In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on this summer’s notable UFA-eligible players, and some suggested cost-cutting trade candidates.

UPDATE ON SEVERAL OF THIS SUMMER’S NOTABLE UFA PLAYERS

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently listed the latest rumors and reports on this summer’s notable players eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.

Fox speculates that Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch could get a significant pay raise if he tests the open market on July 1. As the top forward available, the 30-year-old Tuch could fetch more than the $10.625 million average annual value that Adrian Kempe received from the Los Angeles Kings last fall.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Tuch and the Sabres are expected to begin contract talks in early June. Fox believes those negotiations could go either way.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Tuch wants to stay with the Sabres, he’ll probably have to accept much less than Kempe’s AAV to do it. Otherwise, he’ll have to test the market, where there will be interest in his services, but his woeful production during the Sabres’ second-round series against the Montreal Canadiens could hurt his value.

It’s believed the Vegas Golden Knights and defenseman Rasmus Andersson intend to sign an extension, but they’ll first have to do some roster surgery. Hanging over this situation is the fate of sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo, who spent this season on long-term injury reserve.

If Andersson goes to market, Fox speculated the Boston Bruins and Toronto Maple Leafs could be among the suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights only have $4.625 million in cap space for 2026-27. They can exceed next season’s $104 million salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be cap-compliant when their season begins in October.

Pietrangelo comes off LTIR at the end of this season. The Golden Knights can place him on LTIR again for next season if his chronic hip injuries prove to be career-ending, freeing up his $8.8 million cap hit to re-sign Andersson.

It was reported that Pietrangelo hasn’t ruled out returning to action in 2026-27. If he does, the Golden Knights must trade someone to free up cap room for Andersson or risk losing him to free agency.

Another complicating factor is that scoring winger Pavel Dorofeyev is a restricted free agent this summer. If he doesn’t go to arbitration, he could become a tempting offer-sheet candidate given the Golden Knights’ cap constraints, especially if Pietrangelo doesn’t return to LTIR.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh could seek a deal nearing that of defense partner JJ Moser’s $6.75 million on a four-year contract. That could price him out of Tampa Bay. If he goes to market, Fox speculated the Bruins, Philadelphia Flyers, and his hometown Maple Leafs could be some of the teams interested in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Raddysh had two solid 30-plus point campaigns before this season’s career-best 70-point performance. The risk is whether he can match that number again or if he’ll regress to a 30-point blueliner.

Fox indicated that fans of the Detroit Red Wings, Ottawa Senators, and Columbus Blue Jackets would like to see their respective teams pursue Bobby McMann if the Seattle Kraken forward becomes available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMann fit in well with the Kraken after joining them from Toronto at the trade deadline. It wouldn’t surprise me if he inks an extension with them.

Boone Jenner’s long tenure with the Blue Jackets could be ending. They already signed Charlie Coyle to a $36 million contract. The Jackets must also re-sign restricted free agents Adam Fantilli and Jet Greaves.

It’s expected that Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Stuart Skinner could get a term deal in free agency worth an AAV of $4 million.

POTENTIAL COST-CUTTING TRADE CANDIDATES

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin recently listed 10 players who could become salary cap-casualty trade fodder this offseason.

Larkin’s list (in alphabetical order) includes Josh Anderson of the Montreal Canadiens, Ross Colton of the Colorado Avalanche, Jordan Greenway of the Buffalo Sabres, Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils, and Ryan Hartman of the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anderson remains a solid power forward for the Canadiens, especially in the playoffs. He also carries a reasonable $5.5 million AAV through next season. The Habs will more likely trade or buy out winger Brendan Gallagher ($6.25 million) and goalie Samuel Montembeault ($3.15 million).

Colton, Greenway, and Hartman have frequently come up as cost-cutting candidates this summer. So has Hamilton, who first surfaced in the rumor mill last summer. He reportedly rejected a trade to the San Jose Sharks. He has a 10-team trade list, but reportedly would be open to expanding it for the right destination.

Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, Ilya Lyubushkin of the Dallas Stars, Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes, Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Darnell Nurse of the Edmonton Oilers round out Larkin’s list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hill’s Stanley Cup run in 2023 could make him enticing for teams seeking goaltending help. Merzlikins has one year left on his deal, which could make him a more palatable trade option.

Kotkaniemi’s decline this season could make him a buyout candidate if the Hurricanes can’t find any suitors. Lyubushkin will be moved to enable the Stars to free up sufficient cap space to re-sign Jason Robertson.

As for Nurse, plenty of Oilers fans hope their club can find a suitor in this summer’s trade market. His performance has declined, and his $9.25 million AAV through 2029-30 takes up a big chunk of their cap payroll. However, those factors could also ensure he remains an Oilers. His full no-movement clause further complicates things.