NHL Rumor Mill – November 4, 2026
Check out the latest on Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov and Red Wings center Dylan Larkin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TSN: Darren Dreger reports teams are calling Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois about Nikita Kucherov. The 33-year-old superstar winger has indicated he won’t re-sign with the Lightning and has requested a trade, though he intends to keep playing with the club while this situation plays out.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images)
Dreger said BriseBois is standing firm and isn’t interested in trading Kucherov, “at least not just yet.” He wondered if the Lightning GM might change his mind if his team’s performance should decline between now and the March 1 trade deadline.
DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin listed his most intriguing trade fits (in alphabetical order) for Kucherov.
They include the Chicago Blackhawks, Dallas Stars, New York Islanders, San Jose Sharks, Seattle Kraken, Utah Mammoth and the Vegas Golden Knights.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can read Larkin’s reasons by following the link above. I’d go with Dallas (if they don’t re-sign Jason Robertson) and Utah. I’m not fully dismissing Vegas because they’re always in on everyone, but I doubt they can pull it off unless they’re giving up a significant player with an expensive contract.
Larkin acknowledged recent speculation that Kucherov might be open to a trade to the Montreal Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs, but he didn’t include them on his list. He believes the Canadiens need a center, not a winger. He noted the Maple Leafs are also deep on the wing and desperately need blueline help.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur on both counts.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng doesn’t consider Kucherov a sensible trade target for the Sharks, even if he wanted to come to San Jose. He’s not getting acquired for 50 cents on the dollar, and he won’t accept a discount on his next contract. Peng observed that the Sharks “aren’t a player or two away” from a championship, so he’s not worth cashing in future assets to acquire.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Excellent point. Save the money and some of those assets to use for depth elsewhere, especially on the blueline.
THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel considered it unlikely that the Maple Leafs can acquire Kucherov. Nevertheless, he believes they should at least explore the possibility.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last thing the Maple Leafs need is an expensive, aging forward, even one as great as Kucherov. Their current roster could reach the playoffs, but they lack the depth for a deep playoff run, especially on the blueline, and acquiring Kucherov won’t fix that.
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Detroit Red Wings have informed Dylan Larkin’s camp that they’ve exhausted every option with the 10 teams on the 30-year-old center’s trade list. There isn’t a trade to be found with those clubs that makes sense for the Wings.
The Red Wings would like to go deeper with six to eight clubs outside of Larkin’s list because they believe they can get a better deal with those teams. They include the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Los Angeles Kings, and Montreal Canadiens, but Larkin remains inflexible with this list.
THE SICK PODCAST: James Murphy cited a source wondering if the Bruins could entice the Red Wings by dangling UFA-eligible center Pavel Zacha and perhaps defenseman Mason Lohrei or a first-round pick.
As for the Canadiens, the same sources believe they will not part with top prospect Michael Hage as part of a return for Larkin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings could be on Zacha’s eight-team no-trade list. If not, he could be reluctant to sign with them.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello cited Dreger’s appearance last week on the “Hockey Sense” podcast, when he told host Andy Strickland that the Sabres are a “no-go” for Larkin.
For Detroit I can see why they want to explore trade options with Boston, Buffalo, and Montreal.
But LA? What would they conceivably have to offer back to Detroit, especially at C where LA is weak too?
Would LA consider moving Byfield in a straight 1 or 1 deal?
foleyd7: first, I am back and forth but ultimately against the Habs trading for a player who resolutely doesn’t want to come to Montreal. What does it say if a team has to essentially plead, and what does it say this late into a stalemate where it is clear there is no deal to be had with teams on Larkin’s list, and Larkin is still dug in?
Having said that, the Habs can’t offer a center of value for Larkin anymore than any other team. What is the point of like for like?
What the Habs can offer is volume in the form of are legitimate young centers who will be solid contributors. Kapanen is already a very good defensive center, albeit unknown offensive upside. Beck is another legit NHL center who has the defensive talent, a bit of edge, and shows offensive promise.
The key word is volume, in the same way that the Jets had to settle for volume with Helly. It’s the only way the Wings can get anything for Larkin, so the three above would benefit them.
Others here may be able to make the same proposal with their teams.