NHL Rumor Mill – May 25, 2026
Will the Sabres sign defenseman Bowen Byram to a contract extension? Could the Bruins pursue Devils blueliner Simon Nemec? Could the Blue Jackets and Boone Jenner part ways? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION
THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn looked at the offseason “to-do” list for Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.
Bowen Byram’s future with the Sabres is part of that list. The 24-year-old left-shot defenseman is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility and can sign a contract extension on July 1.
Kekalainen told Byram during his exit interview that he’d love to keep the puck-moving blueliner. The Sabres’ top-four defense, of which Byram was a part, played a significant role in the club’s impressive improvement this season.
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).
Byram wants to play for a winner, and the Sabres check that box. However, Fairburn wondered if he wants to remain a second-pairing defenseman with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson also playing big minutes.
If Byram wants a top-pairing role and a contract to match, free agency might be his best option. However, if he’s happy with his current role, the Sabres must find a way to re-sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram was the subject of media trade speculation last year, but he surprised the pundits by inking a two-year contract. His situation will be worth monitoring this summer.
Byram could opt for a long-term deal. He could also opt for another short-term deal, ensuring he could be UFA eligible again while still in his playing prime. He and the Sabres could also wait to see how next season pans out before committing to serious contract talks.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias suggested Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring could be on the New York Islanders’ radar this summer.
Kesselring, 26, is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.4 million. He will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Injuries sidelined him for 29 games, and he was a healthy scratch for all but three games from March 12 to May 18.
Macias expects Kesselring to be traded this summer. He expects the asking price to be a second or third-round pick.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres acquired the 6’5”, 215-pound Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth last year to skate alongside Owen Power, but it didn’t work out as hoped. He put up good numbers (29 points in 82 games) during his final season with the Mammoth.
MORE DEVILS TRADE RUMORS
NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Boston Bruins should pursue New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec if he becomes available in the trade market this summer.
Conflicting reports emerged last week regarding a supposed trade request by the 22-year-old Nemec. He’s a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.
Goss believes Nemec’s puck-moving ability, offensive skills, and right-hand shot are what the Bruins desperately need on their blueline. He would also be a younger, more affordable option than pursuing Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh or Vegas’ Rasmus Andersson via free agency.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins won’t be the only club interested in Nemec if the Devils shop him in this summer’s trade market. They do have some promising young players and draft picks, including two first-rounders in the 2027 and 2028 NHL Drafts, to draw on for trade capital.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols listed several players he considers trade targets that could bolster the Devils’ lack of scoring depth.
Ross Colton of the Colorado Avalanche tops that list, followed by Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets, Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames, and Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colton has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4 million. Zary has two years left with an average annual value of $3.775 million. Perfetti and Bourque are both restricted free agents with arbitration rights.
The Jets could be reluctant to part with Perfetti despite the drop in his production this season. Colton could be available if the Avs shed salary to make some roster changes, especially if they get swept in the Western Conference Final.
Zary hasn’t progressed as the Flames had hoped, but they might give him another season. Bourque could be an affordable offer-sheet target if he’s willing to sign. If he’s not, he could become a trade candidate if the Stars’ efforts to re-sign Jason Robertson leave them little cap room for other players.
COULD THE BLUE JACKETS PART WAYS WITH BOONE JENNER?
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline speculated that long-time Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner might be moving on this summer.
Jenner, 32, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Blue Jackets captain is completing a four-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.
This is Jenner’s last opportunity to sign a multi-year contract via free agency. Portzline believes he will draw plenty of suitors, pointing out that the Blue Jackets received plenty of calls about him at the March trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline observed that nothing’s settled yet, and Jenner could still re-sign with the Blue Jackets. However, he doubted that the veteran forward would be happy with a one or two-year deal. He also pointed out that it appears the Jackets management hasn’t made re-signing him a priority.
Power would be a great trade chip for Knies.
Or to SJ with the Buffalo 1st for #2 OA. Draft Stenberg. Ditch Tuch, sign Benson long term.
Johnny Z – if only life was as simple as your daily trade proposals.
You seem to have a 3 step solution to every team’s problems.
Just kidding with ya. SJ will have a lot of options and I will be shocked if they do not trade the pick for dman.
The Sabres do not need to lose Power or Byram both who are major strengths on this team.
The Sabres have a great prospect pool still coming and their need imho is a true #1 goalie
The curse of the President’s trophy continues
It is rumoured R.Andersson has a deal in place with Vegas and waiting until July 1
I think the Devils move Hamilton and keep Nemec .
Flames shoukd give one of their 4 second rounders for Kesselring. Would have room on their bottom pair and at least an opportunity’s for more ice time
I fully expect the oilers will be one of the teams sniffing around Jenner.
More offensive upside than Dickinson…but neither has been particularly durable of late either.
Jenner’s physical style has made him injury prone. He’s played only about 67% of Jackets games over the last four seasons. And those injuries have both slowed him a step or so and reduced his offense. He’s probably a 3rd or 4th line center and penalty kill specialist at this stage of his career. He’s been a top flight soldier for the Jackets, but it’s time to let him chase a Cup.
