NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2026
Which teams could pursue Red Wings center Dylan Larkin following his trade request? What’s the latest on Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse? How close did the Canadiens come to landing Leafs winger Matthew Knies? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHICH TEAMS MIGHT ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE DYLAN LARKIN?
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s report that Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has requested a trade.
Allen believes there will be “widespread interest” in Larkin. The 29-year-old center is “a consistent 30-goal scoring center in a league where many are looking for centers.”
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Larkin has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million. He also has a full no-trade clause, giving him complete control over where he goes.
Allen noted that Larkin has roots in Toronto. He wondered if the Maple Leafs might take a run at acquiring him as their second-line center.
The New Jersey Devils reportedly might be willing to move Nico Hischier. However, he’s slated to become a UFA next summer, and could prove expensive to sign, provided he’s willing to go to Detroit in the first place.
Larkin is friends with Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets. They’re a team on the rise that would love to have a center such as Larkin. The Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings are also seeking centers.
MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes the Red Wings must get a first-line forward, preferably a center, in return for Larkin. His suggested possibilities include Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Devils center Nico Hischier, Elias Pettersson of the Vancouver Canucks, and Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley thinks Larkin will fill the Bruins’ need for a first-line center. They have five first-round picks over the next three years, top-six forwards, young defenseman, and a reloaded prospect pool to draw on for trade bait.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner expects the New York Islanders will likely look into acquiring Larkin. He speculated whether Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would want Mathew Barzal in return, though the Isles would likely prefer retaining him.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James believes Larkin is just what the Flyers need to address their requirement for a first-line center.
COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen believes the Avalanche would have long odds of acquiring Larkin, but he thinks it’s worth their while to look into it.
THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman points out that, even if the Red Wings were to swap Larkin for another first-line center, they’d still have to find a suitable second-line center.
The Red Wings entered the offseason in need of a top-six forward and a retool of their bottom-six forwards. Larkin’s trade request could force management to consider more dramatic changes that could change the franchise’s direction.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The addition of Larkin into the trade market could affect what happens to other centers who’ve been the subject of trade speculation in recent months. They include Hischier, Thomas, Pettersson and McTavish.
It’s doubtful that the Maple Leafs will move Matthews this summer. He’ll likely take a wait-and-see approach to next season.
One team that wasn’t mentioned was the Montreal Canadiens, but I’d be shocked if they wouldn’t be among the suitors for Larkin, provided he’s willing to waive his NTC to go to Montreal. He’s a cost-controlled player in his prime for the next five years with a reasonable cap hit whose style of play would fit perfectly on their second line.
THE LATEST DARNELL NURSE SPECULATION
SPORTSNET: Mark Spector believes the Edmonton Oilers and Darnell Nurse are headed toward a breakup. He cited several current and former team employees, saying that the club is ready and willing to trade the 31-year-old defenseman as soon as possible.
Spector indicated that Oilers GM Stan Bowman is expected to meet with Nurse soon to discuss his wishes. He has a full no-movement clause until the end of next season, when it becomes a 10-team trade list. If Nurse won’t waive his current clause, the trade talks will be shelved until next summer.
Despite Nurse’s burdensome contract and questionable hockey sense, Spector believes he remains tradeable to a team seeking a big-minute defenseman, with the Oilers taking on a contract that the other club wishes to shed.
EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins referred to Oilers insider Bob Stauffer’s take on Spector’s story. Stauffer suggested the San Jose Sharks as a destination, with the Oilers having to take a contract back in the deal. The Sharks need experienced defensemen and could also be interested in Morgan Rielly of the Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It comes down to whether Nurse will waive his full NMC this summer, which teams would be his preferred destinations, and whether any of them would be interested in acquiring him.
The Sharks could be a suitable option if they’re interested and he’s willing to go there. As for which contract they’d want to shed in the deal, they could ask the Oilers to take on the final season of permanently sidelined forward Logan Couture, who has an $8 million cap hit.
