NHL Rumor Mill – June 4, 2026
The latest on the Canucks, Penguins, and Avalanche in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION
THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma looked at the challenges that Ryan Johnson will face as the new general manager of the Vancouver Canucks.
Among them is how he will advance the Canucks’ rebuilding process. Kuzma wondered what winger Jake DeBrusk might fetch in this summer’s trade market.
Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk (NHL Images).
Kuzma also mused over whether Johnson would be interested in Montreal Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher to bring some leadership to his rebuilding roster.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk, 29, has four years left on his contract with a reasonable average annual value of $5.5 million. He’s a streaky scorer, but he has tallied 20-plus goals five times and 40-plus points seven times in his nine NHL seasons, including in this tumultuous campaign for the Canucks. He could bring back a decent return of futures.
Gallagher has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $6.5 million. He has a six-team no-trade clause, but indicated he’s open to returning to his hometown team, the Vancouver Canucks. Whether a deal can be worked out to send him there remains to be seen.
SKINNER, MANTHA TO TEST THE UFA MARKET
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports goaltender Stuart Skinner and winger Anthony Mantha are unlikely to return with the Pittsburgh Penguins next season.
Skinner and Mantha are UFA-eligible on July 1. The Penguins are expected to re-sign goalie Arturs Silovs and pair him with Sergei Murashov next season, which would spell the end of Skinner’s brief tenure in Pittsburgh. They wouldn’t mind signing Mantha to a short-term deal, but he’s seeking a long-term contract.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Skinner and Mantha were meant to be short-term additions.
They took on Skinner to move out the struggling Tristan Jarry and his burdensome contract, using him to buy time until they were certain that Silovs and Mursahov would be a decent tandem. Mantha was an affordable one-year veteran signing as they continue to transition younger forwards into the lineup.
POSSIBLE GM CANDIDATES FOR THE AVALANCHE
THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak listed eight potential candidates to replace Chris MacFarland as general manager of the Colorado Avalanche.
MacFarland departed the Avalanche earlier this week to become president and general manager of the Nashville Predators.
One option is Avalanche president of hockey operations Joe Sakic, who has taken over the GM role for the foreseeable future. He previously filled that position from 2014 to 2022, winning the Jim Gregory GM of the Year award in 2022.
Other internal possibilities are special assistant to the GM Andrew Cogliano, assistant GM Kevin McDonald, and director of analytics Arik Parnass.
External options could include Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Tyler Dellow, Columbus Blue Jackets assistant GM Chris Clark, and former Los Angeles Kings GM Rob Blake.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche don’t appear to be in a hurry to replace MacFarland, probably because Sakic’s there to hold the fort until they have sufficient time to find a full-time GM. They could have a new guy in place before the start of the regular season in October, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Sakic remains in the role until next offseason.
Could the Habs use Gallagher as a salary throw in to get Petey in the return?
Petey ($1M retained) for Gallagher (salary) 2026 1st, Dach, Guhle, and Owen Beck or Josh Roy
The Habs best player in this deal would be Guhle, so I don’t see the quantity of assets hamstringing their future.
Don’t see why any gm would trade assets for Gallagher. When they can sign for free after he is bought out or make Habs add sweetener for a trade
Wow, you’re really overrating EP’s value.! And Why would the Habs add another “WIMP” small guy as yeah he’s 6’2 but weighs less than Caulfield.! 176lbs and please don’t say he added weight as the guy on here did the other day like he’s EP’s personal trainer lol…
I hate the Habs but adding EP will be a huge mistake.!
For that package minus Gallagher you could take a run at Berniers or Mactavish as I see Mason Mactavish as a young guy that has all the tools to be a good 1st line centre as early as next year as I think he needs a change of scenery.! Don’t care about his past year as he is ready but needs a chance.!
GO LEAFS GO.!
His foot speed and overall conditioning concerns over time will be a deterrent to many clubs. Mason that is. Bernier would be almost a dream match for the Habs.