Paul Bowles
That would be the exact role I suspect the Oilers would have interest in him for if for some reason they are unable to reach an agreement with Dickinson.
SS
Was thinking same. Why would Devils keep the 32 year old over Nemec.
SJ would be a great fit. They have the cap space and no big deals to hand out this offseason. Especially if Ferraro decides to test FA. Other contracts ending next offseason when Smith and Celebrini will be starting new deals.
Hey Johnny what about Toronto’s RFA, N. Robertson to Dallas for their RFA Bourque? Sounds like Bourque would want to cash in and Nick will be on his bros team and possibly sign for less than Bourque‘s looking for? I have no idea if either is what both teams would be looking for but there is a past relationship dealing with each other.
With the cap going up as much as it is this offseason, there should be some substantial changes and trades for many teams this year. The potential to see a blockbuster is there.
Nick Robertson for Bourque will never happen. Bourque was the MVP for the AHL a few years back and is just now growing into his own in the NHL….It would be more likely for Jason to get traded to Toronto for the 1st overall…so, no, neither will happen…haha
I’d be surprised if the Sabres traded away Byram, it’s more likely they’ll lock him down.
Owen Power on the other hand has disappointed and is getting a long leash because “big” guys take longer to develop.
He’s only 23y/o but he’s had 4 full years in the NHL to prove himself making him an old23.
I thought Power would have more impact as well, HF30. I wonder if either or both of these are a factor:
The first, being as you say longer to develop. Dhalin took several years before he blossomed.
The second is that hinted at re Byron, a role constricted by Dhalin and Byram. Perhaps Sabres fans have an opinion on whether Power is being utilized as a third choice behind the other two.
With Domi questionable after post-surgical complications, Jenner will likely get interest from Toronto as guy with leadership chops and a UFA status.
doktor dave
The last thing the Leafs need is another past his prime player looking to cash in his last chance at a big pay day.
They need to add speed to their line-up and Jenner has lost a step or two. 3C should be where Tavares finds himself. The Leafs should call Dallas about Bourque
Boston is in a desperate need for a top 4 defensemen. Mcavoy seems to get hurt every year and they need to shore up the right side. Their LD depth is what makes me think they may move Lohrei.
Buffalos top 4 are all left shot. They all play over 20 minutes a game. 18-19 at 5×5. Dahlin gets the most on PP. Powers and Samuelsson on PK. Rangers could use Byram. Would probably be 2nd pair for balance. Would Schneider and 26th pick do it? Consider Sabres got him for Mittelstadt.
Everything depends on Tuch. If they resign him or not.
Going to be beyond hilarious watching Bettman have to hand the Conn Smythe to Carter Hart.
Suspended and blackballed over court proven fabrications.
I can’t stand the Knights and I loathe Mark Stone but I’m totally pulling for Hart to win.
Took the Flyers 25+ years to get a #1 goalie and they tossed him aside because of one money grubber accusations.
A fantastic end to the season and a stellar playoff should have teams like the Oilers asking themselves why they didn’t sign him at the cut rate Vegas did.
I too have been pleased for Hart, Ron.
Alas, only Sin City could face the moral outrage of the woke and the indignant after the trial to sign him.
Carter Hart was a UFA and wanted a fresh start on a new team. Not fair to claim that the Flyers tossed hm aside.
Due to the criminal changes Carter Hart did not receive a qualifying offer after his previous contract expired in June 2024.
He became a UFA because the Flyers didn’t give him a qualifying offer.
Premier, that’s exactly what I wrote. At the time the contract expired, all the charged players were under suspension and very few hockey people believed any of those players would ever play another game in the NHL.
In Calgary as much as we hate Vegas we are cheerleading them to win. That Andersen trade has a 2028 conditional 2nd that will turn into a 2028 1st if Vegas win the Cup :->
Go Knights Go!
Lol
Ron, I have to agree re Hart. And, by that same reasoning, perhaps Ottawa should extend a qualifying offer to LW Formenton, who is still an RFA within their system and only turns 27 in September/.
This past season, with Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss League, he had 13g 10a 23pt s in 42gp.
‘Complete madness’: NHL blocks Habs watch party
https://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article/complete-madness-nhl-blocks-habs-watch-party/ar-AA240Yo1?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=ACTS&cvid=6a1480e6f04d432dbaf02b755470effd&ei=14
I see absolutely NOTHING wrong with an endeavor to provide Habs fans with a chance to whoop it up at a venue on the Quebec side of the river! I don’t believe the Senators would have any problem with it either.
You’re certainly not going to entice more fans in that region to become Senators supporters by being miserable about it.
Since this is the league enforcing regional restrictions – much like they do during the regular season when they block, say, a Leafs game from local TV on a night when the Senators aren’t even playing.
Slick640
If NYR offered Schneider and #26 for Owen Power, Buffalo should grab it all day long.
That would give them cap flexibility and a better D-corp.
That’s for sure! They’d be nuts not to. Of course, the Rangers would be nuts to make that offer in the first place.