Couture has a three-team trade list. Given his situation, he won’t have any issue agreeing to his contract being shipped to Edmonton. The Oilers could then place him on LTIR to free up cap space this summer, and season-ending LTIR when the 2026-27 regular-season schedule begins.
DETAILS OF CANADIENS’ RUMORED BID FOR MATTHEW KNIES REVEALED
MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Dave Litman cited The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta telling the DFO Rundown podcast the details about a rumored trade between the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs involving Leafs winger Matthew Knies that fell through at the March deadline.
According to Pagnotta, the Canadiens and Maple Leafs had an agreement in place that would’ve sent prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky, two first-round picks, and another prospect to Toronto for Knies. However, there were some complications before the 3 pm ET deadline on March 6.
Pagnotta believes the Canadiens will attempt to revisit their efforts to acquire Knies this summer. However, Litman pointed out that the Maple Leafs now have new management who might be reluctant to part with the young power forward.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pagnotta subsequently indicated that neither Michael Hage nor David Reinbacher was the other prospect that would’ve gone to Toronto.
Regardless, the Canadiens now have more pressing needs this summer. The postseason revealed they must find a suitable second-line center and an experienced right-shot defenseman who can log more than 10 minutes per game.
Pursuing Knies now doesn’t address either need and would waste valuable assets that could be used to address one of those issues.
If Larkin is willing to be flexible with waiving his NCM the Red Wings should be in a good position to get back a good return despite Larkin’s requested trade.
I’d imagine most, if not all, of the teams in the league would be interested in acquiring him and the fact that multiple teams are in on him would mean that DET won’t get fleeced in parting with #71 since there will be a bidding war.
Maybe NJ/DET can do a sign and trade for Hischier. 1 for 1
Hischier is better and younger than Larkin, but NJ gets major cap relief with him going but not till NEXT season.
Larkin + Cossa for Hischier
NJ trades a goalie or 2 later
Larkin + Mazur or Kiiskinen for Nico
The problem is Larkin has a full no move clause and can pick and choose. Other teams know this, so there will not be a bidding war. The teams in the mix probably already know who they are as player agents have loose lips.
I don’t think he will only pick one location and hamstring the team of his younger dreams……
Sure Johnny you can think that…he won’t hamstring his former team who’s done nothing but waste his career to the point he requested to go.
Just like teams, players like himself need to take care of their own business however they seem fit. Wings fans better hope he has a few teams he’ll accept a trade to and the return for him will be tolerable because we all know, they are going to lose this trade no matter what. It’s just a matter of how much.
Shane Pinto and Drake Batherson for Dylan Larkin.
Ottawa gets a guy to play with stutzle who can be moved to wing
Pinto is on the third line.though promising I think a Theis line centre can be replace.
Losing a top 6 forward like Batherson will hurt. He wille centrally get a raise though. Ottawa can hopefully fill in his gap through free agency.
Is it to high a price to pay for Larkin. To low a price to allow both Bathersona and Pinto to go Both teams are trying to push and improve. Allows them to keep their picks. Would picks be needed?
Might be a trade to help both teams. Might be a dumb idea.
Oh and yes everyone knows Ottawa might be on Larkins no trade list.
Maybe Larkin wants to play with Brady, I would think so!
Larkin for Cozens and Greig
Detroit gets 2 C’s for the depth they need at C, Sens get a great 2nd line C to play with Brady and Giroux (maybe)
He has a full NTC, I don’t see Larkin waiving to go to Ottawa
Isn’t that what was being said about Ullmark before the deal? And, as I recall, when Bobby Ryan was leaving Anaheim, it was to go to Philadelphia … no way he’d go to … uggh … a back-water like Ottawa. Well, he did.
I would love to see Drury find a way to add Larkin to the Rangers. He would definitely help speed up the retool and solidify their need for a true #1 center, Perhaps Vinnie Trocheck could be part of the return if they aren’t on his no trade list.
