NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2026

by | Jul 22, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2026

A look at the latest regarding the top remaining unrestricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at the latest speculation regarding the top remaining unrestricted free agents.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Patrick Kane tops Fox’s list. He noted there were rumors that the 37-year-old winger was considering contract offers from his former club, the Chicago Blackhawks, and his hometown team, the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane seems to be taking his time to consider his options. He’s unlikely to be an expensive signing for either club.

Defenseman Logan Stanley is reportedly still weighing his options. The 28-year-old is said to be seeking a four- or five-year contract worth up to $25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stanley might have to revise his asking price. The best opportunity for him to get that deal was within the opening week of the market.

Winger Eeli Tolvanen is believed to be seeking term on his next contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 27-year-old Tolvanen is among the youngest players in this summer’s market. It’s a little surprising that he hasn’t signed yet. The longest term he’s had on his previous contracts was three years.

Some observers wonder if the Edmonton Oilers might have an interest in winger Vladimir Tarasenko after they previously “kicked tires” on Claude Giroux before he signed with the Ottawa Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News has the Oilers on his list of suggested destinations for Tarasenko. The others include the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Utah Mammoth.

Defenseman John Klingberg is fifth on Fox’s list. He noted the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers remain eager to boost the right side of their defense corps.

Winger Patrik Laine remains available. The New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild were reportedly considering him as a reclamation project.

Other notables include forwards Michael Bunting, Reilly Smith, and Philipp Kurashev, and goaltender Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The remaining players on this list might have to wait until late August or early September to get new contracts. Some could end up on professional tryout offers during training camp.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 22, 2026

by | Jul 22, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 22, 2026

The Stars and Jason Robertson avoid arbitration, the Mammoth re-sign John Marino, the Blue Jackets and Jett Greaves remain apart in contract talks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars and winger Jason Robertson avoided salary arbitration, agreeing on Tuesday to a one-year, $12 million contract.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Robertson, 26, was a restricted free agent coming off a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $7.75 million. He was slated for an arbitration hearing on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was reportedly seeking $14 million annually while the Stars countered with $12 million.

This contract buys time for both sides. Robertson wants to remain with the Stars, vetoing a trade to the Seattle Kraken after refusing their offer of an eight-year deal worth $15 million annually. The Stars want to keep him, especially as they push for a Stanley Cup in 2026-27, but at their price.

Robertson was due for a substantial raise after leading the Stars in scoring last season with 45 goals and 96 points. He’s also been consistently among their top scorers since his rookie season during the COVID-shortened 2020-21 season, finishing no lower than second in each of those seasons.

Another high-scoring season will ensure that Robertson will get a big pay bump on his next deal. He’ll either get that lucrative new contract with the Stars or another club as an unrestricted free agent next July. Given the rise in the salary cap to $113.5 million for 2027-28, his asking price could be more than $14 million annually.

The Stars will have more salary-cap space next summer ($41.163 million as per PuckPedia) to re-sign Robertson. They can open contract extension talks on Jan. 1.

Robertson was the subject of frequent trade speculation last season. The longer he goes without an extension, the more rumors will arise about his future in Dallas.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman John Marino to an eight-year contract extension worth an AAV of $6.75 million. He’s in the final season of a six-year deal with an AAV of $4.4 million.

Marino, 29, is coming off a career-best 36-point performance in 80 games last season. He’s been among their best all-around defensemen, playing a key role in the Mammoth’s improvement as they reached the playoffs last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong believes Marino can become an elite puck-moving defenseman. They consider him to be an invaluable part of their blueline corps. Given the steady rise of the salary cap, this could become a cost-effective contract.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets and goaltender Jet Greaves appear to be far apart in contract negotiations as his July 23rd arbitration hearing approaches.

Both sides submitted their briefs to the arbitrator on Tuesday on a one-year contract. Greaves is seeking $7.5 million while the Blue Jackets offered $2.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If this goes to arbitration, Greaves could get an amount somewhere around the midpoint of those two submissions. However, he and the Jackets could also reach an agreement before Thursday’s scheduled hearing, which is usually the outcome as these cases rarely go before an arbitrator.

