NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026

by | Aug 13, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026

Check out the latest on the Flyers, Canadiens, and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently wondered if the Flyers should return to the offer-sheet route and look into the availability of Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Fantilli and the Blue Jackets remain apart in their contract negotiations. Friedman speculated the 21-year-old center could seek a deal comparable to Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks (five years, $18 million average annual value) or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million AAV). However, the Blue Jackets could prefer something within the $12 million to $15 million range.

James acknowledged a report from Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco last month indicating the Flyers are unlikely to pursue Fantilli with an offer sheet. According to Di Marco, they prefer to preserve their financial flexibility in case a better opportunity arises.

Nevertheless, James mused about whether it might be worthwhile to pursue Fantilli if he and the Blue Jackets remain apart.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ultimately, James leans toward the Flyers maintaining their cap flexibility for better opportunities. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility. And if the Flyers aren’t interested, perhaps another club might consider it.

I’d be interested in hearing what Flyers fans think. Please let us know in the comments section below.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan pondered the possibility of Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc becoming sign-and-trade candidates before training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Cowan noted the Canadiens’ ongoing need for a second-line center. He also pointed out that general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t ruled out a trade in September or October, though he ruled out making a “dumb trade” just to appease fans on a short-term basis.

Xhekaj, 25, and the 23-year-old Bolduc are restricted free agents coming off low-cost contracts. Cowan believes other teams will definitely have interest in them if they become available in the trade market.

The fact neither player has signed yet led Cowan to conclude they could become part of sign-and-trade scenarios.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer the duo remains unsigned, the more likely the possibility that they could be traded before training camp starts.

I doubt Xhekaj or Bolduc would be enough on their own to fetch a quality second-line center who would fit well within the Canadiens’ long-term plans. Perhaps as a package deal, but even then, the Habs would likely have to add another piece to the deal as a sweetener.

OTTAWA SUN: Callum Fraser reports Senators GM Steve Staios isn’t ruling out making other moves to improve the club before the season begins.

Speaking with season ticket holders on Wednesday, Staios pointed out that he wasn’t done making trades after shipping Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, noting his acquisition of winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks soon afterward.

Staios maintained that he’s not done, adding he remains determined to bring the Stanley Cup to Ottawa. He also indicated that he’s focused on getting winger Drake Batherson signed to a contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios wanted to add a scoring winger before he moved Tkachuk and brought in Eklund and winger Andre Burakovsky. That will remain his focus throughout the coming season if he cannot find a suitable option before training camp.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 13, 2026

by | Aug 13, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 13, 2026

The questions facing the Kings, the worst decisions from last season, what the Capitals need to bounce back, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How Quenton Byfield fares as the No. 1 center and Drew Doughty’s future are among the three notable questions facing the Los Angeles Kings this season.

Los Angeles Kings forward Quinton Byfield (NHL Images).

Byfield, 23, has big skates to fill as he takes over the first-line center role from Anze Kopitar, who retired at the end of last season. He’s averaged over 53 points in each of the last three seasons, and could see those numbers increase while centering wingers Artemi Panarin and Kevin Fiala.

Doughty is entering the final season of his eight-year contract. The 36-year-old defenseman faces an uncertain future with the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byfield has been projected for years as the Kings’ future first-line center. That future is now for the youngster. How well he handles the role and the pressure will play a significant part in how this season unfolds for the retooling Kings.

Doughty isn’t the Norris Trophy contender of his youth, but he was still an effective top-four defenseman for the Kings. His performance this season will determine if he gets a contract extension before his eligibility for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

BLEACHER REPORT: Adam Gretz recently looked back at the biggest mistakes of the NHL’s 2025-26 campaign.

The Edmonton Oilers’ trading Stuart Skinner to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Tristan Jarry was among the notable blunders. So was the Anaheim Ducks’ not getting Leo Carlsson signed before the offseason, and the Winnipeg Jets expecting a fading Jonathan Toews to fill their second-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the full list and let us know if you agree or disagree with Gretz’s choices.

