NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2026
Are the Islanders shopping Mathew Barzal? What’s the latest on Vincent Trocheck? Could the Maple Leafs trade a goalie? Which young RFA defensemen would be good trade options for the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ISLANDERS SPECULATION
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias weighed in on a recent report claiming the Ottawa Senators were testing the trade market on forward Mathew Barzal
New York Islanders forward Mathew Barzal (NHL Images).
According to Macias’ colleague Stefen Rosner, the Islanders aren’t actively shopping Barzal. He noted that teams have made inquiries, and it’s general manager Mathieu Darche’s job to listen, but the 29-year-old forward is not on the trade block.
Macias also noted that Barzal has four years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $9.15 million and a 22-team no-trade list.
According to Macias and Rosner, Darche would like to free up some salary-cap space this summer. They currently have over $10.6 million. He would like to re-sign his UFA-eligible captain Anders Lee, but needs to clear some cap room first.
Anthony Duclair tops the list of Islanders’ trade candidates. They attempted to move the 30-year-old winger, but he wouldn’t waive his no-trade clause. However, it drops from a full no-trade to a 16-team list on July 1. He has two years remaining on his deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.
The Islanders could also attempt to move Pierre Engvall ($3 million AAV through 2029-30, 16-team NTC) and Ondrej Palat ($6 million for next season, 10-team trade list).
Defenseman Adam Pelech has also been mentioned as a trade option. He has three years left on his deal with an AAV of $5.75 million and a 16-team no-trade list. Macias suggested the San Jose Sharks as a trade partner given their need for defensemen. He also wondered if Ryan Pulock (four years, $6.15 million AAV) or Scott Mayfield (four years, $3.5 million AAV) might be moved, though both hold full no-trade clauses until next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duclair’s injury history and inconsistent play could make him difficult to move in the trade market. The same applies to Engvall. Palat is past his prime, making him a potentially tough sell.
Pelech and/or Pulock could draw more serious interest. Macias considered Pelech the better trade candidate, believing his value is high right now. A team in desperate need of blueline depth that isn’t on his no-trade list could have serious interest in him, depending on the asking price.
MAPLE LEAFS INTERESTED IN VINCENT TROCHECK
NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports the Toronto Maple Leafs have reached out to the Rangers about Vincent Trocheck. This comes after the Maple Leafs learned Max Domi is out indefinitely due to complications from his recent back surgery.
Domi’s absence puts the Maple Leafs in the market for a second-line center. Walker believes Trocheck could be a fit, depending on whether the Maple Leafs are on his no-trade list and the Pittsburgh native is willing to go to Canada.
As for what the Maple Leafs might offer in return, Walker suggested winger Nick Robertson could be a trade option. The Rangers could also target defense prospect Ben Danford. Matthew Knies could be on the Blueshirts’ radar, but it’s unclear if the Leafs would part with the 23-year-old power forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the high number of teams seeking a second-line center, the Maple Leafs could have difficulty outbidding other clubs for Trocheck’s services even if he was willing to play for them. Offering up Knies could tip it in their favor, but it’s doubtful the Leafs would do that.
Walker noted the Minnesota Wild and Detroit Red Wings were interested in Trocheck before the March trade deadline. A report out of Ottawa earlier this week claimed the Montreal Canadiens had spoken to the Rangers about the 33-year-old center. However, Walker indicated that a league source said there was no communication at all between those two teams.
COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRADE A GOALTENDER?
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox speculated the Toronto Maple Leafs could attempt to trade a goalie during this offseason.
Fox pointed out that Joseph Woll, Anthony Stolarz, and Dennis Hildeby are on one-way contracts for next season, with each of them having to clear waivers before being sent to their AHL affiliate. Promising Artur Akhtyamov will be joining them in 2027-28.
However, Fox believes the Leafs could find it challenging to move one of them. A few teams are willing to discuss a goalie trade, but names such as Jordan Binnington, Filip Gustavsson, Jesper Wallstedt, Devon Levi, and Adin Hill could garner more attention in the rumor mill.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There could be more interest in the Leafs goalies if those other netminders are out of the market for one reason or another.
The St. Louis Blues could retain Binnington for next season. Gustavsson won’t be going anywhere until he has fully recovered from his recent hip surgery, which means Wallstedt won’t be available until his fellow Minnesota Wild goalie is healthy. Levi is the odd man out in Buffalo and the most likely to be moved among the Sabres’ netminders. The Vegas Golden Knights could move Hill in a cost-cutting deal.
