 56pts, while 23y/o left-shot C Ponomarev, also a Rd 2 pick and 53rd overall but in 2020. had zeros across the board in 7gp in Pittsburgh last season, ok stats in 55 AHL gp, but is now back in Russia in the KHL. 21 y/o Lucius is a Carolina 4th Rd pick 124th overall in 2022 where he was displaying average stats at the Univ. of Wisconsin, but fell off last season at Arizona State.
That is underwhelming to say the least, although Carolina didn’t do any better when they dealt Guentzel’s rights to Tampa for a 3rd Round pick! All of which is to say, if that’s the best a player of that calibre can garner, don’t expect much for Rust or Rakell.
With pre-season games starting tomorrow followed by the regular season on Oct 7, these 37 UFAs on 15 teams are reduced to being P.T.O. hopefulls – how many will get firm contracts – either with the main team or in their system?:
Florida LW Noah Gregor 27y/o; C Tyler Motte 30y/o; LD Ben Harpur 30y/o; LD Daniel Walcott 31y/o; C/RW Josh Lopina 23y/o;
NYR LW Connor Sheary 33y/o; RD Andrej Sustr 34y/o
St. Louis LW Milan Lucic 37y/o;
Dallas LW Adam Erne 30y/o; LW Cross Hanas 23y/o; RD Anthony Cristoforo 19y/o; G Antoine Bibeau 31y/o 6’3” 215lbs;
New Jersey C Kevin Rooney 32y/o; C Luke Glendening 36y/o; G Georgii Romanov 25y/o; G Adam Scheel 26 y/o;
Carolina RW Givani Smith 27y/o; LD Oliver Kylington 28 y/o; RW Kevin Labanc 29y/o;
Minnesota LD Jack Johnson 38y/o; RW Brett Leason 26y/o;
Columbus LD Brendan Smith 36y/o;
Nashville C Dylan Gambrell 29y/o; 25y/o 6” 1” 190lbs LD Adam Wilsby; 34y/o 6’ 186lbs LW Daniel Carr;
Montreal G Kevin Mandolese 25y/o;
Pittsburgh G Marc-Andre Fleury 41y/o sentimental 1 game signing, LW Brett Murray 27y/o, C Robby Fabri 29y/o; RD Jake Livingstone 26y/o; C Cal Burke 28y/o;
Chicago LD Matt Grzelcyk 31 y/o;
Utah C Ryan McGregor 26y/o; C Samuel Walker 26y/o; RW Austin Poganski 29y/o. RW Tyler Tullio 23y/o; G Dylan Wells 27y/o;
San Jose RW Oliver Wahlstrom 25y/o.
Vegas unsigned RFA Alexander Holtz working out under P.T.O. conditions!
None among the London 5 UFAs can sign anything with NHL teams until October 15 and cannot play regular season games until Dec 1. Remaining UFAs C Evgeny Kuznetsov 33 y/o; LW Max Pacioretty 36y/o; LW Klim Klostin 26 y/o; RW/C Jack Roslovic 28y/o; RW Craig Smith 36y/o; LD Marc-Edouard Vlasic 38y/o; LD Jon Merrill 33y/o; G Ilya Samsonov 28y/o; G James Reimer 37y/o are awaiting phone calls that now may never come.
I didn’t present a trade For Crosby to Montreal because I don’t see one that makes sense.
Habs are at a stage that they are looking to put together a core for a big window of opportunity to be Cup contenders, so no trade mortgaging the future is in the cards.
Demidov, Hutson, Reinbacher, Hage are projected to be part of that window.
Habs have limited cap room so they have to send contracts back
Dach and Newhook are available, doubt Penguins want them.
Gallagher and Anderson are available, doubt Penguins want them.
Dach has 1x $3.3625m. left
Newhook has 2 x $2.9m left
Anderson has 2 x $5.5m left
Gallagher has 2 x $6.5m left
For the tank and cap fit
To Habs- Crosby at 36% retained, Lizotte, 2nd round 2026 ( first one)
To Penguins- Dach, Newhook,Veleno
Habs 1st round 2026