NHL Rumor Mill – May 21, 2026
Could the Oilers attempt to acquire Blues winger Jordan Kyrou, trade Darnell Nurse to the Sharks, or hire Mike Babcock? What’s the latest on the Maple Leafs and Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
LATEST OILERS RUMORS
DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek believes the Edmonton Oilers could pursue a speedy winger who can play alongside team captain Connor McDavid.
Marek expects that Jordan Kyrou will be mentioned “a ton” as a trade target. The 27-year-old St. Louis Blues winger has been in the rumor mill for the past couple of years.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou would first have to waive his full no-trade clause. Another hurdle is meeting the Blues’ high asking price. Kyrou’s production dropped this season, mostly because of injuries, but the Blues won’t sell low. They could seek a good young NHL player, a prospect, and a first-round draft pick.
The Oilers have over $16 million in salary-cap space with 15 roster players under contract. They would likely have to shed salary to make room for Kyrou’s $8.125 million average annual value for the next seven seasons.
And no, the Blues won’t retain salary in this deal. You want Kyrou, you meet their asking price, and take on his full cap hit. They’re under no pressure to move him.
Marek believed the Oilers would attempt to re-sign defenseman Connor Murphy, who is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. Failing that, he wondered if Michael Kesselring of the Buffalo Sabres might be a fit.
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse (NHL Images).
The San Jose Sharks are looking for a defenseman, and they have a surplus of young forwards. Marek wondered if there might be a deal in which the Oilers send them veteran blueliner Darnell Nurse for one of their young excess forwards, such as Colin Graf.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman would probably love a move like that, assuming Nurse waives his no-movement clause. However, Sharks GM Mike Grier could have other trade options in mind to bolster his blueline, especially ones that aren’t carrying a $9.25 million AAV for the next four years.
Marek also mentioned the Oilers’ need to upgrade their goaltending. He mused about whether there might be something there with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen of the Buffalo Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers need stability between the pipes, but Luukkonen has had his consistency issues. The Sabres could also prefer to keep their current goaltending tandem intact for next season.
Devon Levi has recently surfaced as a trade candidate given his struggles to crack the Sabres’ lineup. However, the Oilers might prefer a more established NHL starter.
TSN: Darren Dreger contacted former NHL head coach Mike Babcock regarding rumors linking him to the Oilers. “Dregs, I’m retired. Loving it,” Babcock replied.
Babcock last coached in the NHL with the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2019-20. He was hired by the Columbus Blue Jackets three years later, but resigned before the start of the season after it was reported he had asked his players to share personal photos from their mobile devices.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Despite Dreger’s report, the speculation persists suggesting the Oilers should hire Babcock. However, the Oilers players might not be pleased with that possibility, given what went down in Columbus and his treatment of Mitch Marner when he coached the Maple Leafs.
MATTHEWS COULD BE THE MAPLE LEAFS’ ONLY UNTOUCHABLE
SDPN: During the latest episode of The Chris Johnston Show, Johnston said the Toronto Maple Leafs’ new management is open to listening to offers on any player other than team captain Auston Matthews.
Johnston pointed out that some players, such as William Nylander and Morgan Rielly, have no-movement clauses, meaning they could be unwilling to move. Nevertheless, it seems that new GM John Chayka is “basically considering everything but his captain.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka will also set high prices for some of those players, especially Nylander, right wing Matthew Knies, and center John Tavares. Even though he might be open to listening to offers, it doesn’t mean that he’s going to move those players or stage a fire sale.
Remember, Chayka’s taking his marching orders from Leafs ownership. They made it clear that they are retooling, not rebuilding, with the intent of staging a bounce-back performance next season.
SUGGESTED TRADE TARGETS FOR THE PENGUINS
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggested four young players as potential trade targets for the Penguins.
They include winger Brad Lambert of the Winnipeg Jets, defenseman Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins, center Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, and blueliner Pavel Mintyukov of the Anaheim Ducks.