“One team that wasn’t mentioned was the Montreal Canadiens”
Habs don’t have the assets to be in on Larkin since Detroit is a team with only one top end C.
Who’s replacing Larkin without a top C coming back, Copp, Finnie, Kasper?????
Exactly, if Y goes back to rebuild mode in accepting futures only, that may be the end of his job in Detroit.
Larkin, Edvidsson, Cossa to SJ for Cellebrini, prospect D, and 28 2nd round.
While it might seem like Yzerman is in a pickle, it’s another player he didn’t draft. Also, Larkin hasn’t responded to being the C1/captain like he had hoped. Maybe it’s time.
True enough, habfan30. Nevertheless, I’d expect the Habs would at least make an inquiry rather than assume they can’t get him. And who knows, maybe trading away Larkin could set the Red Wings on a different path (rebuilding), in which case, the Habs would have assets to interest them. However, more than likely, Yzerman will try to bring in a replacement for Larkin if a one-for-one deal can be found.
High end futures could be flipped elsewhere if that’s the best return for Larkin.
That’s what I was thinking too Lyle.
And Chrisms has made a good point as well.
The Habs will offer the usual Dach, Gallagher and Newhook. Or change one out for Montembeault.
The salary works and Habs as usual will not have to give up any prospect and dump a ton of salary.
😜
They can make other trades for a center maybe use the assets they get for Larkin.
But Habs have the next Stevie Y and Federov in Hage and Zharovsky or are they untouchable? Would Detroit take them packaged with Gallagher?
Two firsts one in 2027 and 28 Lohrei and 2nd next year for Larkin if they want more than that Don’t do it. That’s Orr and Gretzky territory.
Two middle of the 1st round picks and a b prospect is just shy of Gretzky territory?
Read it again Chrisms
I wouldn’t trade knies he is a unicorn.
At 23 he played on a bad knee all year on a team that quit on the coach and still had a decent point total.
The package is decent from mtl. But it’s a lot of maybes if Toronto wants to trade him Montreal won’t be the only team that puts in a huge offer that’s for sure.
I take the story about the Habs being that close to acquiring Knies with a massive grain of salt. Those who say don’t know, those who know don’t say.
I disagree with Lyle that the Habs shouldn’t target Knies or another high caliber winger, with two dynamic wingers like Demidov and Knies on the second line, the line would be productive even with Newhook or Kapanen at center until Hage is ready,
Another good thought, Howard.
Being a keyboard GM is hard this morning … perhaps its easier to put Slick back under comment moderation ….
LJ. Why bring me into this? Maybe Lyle should put you in timeout.
Fair enough, Howard, but a second line without a reliable center remains vulnerable given the importance of that position, regardless of how talented the wingers are. Demidov and Knies don’t take draws, and they’re unlikely to be regulars on the penalty kill. Newhook played center earlier in his career, but he’s best suited as a winger. Kapanen did okay for a while this season, but his production tailed off down the stretch and he was ineffective in the playoffs. Meanwhile, it could take Hage two or three seasons before he’s ready for second-line duty.
Better to use your tradeable assets to address your pressing roster needs if possible than to waste them chasing a shiny thing you don’t need.
I’d rather save the assets than sending 4 pieces for Knies even though I like him.
I’m tossing this name out again Paul Cotter.
I’d release Veleno, sign Cotter who would be a bigger, stronger Paul Byron in Montreal.
While he lacks consistent scoring, he has breakaway speeds, hits often and hard, soft hands that score in shootouts.
While he can play up and down the lineup he has played 1st line with Hughes and Bratt. He’s RFA and NJD probably won’t qualify him and in my opinion, slotting him on a line with Demidov would plug a hole , the guy has had a 16 goal season.
Players who show flashes and relegated to bottom 6 are often discarded.
Worst case scenario he replaces Veleno and scores a few goals.
