NHL Rumor Mill – March 4, 2026
The trade deadline is Friday. Check out the latest on Robert Thomas, Jordan Binnington, Brady Tkachuk, Simon Nemec, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
ROBERT THOMAS RUMORS HEATING UP
TSN: Darren Dreger reports trade discussions between the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres involving Blues center Robert Thomas are heating up. While there are other teams interested in the 26-year-old Thomas, the Sabres appear to be the frontrunners.
Chris Johnston said the Blues are seeking three or four premium assets for Thomas. It’s believed the discussions with the Sabres have reached the point where they’re talking about a package of picks, players, and prospects that gets to about four players.
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).
Pierre LeBrun believes the Blues’ high asking price will be too expensive for the Montreal Canadiens. They’ve inquired about Thomas, but the asking price would involve top prospects such as Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, and other assets. It doesn’t make sense from the Canadiens’ perspective to get into that kind of move unless the price comes down.
THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun also reports the Utah Mammoth is among the clubs linked to Thomas.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Rutherford and Matthew Fairburn looked at what it might cost the Sabres to land Thomas.
The Sabres might have to part with Owen Power or prospect defenseman Radim Mrtka. The Blues would also want a young center in the deal, which could cost the Sabres Zach Benson or a prospect such as Konsta Helenius or Noah Ostlund. Fairburn wondered if the Blues might be interested in prospect goaltender Devon Levi.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It certainly sounds like the Sabres are the favorites in the bidding for Thomas. Whether the two sides can close the deal by Friday is another matter. Thomas has a full no-trade clause, and he might not be keen to go to Buffalo. However, it would provide a big boost to the Sabres’ roster if he’s willing to make that move.
WILL THE BLUES FIND A TAKER FOR JORDAN BINNINGTON?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Blues have been talking to other teams about goaltender Jordan Binnington, defensemen Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk, and winger Jordan Kyrou.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reported that Friedman believes there’s a chance that Binnington gets traded to the Oilers, Canadiens, or Vegas Golden Knights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a change from what Friedman said over the weekend, when he claimed the Oilers were going to stick with their current goalies and focus on addressing other roster needs.
THE ATHLETIC’s Jeremy Rutherford reports a source said he doesn’t see Binnington moving until the summer. The 32-year-old goalie has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a 14-team no-trade list.
The Blues have to make the best deal they can. However, general manager Doug Armstrong will give Binnington some consideration in his preferred destination.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Binnington trade could happen by Friday, but it seems more likely that it’ll occur in the offseason.
BRADY TKACHUK SURFACES IN THE RUMOR MILL
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reported that Keith Yandle of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast speculated that Senators captain Brady Tkachuk could be traded to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch was quick to dismiss Yandle’s conjecture, pointing out that Tkachuk indicated last week that the thought of leaving the Senators hasn’t crossed his mind. He has two more years left on his contract, and management has no intention of moving him.
Garrioch also noted TSN’s Jeff O’Neill said he wouldn’t be surprised if Tkachuk and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews go to their respective clubs at the end of this season and request to be traded this summer. O’Neill cited the criticism both players have received in their respective markets.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: As noted earlier, Tkachuk said he’s given no thought to leaving the Senators. Meanwhile, recent reports from Toronto indicated that the Maple Leafs received assurances from the Matthews camp that he’ll be back next season.
Next summer, however, could be a different story. By then, both players will be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. Much will depend on the performances of both clubs during 2026-27. If they make little or no improvement over this season, one or both players could have second thoughts about signing extensions, which could force their clubs to move them next summer rather than lose them to free agency in 2028.
DEVILS TAKING CALLS ABOUT SIMON NEMEC
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils are taking calls about Simon Nemec. The Devils are happy to keep the 22-year-old defenseman, but they’re willing to listen if there’s a deal that upgrades their forward lines in a real way. LeBrun claimed there’s no shortage of interest.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draft picks and prospects won’t cut it. The Devils want a hockey trade that fetches a good forward.
If the Devils are willing to move Nemec, it suggests they’re not getting much interest in veteran Dougie Hamilton, who was a hot topic in the rumor mill last summer and in January. However, most of that speculation has faded in recent weeks.
FLAMES INTERESTED IN XHEKAJ
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE’s Herb Zurkowsky said he’s heard the Calgary Flames have an interest in Arber Xhekaj.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Xhekaj is a big, heavy-hitting defenseman who is a fan favorite in Montreal, but has seen his playing time reduced this season because of the growing depth on the Canadiens’ blueline. He’s a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.
The Canadiens could move the 25-year-old Xhekaj if they get a solid return. However, they’ll likely hang onto him for the playoffs when his physical style will be of greater use.
I just read that the blues pulled an Icarus and scared the Sabres off. That unless the price comes down they are exploring other avenues
Buffalo needs to upgrade the defensive depth and add some sandpaper to their bottom 6 forwards.
