NHL Rumor Mill – November 13, 2025
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the Sabres are reportedly getting calls from teams interested in acquiring Tage Thompson, plus the latest on the Penguins and Senators.
SABRES GETTING CALLS ABOUT TAGE THOMPSON
RG. ORG: Marco D’Amico reports teams are calling the Buffalo Sabres about Tage Thompson. However, general manager Kevyn Adams insisted that the star forward isn’t available.
Buffalo Sabres forward Tage Thompson (NHL Images).
The Sabres are once again struggling in the standings. That has prompted some teams in the market for depth at center, such as the Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens, to inquire about Thompson’s availability.
Part of the reason for the Sabres’ struggles is that several key players are sidelined by injuries (Josh Norris, Jiri Kulich, Zach Benson) or illness (Jason Zucker). Meanwhile, defenseman and team captain Rasmus Dahlin is on a leave of absence for personal reasons.
However, the organization is holding off on making major roster changes, turning instead to younger players in the hope of sparking a turnaround.
TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie claimed the Canadiens never contacted the Sabres to see if Thompson was available. He considers Thompson and Dahlin as the club’s foundation players, “the cream of the crop”, adding that they weren’t going anywhere.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams is under pressure to end the Sabres’ 14-year playoff drought. However, he’s not going to rush into things and make a panic deal. Besides, there are few sellers currently in the trade market, so there’s not much available that could help the Sabres at this time.
Thompson has a five-team no-trade list, giving Adams a lot of leeway in the trade market if he wanted to move the high-scoring forward. Nevertheless, the Sabres GM won’t move Thompson unless he wants out, or a rival club makes a substantial offer that would significantly improve his club.
THE LATEST ON THE PENGUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently wondered if the Pittsburgh Penguins’ surprisingly solid start to this season has affected their trade plans for Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell.
As long as the Penguins are playing well, those veterans won’t be moved. It’s unlikely that general manager Kyle Dubas would spoil an opportunity for Sidney Crosby to participate in the postseason again.
Yohe also doesn’t see the Penguins being big buyers at the March 6 trade deadline if they’re in playoff contention by that point. Dubas doesn’t want to lose sight of his ultimate goal of turning the Penguins into a championship contender.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas stated earlier this season that the goal was to continue retooling the roster with younger talent, but also to remain competitive. If the Penguins are in playoff contention by March, Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell will be staying put.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported Senators GM Steve Staios continues working the phones in search of an impact player, but that’s easier said than done at this early stage of the season.
The Senators are also trying to trade the rights of winger Alex Formenton, who was among the five players on the 2018 World Junior Team that were found not guilty of sexual assault in July in London, Ontario.
“The Ottawa Senators have signed centerman Shane Pinto to a four-year, $30MM contract extension. The deal will run through the 2029-30 season. It was first reported by TSN’s Darren Dreger. This move comes in the wake of speculation that Ottawa was planning to reapproach Pinto about an extension sometime this week.”
Sabres followed the typical plan of having all young players as their core, sprinkled in with vets (Zucker amid others) and average goaltenders, which usually results in failure. They have gone through several different coaches. Adams should go but the overall plan just doesn’t work there. A new management structure and plan is needed, but I think the problem is with the Pegulas ownership. They have brought a black cloud over that organization.
New owner(s), new management, and new leadership in the locker room, a drastic change over, otherwise its the annual let down to the great Buffalo fans there
Sabres should go and get DeBoer. Not sure he is a great coach but he sure is a good one and a clear upgrade over Ruff.
Byram signed 2 years after spending summer in rumor mill. Doesn’t have any trade protection. Depending on how long Dahlin is away, I still think he’s best trade chip.
Should have gone longer, depending on cost, with Pinto
Smart contract for Pinto, he’ll be in his UFA season when he 28 y/o, able to cash in big time.
The Sens couldn’t sign him long term.