THE ATHLETIC: The New York Rangers hired two former players for development roles.

Jonathan Quick will become the Rangers’ new director of goaltending development. Derick Brassard becomes a player development assistant.

Quick, 40. retired at the end of 2025-26 after 19 seasons as a goaltender, 16 of those with the Los Angeles Kings. He spent the past three seasons as the Rangers’ backup.

Brassard spent 16 seasons in the NHL as a center, with four of those as a Ranger.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium is hoping for a breakout performance this season. The 20-year-old finished third among rookie blueliners last season with 26 points in 76 games. He’s spending the offseason focused on improving his stamina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buium was part of the return the Canucks received in the trade that sent superstar rearguard Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild. He’s expected to become an important part of the club’s rebuild.

ESPN.COM: The Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Minnesota Wild, and St. Louis Blues will have their games produced and distributed by NHL Productions this season.

The four clubs had agreements with Main Street Sports, which operated regional channels under the FanDuel Sports Network brand and went out of business at the end of last season.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2021

by | Jul 21, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2021

The latest on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, and Kraken center Shane Wright in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates and Matthew Fairburn recently examined what a hypothetical trade sending goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets to the Buffalo Sabres would look like.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Hellebuyck, 33, was linked to the Sabres before last month’s NHL Draft weekend. The two clubs were reportedly close to a deal, but the Jets refused to part with the eighth overall pick.

Ates and Fairburn believe the Jets would covet a Sabres forward such as Josh Doan or Zach Benson. However, they speculate that a return of forward Ryan McLeod and a “substantial secondary piece” could be viewed as a success for the Jets.

The Sabres would likely prefer parting with futures such as draft picks and prospects. Their selection of defenseman Daxon Rudolph could make them more willing to part with prospect blueliner Radim Mrtka. They could also part with their 2027 first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen if the Jets and Sabres can work out a deal involving Hellebuyck. Nothing seems imminent, but we have seen significant trades occur during training camp or preseason in September.

Hellebuyck has five years left on his contract, so the Jets aren’t in a hurry to trade him. They can take their time and wait for the right offer. It also buys them time for Hellebuyck and his teammates to bounce back this season, reducing any pressure to move him.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline looked at how the new contracts for Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (five years, $18 million average annual value) and Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (five years, $15 million AAV) could affect the Columbus Blue Jackets’ efforts to re-sign center Adam Fantilli.

Like Carlsson and Bedard, the 21-year-old Fantilli is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. As much as Carlsson’s new deal seemed to blow up the market for young RFAs, Portzline suggested Bedard’s contract might tilt it back the other way. It could also set the parameters for Fantilli’s new deal.

Portzline cited a league source, who said an eight-year contract is unlikely to be Fantilli’s new term. It’s more likely that he’ll give a five-year term like Carlsson and Bedard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Going for the shorter term could become a trend for good young RFA players. It doesn’t lock them into a deal for too long, enabling them to negotiate for a more lucrative contract sooner.

As for what Fantilli receives for an AAV, it could be between $12 million and $13 million, unless a rival club pushes it higher with an offer sheet. It was assumed Fantilli would be the Philadelphia Flyers’ alternate target when the Ducks matched their offer sheet for Carlsson, but they were reportedly only interested in Carlsson.

THE SCORE: cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, who reports the Pittsburgh Penguins are intrigued by the idea of trading for Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright.

Wright, 22, has reportedly been on the block since the March trade deadline. Yohe also noted that former Kraken general manager Ron Francis has returned to the Penguins’ organization, and he knows Wright well.

