NHL Rumor Mill – May 22, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest trade speculation about Devils defenseman Simon Nemec and Bruins blueliner Mason Lohrei, plus some proposed backup goalie candidates for the Senators.
TRADE RUMORS PERSIST ABOUT DEVILS DEFENSEMAN SIMON NEMEC
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited a report from overseas, claiming Simon Nemec had requested a trade from the Devils. Nichols reported the 22-year-old defenseman’s agent was unavailable for comment.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nemec is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He’s been the subject of trade rumors this season, with some reports suggesting he could seek a new deal equivalent to that of fellow Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, who inked a seven-year contract last fall worth an average annual value of $9 million.
New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec (NHL Images).
The report also claimed that the club’s new general manager, Sunny Mehta, had not reached out to the 22-year-old defenseman or his agent about a new contract. However, a source told Nichols that wasn’t the case.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichols reported that the Devils had yet to comment on this situation. However, Slovak hockey insider Tomas Prokop claimed Nemec has not requested a trade. Hopefully, we’ll have more clarity on this issue soon.
Speaking of the Devils, Nichols believes they face a real threat of at least one of their restricted free agents being targeted with an offer sheet during the offseason.
Nemec, winger Arseny Gritsyuk, and forward Paul Cotter are eligible to sign offer sheets on July 1.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have $11.875 million in projected salary cap space for 2026-27 with 18 roster players under contract. Matching an expensive offer for Nemec (for example) wouldn’t leave much to fill out the rest of the roster, and would require a cost-cutting trade or two to address the issue.
Bear in mind that a player must be willing to sign an offer sheet from a rival club. If they’re not interested, the Devils have nothing to worry about. Gritsyuk and Cotter have arbitration rights. If they file by the July 5 deadline, they will be ineligible to receive an offer sheet.
Nemec is the most likely target, but it’s unlikely he’ll receive an unmatchable offer. He has plenty of potential as a puck-moving blueliner, but his defensive issues could make him a less attractive offer-sheet candidate.
WILL THE BRUINS PEDDLE MASON LOHREI THIS SUMMER?
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley believes the Bruins should use defenseman Mason Lohrei as a trade chip to acquire more skill and speed.
The 25-year-old Lohrei is the youngest player on the Bruins roster. General manager Don Sweeney spoke highly of the puck-moving blueliner, but he was the subject of trade rumors this season. He was also a healthy scratch for the Bruins final three playoff games.
Studley believes Lohrei remains a valuable trade asset with offensive upside, who has also improved his defensive game this season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lohrei remains the Bruin most likely to be traded this summer. He could be packaged with a draft pick or a prospect if they intend to pursue a top-six forward.
BACKUP GOALIE OPTIONS FOR THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently examined potential backup goaltending targets for the Senators.
They included Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers. Both are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. They could also turn to Leevi Merilainen from their AHL affiliate in Belleville.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ingram might be the easier fit as a backup option. Skinner will likely want to play for a club where he’ll be the starter.
Garrioch also mentioned pending UFA Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes, but his performance in this year’s playoffs could raise his value in the free-agent market. Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild could be a trade option, but the asking price will be high.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes could retain Andersen for another season. Wallstedt would be too costly to acquire, plus he won’t be available until the Wild knows if starter Filip Gustavsson has fully recovered from offseason hip surgery.
I am totally ok if bruins pkg Lohrei plus for a top 6 forward. But he is not the the youngest Bruin this season Several Bruin forwards are younger. Hagens Minton Khusnutdinov Reichel
Not sure why the Bruins are so intent on moving Lohrei. Can you explain why they want to move this young defenseman?
Goalie may be Minny’s best chip for a trade to improve their roster, but Gustavsson’s rehab from hip surgery could force Minny to start the year with both goalies still on the roster, especially if Gus can’t get back in time for preseason games.
I think we’ve seen enough of the wildly inconsistent Merilainen in Ottawa, whose up-and=down pattern continued even in the AHL, and with both he and Reimer allowed to walk, one priority will HAVE to be a CONSISTENT veteran back-up to Ullmark – either through trade or off the UFA heap, and to bolster the system’s lack of goalie depth by using the 32nd pick to take the best goaltender available at the draft.