Be an even bigger dream if his name was indeed “Bernier” and from somewhere in La Belle Province, and not Beniers and born in Hingham, MA..
not sure id trade Guhle and the 1st for EliasP41 right now with his decline. Guhle is an important cog for the Habs
with the young core 4 upfront they could dangle Hage for a proven center. and have to add more in with that 1st etc
Sergei Murashov? Wait a second. He has 5 total nhl games under his belt, how could he possibly be considered a back up in the NHL’
You need at least 50 NHL games before you get a chance to be a back up in the NHL!?
😜
He’ll dodge this requirement by becoming the 1a starter… duh.
Ahhhh, now I see how that works!
Makes perfect sense why this wasn’t a possible path for Garand in NY now! Plus he only had 3 games vs Murashov‘s 5. That in dog games started is huge!
Captain, I see what you did there….
I think you can remove Clark from the list of candidates. The Jackets let two bench coaches go and I just don’t see them letting a third walk. That would leave only Rick Bowness and Jared Boll returning from this season and there’s been a bit of speculation that Boll will be going to Cleveland as head coach when Trent Vogelhuber is promoted to Bowness’ assistant. All of that strongly suggests Clark is going nowhere to me.
Could Vancouver trade back in draft? GM will be in awkward position of what to do at 3 with coaches son being a consensus top 5 pick. Damned if you take him, dammed if you don’t.
Slick can trade picks with Boston and we can toss in. Lohrei Or Middlestadt
Add Poitras to the package!
We want that Leafs 1st round pick, you guys and Philly own the next two Leafs picks. Lol please send one to.Vancouver so they can potentially draft the stud Russians coming next year.
Just thinking about that 1st NY used on his father, I’m hoping he goes to Vancouver!
Manny had a solid career, but what a waste of a 1st.
There’s been plenty.
I’m sure the conversation has already happened.
“Manny, we’re drafting the best player available, if that’s him, great, if not, we’re not.”
Just read Canucks only team at combine taking McKenna out to dinner. Probably means nothing but why do if he’s considered top pick? Is there a player on Canucks that Toronto would want enough to move back 2 spots in draft?
I’ve seen a couple mocks dropping McKenna all the way to 4. 🤷♂️
If any slick, my guess would be for at least one of the players the Nucks got back from the Hughes trade…maybe something bigger involving Petterson and Rielly as well? Who knows. This is either going to be a crazy offseason or a big letdown. Even the safe and easy choice is picking McKenna 1st, doesn’t seem it’s going to happen until it does.
If that happens, Chrisms (and I think it well could) …. again, shades of Shane Wright.
Shane Wright still needs to prove he deserved to be a top 10 pick the way others in his draft class are out performing him
That whole draft class was a big miss for everyone due to covid. With such limited views it was a crap shoot of a draft…teams should be happy they got one of the third of 1st rounders actually make it as a regular NHLer, never mind the right ranking draft position.
What’s the problem with Martha? 33 goals and 0.79 ppg for $2.5 million is excellent value. Why not offer him $3.5 million a year for 2 years? At 31 is he looking for a big final payday over 5 or 6 years?
It’s reported he’s looking for term. And with his stats and it being possibly his last shot at a big contract and a weak fa class he’s probably looking for 6+ with term.
Chrisms. What is Pittsburgh plans to fill out roster? Still 10 mil from floor. Could they trade for Gallagher?
Probably along those lines. Get draft picks along with pricey players like Gallagher or Colton or lunbuskin. Still gotta sign silovs to a slight raise. Maybe an offer sheet? I’m surprised they haven’t locked up shea to a deal in the 4-5 mil range after his season but he may want to test the market.
Chumash played well in Pittsburgh. What kind of deal is he looking at?
Good question. Lots depends on chinakov. Does he want to go short and try to get to fa quicker? Long term? I’d guess the team would want a 2-3 year deal in the 5-6 range. He might want more.
Pens could Offer sheet Robo, Dorofeyev, Brandt Clarke, Simon Nemec, Bourque, Bobby Brink, Jack Drury, Samoskevich. There are others, of course, but these are the top ones that they would have a chance to get.
Chrisms. Guess you figured out who Chumash is. Wtf.
