NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at three defensemen who could still be moved during the offseason, and the latest on Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa recently listed three NHL defensemen who could still be traded before training camp opens next month.
Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes topped the list. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and is ineligible to sign an offer sheet. However, he’s also surfaced in trade rumors this summer.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin (NHL Images).
DeRosa believes Nikishin is a young blueliner with strong upside who could be a solid addition to a playoff contender or a rebuilding club.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade buzz around Nikishin faded away throughout August, but it could resurface as training camp approaches in September. The St. Louis Blues reportedly had considerable interest.
Mason Lohrei of the Boston Bruins was a fixture in the rumor mill last season. He struggled last season and was scratched from three of their six playoff games. The Bruins have a surplus of defensemen, which could make the 25-year-old Lohrei a trade chip.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lohrei might not be going anywhere for now. He’s reportedly spent the offseason building up his strength and improving his overall game. He said he’s looking forward to the challenge of earning a full-time roster spot this season.
Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers rounds out DeRosa’s list. The 32-year-old veteran right-shot blueliner has been the subject of trade rumors for years, and he’s due to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers will likely hang onto Ristolainen for this season. However, they could peddle him by the March 1 trade deadline if they’re out of playoff contention by then.
THE ATHLETIC: Whether Jake DeBrusk can rebuild his trade value is among Thomas Drance’s five summer thoughts regarding the Vancouver Canucks forwards.
DeBrusk managed three five-on-five goals on 121 shots on goal, for a “wildly anemic 2.48 shooting percentage.”
Drance expects the 29-year-old winger’s production will improve at even strength this season, pointing out he’s been “a modestly above-average finisher throughout his career, and has a serious nose for cashing in greasy goals at the net front.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk was the frequent subject of trade speculation last season, especially after he indicated that he wasn’t keen on playing for a rebuilding team. He was linked at one point to the Ottawa Senators, but they opted for winger William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky.
DeBrusk still managed to score 23 goals and 42 points in 81 games with the imploding Canucks last season. An improvement in his even-strength production will bolster his stats and improve his chances of getting moved to a contender before the March 1 trade deadline, provided he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause.
It couldn’t hurt for Sweeney to enquire about Nikishin It’s not every day someone with this much talent comes along.
What makes you think he hasn’t, John?
Heh. I’d be surprised to learn that 31 teams haven’t at least contacted Tulsky to see what interests him IF it comes to moving Nikishin.
I’m reasonably sure of one thing – I truly doubt he’s interested in Zacha and Lohrei.
By you saying that Lyle, just the way you phrased it have you heard anything to that effect ? I mean that Sweeney’s even kicked the tires on Alex?
John, the only two teams whose interest (and broad offers) have “leaked” are the NYR and St. Louis – neither of which interested Tulsky, apparently.
We’re not privy – even through “leaks” – to every GM to GM call, But when rumors start spreading that a top young player like Nikishin might be up for grabs – for whatever reason – any GM who doesn’t call to see what may do the trick simply isn’t doing his job.
An Sweeney’s no different in that regard to any of the others.
Other than Lohrei, what assets of value are the Bruins willing to part with to secure Nikishin, Larkin or any other improvement?
Toronto St Pars,Boston can offer if they choose ,Lohrei,Middlestadt,Poitras,Brunet,Letourneau,Zellers,Simpson,Locmelis and draft picks to name a few!
None of which will get them either Nikishin or Larkin.
SR – Wings already said they want a number one center to replace Larkin. Carolina has the luxury of waiting for the right deal. None of the guys you mentioned, any combination of such are the right deal.
Don’t get me wrong, I like Dean Letourneau and Will Zellers, they are both excellent prospects. I just don’t think they will get the deal done on either player.
Toronto St Pats. I know Detroit is looking for a number 1 center but the reality is there are not enough of them.Go back to the list of top20 centers in the game. Is a GM going to trade anyone on that list for him. The longer he stays in Detroit the less they will get for him. That organization is a mess. No one taking charge or being able to make a decision without ownership signing off on it!
Toronto St Pats. I know Detroit is looking for a number 1 center but the reality is there are not enough of them.Go back to the list of top20 centers in the game. Is a GM going to trade anyone on that list for him. The longer he stays in Detroit the less they will get for him. That organization is a mess. No one taking charge or being able to make a decision without ownership signing off on it!
If Ottawa offered Shane Pinto for Nikishin I bet Tulsky would go for it. The Senators could do that If they retain Cozens as a C and not move him to RW. giving them Stutzle (line 1), Cozens (line 2), Greig (line 3) and Halliday (or Cousins) (line 4).
