NHL Rumor Mill – May 27, 2026
Check out the latest on the Avalanche and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE?
ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what could be in store for the Colorado Avalanche after being swept from the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights.
Defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak are on expiring contracts. If they don’t re-sign, the Avalanche will need a new third defense pairing.
They must strengthen their supporting cast. Some depth players, such as Ross Colton, have a year remaining on their contracts. They could move on from those players to free up more salary-cap space for more help, or wait until next season begins to make adjustments based on early results.
THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus also wondered what’s in store for the Avalanche this summer. Their core is aging, with Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, Devon Toews, Josh Manson, Valeri Nichushkin, and Scott Wedgewood in their early to mid- thirties.
Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar (NHL Images).
Lazerus cited reports claiming general manager Chris MacFarland could depart this summer to become the VP of hockey operations for the Nashville Predators. If MacFarland stays, Lazerus wondered what he would do with head coach Jared Bednar, whose playoff record since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 includes two first-round losses, a second-round loss, and now a Conference Final loss.
THE DENVER POST: Troy Renck believes it’s time for the Avalanche to part ways with Bednar, pointing to their three early postseason exits since 2022 and getting swept from this year’s conference final as justification for a change behind the bench.
Renck suggests the Avalanche bring in “a young genius” like Denver University’s David Carle or a veteran such as former Golden Knights’ bench boss Bruce Cassidy.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t expect a major roster overhaul for the Avalanche, but a coaching change isn’t out of the question, especially if MacFarland leaves. However, if the Golden Knights are blocking Cassidy from speaking with the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, it’s doubtful they’ll let the Avalanche speak to him.
THE LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION
LA PRESSE: Mathias Brunet believes Montreal Canadiens fans shouldn’t get their hope up about acquiring Nico Hischier from the New Jersey Devils.
As per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Devils have had preliminary contract extension discussions with Hischier’s agent. The 27-year-old two-way center has a year left on his contract and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
Brunet believes Sunny Mehta, the Devils’ new general manager, isn’t interested in trading Hischier. The Devils aren’t in a rebuilding situation like the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.
The Canadiens are reportedly keeping a close eye on Hischier’s situation. Finding a comparable center won’t be easy.
They likely don’t want to burden themselves with unproductive Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson and his expensive contract. New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is 33 years old. Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken is still developing. Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks had a disappointing season and is signed for the next five seasons with an average annual value of $7 million.
MONTREAL GAZETTE: A reader asked Stu Cowan if the Canadiens might part with a promising prospect such as Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky to land a bona fide No. 2 center.
Cowan believes it’s possible. He also felt that any team giving up that center would want a center such as Hage in return, rather than a winger like Zharovsky.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The problem for the Canadiens is that there aren’t many suitable centers in this year’s trade market that might be available. Those few that could be acquired would be expensive and would require parting with one or two of their top prospects.
It could be worthwhile for someone such as Hischier if he became available, but that seems unlikely at this point. Pettersson carries too much baggage and too much contract. Trocheck will likely prefer joining an American playoff contender, and his age is a concern. Wright hasn’t proven himself yet as a second-line center. As for McTavish, his decline this season is concerning, but the Ducks will likely set a high price anyway.
Brunet didn’t mention Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues. He’s been a fixture in the rumor mill for months, with the Blues reportedly setting a high asking price.
However, I’m not convinced that the Blues will move Thomas. They seem to be retooling, not rebuilding. Thomas was a good fit between wingers Dylan Holloway and Jimmy Snuggerud this season. He also has a full no-trade clause and indicated that he wants to stay in St. Louis and be part of their retooling process.
David Carle steps in to coach the Avs. And he will not have to uproot his family!
Maybe, but I believe Carle could be using not wanting to uproot his family as an excuse to stay at a job he likes. Remember, being in the NHL means 42 (soon) away games a year or, with travel days and such, 60-70 days away from home. College teams spend far less time away from home.
But you may be right.
The “coaching bump” is the easiest way to spur a team to do better. The Avs are no different and will fire Bednar despite the fact that he is a very good coach. But no one is as ruthless as Vegas in this regard.
I would add that getting Karlsson back was also very important and it happened at the same time. Guess what? he is the C for Marner and Dowd who have been really good both of them
I meant Howden
I dont see Thomas leaving St Louis for real, most likely just a fish in the sea to see if someone is stupid enough to overpay.
Getting Kadri back by the Avs was a good move, trading for and resigning Nelson wasnt. I can see O´Connor and Colton moved and they should really look into moving Nichushkin and with the lack of C could they move Nelson?
Nelson has been VERY good for the Avs! He will not be moved! Nuff said!
I could see Nichuskin being moved.
Why would Bednar be under any fire? It would be akin to lightning firing Cooper imo. A great regular season and a great start to the playoffs before his top two stars were injured.
I dont care how deep you, are not winning many series in the NHL playoffs when your 1C and 1D miss games or are noticeably hobbled. Especially at the conference final level of competition.
It’s the NHL playoffs…you have to be good, have a little bit of luck and stay healthy to have a shot to lift the cup.
Ironically though they made quick work of the Wild who were missing key players only to fall to a similar fate themselves the next round.
What 1Oilerfan said.
Bang on.
Agree the Avs won’t over react, but canning a coach isn’t over reacting IMO as a coach’s message gets stale. Even if the new guy plays the same systems and wants the same execution. Just seems to be how it works.
Mr Bednar I have a call for you from Edmonton.
Be patient Bowman, wait this out and don’t panic. AGAIN.
So the winger, goalie and coach that nobody wanted are going to the Finals.
Maybe Toronto media should have scapegoated Mr 60 instead of Mitch the Snitch.