Hindsight is 20/20, but for me, the Ducks not re-signing Carlsson to an extension last summer was the biggest mistake. That decision changed the cost of re-signing players considerably, and could adversely affect the Ducks’ roster.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert looked at four things the Washington Capitals need if they’re to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance.

Their offseason investments paying off topped the list. Capitals management hoped to bolster their scoring punch by adding wingers Alex Tuch from the Buffalo Sabres and Jordan Kyrou from the St. Louis Blues. They also brought in two-way forward Boone Jenner from the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has agreed to return for one more season, but it’s clear that management is preparing their offense for the day when he’ll be moving on. Adding Tuch and Kyrou could help them spread their scoring around while providing more depth in anticipation of Ovechkin’s inevitable retirement.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres will induct former forwards Jason Pominville and Thomas Vanek into their Hall of Fame before their home game on Jan. 14 against the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pominville and Vanek were among the Sabres’ best players between 2005-06 and 2011-12.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Calen Addison has signed a one-year contract with KHL team Shanghai Dragons. The 26-year-old defenseman spent four NHL seasons with the Minnesota Wild and San Jose Sharks from 2020-21 to 2023-24, netting 50 points in 152 regular-season games. He spent the last two seasons in the AHL.

SPORTSNET: Hockey Canada suspensions remain in place for four of the five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team who were acquitted of sexual assault last year.

Cal Foote’s suspension remains in place until Nov. 10. Carter Hart’s will be lifted on the same date in 2027; Dillon Dube’s in 2028; and Michael McLeod’s in 2030.

Alex Formenton was the only player whose suspension was lifted.

CALGARY SUN: The Flames have signed a five-year radio broadcasting deal with QR Calgary 770 AM.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

by | Aug 12, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

How the Ducks might clear cap space to create room for Cutter Gauthier’s new contract, and the latest Flames speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal listed three Anaheim Ducks players who could become salary-cap casualties to make room for a new contract for Cutter Gauthier.

Wingers Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano are Leal’s trade candidates.

Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Killorn, 36, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6.25 million. He also carries a 15-team no-trade list.

The 35-year-old Kreider is also in the final season of his contract. He has a cap hit of $6.5 million. Like Killorn, he carries a 15-team no-trade list.

Vatrano, 32, has two seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.571 million and a seven-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier, 21, could seek between $14 million and $15 million annually on his next contract. However, the Ducks have only $9.07 million in cap space this season.

They can exceed the $104 million salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason if they sign Gauthier now. However, they must be cap-compliant when their regular season opens in late September.

The Ducks can get some short-term cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve to start this season. However, they must shed salary to make room for him when he returns.

Kreider could draw more interest around the league given his bounce-back performance this season. Shedding his $6.5 million would create the most cap space to re-sign Gauthier. However, the Ducks could prefer moving Killorn and/or Vatrano.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered if there could be more trades coming for the Flames before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Flames have nine defensemen jockeying for six positions this season. He assumes that Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, and Zach Whitecloud will fill the top-four defense pairings. That leaves Yan Kuznetsov, Jake Middleton, Brayden Pachal, Joel Hanley, and Hunter Brzustewicz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin’s colleague, Kent Wilson, noted that Whitecloud would draw a quality return given his experience, reputation, and affordable contract ($2.75 million AAV for two more seasons). However, moving Whitecloud would leave their blueline staffed almost entirely by kids.

Wilson noted that Whitecloud was a good fit with the Flames since joining them in January from the Vegas Golden Knights. He considers it unlikely that the 29-year-old blueliner will be traded.

Austin also noted that the Flames have plenty of wingers. He noted that trade rumors surfaced earlier this year about Connor Zary, suggesting that there are moves they could make among their forward lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin doesn’t expect a flurry of late August trade activity by the Flames. However, I agree that there could be a trade or two before training camp opens next month.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 12, 2026

by | Aug 12, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 12, 2026

Questions facing the Panthers this season, Carey Price weighs in on the Canadiens, the latest on Alex Ovechkin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: How well Brady and Matthew Tkachuk play together as NHL teammates is among three questions facing the Florida Panthers this season.

