NHL Rumor Mill – November 14, 2026
Check out the latest on Matvei Michkov, Nikita Kucherov, Quinn Hughes, Dylan Larkin, and Elias Pettersson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HOW WILL THE FLYERS HANDLE MICHKOV AND THEIR STRUGGLING VETERANS?
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he believes the Philadelphia Flyers want to make things work with Matvei Michkov. They don’t want another Cutter Gauthier situation, where they trade away a promising young player who goes on to become a star elsewhere.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (NHL Images).
Friedman thinks Michkov and his teammates have to work on their relationship with each other. Organizationally, the relationship between the player and the people around him is a “real work in progress.” Nevertheless, the front office is determined to do everything they can to make this work.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz believes handling Michkov is among the difficult decisions facing Flyers general manager Daniel Briere.
All indications are the Flyers aren’t in any hurry to ship the promising 21-year-old winger out of Philadelphia. Kurz believes it’s a no-win situation if they trade him now, suggesting other teams might not see him as a cornerstone player like the Flyers. His recent spats with Travis Konecny and Nick Seeler could raise questions about his character.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers were banking on Michkov becoming one of their foundation players (along with rookie Porter Martone). Trading him now could backfire if he lands with a club willing to give him the top-six forward minutes he craves. However, they also don’t want to go too far mollifying Michkov as his teammates could become resentful.
Kurz speculated that Briere could instead look at his veterans to determine which ones are no longer a fit with the Flyers. He pointed out that several of them (Konecny, Owen Tippett, Cam York, Tyson Foerster, and Sean Couturier) haven’t produced as expected. Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale have improved recently, but their performances were dreadful earlier in the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kurz isn’t the only pundit pointing out the unhappiness within the organization about the performance of several of the Flyers’ core veterans. Whether Briere peddles any of them remains to be seen given that some have long contracts with various no-trade protections.
LIGHTNING, WILD COULD KEEP KUCHEROV AND HUGHES FOR THE PLAYOFFS
NHL NETWORK: Friedman believes the Tampa Bay Lightning will retain Nikita Kucherov for the playoffs, and so will the Minnesota Wild with Quinn Hughes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are UFA-eligible in July. Kucherov recently requested a trade after informing the Lightning that he wouldn’t sign an extension. Meanwhile, Hughes remains undecided about re-signing with the Wild.
Both teams risk losing those players for nothing to free agency next summer. However, Friedman thinks they’ll hang onto them and go for it in the postseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning already stated they won’t trade Kucherov. Recent speculation suggested they might change their minds if they’re struggling before the March 1 trade deadline, but they will probably treat this situation as one last shot for a Stanley Cup run with a healthy, motivated Kucherov.
As for the Wild, they’re among the top teams in the league right now. If they maintain that pace and perhaps pick up a player or two before the deadline, they could become a serious Stanley Cup contender. A deep playoff run might convince Hughes to re-sign with the Wild before July 1.
WHAT’S THE WILD’S OFFER FOR LARKIN?
NHL NETWORK: Friedman believes the Minnesota Wild have had a standing offer of forward Danila Yurov and three first-round picks for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman observed that Wild general manager Bill Guerin said only he and the Red Wings know what he’s offering for Larkin, and everyone else is just guessing. He also said nothing’s really changed regarding the 30-year-old center, who is sitting out, awaiting a trade, and refusing to expand his 10-team trade list.
Friedman thinks the Red Wings want a return that helps them now, even though it’s currently difficult to find that type of return. He also said they’ve maintained a high asking price for defenseman Simon Edvinsson, asking interested teams about their young centers. Friedman also wondered if there’s growing internal pressure for the Wings’ management as the team continues to struggle on the ice.
HURRICANES REVISITED THEIR INTEREST IN ELIAS PETTERSSON
TORONTO SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported the Carolina Hurricanes are believed to have “kicked the tires” on Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. He claimed the Hurricanes wanted to add more scoring. However, the Canucks aren’t willing to retain any part of his $11.6 million AAV through 2030-31.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes were linked to Pettersson before signing his current contract on March 3, 2024. At one point, it was rumored that a trade between the two sides was close, but that ended after the Canucks intensified negotiations with the Pettersson camp.
The Hurricanes currently lead the league in goals-per-game average (4.10), but their power-play percentage (22.7) ranks 14th. They’ve also been linked to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, suggesting they might prefer a puck-moving, right-shot defenseman.
If Detroit is asking for NHL players now then Minnesota is out unless a third team enters the fray. Fine and dandy if Kucherov and Hughes stay with their perspective clubs but what if they lose in the first round of the playoffs?Will their GMS be looking for new jobs along with Briere?
I would think ownership in both locations are in step with what BriseBois and Guerin are intending, otherwise we’d be hearing a much different tune out of Tampa and Minneapolis.
Detroit really values those 2 whole goals Larkin had scored this year over 3 first round picks? I doubt that’s the offer but they should move on if it is.
Brock that s better than Ovi s 1 goal for Washington in 17 games!
Ovechkin is also 41 y/o. Time catches up to everyone. Believe Me!
Michkov for Edvinsson. Get it done.
Include any of Tippett, Foerster, and York if need be… these guys got paid and now seem to only be going thru the motions on gameday. And, kick Tocchet to the curb. His dump & chase system doesn’t work in today’s NHL. No creativity allowed, that’s the Flyers motto. I’ve been a Flyers fan for 40 + years, and I’m just over it. Does any other organization cling to past glory (which was back in the mid 70’s, for crying out loud!) and believe their heroes of the past can bring present & future success by giving them management positions like this one??
Detroit’s ask from SJ for Eddy is Misa++, which is ridiculous! Misa and middling pick or prospect is quite enough. The ridiculous asks for Eddy and Larkin are meant to keep them on the shelf and punishing them for asking out of a poorly managed team.
Michkov and York for Edvinsson?
Horcoff signs before Briere can think twice.
Totally agree, Tocchet system with taking ice time away if u don’t 🤔he didn’t have the players for it in Vancouver and not in Philly as well 🤷🏻♂️
According to puckpedia Tampa has a projected cap space of $28.86 million next season. The Wild will have $45.98 million. I would think that they should be able to replace Kucherov and Hughes or be able to resign those players if the players choose to. Both players hold the upper hand. Who knows how high teams would be willing to pay them?
Gary, if Hughes doesn’t sign in Minnesota it’’s because he wants to play with his brothers in NJ. He was the Canucks’ captain and the face of their franchise and he quit on the team and his teammates so I don’t think he would have any problem walking away from the Wild next summer. He’s saying all the right things (likes Minneapolis, happy to be a Wild etc.) but he hasn’t signed. With that in mind, I don’t think any team will trade for him and the Devils just have to wait until next July to get him for free. It looks like Guerin may have given up 3 players who were picked in the first round plus a 1st round draft pick for 2 runs for the cup. We’ll know at the end of the year if it was it worth the gamble.
Gary it will be interesting in TB case. They moved on from Stamkos and he still puts up offensive numbers in Nashville!
Eddy and Danielson for
Misa, Orlov (salary to sign Eddy) and a 2027 1st
Provided Detroit is on Orlov’s trade list
Otherwise, they can put Couture on SELTIR and either just trade for Eddy for Misa and a pick