FOUR POTENTIAL DEFENSE TRADE TARGETS FOR THE PENGUINS
PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently listed four restricted free agent defensemen who could be suitable trade targets for the Penguins.
They include Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils, Pavel Mintyukov and Olen Zellweger of the Anaheim Ducks, and Michael Kesselring of the Buffalo Sabres.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski noted their respective pros and cons, but each of them could be a fit for the Penguins as they continue to retool by adding young NHL-ready talent.
The Penguins aren’t the only clubs that could be keeping an eye on those four blueliners. How much it would cost to acquire and sign them will be the determining factor. Clubs with plenty of cap space and draft picks could also try the offer-sheet route.
Trochek makes sense for MIN but think Barzal would be a better fit, offensively. But it would be tough for them to fit his cap hit if they are able to get Quinn Hughes resigned
If Wild cannot extend Hughes even though he will be the best player in almost every deal you have to move him imho
Nico and Nemec.
No, this will not happen. Brothers talk. I am sure the Devs know Quinn’s intentions already. So, if they know he is coming the following year to NJ, why give up a boatload and still have to pay him. The Devs can wait for a year and not give up premium assets. Alternatively, they might already know Quin is signing in Minnesota, and that changes the calculus altogether.
@redm
good points
but if Wild cant get him to resign do they run him out to start the season and only move him IF they dont look like a contender again?
Hey DS, my thought (limited as it is) is Minnesota keeps him as an own rental. If Minny tries to trade him away, everyone will know what is going on and they will get crap offers for him. Unless they are out of it at the trade deadline…
That Quinn Hughes for Nico Hescher speculation is making a lot of sense!
but will cost more than just Nico
Kaprizov for Jack Hugjes
Not with Kap’s contract. That is an anchor.
I’m a long time Habs fan, but I feel like playing devils advocate today. Hughes wants to add center depth (most importantly 2nd line), Gallagher wants to go back to Vancouver where he played junior.
If Vancouver is willing to retain 4.5 mil, why not do:
To MTL: Elias Petterson
To VAN: Brendan Gallagher, Kirby Dach, Jayden Struble, 1st 2026
EP41 under MSL might come back to life offensively
Craig,
Financially that works out just fine
EP would cost the Habs $7.1m x 5
Gallagher $6.5m and Struble $1.4m for one year leaves them with $800k more cap space and the position filled.
Kirby Dach is RFA, it’s only the draft pick, I’d do a 2nd not a 1st.
I’d take that chance, EP at the much lower cap level. Even his bad years slot him in better at 2C than any body there.
Craig and HF30:
From the Canucks perspective they would receive a player in clear decline, a player who is injury prone and hasn’t lived up to promise, and a 6-7 D. Need I say more?
We have just seen how a relentless forecheck wore the Habs down. You suggest a center that is listed at 176 pounds. A center who has averaged less than a point per game for 4 straight years.
The fact that his point total is better than a rookie center’s output this past season does not make Pettersson a wise acquisition. It would be far better IMO to overpay for more certainty that comes with a more consistent 2C. Whom, you ask? Frankly I don’t know who would be available, so all I can do is talk about profile.
To gain cap space for any trade it would be better to either buy Gallagher out or retain half his salary. No sweeteners necessary, a clean transaction.
And remember, 2C is not the only need for the Habs, making it all the more necessary to avoid an expensive gamble with finite cap space.
LJ,
Put some perspective, at $7.1m you’re getting a player who is worth that contract.
His production at his poor season now is among the top 70 C in the league, that would be grouped in with the league’s 2C players. (I haven’t found specific list for Centres so I extrapolated out of top 130 F and C which included 70 C)
Robert Thomas 52 playoff games- 26 pts.-.5ppg
Hischier 22 playoff games 12 pts- .54 ppg
Trochek 56 playoff games 37 pts- .66 ppg
Sam Bennett 107 playoff games 78 pts.- .73 ppg
This will surprise you, the player you and others worry about his physical stature and playoff hockey.
Pettersson 30 playoff games 24 pts.- .80 ppg
He compares favorably at point production when the games are harder to play than those other guys who you’d swear on a stack of bibles are better suited to playoff hockey.
Ok. That is interesting, HF30.
Like you I couldn’t find a site that just listed centers in order of scoring beyond Statmuse’s top 25. But intuitively your assumptions makes sense.
What can I say? I just don’t want a 176 pound center. One never knows the real dressing room situation but Pettersson had a reputation for being overly sensitive to criticism, and this past season did not report to camp in proper condition. His agent says it was because of a knee injury, but the team viewed it differently. I have seen fewer red flags at a bull fight.
