NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026
Check out the latest on the Flyers, Canadiens, and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently wondered if the Flyers should return to the offer-sheet route and look into the availability of Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.
Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Fantilli and the Blue Jackets remain apart in their contract negotiations. Friedman speculated the 21-year-old center could seek a deal comparable to Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks (five years, $18 million average annual value) or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million AAV). However, the Blue Jackets could prefer something within the $12 million to $15 million range.
James acknowledged a report from Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco last month indicating the Flyers are unlikely to pursue Fantilli with an offer sheet. According to Di Marco, they prefer to preserve their financial flexibility in case a better opportunity arises.
Nevertheless, James mused about whether it might be worthwhile to pursue Fantilli if he and the Blue Jackets remain apart.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ultimately, James leans toward the Flyers maintaining their cap flexibility for better opportunities. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility. And if the Flyers aren’t interested, perhaps another club might consider it.
I’d be interested in hearing what Flyers fans think. Please let us know in the comments section below.
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan pondered the possibility of Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc becoming sign-and-trade candidates before training camp opens on Sept. 16.
Cowan noted the Canadiens’ ongoing need for a second-line center. He also pointed out that general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t ruled out a trade in September or October, though he ruled out making a “dumb trade” just to appease fans on a short-term basis.
Xhekaj, 25, and the 23-year-old Bolduc are restricted free agents coming off low-cost contracts. Cowan believes other teams will definitely have interest in them if they become available in the trade market.
The fact neither player has signed yet led Cowan to conclude they could become part of sign-and-trade scenarios.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer the duo remains unsigned, the more likely the possibility that they could be traded before training camp starts.
I doubt Xhekaj or Bolduc would be enough on their own to fetch a quality second-line center who would fit well within the Canadiens’ long-term plans. Perhaps as a package deal, but even then, the Habs would likely have to add another piece to the deal as a sweetener.
OTTAWA SUN: Callum Fraser reports Senators GM Steve Staios isn’t ruling out making other moves to improve the club before the season begins.
Speaking with season ticket holders on Wednesday, Staios pointed out that he wasn’t done making trades after shipping Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, noting his acquisition of winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks soon afterward.
Staios maintained that he’s not done, adding he remains determined to bring the Stanley Cup to Ottawa. He also indicated that he’s focused on getting winger Drake Batherson signed to a contract extension.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios wanted to add a scoring winger before he moved Tkachuk and brought in Eklund and winger Andre Burakovsky. That will remain his focus throughout the coming season if he cannot find a suitable option before training camp.
Moving forward, Carlsson’s contract will be the focal point for most young players negotiating their long term deals. Briere will become a “favorite” for several general managers.
Nobody is giving Fantilli 18m, not even Briere
No, but he’s probably going to get more than he would have before Carlsson’s deal. Same with Cutter. The bar has been raised for all young players. Carlsson’s contract was not near what he’s worth, with such a small sampling.
I find it hard to understand why pundits like Fraser and Garrioch continue to ignore the obvious when looking at the Senators’ roster and possible moves. Simply put, no matter how you compile the possible 4 lines, D-pairing and goaltending tandem, you wind up with 3 bodies too many.
Here’s one example:
Eklund – Stutzle – Batherson
Burakovsky – Cozens – Zetterlund
Foegele – Pinto – Giroux
Greig – Halliday – Amadio
no assigned spot – Cousins
Sanderson – Zub
Chabot – Spence
Kleven – Matinpalo
no assigned spot – Yakemchuk
Ullmark – Ersson
likely claimed if attemot to send to AHL – Merilainen
Re-arrange the above all you like, but you still wind up with 3 bodies too many, with the only ones still having AHL options left being Kleven, Eklund (neither of whom are being demoted), Yakemchuk and Halliday. Is sending either of the latter to Belleville inevitable?
Stop making sense George.
the GM has to give that line, and Garrioch has nothing else to talk about in the dog days of summer.
Unfortunate.
The only long shot scenario I could see actually happening is Batherson or Greig getting traded before camp opens. Seems wildly unlikely. They covet both players. But this gm didn’t draft either of them. They have a plethora of centers…so maybe Greig. And if Batherson gets greedy he can go too.
Batherson to Vancouver for Pettersen straight up.
60% retained in year one, 50% year 2, 40% year three.
They’re the same age. It’ll cost Vancouver similar to retain Bath. Maybe the Sens can rebuild Pet’s career.
Woof. In that scenario, talk about being over-loaded with centers: Stutzle, Cozens, Pettersson, Pinto, Greig, Halliday! And no one worth their salt at RW.
However , they’d sure be in a good spot to use 2 of that coveted C position to deal for RW help.
Dark G why do they want Peterssen? They have to many centers as it is!
I think. There’s a certain appetite to be able to remake this guy. Get the 100 point player back. Nobody wants the contract. Funny thing if you get him back to even a 75 – 80 point guy….that contract starts to look pretty good.
Also. I move Elias to wing. Less responsibility. Less skating. Just less to think about. Stick to your lane and finish. Unfortunate that we lost Alfie as a coach and mentor/motivator to Swedish players.
Was more of a pipe dream than a serious proposal. I don’t want to pay Batherson stupid money. I’m not sold on the player. Not at 8, 9 or 10 million.
Regarding the Flyers making an offer sheet to Fantilli this Flyers fan would love to get him but I feel sure Columbus would match. If Columbus is comfortable with signing him for up to 15 Million per year, I doubt the Flyers would offer more. I don’t think the Flyers value him as highly as Carlsson. Still, he would automatically become the Flyers #1 center if they could get him.