Lyle, as a long-time hockey writer who has much more insight into the thinking and opinions of colleagues throughout the league, what are their (and your) general thoughts on a player who demands to be traded in the midst of a contract he willingly signed and STILL maintain the right to exercise the NT portion of that contract?
Should such a request no longer include the right to essentially dictate the destination?
Whatever Lyle’s thoughts, George, it was Yzerman who gave him the NTC. Instant Karma. And has been pointed out before NHL GMs dole out NTCs like a Pez dispenser.
The phrase hoisted by one’s own petard comes to mind …
Mind, if Yzerman doesn’t like the best return he can play hardball and keep Larkin out of the line up. That’s not a position of strength, but it is an option. Remember that, albeit a different set of circumstances, Yzerman didn’t cave in on Drouin when the kid held out for a trade.
George, I can’t speak for my colleagues. Some think Larkin is being selfish, while others don’t blame him for wanting out after 10 years without a playoff berth on a franchise spinning its wheels with no end in sight.
No-trade clauses are part of the CBA. Every team that signs a player to a long-term deal with such clauses knows there’s a possibility that the player could request a trade, which is also their right under the CBA. Any talk of getting rid of those clauses won’t wash with the NHLPA, as the players should have the right to decide where they can be traded. Besides, they’ve already put limitations on when players are eligible for no-trade protection (age 25).
To the best of my knowledge, the CBA forbids teams from putting conditions into a contract that would eliminate no-trade protection if the player requests a trade. Again, the team knows the risk when they include no-trade protection into a contract.
A player who signed a contract and requests a trade several years later is entirely within their rights to do so. In Larkin’s case, his request seems to be based on the premise that he’s been with the Red Wings for 11 years, given them the best seasons of his career, bought into their rebuilding process, but is now at the stage of his career (turning 30 in July) when the possibility of winning the Stanley Cup remains as far away as it was when he signed that contract three years ago. There also appears to be growing tension between Larkin and GM Steve Yzerman over the direction of the club.
In short, Larkin is within his rights as an employee of the NHL to request a trade, and to have no-trade protection in his contract that determines where he can be traded.
On what basis does Spector believe that Nurse “remains tradeable to a team seeking a big-minute defenseman” IF, as is generally thought, he possesses “questionable hockey sense?”
It would seem that playing “big minutes” simply allows more time for that “questionable hockey sense” to chime in and so ultimately put the screws to hos own team, and often at a crucial point in the game.
As an Oiler fan George, Spector drives me nuts. From contradictions that you mentioned to questions that just annoy the roster, I really do not like his style.
If team could trade media he would be on top of my trade block.
Nurse could very well be a Seth Jones situation…Jones was terrible on the Hawks and very overpaid but since being traded to the Panthers, he’s looked more like the defender that was given that fat contract to.
Players are generally a lot better then we fans think they are and a lot of it has to do with situational play rather than lacking skill or whatever. What Jones has shown us is, if a player is put in the right role and on the right team can perform to the potential a lot more easily than someone who’s forced into a role or on a team that can’t play to an expected level. The contract just increases the weight of failure if he doesn’t regain his form that made someone in the hockey world believe he was worth that contract.
Some points I’d like to make:
1. Berube should have been fired in December or earlier.
2. Treveling didn’t fire him because of his dithering indecisiveness. Dithering Brad canned Savard hoping that would send a message. Didn’t do anything.
3. Dithering Treveling continued to allow Berube to misuse his players in a knuckle dragging archaic north south dump and chase system that didn’t work. Roy used as a third line defensive center. Matthews overworked in defensive zone when Laughton should be doing that. No one held to account. Players tuned him out snd Dithering Treveling neither fired Berube or brought in better players.
4. Dithering Treveling dithered with contract statuses of Marner, McMann and Laughton showing his return was minimal.
5. Dithering Treveling should have been fired long before he started making desperation fire sale moved. But even with the fire sales he still dithered and thankfully was late in filing the trade for Knies.