Kingerski noted that the four have struggled with their current clubs and might benefit from a change of scenery with a retooling team like the Penguins.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lambert, Lohrei, Wright, and Mintyukov have surfaced in the rumor mill from time to time this season. Their respective clubs aren’t facing any serious pressure to move them, but they could be worth monitoring in what could be a busy summer for trade activity.
It’s not what would someone give up to trade for Nurse. It’s what’s it going to cost the Oilers to move him and that’s only if he’s willing to move at all.
9 million is a lot to pay for a turnstile.
Torts is only the interim coach in Vegas.
Imagine the Knights hiring Babcock.
Hilarious.
Could Torts be a hire in Edmonton? He does have a short shelf life, but I dont see McDavid staying long either
Babcock? Perfect? Things must be getting desperate in the eyes of Stauffer.
Speedy winger for oilers. Why not DeBrusk. Will cost a hell of a lot less than Kyrgyz. And he would love to go home as they say
@Mrbruin,
Because he is a streaky scorer that doesn’t grind like Roslovic. Good for the regular season to get you in, but bad for the playoffs.
The best way to retool is trying to identify mid 20s players that have fallen out of favour with their clubs but have more to give and could elevate their game. Not that they will becomes stars but that they become above replacement level players in key areas like C and defense.
Certain teams do this well like Boston with Geekie for example or Florida with Forsling, Verhaeghe. Although 2 of them are wingers. Pro scouting is vastly underrated it seems.
I would expect teams like the Leafs, Kraken, Kings, Jets to go this route. I’d be wary of moving off of Lambert if I was the jets. That’s the kind of trade that comes back to haunt.
I’d be looking at players like C. Zary, C. Sillinger, B. Pachal, L. Bischel, H. Laperierre
Underrated comment.
Pro-scouting is wildly underrated.
Look at the failures of the Senators under Pierre Dorion’s management to identify the exact people you’re describing.
mid 20’s potentially on a good contract already but just not producing like they should be…. buy low. And watch the investment grow. Additionally. Coaching on the receiving team is massive. Jacques Martin actually taught failed defensemen how to play defense. And got something from nothing. More than just Charra.
I think Lohrei is right in that category. Smooth skater, some offensive vision. And the propensity to lose focus on defense, doesn’t make good reads and takes himself out of the play. All correctable.
Jordan Spence. Similar player, (smaller) but took huge leaps this year with his defensive play. Now it helped that Ottawa was hit with a rash of defensive injuries this year necessitating learn-on-the-fly but learn they did.
RD Lassi Thomson is another who seems to have finally found his way into NHL-level competence. He performed very well when called upon. And in some crucial games.
Too bad he’d already signed back in Europe (again) George.
He did look like he finally turned a corner. And we lose him again.
ughh….
Missed that Dark G. Crap. Yeah, this time in the Swiss league.
George , fyi Lassi Thomson signed a two-year contract with HC Lugano of Switzerland’s National League on May 8th
Macleod may fall into this category. Not that he’s fallen out of favor, more that he’s in a logjam. And the need for his team to open up cap space.
If the Oilers are looking for a winger to play with McDavid it should be one that is defensively sound as McDavid is known to be a bit lax in his defensive efforts.
I’m not sure who fits that bill but they should probably find one for Leon too
who wants Darnell Nurse for that contract?
Nobody
Isn’t Chris Johnston the guy that said Matthews was keeping his options open or some BS like that…now everyone but him is available? That’s some good reporting, coming around a full 360.
As for marching orders 🙄, I’m gonna guess the same as other GMs do? I don’t get (I do though) why this is speculated about the Leafs especially when it hasn’t been the case with no evidence to suggest otherwise in years. But I guess you can beat a dead horse. 🤓
How else would you term it when Pelley came out and flatly stated at a press conference on March 31, 2026 that ownership ruled out a complete teardown of the roster, citing the “foundational pieces” (such as Auston Matthews and William Nylander) as the core they will continue to build around.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a63aFFe8UPA
A little over a month later, on May 3, Chayka was hired. If that doesn’t sound like coming in to “marching orders” then I’m John Philip Souza. Or are you now telling us that that really wasn’t their definitive position or intention? If so, provide a link that suggests otherwise.
