NHL Rumor Mill – July 29, 2026
What’s going on with the Red Wings? What’s the latest on contract extension talks between the Senators and Drake Batherson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON THE RED WINGS
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen is wondering who’s minding the store for the Red Wings since their removal of Steve Yzerman as their general manager on July 15. Since then, there’s been little news regarding the search for his replacement, or the handling of key issues.
Yzerman is handling the day-to-day management duties until his successor is found. However, Allen believes Red Wings fans are wondering if Yzerman still has authority to make decisions or requires permission from team owner Chris Ilitch.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Dylan Larkin’s trade request saga hasn’t been sorted out yet. The club still needs more scoring, and restricted free agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson still hasn’t been re-signed.
Allen wondered if the interview process for Yzerman’s replacement has started yet. So far, there’s been no media chatter about teams granting permission to interview, who’s been interviewed, and who is no longer under consideration.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers wondered if the change in management might prompt Larkin to rescind his trade request, but there’s no indication he’s going to do that. He could be waiting to see who replaces Yzerman, or it might not matter because he’s already made up his mind to move on.
Apart from signing winger Viktor Arvidsson, the Red Wings haven’t done much to bolster their offense. The free-agent market has largely been picked clean, meaning they’ll have to turn to the trade market, where the cost of adding scoring punch is probably much higher than it was a month ago.
Edvinsson’s RFA status makes him eligible to sign an offer sheet with a rival club. With over $19 million in cap space, that’s likely an empty threat, but it doesn’t mean someone might not try, which could make the young blueliner more expensive to re-sign, assuming the Wings are willing to match.
As for Yzerman’s replacement, the Wings indicated their search will include internal candidates and those from other clubs. They could be leaning toward hiring from within. One reason we haven’t heard much about interviews with external candidates is most reporters and insiders who break that news are currently on vacation.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff noted the trade rumors about Alex DeBrincat that arose after Yzerman was moved out of his role as GM.
The 28-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but Duff doesn’t see him moving on if the Red Wings pay him fair market value to stay put.
Duff believes DeBrincat wants to remain in Detroit. He’s a Michigan native surrounded by family, and he loves playing for the Red Wings.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrincat is earning an AAV of $7.875 million on his current contract. Since joining the Wings in 2023-24, he’s been their leading goal scorer with 107 total goals (including 41 goals last season) and sits second in total points with 222.
Fair market value could be around $14 million annually after Leo Carlsson set the market with his $18 million AAV on his new contract. The Wings have the cap space in 2027-28 to re-sign him, but that will depend on what they consider fair market value.
UPDATE ON THE SENATORS
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators and winger Drake Batherson are far apart in their contract extension talks.
Batherson, 28, is in the final season of a six-year contract with an AAV of $4.975 million. He’ll be UFA-eligible next July. Garrioch indicates that some league executives believe he could command between $10 million and $11 million annually.
According to Garrioch, Batherson wants to stay with the Senators, and they want to keep him. However, finding an acceptable salary number will be difficult.
One league insider told Garrioch that the Batherson camp could use winger Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings as one comparable. Alex Tuch of the Washington Capitals could be another.
The Senators also hope to open contract extension talks with Artem Zub. Like Batherson, the 30-year-old defenseman is eligible for UFA status next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since his full-time NHL debut in 2020-21, Batherson sits third among the Senators scorers with 143 goals and 202 assists for 345 points. He’ll draw plenty of interest in next summer’s UFA market, especially if most of the top stars in next summer’s class re-sign with their current clubs.
Kempe signed an eight-year deal last fall with the Kings worth an AAV of $10.625 million. Tuch inked an eight-year contract on June 24 in a sign-and-trade with the Buffalo Sabres worth $10.5 million annually.
I am surprised that the wings haven’t sorted out the GM mess yet. Usually the steps fall into place quickly so you can get back to ‘normal’.
If an internal name was going to replace Yzerman you would think they would have had that all sorted out and announce it at the same time as when they ‘relieved’ Yzerman of the role. If they were going external, names should be out there by now. Weird situation imo.
If Debrincat wants to stay they should retain him.
As for Batherson – tuch/kempe seem like fair comps. And 10 to 11 seems market value.
The 2026-26 NHL season starts two months from today…9/29. The Red Wings are starting to look like a real mess and time is running out to resolve key issues by then.
It’s looking as though Detroit’s front office is a mess. They waited at least two years too long to replace Yzerman, but also too late this summer as it’s reasonable to think the best candidates are already in positions. Now, since I’m a Blue Jackets fan, I welcome anything that upsets Detroit’s improvement track. Even so, one wonders just what Detroit’s ownership is thinking.
“Yzerman is handling the day-to-day management duties until his successor is found.”
That seals it, you won’t hear a peep from Larkin till Stevie is “uninvolved”.
It seems wrong to have the Senators featured, above, and not see any comments from George O.
Sure does
I think George is on summer vacation to the northern fishing camp off the grid. Probably being devoured by deer/horse flies.
10+ for Batherson is a tad rich for me. He disappears. A LOT. I’d be fine with 8.5 x 4. Limited no trade. He’s also won the green jacket in the NHL. While his 2 way play has improved. It hasn’t improved to 10 million plus territory. I’m sure it’ll get done. He probably also believes he was on a team friendly deal. And that may be true. But the team also put up with his warts. And his disappearing act in the playoffs didn’t help either.
Zub….is getting old quick. No more than 4 years. Not not a huge raise. He got some unexpected points last year but that was a figment. Don’t price yourself off that blue line.
You are not going to get Batherson for 8.5 @4. He has gotten better every year. His defensive game has gotten better, he’s big skilled. he’s going to get in the neighborhood of 10.5 @ 6 I believe he’s been on a steal of a contract for the last two years and will want to get paid. I personally think he deserves it and would pay that much for him.
The huge sense of urgency in Detroit is coming from the fans and the media. They want everything to happen yesterday. Then they will complain and say the wings rushed the new hire if they don’t like the new guy. If Edvinsson was interested in an offer sheet it would have already happened. It’s summer and there is still plenty of time to get things in order.
Yes and no Ed. Camp opens in about 6 weeks.
To bring in a new Gm, get them up to speed (if external), presumably handle both the edvinsson and larkin situations, seek improvements, look at PTOs etc and prep for camp etc is not all that much time.
I understand that fans want things done quick but this summer has been a mess for wings fans and there doesnt seem to be any urgency from the team to get to mopping it up.
I agree with Ed, and don’t think it’s a mess at all. They have a GM until they find a replacement, his name is Steve.
There is nothing to do with Larkin, the list he submitted won’t work. He needs to add, or one of Minny or Florida need to give the Wings the return that will make the deal happen. Boldy or Lundell plus. Until they do, Steve can hang with the family, play golf, fish or whatever he likes to do in the summer.
Edvinsson deal will get done, Detroit just won’t overpay and it will be fair.
Just because Briere and the Flyers make stupid contract offers doesn’t mean the rest of the GM’s have to.
Just because Larkin decided to point a gun at the Wings and then tie their hands with regards to options doesn’t mean the Wings have to do anything, there is a contract in place. Larkin made a decision, now the Wings get to make a decision that they think is best for the Wings. It’s no more complicated than that.
I hope that Illich doesn’t over ride Yzerman now, and hope the new guy takes the same approach. Put the ball back in Larkin’s court to make a choice. Play, sit or expand your list.
Larkin is out and about enjoying the off season and doesn’t seem concerned about it, why would the Wings be?