Yohe noted that the Kraken have set a high asking price for Wright, which could put him outside the Penguins’ comfort zone.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken are reportedly working with Wright’s agent to find a suitable trade destination. However, they won’t be pressured into accepting a lower return. This could carry over into the regular season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 21, 2026

by | Jul 21, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 21, 2026

Check out the latest on Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer, Mammoth center Logan Cooley, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Blackhawks center Connor Bedard said he’s feeling good following shoulder surgery two weeks ago. He intends to remain mostly in Vancouver during his recovery this summer. His estimated recovery timeline is four months.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Regarding his new contract, Bedard said that Leo Carlsson’s new contract with the Anaheim Ducks didn’t really change things regarding his negotiations with the Blackhawks, saying he was “very happy” with the money he’ll be making.

Bedard maintains he’s very happy in Chicago and with the Blackhawks’ progress. He also said he’s excited at the possibility of Patrick Kane potentially returning to the club as a free agent. “Hopefully, he decides to come back,” Bedard said. “It would make us a way better team.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard will be earning an average annual value of $15 million on his new five-year contract.

As for Kane, it’s believed he’s considering returning to the Blackhawks or signing with his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh reports New York Islanders head coach Peter DeBoer believes Matthew Schaefer could one day become the club’s captain.

DeBoer took over as the Isles coach late last season, but was impressed with Schaefer’s performance and the 18-year-old defenseman’s leadership within the dressing room. He believes Schaefer will be part of the Isles’ leadership group, and thinks he could become captain one day, but stressed they must be careful not to put too much on the youngster too soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders need a new captain after Anders Lee departed via free agency this summer. It’s unlikely they’ll hang the “C” on Schaefer, but there’s no doubt that the young blueliner will be part of their leadership group going forward.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Utah Mammoth center Logan Cooley is looking forward to playing alongside Vincent Trocheck. He grew up admiring Trocheck, who was acquired from the New York Rangers earlier this summer.

The two Pittsburgh-area natives have skated together in offseason training, developing a friendship. Trocheck said it was among the factors that contributed to his decision to accept a trade to Utah.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck is a center, but he’s indicated that he’s willing to play on the wing for the Mammoth. Perhaps he and Cooley will be linemates this season.

NHL.COM: According to Dylan Strome, it’s Stanley Cup or bust for the Washington Capitals. “I mean, I think it has to be”, the Capitals forward said. “I think that with the pieces that we’ve added, you can’t ask much more from management, so now it’s time for the players to step up and do what’s asked of us.”

The Capitals were among the busiest teams this summer, acquiring Alex Tuch, Jordan Kyrou, and Boone Jenner through trades and free agency, and signing team captain Alex Ovechkin to a one-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals’ recent moves were spurred by their disappointing performance last season after finishing first in the Eastern Conference in 2024-25. They are not only attempting to bounce back, but also give Ovechkin one last chance to stage a run for a second Stanley Cup before his inevitable NHL retirement.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens have officially announced that they’ve hired former Detroit Red Wings coach Derek Lalonde as their new associate coach, replacing Trevor Letowski.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL center Eddie Joyal passed away at the age of 86.

Joyal spent nine seasons in the NHL with the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings, and Philadelphia Flyers from 1962-63 to 1971-72. He also spent four seasons in the WHA from 1972-73 to 1975-76.

In 465 NHL games, Joyal scored 128 goals and 134 assists for 262 points, and 11 goals and 19 points in 50 postseason games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Joyal’s family, friends, and former teammates.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 20, 2026

by | Jul 20, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 20, 2026

Catch up on some recent Oilers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently noted a couple of reports from Philadelphia and Montreal regarding Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

The first was from former NHL enforcer turned color commentator Todd Fedoruk, who speculated about the future of the Oilers’ captain during a recent appearance on a Philadelphia sports radio show.

Fedoruk suggested that McDavid, who is in the first year of a two-year contract, could request a trade if he doesn’t have a good start to this season. He claimed there are rumors that Philadelphia “is a place that Connor McDavid wants to go now.” However, Fedoruk wondered what the Flyers could get out of McDavid at this stage of his career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If McDavid decides he wants out of Edmonton before his contract expires in 2028, he’ll want to join a Stanley Cup contender because a Cup champion is the only thing missing from his NHL resume.