Maybe revisit Thomas in the off season. Rosen would need to be in any trades, since he will no longer be waiver exempt after this season too. Same with Levi, if he’s not playing in Buffalo next season.
Sabres, Blues Shifting Trade Talks To Justin Faulk, Colton Parayko
this headline on PHR, and other sites as apparently the price for Thomas is too high.
But with Nemec on the market the Sabers should be interested in him!
Nemec for Benson and a 3rd
Don’t expect either Matthews or Tkachuk to publicly voice displeasure. Neither going anywhere this week. Good chance if both teams miss playoffs that rumors will heat up.
👍👍
Thomas is a good player but isn’t worth 4 top 15 picks which is the asking price. I think a top 4 RD is the way to go, I wonder what Hronek would cost?
That’s great. All you hear is our play is embarrassing. From Matthews. Well I don’t see him throwing the team on his back. Just pointing fingers.
Can’t help but think if both were to happen to be Canadian, this dumb talk wouldn’t even be an after thought.
I guess I missed out on all the team’s captains throughout hockey history, looking to leave their team, as a free agent or not. It’s so lazy to think that. Sure, maybe in the twilight of their careers for a chance at winning the elusive cup…🙄
speculated that Senators captain Brady Tkachuk could be traded to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson.
Wouldn’t be surprised if rumors are flying around in the offseason with B Tkachuk especially with the Panthers
Brady Tkachuk for Jason Robertson is really far fetched .
Doug Armstrong rumour – Leafs is intriguing … I predicted this a couple of years ago , when he was. Contemplating stepping down in St. Louis
It’s a crying shame what has happened in Toronto .. Berube has lost the team and Treliving is a worse nightmare the Kyle Dubas
Heh, Slick62, Joe and Ken … yeah, that sort of obvious crystal-ball speculation by secondary pundits like Yandle and O’Neill has been – and always will be – utilized whenever a notable player on a team that is in the throes of difficulties is nearing UFA status. It’s as obvious as a sore thumb and as inevitable as death and taxes.
Of COURSE it’s a possibility and most within the deeply interested fan bases know it. Only the most fringe-ranging fans would look at such speculation and interpret it as something “you can bank on” – to use a favorite phrase posted here in the past by a certain contributor whose predictions of that nature never materialized.
Lebrun reporting Panthers going into sell mode and listening on offers for Bobrovsky.
Ya Slick, the Panthers are too far back and their best player is still out. Might as well try and get some assets they can use to try and improve next year.
I heard Rodrigues name out there too.
what about a kent johnson trade from cbj to nj for nemec fair trade or not.
Wasn’t Kent a healthy scratch recently? Does he play center in Columbus? Is the team misusing him? Interested to learn as don’t see too much CBJ news.
At this point I’m starting to believe the whole Thomas speculation is Armstrong allowing it to swirl and suck up all the attention while he tries to move Kyrou, Faulk, Schenn.
The Buffalo trade speculation makes no sense to me. Why would the Sabres get Thomas when Norris and Thompson are their top 2 centers. Why disrupt the chemistry of a team playing the best it has in years.
Owen Power a big dman that doesn’t use his size, plays over 20 min, occasional offense in other words a left shot Parayko. Maybe the Blues could pair them and they would have 13ft of dmen that wouldn’t throw a body check to save their life. Besides the Blues have an orginalzation weakness at right shot dman which is why they got Mallioux.
Haven’t heard the Armstrong to the Leafs rumor although it’s not far fetched given his affiliation with team Canada. However since he’s signed to be the Blues president for the next 2 years, I believe not sure, and has agreed to stay on to mentor Steen it seems unlikely but could happen. Armstrong loves keeping everything close to the vest.
And, Snold49, you can add to your succinct observation “Why would the Sabres get Thomas when Norris and Thompson are their top 2 centers. Why disrupt the chemistry of a team playing the best it has in years.”
“And why bring in another C – however potentially very good – who has a repetitive injury history that rivals – if indeed doesn’t surpass – a C you traded for last year?”
Sure.
Lets get Thomas and have two “oft injured” centers.
Im with George. Sabres should stand pat.
I agree many Leaf fans over rate Leaf players. However, if Nashville can get a second for McCarron. I don’t think a first or multiple picks for Laughton, Roy and McMann respectively is far fetched.
Although the confidence in Treliving doing anything productive seems lost.
It’s now Wednesday and nothing has transpired for teams “looking” to improve, sell or any trade of consequence.
For Brad, who’s “always working the phones” must be getting a lot of hang ups or something. Rumors aside, I don’t trust a GM and coach combination whose fate is pretty much sealed at this point are calling the shots. If anything, their current/past performance isn’t anything to be proud of at all. Taking a contender to a pretender in less than a season IS an elite skill though. I guess fans have that.
Heh. Too true, Ron.
I know one thing … if old Lou Lamoriello was still running a team … and never being one who let the grass grow under his feet … he’d likely have two or more deals concluded at this stage. Whether ultimately for good or worse. 🙂