NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2026
Sidney Crosby to the Canadiens? Cutter Gauthier back to the Flyers? We’ve truly hit the silliest part of the offseason dog days, folks. Check it out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE SID SEIXEIRO SHOW: On Wednesday, Seixeiro dismissed the notion of Sidney Crosby signing a contract extension for one or two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins before the start of the season. “I’ll believe that when I see it,” he said.
Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).
Despite Crosby’s loyalty to the Penguins, Seixeiro believes the day will come when the future Hall of Famer will lose faith in general manager Kyle Dubas’ roster building. He suggested that the Montreal Canadiens should make a pitch for Crosby. Addressing Canadiens fans, Seixeiro asked if they would swap prospect Michael Hage and a first-round pick for Crosby.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported earlier this week that contract extension talks between Crosby and the Penguins will start when the summer ends. He believes it’ll likely be a one- or two-year deal. Yohe hasn’t been wrong in any of his reports about Crosby’s contract intentions yet.
The “Crosby-to-Montreal” talk began among several pundits (some based in Toronto) two years ago when the Penguins captain was approaching the final season of his previous contract. It was merely suggestions or wishful thinking rather than anything based in fact.
Seixeiro loves to stir the pot, and since there’s been a dire dearth of real hockey news to talk about, he’s just resurrecting the Crosby-to-Montreal speculation for his own amusement and that of his listeners.
TSN 690: During a recent appearance on the Campbell vs Gallo show, Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff was asked if the Philadelphia Flyers might hit the Anaheim Ducks with another offer sheet, this time by targeting winger Cutter Gauthier.
The Flyers signed Ducks center Leo Carlsson last month to a five-year offer sheet worth an average annual value of $18 million, which the Ducks subsequently matched. Gauthier was a Flyers prospect who was traded to the Ducks in January 2024 after refusing to sign an entry-level contract.
Gauthier is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. Di Marco doubted that the 21-year-old winger would be interested in signing with the Flyers. If there were another RFA they might take a shot at signing, it would be Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Di Marco’s sources said it’s something the Flyers aren’t willing to do.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet because he hasn’t played the mandatory number of games to qualify. Even if he were eligible, Di Marco is right that he won’t sign with the Flyers.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio wondered if the St. Louis Blues might be forced to explore a trade for Pavel Buchnevich.
The 31-year-old winger has struggled over the past two seasons. He’s entering the second season of an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8 million, and he carries a full no-trade clause.
Gaudio doesn’t believe Buchnevich’s situation has reached the “must-trade” stage. However, Blues GM Alex Steen may have to consider his options if the winger’s performance doesn’t improve.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: We finish with some conjecture that isn’t silly. Nevertheless, another subpar performance will make Buchnevich difficult to move given his cap hit and no-trade protection. They could be stuck with him for a while.
Buchnevich’s problems began when Drew Bannister moved him to center 2 years ago. He was a legitimate sniper as a winger but started his pass first shot last option playing as a center. After he moved back to wing the pass first mentality moved with him. The number of great scoring chances he’s passed up over the last year and a half is mind boggling. He skates well kills penalties and plays on the power play. To me he is an ideal candidate for a player that needs a change of scenery and a fresh start.
Buchnevich for Huberdeau??
I think if Blues could’ve traded Buchnevich they would’ve dealt him before Kyrou. Looking at his contract, besides the aav at 8m, his actual salary is 6m this season. But. Next year it jumps to 10m and the following year 11m. Yikes. No bonuses so buy out could be an option if they can’t get rid of him. Retention will be a must in any trade.
If there any rumors to consider out of Anaheim they would circle around Granlund and/or Kreider.
One at $7M the other at $6.5M would free up money to deal with Gauthier, they are the only ones who have real value for the respective 2 and 1 yr left on their contracts.
I’d take either one with a sweetener in Montreal 🙂
Trade Cutter to CBJ for Marchenko, Fabbro and a 1st.
CBJ signs Blankenburg or Klingberg to fill the spot
I’ve never heard of Sid Seixero. Can anyone let me know who he is? Is that his real name?
And not only is Crosby not going anywhere, but there’s no way Hughes is trading Hage for a 39 year old. Even one as great as Crosby.
That’s his real name, and he’s pretty much a clown. Has some stupid takes
Used to have a show on LeafsNet…Tim & Sid. Then he cohosted a morning talk/news show (Breakfast Tv?). I can’t recall the actual show name.
Nailed it, Ron. You really follow the Leafs, don’t you?
It was on all sportsnet channels not just Torontos. Tim Metcalf is a stellar sports analyst, he carried the show for many years. Sid, definitely a side kick
Ash75, actually, Tim’s surname is Micallef
He’s a clown you can trust that.
He use to be on The Score with Tim Mcallaff. The two were pretty funny ngl. That being said he always thinks he’s right and knows all. The term arrogance comes to mind referring too him.
Is Gauthier that much better than Marchenko that Columbus would have add that much to the deal?
Next Contracts
Marchenko at $12M Gauthier $18M. I take Marchenko at $12M
I just don’t buy any of the Crosby to Montreal stuff. Not now, or in the future.
TSP,
I’m fully on the same page with you on that.
Crosby will stay in Pittsburgh for the entirety of his career. Period