All due respect to the Flyers, but they’re not a Cup contender yet and probably won’t be one in 2028. Sure, they could surprise us and vault into that category, but it’s unlikely that they will be among his list of preferred destinations.

Staples also noted that Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette believed the Canadiens wouldn’t need McDavid if he became available. He acknowledged McDavid as a great player but felt he would upset the Canadiens’ tight-knit chemistry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens could add McDavid without gutting their roster, their prospect pool, or their salary-cap payroll, they would. Any team would. Nevertheless, it’s probably a moot point because McDavid might prefer going to a market where the spotlight isn’t a harsh after over a decade in Edmonton.

Jim Matheson reports the Oilers have 15 forwards signed for 13 roster spots this season. He speculates that Mattias Janmark and Max Jones could become the odd men out.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2026

by | Jul 20, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 20, 2026

Reaction to Connor Bedard’s new contract, Brandon Saad could be heading overseas, Jack Campbell retires, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks signed center Connor Bedard on Saturday to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $15 million.

Bedard, 21, had completed his three-year entry-level contract. He has the third-highest AAV this season, behind Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson ($18 million) and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov ($17 million).

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus believes Bedard likely would’ve received the same contract as Carlsson if he’d asked for it. However, he informed his agent, Don Meehan, that he was happy to continue to negotiate from their original position, which would give the Blackhawks the salary-cap leeway necessary to remain “as effective and competitive as it could be.”

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

According to Lazerus, money was never the issue. “The sticking point – if you can call it that – was term.” The contract expires when Bedard is 26, making him eligible for unrestricted free-agent status.

Meehan also indicated that Bedard had no interest in signing an offer sheet. He also stressed that the shorter term is not indicative of any uneasiness on his client’s behalf over the direction of the Blackhawks. He said his client remains “very happy” in Chicago, believes in his teammates, and remains committed to the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard didn’t opt for the same deal as Carlsson’s, but the latter’s new contract did affect what the young Blackhawks star received. He could’ve received $18 million annually or more if he wanted it.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli is the most notable young star still unsigned this summer. So far, there’s no indication that the 21-year-old center is getting closer to a deal. The longer he remains unsigned, the more speculation there is over whether he’ll receive an offer sheet.

EXPRESSEN: Johan Svensson reports two SHL teams (Brynas IF and Djurgardens IF) have expressed interest in signing Brandon Saad. The 33-year-old winger spent last season with the Vegas Golden Knights on a one-year contract. He had nine points in 49 games and two points in five playoff contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stick tap to Gabriel Foley of Pro Hockey Rumors. A seven-time 20-plus-goal scorer who won two Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, the 33-year-old Saad’s 15-season NHL career is winding down. He might have to sign in Sweden or elsewhere in Europe to continue his pro career.

SPORTSNET: Goaltender Jack Campbell has announced his retirement.

Campbell, 34, spent nine seasons in the NHL from 2013-14 to 2023-24 with the Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers. His last NHL team was the Detroit Red Wings in 2024-25. He entered the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program and later spent 14 games with the Wings’ AHL affiliate in Grand Rapids in 2024-25.

Campbell said he was “super grateful” for his playing days, but said a lot of people never saw the personal battle he went through during that time. He intends to pursue a career as a life coach.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In 164 games saved, Campbell had a record of 93 wins, 52 losses, and 18 overtime losses, finishing with a 2.76 goals-against average, a 909 save percentage, and 10 shutouts. He had a postseason record of 7-8-0 with a 2.28 GAA, a .920 SP, and two shutouts.

DAILY FACEOFF: Blue Jackets center Isac Lundestrom underwent successful surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. He is expected to return to action in November.

NJ HOCKEY HOCKEY: Former Devils assistant coach Sergei Brylin has reached an agreement to become the head coach of Dinamo Minsk of the Kontinental Hockey League.

THE PIONEER PRESS: “Da Beauty League” is staging its final season. The Minnesota summer rec league, consisting of Minnesota-based NHL players, minor leaguers, and collegians, began 10 years ago in Edina.