NHL Rumor Mill – February 4, 2026
The Olympic trade freeze begins at 3 PM ET today. Check out the latest on Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann, plus an update on the Blues in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
PANTHERS AND LIGHTNING SAID TO BE PUSHING FOR ARTEMI PANARIN
TSN: Chris Johnston reports the New York Rangers intend to move Artemi Panarin before the Olympic trade freeze goes into effect on Wednesday. However, the situation remains firmly in the hands of the 34-year-old winger and his agent.
New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).
The Rangers continue talking to teams, and there has been a range of interest. A key part of a deal is agreeing to a contract extension. Johnston said he’d heard one team put a $40 million offer on the table. However, it’s up to Panarin to determine if he’s found the right situation.
RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning are in the mix for Panarin. It’s believed that the winger’s preference is to join one of the Florida teams. The Minnesota Wild are also making a push.
Murphy indicated that the challenge for the Panthers is that they lack first-round picks in 2026 and 2027. A deal might have to be built around roster players and prospects such as Mackie Samoskevich and Eetu Luostarinen
The San Jose Sharks and Washington Capitals are willing to discuss an extension with the Panarin camp. However, they’re unwilling to give up elite young players such as Will Smith or Ryan Leonard in the deal.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin’s no-movement clause and his $11.6 million cap hit are stumbling blocks in the path to a trade. Rangers general manager Chris Drury may be keen to move him as soon as possible, but interested clubs can afford to wait him out and hope the asking price drops.
THE BLUES’ HIGH-END TALENT IS PROVING DIFFICULT TO MOVE
TSN: Darren Dreger reports St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong remains eager to refresh the roster before the change in management after this season.
Defensemen Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk, forwards Jordan Kyrou, Brayden Schenn, and Robert Thomas, and goaltender Jordan Binnington remain in play. However, Armstrong’s high asking prices and the cap management required to take on some of their high-end players have been sticking points.
DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek also noted that Thomas, Kyrou, Faulk, Binnington, and Parayko are floating around in the rumor mill. As for younger players such as Dalibor Dvorsky, Jake Neighbours, and Jimmy Snuggerud, Marek doesn’t believe they’re on the table.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All those high-end players mentioned by Dreger carry annual cap hits of $6 million or more. They also have various forms of no-trade protection. Factor in what Armstrong seeks for each player, and it wouldn’t be surprising if most of those players are still on the Blues roster after the March 6 trade deadline.
TVA SPORTS: Nicolas Cloutier asked the firm Sportslogiq to target the Montreal Canadiens’ most pressing need at the trade deadline and which player to pursue.
The Canadiens could improve defensively, prompting TVA Sports analyst Maxim Lapierre to suggest that they target Colton Parayko of the Blues.
Their most pressing need is a right winger on the top line alongside center Nick Suzuki and left wing Cole Caufield. Cloutier believes the Blues’ Jordan Kyrou would be a good fit, pointing out the Canadiens looked into acquiring him last summer. He’s also a friend of Suzuki’s.
Cloutier isn’t saying the Canadiens are pursuing Parayko or Kyrou. Nevertheless, they could be talking to Armstrong about some of the Blues’ veterans.
Parayko is a big, hard-shooting all-around defenseman who could be a solid defense partner alongside Lane Hutson. However, he’s 32 with four more years left on his contract, and his performance could decline over that period. Parayko might not be keen to waive his no-trade clause.
The Canadiens’ interest in Kyrou is well-documented, and he could fit in well on their top line. It’s worth recalling that the Habs pursuit of Kyrou ended on July 1 when his current contract (with its full no-trade clause) went into effect. Maybe he’d waive it now to go to Montreal, maybe not.
Assuming Parayko or Kyrou agreed to be traded to Montreal, the asking price could be the deal breaker if the Blues ask for Michael Hage, Jacob Fowler, or Alexander Zharovsky.
BOBBY MCMANN BECOMING THE MAPLE LEAFS’ BEST TRADE BAIT
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes the Maple Leafs could get a return for winger Bobby McMann that would be comparable to what the Vancouver Canucks received for Kiefer Sherwood from the San Jose Sharks. The Canucks got two second-round picks and minor league defenseman Cole Clayton.
Like Sherwood, the 29-year-old McMann is UFA-eligible on July 1 and carries an affordable salary-cap hit ($1.35 million). Koshan also doesn’t rule out the possibility of the winger fetching a first-round pick.
THE ATHLETIC: Joshua Kloke suggested McMann could be a perfect fit for the Edmonton Oilers. They need to improve their third-line depth, and his versatility makes it possible to move him up or down the lineup as needed.
The Oilers lack a first-round pick in 2026, but they have their first-rounders from 2027 to 2029. They also have their second-rounders for the next three years to draw on for trade bait.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox also mentioned the Oilers as a possible suitor. In addition, he mentioned colleague Nick Kypreos listing the Colorado Avalanche, Florida Panthers, Anaheim Ducks, and Ottawa Senators as possible suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs were expected to be sellers before their recent little win streak moved them within five points of a wildcard berth. GM Brad Treliving will likely wait until after the Olympic break to determine his club’s position in the standings before deciding whether or not to sell. Nevertheless, he’s probably fielding offers on McMann and others who are pending UFAs, such as Scott Laughton and Troy Stecher, looking for draft picks and prospects to restock his draft cupboard and prospect pipeline.