Any team with goalie issues must be crying in their beer watching Carter put up a wall in the Vegas net.
Torts act wears thin quickly but he’s a results getting coach.
Loathe the Knights, detest them but I’m pulling for all 3 to get their F-You moment on the national stage.
What do you mean nobody wanted.?? LOL why cause the media suggests that.?? If you don’t know what you’re talking about don’t write it on here.!
Your foolish to think NOBODY wanted them as Hart had MANY teams but he chose LV… Toronto wanted Marner to stay bad but the GM at the time was an idiot hence the firing of Treliving and Torts is good for a few months but then becomes toxic in all aspects.
Don’t listen to all the media BS.!!
Torts coached for seven years in Tampa and the team got better every year culminating in a cup. Streak was stopped more by a strike than team failure as goalie’s contract expired during the strike year. Seven years of consistent improvement still tied for record, I believe. Of course, media relations are less intense with only about four beat writers in the city.
This is the funny thing about fans and media. You all are so smart. What is an FU moment for Mitchell. The fact that for almost 10 years he or Matthews, Nylander and Tavares did nothing in the playoffs. They still wanted there $11,$12,$13.5 million. So what do you do. Go to a stacked, proven team. Congratulations to Mitchell, maybe Willie and Matthews can follow suit.
Feel like Eichel doesn’t get the recognition he should. Got a lot of guff when he had the neck issue. Definitely one of the best players in the league.
Wouldn’t rule out Trochek to Montreal. He might prefer American contender but only has a 12 team no trade that becomes 10 team July. (6 team the last 2 years if it doesn’t work out) prefers to be closer to home. Missed 15 games this season but only 1 in previous 4 seasons. Compare that to Dach, who has half the ppg. 35 when contract ends. Age really shouldn’t be a concern. Would easily be a better 2c than anyone they have. Biggest issue would be giving up what Drury might want as a return.
I wouldn’t move Hage or Zharovsky for any available 2C as they will be part of the tail end of this window and big parts of keeping it open.
I’m interested in Mason McTavish, but only at his present value as a 3C not as a 2C if he lives up to expectation.
As it is the Habs have gone from a 1 series loss to Washington, to 2 series wins over Tampa and Buffalo so far.
Kapanen was a 2C all year long until the playoffs, Owen Beck is chomping at the bit. If nothing else we see that Demidov makes any C look good, even Evans.
Aside from internal competition to fill the holes, there will be available bodies to trade.
Two AHL players will be interesting as they have talent and ability but won’t graduate to the Habs and might bite the organization after a trade.
Local boy Joshua Roy (23y/o) and Boston boy (Hopkinton) Sean Ferrell (24y/o) Both are consistent goal scorers but won’t be top 6 in Montreal.
At this point the only player I have my eye on is a 3rd pairing RD from Calgary, Brayden Pachal.
Agreed we keep Hage over any known available 2C, but then what is known? As you once pointed out we don’t often hear about a trade in advance.
7 million is an awful lot for a 3C. Particularly if Beck moves up and Kapanen is kept … but …
… As you may remember I’ve advocated to let Kapanen play as 2C instead of trading for one. But his play fell off the last part of the regular season, and he hasn’t done anything in the playoffs. Rookie growth, or was his hot start down to Demidov? Important question, IMO.
News out of Laval is hard to get but just on paper Farrell had 17 goals and 53 points. That doesn’t inspire me, particularly when he is 5’9″. Thoughts on Roy, particularly on the reported need to for more consistent drive?
Pachal? Ok, but does Reinbacher also fit in your vision? If so, who goes?
Habsfan30
Imo the habs shouldn’t be shopping for a 2C….they should shop for 1C.
I look at Robert Thomas…if he is on the market as alleged…durability concerns aside – only using as a quick example- that is the type of bold move I would make that would have me maybe relinquish Hage.
The window is open now…thomas fits in age wise with the core. Salary wise his contract should not be problematic,
A 1 – 2 of Suzuki/Thomas down the middle with. I think that is the type of play you go with. It moves the needle today.
Anyway just my going ons.
1Oilerfan, I don’t know what more Suzuki can do to demonstrate he is a 1C. 6th in scoring in the regular season, the 6th straight year of progression, and 2nd in the playoffs even as his line gets no relieve by having a second line to help with the load.
Maybe I am reacting to semantics. Thomas would be a clear upgrade – at 2C. There is no universe in which he supplants Suzuki.
Hughes has said that he weighs the cost of the next couple of acquisitions the Habs must make against their view of long term competitiveness.
Would the Habs benefit from Thomas? Absolutely. But St Louis apparently wants a ransom for Thomas, and any trade has to be evaluated in both the giving and the receiving. This isn’t a shot at the Oil, but aren’t they a good example of the negatives as well as the positives of having, and in particular paying for, 2 elite centers? Just a thought.
LJ,
1) I said McTavish only at his present value as 3C, meaning I wouldn’t give up much for him. His trade value has dropped and I wouldn’t trade Guhle for him. In fact I don’t think Anaheim has any business asking for much considering where he sits on the roster.
2)Roy and Farrell are top 4 in scoring in Laval, both continue to grow, Farrell broke Caufield records with USHL , Roy was 2nd in goals despite playing only 57 games. They are the kind of players pro scouts and GMs look at.
3) Pachal would be a physical 3rd pairing RD, he’d
be the “extra” instead of Engstrom and Struble who between them could bring a good return, possibly part of a package for a top 6 F.
4) Reinbacher has played well but he has yet to play a full season in NA so I’d rather have a surplus of RD than dressing 4LD every game this year.
If I was the Habs I’d make a play for Quinton Byfield. Big, strong, mean. With the right people around probably a 70-80 point guy. Nice contract. You have the pieces. Make a move