Still think Trochek a good fit there. Has history with Muse. Better than Novak who has year left.
I wouldn’t mind seeing troch back home. Definitely better than novak. But I think they give kindel a chance to grab 2c. And Dubas has clearly said he’s not looking for players like trocheck. If pens move picks or prospects it’s gonna be for younger players or in a rfa situation
A twist on yesterday’s EP suggestion
To MTL: Filip Hronek
To VAN: Brendan Gallagher, Kirby Dach, Jayden Struble, 1st 2026
Hronek for #2 OA
Lol…that’s a joke right? You don’t really believe any team would give up their top D (let alone top RD), for a return like that. This is by far the hardest position to fill and what you would like to trade is a bunch of scraps and late first round which is a spot in the draft that is a coin flip at best. Even if Hronek decides to waive, Canucks would do way better than that meagre return.
It would be refreshing to see a Canadians trade proposal that isn’t their spare parts for other teams prime assets. The petterson trade yesterday would have been decent except the withholding 50 percent part.
I’m not sure it was 50%, but yes, maybe. Centers are hard to come by atm, so if Petterson was on the market, there’d be some competition I’m sure if Canucks were going to retain.
But yes, Canadiens would have to add to get Gallagher off the books, Dach is often injured and produces poorly, Struble is 3rd pair D in and out of lineups, and the Habs pick is 29 out of 32, for a top pairing RD.
Maybe my Sens should offer Zetterlund, Nick Cousins, our first and Mantipalo for Dobson, if that’s the going rate. Zetterlund and Mantipalo is much better than any player on Habs30 list
Except Cousins is a UFA
Yes, theoretical offer, but since Hronek has a NMC, it’s all speculative. The difficulty with that trade proposal is that there are no contracts on the Sens as bad as Gallagher’s and Dach is a RFA, and I doubt Habs will qualify him, so Van could theoretically wait until he becomes a UFA.
Been googling and can’t find any thing on combine. Curious to see current heights and weights for prospects. Anyone?
Slick62, don’t know about the Combine results, but here’s the consensus Round 1 Top 32 showing height and weight of each:
1. Gavin McKenna 6’0″ 170 lbs
2. Ivar Stenberg5’11” 183 lbs
3. Caleb Malhotra 6’1 “182 lbs
4. Chase Reid 6’2″ 195 lbs
5/ Keaton Verhoeff 6’3″ 212 lbs
6. Carson Carels 6’2″ 202 lbs
7. Viggo Bjorck 5’9″ 177 lbs
8. Alberts Smits 6’3″ 205 lbs
9. Daxon Rudolph 6’3″206 lbs
10/ Oscar Hemming 6’4” 198 lbs
11. Adam Novotny 6’1 “204 lbs
12. Marcus Nordmark 6’2″ 187 lbs
13. Tynan Lawrence 6’1″ 185 lbs
14. Ryan Lin 5’11” 177 lbs
15. Nikita Klepov 6’0″ 180 lbs
16. Ethan Belchetz 6’5″ 228 lbs
17. Maddox Dagenais 6’4″ 196 lbs
18. Malte Gustafsson 6’2″ 185 lbs
19. Wyatt Cullen 6’1″ 180 lbs
20. Elton Hermansson 6’1″ 180 lbs
21. Juho Piiparinen 6’1″ 201 lbs
22. Casey Mutryn 6’3″ 200 lbs
23. Oliver Suvanto 6’3″ 207 lbs
24. Mathis Preston 5’11” 177 lbs
25. Viggo Bjork 5’9″ 177 lbs
26. William Hakansson 6’2″ 180 lbs
27. Jack Hextall 6’0″ 188 lbs
28. Adam Goljer 6’1″185 lbs
29. Ryan Roobroeck 6’2″ 195 lbs
30. Tommy Bleyl 6’0″ 165 lbs
31. Xavier Villeneuve 5’11 “162 lbs
32. Ilya Morozov 6’3” 200 lbs
Just added their position
