NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2026
Check out the latest on the Penguins and the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reported on what’s been a quiet offseason thus far for the Pittsburgh Penguins.
General manager Kyle Dubas was unsuccessful in his attempt to make a big splash and move up in the first round of this year’s draft. Yohe believes Dubas either misjudged the value of trade assets such as Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, or how challenging the trade market would be.
Dubas could have better luck next summer. He’ll have over $70 million in salary-cap space to work with, and the trade and free-agent markets should be better than they were this year.
Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images).
Earlier this month, Yohe was asked what the Penguins plan would be for Erik Karlsson.
The 36-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Yohe stated that he’d be surprised if they re-sign Karlsson, pointing out that he’ll be 37 when his next contract begins. He speculated they could let him walk via free agency next July, or attempt to move him by the March trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Responding to Yohe’s comments about Karlsson, Jimmy Murphy of The Sick Podcast expressed his belief that the Penguins would trade the puck-moving defenseman to the Ottawa Senators or Toronto Maple Leafs before the 2026-27 regular season begins.
The Senators are seeking another scoring forward, but maybe they’d be open to adding more offense to their blueline. Karlsson could be open to a return to the team where he spent his best seasons, and he’d fill their ongoing need to bolster the right side of their defense corps. However, that seems more like a move the Sens might make if they’re buyers at the trade deadline.
Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs’ new management has been busy shaking up its roster. Bringing in Karlsson (provided he’s willing to go to Toronto) would give them a short-term burst of experienced skill. However, they’re currently over the cap by $2.7 million, giving them no wiggle room to absorb his $10 million cap hit. And no, the Penguins won’t retain salary to make it happen.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Herb Zurkowsky noted the recent flurry of trade rumors linking the Canadiens to Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.
Zurkowsky acknowledged that having Marchenko and Ivan Demidov on the same line would probably improve the Canadiens, but it wouldn’t address its ongoing need for a second-line center.
The asking price for Marchenko would be high. Zurkowsky believes the Blue Jackets would want one of the Canadiens’ top prospects (Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky), a first-round pick, and another player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens were interested in Marchenko, but it doesn’t seem as though he’s available. Despite the recent flurry of rumors, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell refuted the speculation, claiming he hasn’t spoken with other clubs about the 26-year-old winger in weeks. He also stated earlier this month that Marchenko would be in the Jackets’ lineup to start the season.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Bailey acknowledged a rumor that linked the Philadelphia Flyers to Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj.
However, Bailey believes Xhekaj isn’t a fit with the Flyers. He noted they already have two physical defensemen with Nick Seeler and Simon Benoit. Adding another blueliner when they’re also trying to promote promising youngsters like Oliver Bonk and David Jiricek would be counterproductive.
Karlsson back to Ottawa is a pipe-dream exceeded only by the suggestion that he could also interest Chayka in Toronto (maybe his good buddy Alfredsson being there now has something to do with Jimmy Murphy’s thinking 🙂 ).
Currently, Ottawa has a cap reserve of $4,195,833 so, with Staios’ firm resolve to retain around $4 mil in cap to help facilitate any trade-day move, and Karlsson’s $10 mil cap hit, they’d have to relinquish a player (or players) totaling close to that. Not gonna happen.
As for Toronto, as Lyle points out, they are currently $2,752,381 OVER the cap already so they’d be forced to give up something in the area of $12.5 mil for a soon-to-be 37 y/o one-dimensional D. Again – not gonna happen.
I think Detroit makes a ton of sense with their cap space can swap Faulk so penguins don’t eat salary but still leaves room for redwings to reup their young RFA
Will show team they are trying to add offense to get over the hump
Would love Xhekaj on Rangers. They need to protect Igor. Much rather him on 3rd pair than Robertson. Drafted Smits 5th overall and he might be “NHL ready” , but no reason to rush him into full time role. Rangers loaded with bottom 6 forwards and Rempe not guaranteed a spot. Teams like Washington and Florida take advantage of soft teams. NY hasn’t had that fear factor for opposing teams skating in with their heads down since trading Trouba. Maybe if Habs can get him signed to a cheap deal they’d be able to move him. Plenty of players on Rangers that Gorton drafted to choose from, including Robertson.
I would not trade Robertson for Xhekaj.
Other than hit numbers and taking terrible penalties, he is nowhere near Robertson.
Skating, shooting , hockey Iq etc.
What has plagued NY for years now, including their Ecf runs , presidents trophy runs is 5v5 scoring.
Having another button guy in there simply for toughness isn’t going to help that.
Smits will be competing with Robertson for that spot. They picked him because he’s NHL ready over Reid.
I don’t know Roberston, Captain, so I can’t comment on comparators. But as HF30 pointed out recently, do not underestimate Xhekaj’s skating or shot. Neither HF30 nor I understand why he doesn’t get more ice time in Montreal, and both of us would like to have the Habs keep him.
Not sure what other Habs fans think …
Robertson is a dime a dozen dman. Decent 3rd pair but doesn’t give anything worth noting. I’d rather have a 6/7 who you can plug into lineup vs certain teams. Smits drafted over others not only cause he’s NHL ready, but because he’s bigger and nastier than Reid. There we’ll be an adjustment period into the NHL. 84 game season. Travel. That’s a lot for a 18 yo. Robertson is 25, and finally got time in NHL last season. Being 6/7 dman on a bad team doesn’t guarantee anything. Not like they were loaded with better choices.
Think Robertson and WiFi as bottom pair makes sense
Trai vakinainen or however ya spell. Guy is SOFT
Slick 62, I would be careful about throwing Smits to the wolves being Wilson in Washington and the entire Fla. group of animals.As crazy as it sounds Reaves is looking to play another year,and Remke might be damaged goods already from his bouts the last few years!
No need for Xhekaj in Philly, since they already have Benoit. I know he’s a #6 dman, but i think the Leafs will miss Benoit next year. Never can be too physical on the back end.
You’re right there, Toronto will miss Benny but not his hot grenades up the middle and The circus of him trying to make a breakout pass and the defensive zone. Yes the guy can hit. Yes, the guy blocked shots but everything else is not great.
I’m not about to say that Marchenko won’t be traded at some point, however, since the only indication that he won’t sign an extension was a Kevin Weekes claim on draft day, and no one connected to the Jackets or Marchenko has confirmed Weekes’ claim, I do wonder if Weekes was right. I do think that, if Waddell is willing to trade Marchenko, part of the return would absolutely must be a right winger who could immediately play on the first line, taking Marchenko’s place.
Which, Paul, is why a trade with the Habs is unlikely as they don’t have a player of equal value they would part with.
And what would the point be for any trade partner if the deal was like player for like player? So yeah, Marchenko stays until at least the trade deadline.