Sorry for sounding stupid but I don’t understand…if I was an owner, I would be hard pressed to believe that a year removed from being divisional champs and not having all their own picks that the right action would be to do a complete rebuild. Is that what we are discussing here?
Also it was recently reported that all players besides Matthews are available for discussion and trades. So take that as you will.
Do you think your teams owner won’t be pressuring your GM to make moves or makes decisions on the team? It’s been a decade and a lot of no show. Owners are all looking at their assets regardless who they are, to think otherwise is delusional.
OK, so if EVERYONE but Matthews is suddenly available for discussion and trades, then the March 26 presser by Pelley was, in effect, BS?
And doesn’t that equate to a complete re-build? I mean if Matthews could conceivably be the last man standing, so to speak, and a whole new roster is assembled around him, how is that a “re-tool?”
I’ve said it before, and Ill say it again. A re-tool is just a rebuild in denial.
Yes I know! Ask Chris Johnston about that…he said that’s what he’s hearing. So to answer your question, yes it’s all BS.
I feel that nowadays you lie and deny the truth. This is just part of the game….and we have every right to call it out.
As for the retool or rebuild, it’s similar to what SOG said, its denial. The whole front office has been changed and is currently being restructured or built to Chayka’s liking not Pelley or the head honcho Rogers. As I said before, when a team fails, there’s always some retooling, the differences are only to what can be done or not and no one offseason is going to solve all of the issues in the organization from players to top executives.
PS I’m on the west coast so excuse my late replies and why sometimes I don’t continue.
Fair enough, Ron.
I guess, in my case, my thinking is centered around the basic, consensus difference between a “re-tool” and a “re-build” which is
“A re-tool keeps a team’s core players and makes targeted trades to remain competitive. A re-build is a complete teardown where a team trades older veterans for draft picks and prospects, sacrificing short-term success to build a new foundation from the ground up.”
From that angle, willingness to deal everybody but one player signals a re-build in my mind.
SJ should see what it would take to get Hronek, still only 28? and has 5-6 good years left. He isnt a number one, but he is a great number 2 and a RD.
Oilers coaching : Babcock …lol….I like to know where “speculation” comes from nowadays…of all the available condidates with experience to all the up n comers looking for an nhl job in what world does Babcock get dragged out as a discussion point. Ridiculous.
Oilers trading for marquee names : The oilers do not have a surplus of youngsters of note, picks, or vets w/o nmc that would be attractive to a rebuilding club so the idea of being able to put a pkg together that lures a GM to trade away a Kyrou, Robertson or other comparables, especially being out another’s team pkg is a pipe dream that not even oiler fans would put forth.
On Nurse…he has value but the true negative is his ridiculous cap hit. If moved I do not expect to win the trade (win would be in moving the contract) but I do expect serious suitors interested if he was in play and agreeable to relocating.
Why didn’t the Oil sign hometown boy Heart? That would have made all the difference for them. I guess it must of been because of all the backlash over the bad hire of disgraced Bowman and didn’t need the extra exposure?
Did that happen because the owner said no? Because we know Bowman would let much stop him from winning.
Ron Moore – Hart is showing up now…sure but he had a rocky reg season as well. How would he had fared in edm not being stellar from day 1? How would things be if the knightd had not rebound under Torts.
Personally I actually expected Hart to be in edm…and if you wanted to you could dig up.posters whereni surmissed it as likely. but it seems whether or not that door was open was irrelevant as Hart was looking to go somewhere away from the noise as when he was able to sign, it sounded like he was not looking towards or considering a Canadian franchise where the noise would be loudest at first and with struggles.
So all that is to say whatever the team opted to or why…the stars were not aligning on that as a match at that time….no matter how many times you mention it or scoff at the oilers for not pursuing it with more or even any steam
I can’t see Edm trading for Kyrou, more so because of the assets needed to give back.