1. Gavin McKenna 6’0″ 170 lbs LW
2. Ivar Stenberg5’11” 183 lbs LW/RW
3. Caleb Malhotra 6’1 “182 lbs C
4. Chase Reid 6’2″ 195 lbs RD
5/ Keaton Verhoeff 6’3″ 212 lbs RD
6. Carson Carels 6’2″ 202 lbs LD
7. Viggo Bjorck 5’9″ 177 lbs C/RW
8. Alberts Smits 6’3″ 205 lbs LD
9. Daxon Rudolph 6’3″206 lbs RD
10/ Oscar Hemming 6’4” 198 lbs F
11. Adam Novotny 6’1 “204 lbs LW/RW
12. Marcus Nordmark 6’2″ 187 lbs LW
13. Tynan Lawrence 6’1″ 185 lbs C
14. Ryan Lin 5’11” 177 lbs RD
15. Nikita Klepov 6’0″ 180 lbs F
16. Ethan Belchetz 6’5″ 228 lbs LW
17. Maddox Dagenais 6’4″ 196 lbs C
18. Malte Gustafsson 6’2″ 185 lbs LD
19. Wyatt Cullen 6’1″ 180 lbs F
20. Elton Hermansson 6’1″ 180 lbs RW/LW
21. Juho Piiparinen 6’1″ 201 lbs RD
22. Casey Mutryn 6’3″ 200 lbs F
23. Oliver Suvanto 6’3″ 207 lbs C
24. Mathis Preston 5’11” 177 lbs F
25. Viggo Bjork 5’9″ 177 lbs C/RW
26. William Hakansson 6’2″ 180 lbs LD
27. Jack Hextall 6’0″ 188 lbs C
28. Adam Goljer 6’1″185 lbs RD
29. Ryan Roobroeck 6’2″ 195 lbs RD
30. Tommy Bleyl 6’0″ 165 lbs RD
31. Xavier Villeneuve 5’11 “162 lbs LD
32. Ilya Morozov 6’3” 200 lbs F
Viggo is getting drafted twice
I said current. Most of these aren’t always accurate. Heights and weights at combine just as important as testing. Read about Bjorck’s dad and brother both being late bloomers. Biggest knock on him is his size.
Actually, Slick62, ignore trhe first post – this is far more accurate (and doesn’t contain mistakes like listing Viggo Bjork twice) and includes position
1. Gavin McKenna 6’0″170 lbs LW Penn State (NCAA)
2. Ivar Stenberg 5’11” 183 lbs LW/RW Frölunda (SHL)
3. Caleb Malhotra 6’1″182 lbs C Brantford Bulldogs (OHL)
4. Chase Reid 6’2″195 lbs RD Sault Ste. Marie (OHL)
5. Keaton Verhoeff 6’3″ 212 lbs RD North Dakota (NCAA)
6. Carson Carels 6’2″202 lbs LD Prince George Cougars (WHL)
7. Viggo Björck 5’9″ 177 lbs RW Djurgårdens (SHL)
8. Alberts Šmits 6’3″ 205 lbs LD Jukurit (Liiga)
9. Daxon Rudolph 6’3″206 lbs RD Prince Albert Raiders (WHL)
10. Oscar Hemming 6’4″ 198 lbs LW Boston College (NCAA)
11. Adam Novotny 6’1″204 lbs LW Peterborough Petes (OHL)
12. Marcus Nordmark 6’2″ 187 lbs RW Djurgårdens (Sweden J20)
13. Tynan Lawrence 6’1″185 lbs C Boston University (NCAA)
14. Ryan Lin 5’11” 177 lbs RD Vancouver Giants (WHL)
15. Nikita Klepov 6’0″ 180 lbs LW Saginaw Spirit (OHL)
16. Ethan Belchetz 6’5″ 228 lbs LW Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
17. Maddox Dagenais 6’4″ 196 lbs C Quebec (QMJHL)\
18. Malte Gustafsson 6’1″ 185 lbs LD HV71 (SHL)
19. Wyatt Cullen 5’11” 174 lbs LW U.S. NTDP (USHL)
20. Oliver Suvanto 6’3″ 207 lbs C Tappara (Liiga)
21. JP Hurlbert 6’0″ 183 lbs LW Kamloops (WHL)
22. Juho Piiparinen 6’1″201 lbs RD Tappara (Liiga)
23 Xavier Villeneuve 5’11” 162 lbs LD Blainville-Boisbriand (QMJHL)
24. Ilya Morozov 6’3″ 200 lbs C Miami (NCHC)
25. Elton Hermansson 6’1″180 lbs RW/LW MoDo (SHL)
26. Casey Mutryn 6’3″ 200 lbs RW U.S. NTDP (USHL)
27. Tommy Bleyl 6’0″ 165 lbs RD Moncton (QMJHL)
28. Jack Hextall 6’0″ 188 lbs C Youngstown (USHL)
29. William Hakansson 6’2″ 185 lbs LD Almtuna (Sweden)
30. Mathis Preston 5’11 “177 lbs LW Vancouver (WHL)
31. Adam Goljer 6’1” 190 lbs RD Tappara (Liiga)
32. Cole Reschny 5’10″180 lbs C Victoria Royals (WHL)
Hey George! Why do you list Cole Reschny at #32?