IMO the Habs can’t make a mistake in acquiring their 2C. Whomever they get (if they can get anyone) will be at a high market price, and as I said above I would rather pay a higher price for more certainty. A mistake would take years to fix.
But as I don’t doubt at all, Pettersson is available. We’ll see if the Habs bite. And if that bites the Habs.
Good exchange.
reply LJ:EP gained some weight last summer and is listed at 185
I highly doubt Vancouver wants to eat 4.5 for the remainder of Petterson’s contract. Vancouver do not need to move Petterson for a sub par return as they have plenty of space the next few years and even if Petterson continues to underperform, they kind of want to suck. With first and second line centers being premium assets, I think that package gets outbid. Gallagher is done, Dach has not performed well, Struble is a third pair D, and Habs first is a very late first. No thanks if I’m Canucks
As a long time Canucks fan I fully agree, I don’t see any upside at all to the Canucks, and from what I’ve heard there’s no way this owner takes on 4.5 of EP40’s contract, I think he’s paying 4.5m next year for OEL buyout
I think Sens can beat that Habs package. Van keeps 4.5 million, and we give Van Mantipalo, Zetterlund, and we’ll select any player Canucks want at 32 overall this year and trade him for future considerations.
E. Peterson could play with Batherson and Greig on the second line.
I’m sure MTL can beat that also if they really wanted him. If they are trading for a center Kapanen will be going the other way & they can draw from their pool of prospects.
Who is EP41 and why would any want to play in a Minor Soccer League
Should Braden Schneider be put with that list of RFA free agent defensemen?
Am I on probation? My comments keep coming up “”awaiting moderation”?????
The price you are paying for the shade on Hage, Slick. The internet is run by a cabal of Habs fans. We are not to be trifled with …
LOL. Slick62 I get the same message and it’s almost always for the same reason, my hunt-and-peck typing on my keyboard frequently drops or transposes a letter in my on-line nick or my Email addie, and Lyle’s system is trying to recognize the change.
As to that Barzal rumor involving interest from Ottawa, I find it hard to believe that Staios looked into the possible availability of Barzal, and for reasons which should obvious to Macias and anyone else who took a minute to look at the situation.
Ostensibly, THE main reason cited for Darche going down that road would be to free up cap space so he could re-sign team captain Anders Lee, coming off a cap hit of $7 mil and, probably, D-man Carson Soucy, whose expiring cap hit is $3,250,000 and whom they just acquired in a deal with the NYR in January. But Barzal has a 22-team no-go list and, being from Coquitlam, B.C,, it’s a safe bet that 6 of the 7 Canada-based teams are on that list, with th e Canucks the possible lone exception.
Then there’s what Darche would want in return? None among Stutzle ($8,350,000), Tkachuk ($8,205,714), Pinto ($7.5 mil), Cozens ($7.1 mil), Sanderson ($8,030,000), Chabot ($ 8 mil) or Ullmark ($8,250,000) would offer up much of a cap difference, with the only one that MIGHT be of interest to Darche being RW Drake Batherson whose cap hit is $4,975,000 until next season when he becomes a UFA. But since the reason Staios would be interested in Barzal in the first place would be to shore up scoring at the wing position, that would amount to robbing Peter to pay Paul.
Barzal just finished a season of 19g 53a 72 points while Batherson put in a 33g 38a 71 points season. So, absolutely nothing gained there in terms of increased wing scoring.
LJ. lol
Honestly, I wouldn’t mind Hage. Just not for Trochek and Schneider. I see Trochek to Toronto today. Closer to home (Pittsburgh), but they really can’t beat what other teams might offer. No 1st rounders in next few drafts (not trading this years) and one of the worst prospect pools.
How about Schneider for Jage, Zharovsky, and Gallagher? NY takes Gallagher whole cap hit. They can flip him at deadline 50% retained. Or buy him out. After they trade Trochek, they’ll have over 30 mil in cap space
Yikes. It’s probably not taking more than a 2nd rounder to sweeten the pot to take Gallagher. So two top prospects for Schneider and a 2nd. I was accused of undervaluing Schneider but whoa is that overvaluing.
Oh, Slick! Trochek would be very good for the Habs for two years, 33 -34. So, ok, we eat a down year at 35.