The Ottawa Senators traded Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers on June 21. (NHL Images).

The Tkachuk brothers were reunited after the Panthers acquired Brady from the Ottawa Senators in June. They’ve played together for Team USA in international tournaments, including the 2026 Winter Olympics, but this season will be the first time they are NHL teammates.

How well Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid can replace departed starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is another question facing the Panthers, along with the health of their roster.

Bobrovsky departed on July 1, signing with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Markstrom was acquired in a trade with the New Jersey Devils and Schmid in a trade with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Injuries were the significant factor in the Panthers missing the playoffs last season. Matthew Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov, Brad Marchand, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Seth Jones, Dmitry Kulikov and Niko Mikkola were among a long list of Panthers regulars sidelined for long periods last season. Barkov missed the entire season with a knee injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The goaltending and the health of the roster are bigger issues than whether the Tkachuks can play well together.

Markstrom was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2022, but his performance declined over the past two seasons with the Devils. Meanwhile, Schmid struggled to establish himself as a full-time NHL goalie.

On paper, a healthy Panthers roster should make the playoffs and (with good goaltending) become a Cup contender again. However, many of those who were sidelined last season have played more hockey than their peers around the league over the past four seasons, and that does take its toll. Some also have injury histories that could affect their performances.

NHL.COM: Former Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price believes his former club has a bright future. “It sure feels like they’re a contender,” Price said. However, he cautioned that many things need to go right for them to win the Stanley Cup.

Price praised young Canadiens goaltenders Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler, and noted their different styles of play.

“I really love Dobes’ compete level; he’s got that ‘grrr” in his game, he’s got that swagger. I really enjoy watching that. Fowler kind of reminds me more of myself, a little more reserved. He plays a very quiet game like I did. It’s their mentality that has them where they’re at.”

Price played his entire 15-season NHL career with the Canadiens, finishing as the franchise leader with 361 wins and games played (712). He’ll be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber reports no player has more slap shot goals over the past decade than Alex Ovechkin. The Washington Capitals captain has 107, three more than Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos. Boston Bruins winger David Pastrnak was third with 76 goals.

Ovechkin was second in snap shot goals with 94. Leon Draisaitl of the Edmonton Oilers was the leader in that category with 145.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Blackhawks rookie forward Anton Frondell has an opportunity to be the club’s first-line center for at least the first month of this season. The 19-year-old could start this season filling in for sidelined star Connor Bedard.

Frondell showed promise as a center in nine of his 12 NHL games last season, but he struggled with faceoffs and defensive assignments. He’s working on improving those areas of his game for the coming season.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins announced five new jersey numbers for 2026-27.

Winger JJ Peterka will wear No. 10 and defenseman Will Borgen wears No. 17. Center Ivan Ivan is No. 49; returning defenseman Connor Clifton is No. 75; and forward Lukas Reichel wears No. 76.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Vancouver Canucks signed prospect forward Adam Novotny to an entry-level contract. Novotny, 18, was chosen 24th overall by the Canucks in the 2026 NHL Draft.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports the New York Islanders have narrowed down 80,000 global fan submissions for their third jersey for 2027-28 to eight finalists.

Round one of voting runs from Aug. 12 through Aug. 14. Round two is from Aug. 15 to 17, with the final round taking place from Aug. 18 to 20.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2026

by | Aug 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2026

The latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson and an update on the Oilers’ trade plans in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS CONVERSATION: CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal recently dismissed trade speculation linking Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson to the Los Angeles Kings.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

The rumors began when the 27-year-old Canucks center was spotted practicing in Los Angeles. However, Dhaliwal pointed out that Pettersson’s wife is from Los Angeles, which explains why he would be doing some offseason training there.

Dhaliwal also said a trade involving Pettersson has not come close to happening in the last few months. There’s been plenty of conjecture and teams checking in, but nothing reached the point where the Canucks would ask the center or his agent if he would waive his no-movement clause.