I think Flames already drafted him lol.
Hey George! Why do you list Cole Reschny at #32 ?
I think Flames already drafted him lol.
Not surprised LOL. I plucked that off the web and just posted it as without scanning it so as to give some idea as to height/weight.
Hey, gang, I’ll be adding this to tomorrow’s rumor mill:
Friedman reports Dylan Larkin requests a trade from the Red Wings.
Boom!
Just saw it, thats a bomb if there ever is one this off season. And I ahve to lay most of the blame at Yzerman.
Wow. That’s huge. I also blame Stevie Y. Hasn’t done enough, but Larkin captain so needs to shoulder some blame.
Yup. Yawl are gonna have fun with that one. Sad day for Detroit to have to add a few more years onto the playoff drought. Gotta affect Stevies’ job!
And since he has a NTC “without his approval” – no teams specified – does that mean Yzerman can deal him anywhere in order to get the best return possible … OR does a deal still need his “approval?”
If the latter, talk about having your cake and eating it too!
And the demand could work to Yzerman’s advantage in a way in that one of the current top 5 draft pick teams might well give up that pick as part of a deal.
Just checked ESPN and according to their blurb “Because he owns a full no-trade clause, Larkin has the leverage to dictate his preferred destination.”
I recall Heatley doing the exact same thing way back, and after demanding a deal and one was tentatively made with Edmonton, h e then refused to waive his no trade deal and wound up going to San Jose … for Jonathan Cheechoo and Milan Michalek as well as a 2nd round pick in the 2010 NHL Entry Draft. In other words, a pile of crap. Ottawa also sent a 2010 fifth-round pick to the Sharks.
Was just talking to my kid about Montreal targets and send add Larkin as well . Nice to be a Habs fan these days .
Great season and tones of rumours . Should make for an interesting off season.
A search under the question “does Yzerman HAVE to find a deal to Larkin’s liking or can he say “no?” – produced this:
“Yes, Red Wings General Manager Steve Yzerman can absolutely say “no” and refuse to trade Dylan Larkin. Larkin cannot unilaterally leave because he is locked into an eight-year, $69.6 million contract (with an $8.7 million AAV) that runs through the end of the 2030-31 season. Because he is under contract, Yzerman has full control and can set his own terms for a trade, park him on the roster, or hold out for a blockbuster return that actually benefits Detroit rather than giving him away to a preferred destination.
However, honoring a trade request is often in a team’s best interest. Management typically acquiesces to team captains who want out to preserve locker room morale and prevent a toxic culture from festering. Furthermore, Larkin holds a full no-trade clause through 2028, meaning he ultimately dictates which destinations are off the table.Yzerman—known as a resolute, hardline negotiator—has stated he will not be bullied. He can take his time to survey the league for the best possible package from contenders.”
In the end, he’ll likely wind up in effing Las Vegas or, like Heatley, in San Jose.
No, he goes to Ottawa for Cozens and Greig and a 2nd! He is your new 2nd line C between Brady and Giroux!