Florida should start thinking about selling. Currently have about a 24% chance of making playoffs. Does moving roster players for Panarin increase those chances? Probably not enough. They’re better off waiting until closer to deadline and see if anyone is offering an extension. If not, they’ll have best chance of signing him in off season. Too many variables right now with top players on ltir
I would do 2 seconds and Damien Carfagna for McMann in a second. Carfagna is two years younger than Clayton and also in his first year in the AHL has more points in less games played.
Although Leafs fans are probably wanting a 1st rounder for him. Using Natural Stat Trick to compair Sherwood’s and McMann’s advanced stats they are all fairly similare except for Corsi and Fenwick which favours Sherwood. So 2 seconds and Carfagna seems like a fair deal.
It will be interesting to see if anything happens today before the freeze.
7:30 am here in LA trade deadline is 3PM????
eastern standard time??
I disagree with the assessment of trading Parayko and or Kyrou to the Canadians.
Parayko is a first pair right shot dman who while not physical is big and uses his size very well defensively. He is a great skater makes the smart play in his end, plays over 22 minutes a game and leads the NHL in blocked shots. Despite his age his game translates to longevity.
Kyrou is a top line right winger with elite offensive skills and a proven goal scorer on a team that seems to always be short on offense. He is also near the top of the league in speed.
Why either or both of those players wouldn’t command a top return doesn’t make sense to me. From the Blues point of view they might believe that Snuggerud and Carbonneaux can replace Kyrou but they don’t have anybody who can replace what Parayko does game after game.
And the Habs want them according to the press but they don’t want to give up worthwhile assets….same old story from Montréal
100% in agreement with you…Parayko was carefully selected by St-Louis and is definitely first pairing defensemen (right shot)
Snold49:
Assuming Dobes continues to play well the most pressing need the Habs have is a big forechecking winger on Suzuki’s left, the role that Slavkovski filled. In a limited sample size the often injured Dach is doing well there.
Acquisition price always tells the story.
I am with Lyle, none of Hage, Fowler nor Zharovski should be moved. leaving the Habs with few fair return pieces to offer the Blues for either of the two Blues mentioned.
I am probably in minority but i dont think Leafs are looking for picks primarily. They want players ready play soon- not a 2nd round pick they wont see for 3 years if they are lucky. They want to be back at it next year while 34 is still under contract, those picks wont help and with no one available on the UFA list, my guess is players like Isaac Howard- not saying its doable or not- just saying thats who they target. Players of that age, Detroit has plenty as well.
Colton Parayko is just the guy the Leafs should have acquired years ago to play with Reilly. He would be an idea stay at home guy that would have helped Reilly and the Leafs. They tried with Tanev but he was over the hill.
100%
NON Leaf fans have been screaming at various toronto GM’s to get more defensive defensmen to play with your offensive guys. They just won’t, don’t, haven’t. And clearly other managers aren’t taking note. The Tanev thing is playing out in Ottawa with Jensen. Great smooth skater……….for a season. Then. A hip, a surgery a quicker than should have recovery and you have Chabbot being the stay-at-home guy when he should be free to roam around like Reilley.
Which is why they were linked to Andersson before Vegas got him, and now Weegar.
But Staios doesn’t have a whole helluva lot to entice Calgary, apparently … unless he sacrifices one of his C.
They won’t be giving up what St. Louis will want for Parayko (even IF they’re thinking about moving him) and that leaves the likes of Dougie Hamilton or Justin Faulk.
I understand trading picks, even firsts but i would not trade young roster players for just about anybody. You don’t know if a first will pan out, especially if the pick is late in the first round. But most young roster players are there for reasons – they were picked and have proven themselves at various levels. Much closer to being a sure think than a late round 1st pick.
I don’t get the pressing need for a winger on the Hab’s top line. Kirby Dach has been filling that role nicely since he returned from injury. I’m sure other folks see it from a different lens but from my view, their most pressing needs are a bottom pairing defencemen and a goalie upgrade. Maybe there’s a trade to be had for Jordan Binnington…
everyday, Yes, the 5/6 D could be better but it is the 5/6 D after all. Factor room in for Engstrom. He will make the club next year.
We’ll see how Montembeault plays after the Olympics and if he falters again then yes, a goalie as Fowler needs one more year in Laval after this one.
I repeat: I expect no big moves from the habs until the off season. I think Hughes and Gorton want to see how the roster performs in the playoffs before taking a swing.
I don’t like either Kyrou or Parayko for the Habs.
Parayko had a career year last season which he’ll never replicate. Turning 33 this year, his slide is just beginning and he has 4 more tears to go on his contract.
Habs have an older D-man, Matheson but he continues to improve,
Kyrou is having an off year to say the least, he’s a perimeter player who’s shot % is down. He has speed but doesn’t fit the Habs game,
Robert Thomas on the other hand, despite his off year is exactly the kind of player the Habs can use.
I find it hard to believe the Blues are really holding him out as available and I wouldn’t give the farm for him.
I agree!
Panarin to Tampa looking like the move??
Sharks loaded with some decent A and B prospects.. as a Rangers fan thats the deal id prefer but