NHL Rumor Mill – January 12, 2026
The latest Canucks speculation, plus updates on Bruins forward Pavel Zacha and Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston suggested it wasn’t impossible for the Vancouver Canucks to trade Elias Pettersson. Teams are reportedly interested in him, and while he’s not scoring like he used to, he remains a solid defensive player.
Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).
The Carolina Hurricanes were interested in Pettersson before, and they’re trying to find a new home for struggling center Jesperi Kotkaniemi. Johnston thinks a team that needs a top-notch center, one close to elite but not an out-and-out No. 1 guy, could use Pettersson. He suggested the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks, who have young superstars as their first-line centers.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Pettersson’s production is an issue, but it wouldn’t be so bad if he weren’t being paid like a first-line center. That $11.6 million AAV through 2032 is too much for a second-line center. He also carries a full no-trade clause, which further limits where the Canucks could send him if they decide it’s time to part company.
Vancouver was in trade talks with Carolina about Pettersson two years ago before re-signing him to his current contract. While the Hurricanes aren’t afraid of bold moves, they could be targeting other options now.
Even if the Canucks agreed to retain up to half of Pettersson’s cap hit, he might not be a fit with the Blackhawks and Sharks. The Blackhawks have promising Frank Nazar as their second-line center. Meanwhile, the Sharks recently re-signed second-line center Alexander Wennberg to a three-year extension, and they’ve got promising Michael Misa in their lineup.
Winger Jake DeBrusk has surfaced in the rumor mill. However, the 29-year-old winger recently told Johnston that he’s not going anywhere, saying he wants to be part of the solution.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk is in the second season of his seven-year contract. He also has a full no-movement clause, which explains his confidence about staying in Vancouver.
A source told Johnston that things “are heating up” regarding trade talks between the Canucks and teams interested in Kiefer Sherwood.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks reportedly revisited contract talks with Sherwood, but the feeling out of Vancouver is he’ll be on the move by the March 6 trade deadline, if not sooner.
Johnston noted that CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal last week said that the Canucks looked into sending Evander Kane back to the Edmonton Oilers, but they weren’t interested. He also believes defenseman Tyler Myers isn’t going anywhere, citing his no-movement clause and that he and his family are settled in Vancouver.
Depth forwards such as Teddy Blueger and David Kampf won’t fetch much in the trade market, but they could draw interest from playoff contenders.
BRUINS UNLIKELY TO MOVE PAVEL ZACHA
THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa considers it unlikely that the Boston Bruins will trade Pavel Zacha. The 28-year-old center has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.
Shinzawa pointed out that Zacha has become a dependable long-term member of the Bruins’ secondary tier.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha was a fixture in the rumor mill throughout last summer and earlier in this season. However, the Bruins have been more competitive than expected after last season’s disappointing performance, and remain in playoff contention.
Shinzawa expects rival clubs will continue to inquire about Zacha’s availability unless the Bruins climb higher in the standings. However, it’s unlikely they’ll trade him even if they were to tumble in the standings. He’s become a valuable part of their roster core, and they will probably attempt to sign him to a contract extension this summer.
MERZLIKINS’ FUTURE WITH THE BLUE JACKETS REMAINS UNCERTAIN
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger wondered what the future holds for Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins.
The 31-year-old Merzlikins is in the fourth year of his five-year contract with an AAV of $5.4 million. He’s no longer the Blue Jackets starter, having been relegated to backup duty behind Jet Greaves, and has made only sporadic appearances in goal.
Hedger believes that’s a problem for the Blue Jackets, who opted not to trade or buy out the struggling netminder last summer. His trade value is lower now, and the contract buyout window is six months away. Sending him to the minors would require waivers plus Merzlikins’ willingness to report.
The Blue Jackets can only ride Greaves for so long. Hedger wondered if the Blue Jackets might consider terminating Merzlikin’s contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Merzlikins’ approval would be required for a mutual termination. Otherwise, the Blue Jackets would have to provide grounds to terminate his contract. If they can’t find a trade partner, they’ll have to wait to buy out the final season of his contract in June.