As I posted in the other thread in an exchange with Dark G, here is an article assessing the best goalies available at this draft:
https://www.dailyfaceoff.com/news/2026-nhl-draft-10-goaltenders-you-need-to-know-knowling-orsulak-trejbal
Skinner put in some decent games in Pittsburgh where he posted a 2/99gaa albeit a bit wonky 0.855 save %. In Ottawa he’d of course be back-up to Ullmark, but even so, back of a good overall D structure, he could possibly see upwards of 35 starts, and if he signed here short term and put up good numbers he could parlay that into a long-term career-ending deal somewhere, He is just 27 y/o.
31 y/o Ingram is also intriguing after his 2/60gaa and 0.899 save % b/o a D structure in Edmonton that is somewhat less effective than that of Ottawa’s. But there are a couple of others as UFAs who might be considered as well – 28 y/o Danil Tarasov of Florida who posted a 3.05gaa and 0.895 save % b/o a devastated Panthers line-up, and 31 y/o Vitek Vanecek of Utah who had a 2.92gaa and 0.883 save % in 22gp.
Shane Pinto, Levi Merrilainen, Tyler Boucher and whoever Buffalo wants us to use the 1st round pick on (since we can’t trade it)
For Alex Lyon, Zach Benson and Logan Stanley
Stanley ufa
Nemec almost definitely wants out. He’s made comments in the past about being unhappy with his use. NJ has Seamus Casey in the minors who, imo, will be the better of the 2 when all is said and done.
NJ should absolutely look to trade Nemec. Send him to ANA straight up for McTavish or package him for someone like Thomas.
Wouldn’t Nemec to SJ be something that could work for both sides and that both sides would have interest figuring out a deal?
Pajada, if Nemec has a hard time getting $ from NJ, he will have a harder time getting it from Verbeek who is well known for being hard nosed in bargaining. Besides, where does McTavish fit on a team with Hughes and Hischier at C? It would mean a lot of moving parts and teams including moving Hischier.
And a trade for Thomas would cost a lot more than just Nemec in assets, and would add 8 million to their cap.
Nemec is an RFA. He has little bargaining power. He can have a snit sit and threaten to not report, or demand a trade, of course, but what guarantee does that have of getting the $ he wants elsewhere?
I could see a situation where NJ tries to improve their 3C (sorry Glass). NJ needs depth scoring badly. Correct me if I’m wrong though, didnt McTavish play mostly wing last season?
I was a huge Lohrei believer a few years ago. Offensively he’ll only improve defensively he’s gotten a bit better. But they need a strong addition back there someone who can rush & get the puck out but is not afraid to hit and block shots.I’ve lost confidence in Mason to do all that. With bruins drafting 23rd really interested in this D Moncton Wildcats he’s been outstanding 13 g 68a he’s the top scoring d in the qmjhl.
JA Lohrei is being boxed out by Lindholm,Zadorov and Aspirot. There best player a Providence is LHD Brunet ,who is ready for a shot with the big club. Lohrei could be part of a significant trade if you package him with other players or draft picks.
NJ is in a tough spot as two of their RD were unhappy last season.
If Nemec and Hamilton are moved they would be down to Pesce and Kovasevic as their RHD. Would Casey be up to a full time spot next season?
A Nemec trade to SJ would be interesting as the Devils had a trade worked out for Hamilton that he used his NTC to block.
A 1 for 1 involving Nemec for Graf might make sense for both teams.
If Nemec is really looking for a $9M AAV I don’t think he’ll find it in NJ with Hamilton making nearly the same.
Daryl, NJ is being held hostage by Hamilton NTC. He won t accept trades to anyone,he makes to much money and he is soft. This might cost the Devils Nemec or Casey. NJ management did an awful job giving out NTC and NMC clauses to way to many players!
Let’s keep it simple…Pinto for Josh Norris & Lyon. Benson is going nowhere.