If StL is looking for a good young NHL player, a prospect, and a first-round draft pick, that likely takes a lot of top end teams out of the mix.
Maybe a team that is up & coming can do it like Chicago, Utah, or SJ.
But realistically, I think Thomas and Kyrou both start the year with StL.
Just throwing this out there. Not taking NMC in consideration and the Wild is able to sign Hughes doe the following trade makes sense?
Faber and one of their goalies to Edmonton for Draisital.
I think this trades addresses both teams biggest needs and both teams a dealing from a position of strength.
Jeff..it is not so much the concept of the deal that i take issue with but i don’t see any scenario in which they move Leon (who is locked in for 7 more seasons i think) unless Mcdavid signs an lengthy extenstion.
To put yourself in a position where you arguably have 2 top 5 centers to potential needing a 1c in 2 or 3 seasons if Mcdavid moves on as well is likely too much of a risk.
I wouldn’t do it. Now if Mcdavid had signed 8 years instead of 2…maybe then the concept is more palatable
Plus, with Wallstedt’s availability at the start of next season uncertain, I don’t see the Wild dealing a goalie at this stage
https://apnews.com/article/nhl-playoffs-wild-guerin-gustavsson-wallstedt-424197a1d918de6011f261d6257ac513
It’s a nice to have for sure but having Faber (who is 23) and signed long term at $8.5M is more valuable then having McDavid and Drasital. McDavid and RNH is a good 1/2 combo.
Having McDavid, RNH, Bouchard and Faber vs McDavid, Drisital, Bouchard and Nurse. I’m pretty sure I go with the way better D option every time.
1Oilerfan
What would you think of the Oil adding Mikhayev from CHI to play RW with McDavid?
He’s good defensively and can skate very well. He’s got decent hands and could allow Hyman to play 2RW with Draisaitl.
Daryl I like idea of adding him a lot. At the right price.
Jeff – I’d argue RNH is closer to a 3c these days than a 2c.
NYR would be a nice get for Draisaitl.
Lafreniere, Cuylle, Schneider to Oilers.
Boy wouldn’t that be a trade! Maybe substitute a young goaltender in there, if the Rangers have one to spare. Three high quality or maybe 4 players for Leon may be appropriate.
No Thanks, giving up those 3 for Draisaitl doesn’t do anything to make the Rangers contenders. They had Panarin who maybe not as good as Draisaitl was certainly no slouch at putting up points, and they still missed the playoffs last 2 years. I personally believe Lafreniere is just now starting to show his true promise and will be only getting better over the next few seasons at half the cost. Plus, you are giving up Cuylle who may not be a scoring machine, he is a physical presence and chips in a decent amount for his cap hit. The Rangers need to be patient and take the necessary steps and time to do the retool correctly this time in order to be a perennial playoff team who can actually compete for the cup again in the not-too-distant future. #5 and #26 pick this year should help that along as well as the youth that was called up during the final leg of the season having a full year playing at the NHL to see what they can really do. They should get a decent haul for Trocheck if they do decide to trade him as well.
Daigle arguably had better stats through 6 seasons than Lafreniere (404 games played and 236 points versus 462 games played and 250 points) and look how he turned out.
Good luck with that.
There I go repeating myself yet again.
Lafernier was misused his first 3 seasons and when giving more ice time and better linemates he began to flourish. His game vastly improved after the Panarin trade, and he was on fire after the Olympics until the end of season. He is going to only get better, and the Rangers should keep him as part of the retool and their intentions of getting younger and faster. Draisaitl alone isn’t making them a contender and would leave too many holes to fill. Stay the course and build a true playoff team with the $$$ and young assets they have accumulated. They already made the mistake of trying to rush the process when they originally signed Panarin, no sense in repeating it.
I think the Oilers should trade Broberg and Holloway
to the Blues for Jordan Kyrou. Wait, wait they are
already Blues. A gift from JJ. A 2nd and a 3rd is all the
Oilers got back. Well it was a nice try.
Nice lol