While the Jets really need a RHD, Nikishin can play his offside and would bring many attributes to their blue line like physicality, puck movement, big shot, and youth. A deal for Hellebuyck could be a fit for both. Toss in a veteran presence like DeMelo or Niedereiter and whichever goalie option back to the Jets and everyone’s happy.
I am interested to see how long Edvinsson and his agent, “Patiently” wait for Detroit to get their GM situation resolved. I am also very surprised Edvinsson hasnt received an offer sheet.
Edvinsson hasn’t received an offer sheet because his camp has stated publicly that he is not interested in signing anywhere other than Detroit and that he would like a long-term deal.
I believe his agent stated that they are committed to Detroit, that was over a month ago. Edvinsson was on a interview on RDS recently stating he and his agent have yet to receive anything other then a QO, and have yet to start discussing a contract. His agent also stated, recently that the UFA signings and RFA contracts this summer has changed what Edvinsson will be looking for. One of Detroit’s writers mentioned that Detroit likely could have locked up Edvinsson 8×8 earlier this summer, but that time has past. More then likely Edvinsson will be looking for a 3-5 year deal at 9-10. Three weeks left before the first day of camp and Edvinsson has no contract, no discussion on a long term deal, no negotiation has taken place, and Edvinsson is still sitting in Sweden.
Maybe perhaps because Edvinsson and his agent won’t accept an offer sheet.
Plus Detroit will match anything less than 4 1st round picks. And no GM is offering him more than $13,000,000 per season AAV.
Not accepting an offer sheet is a theory first published by Octopus Thrower”
I am not saying he wants to leave, but at the same time money talks. I think a solid move for any Team would be to offer sheet Edvinsson 1 year at 9.5, (1st, 2nd, 3rd). That pushed Edvinsson into Arbitration eligible next summer.
How much is Nikishin looking for in new contract? Chatfield and Ghost are both entering last year of their deals. Canes have cap space. Jarvis going to miss time and maybe they’re looking to swap the big dman for forward help.
I’ve been on this site for many years. Can’t remember a year where Ristolainen wasn’t in rumors.
$9M
Assessments of DeBrusk always overlook his passing ability. It’s excellent. He’s very accurate and creative in getting the puck to a teammate. He’s been used primarily as a net-front guy, especially on the power play, but pair him up on another team with some other good passers and shooters, and his 5-on-5 production will rise.
With the Canucks roster even McDavid would be a 80 point guy not much help there
Info doesn’t usually leak out of Tampa, but they could sure stand to get younger on the blue line and there isn’t much in the pipeline. Nikishin & Cernak trading places with minor assets to balance might work, with a bridge contract for N helping the Lightning with cap room for Kucharov’s contract. They are planning to lean on three D over 35 in their top four, which looks like a high risk, and one seldom hears a rumor or much of anything else out of Tampa’s management. Also of not i that while Hedman’s personal issues got the headlines he had two different physical problems costing thirty or more games. Finally in a speed league, you never know when father time will take that half step away.
Helybuck made his trade request official. Put statement out.
Another USA team member leaving Canada!
We don’t know that for certain\, Sr, despite your thinly-disguised glee, All we know at the moment is that he privately requested the move “several months ago” in order to give Cheveldayov time to explore options out of the glare of the media.
Now, with training camps set to open in a few weeks he felt it was time to confirm the request publicly, stating that moving on is the best path forward for him and his family.
He has a full NMC but, as yet, there is no word as to whether he submitted a list, a la Larkin.
OK, some deeper digging reveals that, yes, he has given a list to Cheveldayov, but nothing yet as to where exactly, although it’s understood that, unlike Larkin, the list provides a much larger range of options – with the one proviso being that it has to be a recognized Cup contender. Seems to me, Montreal is close to filling that bill.
On the other hand, he was linked closely to Buffalo and reportedly was willing to waive his NMC to go there just after the playoffs ended,
Carolina is also a distinct possibility.
Trade him to the oilers
GeorgeO,the US Olympic gold medal was the worst thing to happen to Canadian teams. Being with each other for 2 weeks and playing,practicing,and eating meals with each other gave the US players time to look at their own professional careers and look to be a part of what their teammates have enjoyed in their successes with their teams. Most of which are in the US!
And many Canadian fan(atic)s harnessing the American Olympic heroes because Canada lost to them.
And many Canadian fan(atic)s harnessing the American Olympic heroes because Canada lost to them.