So, Elvis can’t/won’t leave the building!
Permanent residency at Heartbreak Hotel
I know the cap is tight but with Buffalo surging recently so they shock trade for Pettersson? They have picks and prospects. Cap goes up so perhaps they make that move and still try to sign Tuch
That’ll say a mountain to the locker room and fans that ownership and the new regime in hockey ops means business
What would Buffalo have to give to make it work with the cap?
BUF doesn’t work IMO.
Norris, Thompson and MacLeod are their top 3 C’s. No superstars, but still very good.
You could argue Norris is injury prone, so do that move, but the Sabres heater sure seems to line up with his return to the lineup. Norris is a very good player, he just hasn’t played enough.
Kinda hope the Sabres make it and give their fans some playoff action.
Not sure what to make of Petey, doesn’t seem like to type end guy that plays in a way that leads to playoff success. Not very aggressive.
Skinny Pete is a light weight . Appreciate he can snipe on occasion but Not worth 11.5 even with a rising cap. Sherwood will attract lots of interest and definitely a playoff styled player. Elias not so much
Elvis has left the building
If the Blue Jackets send Merzlikin’s down to the AHL and he refuses to report, isn’t grounds for termination?
It is.
Send Merzlikins to Cleveland. If he refuses to go, that’s cause for termination of his contract.
Drury approves this message! 👍
I disagree on Pettersson, he needs to move to a place that believes in him, all he has heard the last 2-3 years has been how bad he is. Add to that, that they coaches have muted his offence telling him to play differently. I think teams with cap space should buy low. Canes offer KK+2026 first+Stankoven. Or Buffalo: J Quinn+Byram+2nd rounder. There is still a good player there, I just dont think Vancouver is the place for that anymore. And as for Buffalo, Both Pettersson and Thompson could play wing, in my opnion, TT is better on the wing
If van not holding salary than I’d say kk plus 1st is plenty.
He’s heard how bad he is for the last 2-3 years because he has been exactly that…bad.
You don’t think Van believes in him? 11 mil contract and chose to move JT instead of him to settle that tiff?
I think JT wanted/asked to be traded out and the Canucks still looked at options to trade Petey and keep JT.
But I might be wrong about that.
If Drury felt so strongly about bringing JT to NY, I could see him pursuing Sherwood
I’m not sure Sherwood will get a 1st rd pick return at this time. A contender might hold off until better options unfold closer to deadline. A bubble team might be looking at possibility of that pick ending up a lottery pick. If I’m Rangers, I might deal the Dallas pick and keep their own. He could help in a push for a playoff spot and can still become sellers if it doesn’t work out.
“Reimer’s pending agreement has been registered. Ottawa announced they’ve inked him to a one-year deal worth a prorated salary of $850K. That’s despite the veteran getting lit up in his debut for Belleville last night, allowing six goals on 28 shots for a .786 SV% in an overtime loss to Rochester.”
6 in 28!!!!! 😣
If I’m a team like Winnipeg I’m all over Pettersson. I would be as well if I’m Montreal. I think he is a player in need of change and will fall nicely in the 2 centre spot. It could put both teams over the top. I like Columbus as well. small market team not a lot of outside noise.
The Jackets have Fantilli, Monahan and Coyle for their top 3 centers and $11MM for a 4th line center is Doug MacLean stupid. Plus they have Sillinger, Jenner and Johnson who are playing on the wings but are actually centers.
Why would Winnipeg want a cream puff like Pettersson…its not a dumping ground
I can’t see anyone taking Petey w/o salary retention.
Besides, Petey has full control over any trade. where would he want to go, if he wishes to go????
I would be shocked if the Sabres would trade for Pettersson. Next season the cap hit for Jeff Skinner goes up to over $6 million. They want to resign Alex Tuch which will cost them over $10 million. Plus they have quite a few rfa’s.
That Pettersson contract only gets worse as it ages. Why would the Sabres take on that type of commitment? No way this happens.
Evason put in Columbus. Bowles’s new coach.