NHL Rumor Mill – September 14, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, it’s the latest on Red Wings blueliner Simon Edvinsson, Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin, and Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff recently cited Simon Edvisson as telling the Swedish website Aftonbladet that he received interest this summer from several clubs regarding a potential offer sheet.
Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images).
The 22-year-old Red Wings defenseman is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract last season.
Edvinsson indicated that he’s not interested in signing with another team despite the Red Wings’ turmoil and uncertainty this summer. “I love Detroit, and I love the fans,” Edvinsson said. “Detroit is the place closest to my heart, absolutely. I love everything here. Now you want to have a talk with whoever becomes GM and see what happens.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks wondered if another club might take advantage of the situation and sign Edvinsson to an offer sheet. As I’ve noted whenever someone proposes such a gambit, the player has to be open to signing. If he’s not, it’s a waste of time.
Edvinsson’s contract negotiations with the Red Wings are in limbo until the club gets around to hiring a new general manager. He’s indicated he’ll report to training camp, but he can’t participate until he’s under contract.
The Red Wings may not have to worry about Edvinsson signing elsewhere, but that doesn’t excuse how badly they’ve botched their search for a new general manager. Edvinsson’s situation could’ve ended badly for them if he wasn’t so loyal to the team and the city.
THE NEWS & OBSERVER: Chip Alexander reports questions continue to swirl about defenseman Alexander Nikishin as the Carolina Hurricanes prepare to open training camp on Thursday.
Nikishin, 24, remains an unsigned restricted free agent. That’s generated speculation about whether he’ll be traded, signed to a short-term bridge deal, or hold out when training camp begins.
If he’s traded, the Hurricanes will need a replacement. Alexander suggested prospect Charles Alexis Legault, who saw action in 12 regular-season games with the Hurricanes last season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The article is mostly about Legault’s career and why he might be a solid replacement for Nikishin if the latter gets traded. Nevertheless, the uncertainty about Nikishin’s future will increasingly make him a topic of discussion in the rumor mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio wondered if the St. Louis Blues might pivot to Boston Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei if they’re unable to pry Alexander Nikishin away from the Hurricanes.
Gaudio believes Lohrei would be cheaper to acquire and more affordable given his $3.2 million AAV for this season. The 25-year-old has said he’d love to stay in Boston and compete for his spot on the Bruins’ blueline, but he could have a difficult time with veterans Nikita Zadorov and Hampus Lindholm on the left side.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lohrei’s availability could depend on his performance during training camp and postseason play. Even then, the Bruins could hang onto him to start the season and see how things unfold.
Sure, the GM search is a disaster, however, why didnt Yzerman get this done when he was still the GM? Isnt that the bigger problem just as it was in Anaheim?
I will CONSTANTLY OFFER UP Stan Bowman of the
Oilers as Yzermans replacement. 57,000 signatures
on a petition AGAINST the signing of Alex Formenton.
From bringing in Bowman, to hiring Babcock, and now Formenton, what a disaster in Edmonton. I can’t help but cheer against this team after those moves. Would be so disappointing to be an Oilers fan
The Oilers aren’t a disaster.
The Red Wings aren’t a disaster.
This catastrophizing is amazing to me. Every thing now is a “disaster!”.
I’ll go out on a limb and predict:
The Wings will get a GM in place before the season starts.
Edvinsson will be signed. They could simply let Horcoff do this, but Edvinsson camp are likely the ones waiting, but that’s just a guess. Fair enough.
Larkin’s a goof, and started this ball rolling.
The Oilers will be a contender again, and if they stay healthy come playoff time will have a shot at the cup.
Babcock is a hard ass, and on the far end of the hard ass spectrum. No doubt about that. But he knows the game as well as anyone, and the Oilers top guys asked for someone like him. That includes Hyman who credits Babcock for helping his career while in Toronto.
Well, they got what they asked for, so pretty darn sure they will deal with it.
Formention is for depth in case of injury. I’m been very critical of all 5 of those players involved, and didn’t like the verdict. They did a very bad thing IMO, regardless of the verdict.
But they also served their suspensions, and of the 5, Formention is the least bad. Hockey Canada cleared him and put him in for immediate reinstatement.
Still think some of the others, McLeod in particular, deserved a harsher penalty. But that’s just me.
I’ve read a lot of chatter that Yzerman did have deals “agreed to in principle” over the last year but they were vetoed or stalled by the owner.
Are those rumors all true? Not sure, but it makes you wonder if the owner’s over-involvement is part of the reason that Detroit is having a hard time filling the GM spot.
Sure… every owner has final say for their team, but there is a fine line between oversight and meddling.
“Edvinsson indicated that he’s not interested in signing with another team despite the Red Wings’ turmoil and uncertainty this summer”
While lack of new GM is the reason floated around, Yzerman is a senior advisor and the owner, Chris Ilitch makes the final decision anyways, so a contract with Edvinsson can be signed.
By the same token a Larkin trade can happen with Illitch authorization.
Why did Stan bowmen get a freebie from the oiler fans when he was hired. He chose to ignore his situation in Chicago and that person went on to assault a minor.
Formenton was proven innocence in a court of law. I’m not saying there was not bad decisions made but should we not trust the court of law and let this person live his life as an innocent man?
To clarify, Bowman overlooked the assault of one of his players, not a minor. Still bad, but it’s important to have your facts straight.
Bowman’s case is different because he worked with Kyle Beach and others in taking steps to own the situation and learn from it. Kyle Beach himself felt that Bowman deserved another chance based on the actions taken. Bowman got another chance because the victim vouched for him.
I agree EDM appears desperate, but Formenton deserves a shot because he wasn’t found guilty of anything. I’ve never heard anyone say Babcock took responsibility for anything. From his introductory presser he showed that he’s the same wolf in sheep’s closing.
Moreover, with regards to Babcock, with the teams he coached it can be argued they should have had more success, and that he’s simply overrated as a coach. I would tend to agree.
Pete “went on to assault a minor.” 2013, Houghton Michigan hockey camp. The Blackhawks were less than forthcoming about what went on, which allowed Aldrich to continue his pattern of behavior elsewhere. The two assaults in 2012 at Miami University were against adults.
Aldrich reported to Coach Q, and Q gave him a positive performance evaluation, which Aldrich shared with his new employer. So if you want to point fingers, that is the direction.
Yes, Bowman should have done more and he lost his job because of it. The question is how long should he have been kept out of the NHL. If folks think forever, OK, you’re entitled to your opinion.
Was his punishment fair? I would have preferred longer, but the league did what it thought was appropriate. Coach Q was out of the NHL longer, and I think that was right as well, but I also thought that should have been longer.
Why do the Canes want to move Nikishin ? Because he wants a market contract . He has missed out on at least one for his career and needs to ask for the money on this agreement
Unless he wants to be the highest paid on the team sign him. He is in his prime years and a solid defender