But you want our two best prospects in Hage and Zharovski. If Trochek were, say 27, that would be tempting …
But we have released you from comment moderation surveillance, so consider that a
win! 😉
First rule of the Habs Fans Cabal, LJ: We don’t talk about the Habs Fans Cabal! 😉
Gentleman. The only reason Schneider is in rumors is because he’d bring back a good return and team has a glut of right shot dmen. If Montreal needs to attach a 2nd rd pick to dump Gallagher, remind me what round Zharovsky was taken? Schneider was a 19th overall compared to Hage being a 21st. Biggest difference is one of them is already an NHL player who would’ve been Habs 2nd pair in playoffs had they made this deal at deadline! Also, at age 24 would’ve been tops on defense win playoff experience.
Eeee! :/
Should have been a car salesman slick. The only reason Schneider is in the rumors is cause he is not living up to his draft position. You sell him playing this much at 24 as a good thing. It’s given the league plenty of time to see what he is. A bottom pair d man on any contending team. Hes an asset sure. But a tainted one. Whereas the Montreal prospects are fresh and shiny and haven’t yet shown they won’t live up to expectations.
Chrisms. Schneider played up and down lineup this season. Both sides. 20 minutes a night. This was first full season without Trouba. 5 seasons. 3 different coaching staffs. Has only missed 3 games in last 4 seasons. Wait and see. I’d rather they shop Borgen, and they might if Drury doesn’t get what he wants for Schneider. But, Borgen has full nmc until 7/1. Then 15 team ntc.
I’m not sure why your comment was prevented from being published. I’ve approved it. Usually, that happens when someone misspells their names or e-mail address.
Lmao. I went back to previous days comments to check if I said anything inapropriate.
Gonna get censored when you accidentally post as dlick62…
I’ll see myself out.
Chrisms, that deserves a slow clap. Noice!
If Vancouver was willing to retain 50% of EP contract I think they would get a lot interest across the league and better offers than the one mentioned above from Montreal. I think most teams would be happy with petterson at $4.5M. He would be a decent 2nd line centre or above average 3rd line centre. Coyle just signed for $6M. I think I take EP and cap savings over Coyle.
Agreed, Jeff, even at 6 million it would make the risk a little easier to assume.
Why would the Isles trade, or consider trading, Barzal to save cap space to sign a couple much older players?
Lee is 35 and Soucy is 31.
For years the Isles have had trouble offensively and now they’re considering trading one of their best offensive players? Is Milbury running the team again?
Perhaps signing Engvall for $3M was a poor choice?
What incentive would Vancouver have in retaining salary in a trade of Pettersson? The offer would have to blow the GM away.
They have 21 m in cap space. So the cap space savings is not an incentive.
They likely will be a poor club for a couple more seasons at least. With or without EP their position at the bottom of the league is likely secure.
He is not currently holding a position that is keeping youth from bubbling up. Maybe 1 or 2 years from now…but not yet.
They pretty much have all their own draft picks and then some for the next 3 years. So while nice to have more bullets its not like they are lacking.
The dead cap space in year 4 and 5 years from may be detrimental for them (assuming best case scenario with their rebuild)
If I was the Canucks GM I ikely wouldn’t move him for spare parts (aging vets, depth players) even with a draft pick attached – id want a blue chip prospect plus. I definately would not consider spare parts if we talk retention.
The Canucks are under no pressure to make the move this summer, which means they likely won’t unless they are wow’d.
And I say this not as a canuck or EP fan and definately not over valuing EP. I just dont see why they would do anyone any favors right now.
Another fair point.
Following your logic, it cost them little to see if he comes around, or has plateaued, as his trade value is low. If he has plateaued his cap hit is easier going forward.
I am afraid Stevie Y will make a big offer for Petey! The problem is that it seems NYR wants nearly as much for Vinny! The cost is too much for either one! But Petey’s contract is very prohibitive! 😣😣
Will this gamble save his job?
The Leafs are about to interview Patrick Roy and Peter Laviolette for the head coaching job as Chayka hums a hockey variation of The Frank Burritt Band’s The Old Recycle Blues.
https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/article/maple-leafs-set-to-interview-roy-laviolette-this-week-as-head-coach-search-continues/?utm_source=firefox-newtab-en-ca
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-tbUjZIROg
So, if Roy is offered and takes the job as Leafs HC, will Habs fan demand that the streets named after him and the momuments to honor him be removed? Hahahahaha
It always comes back to the only team that matters in the NHL eh boys.! GO LEAFS GO
Lol.. Closet fans.!?
Who would want EP.?? Montreal you lose for having these players already and you want to add one more at 11 million.!?! Lol ohh god.!
Won’t even make the playoffs next year if any of you were running the team.!
PS: GO LEAFS GO
Oh, no doubt they’ll “go.” Just not in the direction you’re thinking.