NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026
How the Ducks might clear cap space to create room for Cutter Gauthier’s new contract, and the latest Flames speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal listed three Anaheim Ducks players who could become salary-cap casualties to make room for a new contract for Cutter Gauthier.
Wingers Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano are Leal’s trade candidates.
Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).
Killorn, 36, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6.25 million. He also carries a 15-team no-trade list.
The 35-year-old Kreider is also in the final season of his contract. He has a cap hit of $6.5 million. Like Killorn, he carries a 15-team no-trade list.
Vatrano, 32, has two seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.571 million and a seven-team no-trade list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier, 21, could seek between $14 million and $15 million annually on his next contract. However, the Ducks have only $9.07 million in cap space this season.
They can exceed the $104 million salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason if they sign Gauthier now. However, they must be cap-compliant when their regular season opens in late September.
The Ducks can get some short-term cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve to start this season. However, they must shed salary to make room for him when he returns.
Kreider could draw more interest around the league given his bounce-back performance this season. Shedding his $6.5 million would create the most cap space to re-sign Gauthier. However, the Ducks could prefer moving Killorn and/or Vatrano.
CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered if there could be more trades coming for the Flames before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.
The Flames have nine defensemen jockeying for six positions this season. He assumes that Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, and Zach Whitecloud will fill the top-four defense pairings. That leaves Yan Kuznetsov, Jake Middleton, Brayden Pachal, Joel Hanley, and Hunter Brzustewicz.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin’s colleague, Kent Wilson, noted that Whitecloud would draw a quality return given his experience, reputation, and affordable contract ($2.75 million AAV for two more seasons). However, moving Whitecloud would leave their blueline staffed almost entirely by kids.
Wilson noted that Whitecloud was a good fit with the Flames since joining them in January from the Vegas Golden Knights. He considers it unlikely that the 29-year-old blueliner will be traded.
Austin also noted that the Flames have plenty of wingers. He noted that trade rumors surfaced earlier this year about Connor Zary, suggesting that there are moves they could make among their forward lines.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin doesn’t expect a flurry of late August trade activity by the Flames. However, I agree that there could be a trade or two before training camp opens next month.
Mathieu Joseph to ANA
kreider 25% retained to EDM
EDM has space to pull it off and Kreisler’s speed and tipping prowess would be a better roster spot than Joseph for EDM cup hopes
Ana gets cap space as Joseph only cost 1m Plus 1.625 of retention on Kreider leaves close to 4 m in space more for ANA.
That’s assuming Edmonton is not included on Kreider’s 15-team no-trade list … and it’s a safe bet that they are – along with the 6 other Canada-based franchises.
Joseph is a bottom six player and the proposed trade solves nothing for Anaheim as they need to clear at least 6m. Your trade is also basically a salary dump and Kreider has value that exceeds Joseph and clearing 4m. Just my opinion
I can understand the lure of Kreider, and ya he could play a role in the Oiler top 6 and may score 30 plus in that role.
I’m not sure that’s what the Oil are looking to do though. I think they want to give Savoie a real shot up there with McDavid and Hyman. Or with Draisaitl. Savoie scored 18 goals, Kreider 22 if you want to talk goals. Plus Savoie didn’t get top 6 opportunities until after the Olympics. There was chemistry with McDavid, no guarantee Kreider will. It’s not that easy.
He could score 25-30 goals if he sticks on the top line and gets 1st unit PP time, more than 30. But I think Nuge stays there.
He’s a flexible player too, who you can play anywhere. High energy guy who battles. Kills penalties too if you need him too. But that’s a reason the signed Joseph. I think Babcock will luv him and feed him ice time.
Oilers need to reduce goals against, they will score enough.
May also want to keep that cap space till later in season when you can get more bang for your buck, or they need help somewhere else due to injury.
Or in net.
Kreider would slot in at LW on the 2nd line with Demidov and help a run for the Stanley Cup.
It would be ironic if his name went on the cup instead of Carey Price.
As much as he’s hated in Montreal, once he does his thing, fans would flip to cheering him.
Kreider to the Habs and then we make him be the washroom attendant at the Bell Center after Taco Tuesdays.
Habsfan30-I’d rather get a BJ from Jaws and beg him to drag his teeth, before I cheer Kreider in a Habs uni. He’s a POS.
That’s quite a strong and graphic statement Craig.
I never thought of Jaws that way before.
Not sure I can watch again now either. So thanks for that.
WTF did Kreider do?
Ana just needs to sign cutter and use the injured reserve. Lots could happen before terry is ready to return. They could lose another salary player to injury. Injuries around the league could make other teams more likely to take one of those salaries back. They got time.