NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025
The latest on the Flames, plus updates on the Leafs’ Nick Robertson, the Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov, and the Rangers’ Brennan Othmann in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports the trade market is stagnant right now because so many teams began this season targeting a playoff berth.
Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).
It’s become a seller’s market, with the Calgary Flames being the only club in the cellar. They possess what Fox considers “two of hockey’s most moveable assets”: minute-munching defenseman Rasmus Andersson and two-way center Nazem Kadri
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are off to a rough start with just two wins in their first 10 games. Nevertheless, general manager Craig Conroy is reportedly shopping around for additional scoring for his offensively anemic team.
Andersson and Kadri have frequently appeared in early-season trade rumors, but Conroy isn’t moving either guy at this stage unless he gets a mind-blowing offer, which isn’t likely. He’ll hang onto both of them and see how the season unfolds.
If the Flames remain bottom-feeders when the calendar flips to January, that’s when Conroy will likely go into sell mode.
The Chicago Blackhawks got a fourth-round pick when they shipped winger Lukas Reichel to the Vancouver Canucks last week.
Fox believes that’s set the trade market for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov. A fourth-round pick doesn’t help either club when they’re trying to ice a better product now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means Robertson and Chinakhov will likely be sticking with their current clubs for the time being.
THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano reports Brennan Othmann is aware his name recently surfaced in trade rumors. It’s believed New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is willing to move the 22-year-old left winger for another young player with upside.
Othmann was sent down to the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford before the start of the season. However, his recent recall suggests the club still sees value in him and won’t give him away.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari pointed out that the aging Rangers have wasted a lot of their young talent of late, due to poor development or players not panning out. He believes they don’t have the luxury of wasting more young talent and need players like Othmann and other prospects to pan out.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferrari believes a trade is the most likely option trending right now for Otthman. A lot will depend on how he performs during this call-up with the Rangers. However, the best they might get is a return comparable to what the Blackhawks got for Reichel.
Might be possible Othmann called up due to 1 or 2 teams interested in seeing him. Maybe a team like Calgary that’s on their schedule this week. Tend to think some highly drafted players more likely just not as good as projected when drafted. Poor development narrative is overused. Expectations are higher on 1st rounders. Some make it, some don’t.
This team looks old and slow. Laf has taken steps back somehow.
Long season ahead
If I was a rangers fan I would not let my team off the hook about development. The track record is very poor over the past decade or so. 1st rounders since 99 have been pretty bleak with only a few bright spots.
I’m not sure I’d blame it solely on development. Plenty of young players let go or traded that amounted to nothing, even early years. Lias Anderson, Kravstov etc. They seem to do just fine on goaltending and defense. But cannot seem to get forwards right to save their lives. I’d say they also have a horrible group of scouts analyzing forwards.
Not to mention , completely botching the rebuild by signing players to expensive contracts blocking some of their draft picks.
I think there is plenty of blame to go around. Including a rabid fan base that adds pressure to decisions.
Also, their player selection is questionable. How many left wingers do you need in the pipeline?
I say this completely sincerely… who have they drafted and developed that turned out to meet or exceed their expectations in the past year? I’m curious. I’ll give Schneider.
In the past year, nobody.
Over the last several years , Schneider, Lundkvist in Dallas. Pionk in Winnipeg. Zac Jones who played very well for NY but was being blocked by veterans. Forscetue who looks solid. Brady Skjei who was solid in NY and after. Many given up on way too early or blocked.
Forwards, Cullye, Othmann, Berard, Perault. Question marks.
Way too early to call. Emory, Spence.
Pens “should” be interested in a couple of your listed “question marks”: Cuylle & Othmann
What’s it going to take for each
We need to steer clear of more undersized players so Perrault at 5’ 11” , 178 should not ; IMO ; be pursued by Dubas
We absolutely 100% need to stay clear of 5’ 9” , 173 lb Berrard
Cullye wasn’t meant to be in that category. He was fantastic last year. Hits, scores. He’s not a problem or question mark. At this point I’d say he should be a cornerstone.
So no on Hayes, Accari etc! Lmao
I kinda was looking at players that were developed and did well on the rangers. Skjei did give rangers good minutes. You did well with kreider.