Pettersson’s contract remains the sticking point. He has six years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $11.6 million. Dhaliwal believes the Canucks have no choice but to wait and see how Pettersson plays this season and if it improved their chances of moving him at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a dramatic change in Pettersson’s circumstances, he’ll start this season (and likely finish it) with the Canucks.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has more salary cap space to start this season than he’s had over the previous two offseasons since taking over the role in July 2024.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to PuckPedia, the Oilers have over $4.725 million.

Bowman doesn’t plan on using that extra space for more additions before the regular season begins next month. Instead, he’s going to hang onto it in case any players become available early in the season that could help his club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer Bowman holds off using that cap space during the regular season, the more the Oilers will accrue. If he can wait until the March 1 trade deadline, the Oilers would have over $21.8 million available.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2026

by | Aug 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2026

 

Lingering offseason questions remain to be answered. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

YAHOO! SPORTS/USA TODAY: Mike Brehm recently looked at five offseason questions still to be answered before the 2026-27 NHL regular season begins next month.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

The Detroit Red Wings’ search for a new general manager tops the list, followed by Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported last week that the Red Wings hired a search firm to help them find a new general manager. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated the search is ongoing.

For now, Larkin’s trade request will have to wait until a new GM is in place. Even then, there is no certainty that he’ll be moved quickly, if at all. A reconciliation is possible, though there’s currently no indication that a change of management will prompt Larkin to rescind his request.

Quinn Hughes’ contract extension negotiations with the Minnesota Wild must be resolved.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not for lack of trying by the Wild. General manager Bill Guerin said he’d been in ongoing discussions with the Hughes camp thus far, and recently met with them in Michigan. Guerin is preaching patience, pointing out that it’s a big decision for both sides.

Several notable restricted free agents remain to be signed. They include Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson, and Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Blue Jackets and Red Wings fans remain concerned that Fantilli or Edvinsson could sign an offer sheet with another club. It’s possible but unlikely, given that the Jackets and Red Wings have plenty of salary cap space to match an offer.

Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet, but the Ducks could be forced to make a cost-cutting trade or two to free up cap sroom for his new contract. Meanwhile, speculation persists over whether the Hurricanes will sign or trade Nikishin.

Unrestricted free agents still available include forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, and Eeli Tolvanan, defensemen John Klingberg, Logan Stanley, and Nick Blankenburg, and goalie Connor Ingram and Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s now mid-August with no indication that those remaining UFAs are any closer to getting new contracts. Most could be signed before training camps open in September, but others might have to sign professional tryout offers to prove their worth during training camp.

NHL.COM: Speaking of questions, the Edmonton Oilers have three facing them for the coming season.

Mike Babcock’s impact as head coach is the main questions. They hired the controversial coach this spring, hoping he’ll be able to get them back into Stanley Cup contention following last season’s early playoff exit.

Goaltending depth and defensive play are the other questions that must be addressed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The defensive game should improve under Babcock, but the goaltending could remain their Achille’s heel if Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi struggle to adjust with their new club. Andersen’s injury history and Levi’s development remain concerning issues.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Carolina Hurricanes will be holding a yard sale of game-used gear and signed collectibles at the Lenova Center on August 15.

OTTAWA SUN: A year after the Senators signed their agreement with Ottawa’s National Capital Commission for a new arena at LeBreton Flats, the club says there is plenty of activity behind the scenes to make the new venue a reality.

Senators ownership has agreed to pay $37 million for the 11 acres, with the option to purchase for additional acres. There is no firm date when construction will begin. Cleaning the site of more than 514,000 cubic acres of contaminated soil still has to take place.

The Senators have also held several meetings with Indigenous groups to secure a financial agreement, which is paramount to the project.

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks hired Ryan Stewart as their new director of hockey strategy and player evaluation. He spent the past four seasons with the San Jose Sharks where he oversaw their professional staff in North America and Europe.