NHL Rumor Mill – November 19, 2025

by | Nov 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 19, 2025

Could the Canadiens and Devils target the Predators for help in the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports injuries have forced the Montreal Canadiens into the trade market, joining several other clubs that are searching for forwards.

Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes would like to add a second-line center. However, Dreger believes he’s also willing to add a winger.

Dreger said the problem is that there are so few sellers and the prices are high. That leaves the Canadiens and other clubs looking for answers internally.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont referenced Jeff Marek’s recent appearance on the Sekeres & Price Show, saying the Canadiens were among the teams that contacted the Nashville Predators to inquire about Steven Stamkos.

Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).

Dumont noted that Stamkos currently plays as a left winger for the Predators, his game has slowed considerably in recent years, and he has two more years on his contract with an average annual value of $8 million. He thinks the Canadiens may be conducting due diligence rather than making a serious inquiry.

Instead, Dumont suggested Predators center Ryan O’Reilly as a better fit for the Canadiens. The 34-year-old is a left-hand shot and has put up decent numbers this season. He’s also more affordable, with a $4.5 million AAV through 2026-27. If the Predators shop him, their asking price could be a first-rounder and a top prospect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos also carries a full no-movement clause, but those factors cited by Dumont are good reasons why he’s not going to land in Montreal.

O’Reilly would be a better option, but Hughes’ trade acquisitions tend to be younger veterans who will fit well within the Canadiens’ long-term plans. He lacks no-trade protection, but the Predators are treating him as though he has it. It’s unlikely he’ll agree to be moved to a Canadian market after opting not to re-sign with Toronto a few years ago.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols referred to The Fourth Period’s Dave Pagnotta’s recent appearance on “The Sheet With Jeff Marek”, where he told the host that he believes the Devils will be in the market for a “big fish” before the March 6 trade deadline.

Pagnotta didn’t speculate which players the Devils might target. Nichols pointed out they need depth at center, suggesting Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames and Ryan O’Reilly of the Predators. He also considered Nick Schmaltz of the Utah Mammoth as an option if he intends to test the free-agent market next summer.

Nichols also spoke with Marek, who suggested Filip Forsberg and Jonathan Marchessault of the Predators as two players who could help the Devils. He also suggested O’Reilly as an option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Such a move by the Devils isn’t likely to happen until closer to March. Nichols observed that they’d have to move out a contract to free up cap space for one of those players, assuming they’re available by then.

Moving players like Forsberg, Kadri, O’Reilly, and Marchessault sound like moves that would take place during the offseason, usually around the NHL Draft in late June or during the opening days of free agency in early July.

Forsberg and Marchessault have full no-movement clauses, while Kadri has a 13-team no-trade list. Forsberg and Kadri also carry expensive contracts with several seasons remaining. As Nichols said, the Devils would have to shed salary to make room for those guys.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 19, 2025

by | Nov 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 19, 2025

Hat trick performances by the Blackhawks’ Connor Bedard, the Sharks’ Macklin Celebrini, and the Lightning’s Jake Guentzel, a milestone game for the Jets’ Mark Scheifele, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF TUESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard tallied his second career hat trick (and his second of the season) in a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames. Rookie forward Oliver Moore had a goal and an assist as the Blackhawks (10-5-4) are 5-0-1 in their last six games. Rasmus Andersson had a goal and an assist for the 5-13-2 Flames, who’ve lost five of their last six.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bedard is on a roll, with 11 goals in as many games. His 13 goals tied him with six other players for second among NHL scorers, and is tied for second in points with San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini.

Before this game, the Flames claimed center John Beecher off waivers from the Boston Bruins.

Speaking of Macklin Celebrini, his overtime goal completed a hat trick to nip the Utah Mammoth 3-2. Will Smith collected two assists, and Yaroslav Askarov made 24 saves as the Sharks improved to 9-8-3 on the season. JJ Peterka scored both goals for the Mammoth (10-7-3), leaving them with a record of 2-5-3 in their last 10 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was also Celebrini’s second hat trick of the season, making it the second time in NHL history that multiple hat tricks were scored by two players age 20 or younger. The last time was on Feb. 19, 1944, by Jack Hamilton and Bud Poile of the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Tampa Bay Lightning got a hat trick from Jake Guentzel in a 5-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. Darren Raddysh had a goal and two assists while Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 31 shots for the 10-7-2 Lightning. Nico Hischier replied for the Devils (13-5-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning defenseman Erik Cernak missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele collected three assists and became the franchise’s all-time leader in games played (898) in a 5-2 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kyle Connor, Josh Morrissey, and Neal Pionk each had a goal and an assist as the Jets improved to 12-7-0. Zach Werenski scored to become the first defenseman in Blue Jackets history to reach 400 career points. His club’s record slipped to 10-8-2 as its five-game points streak (3-0-2) ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko’s points streak ended at 12 games.

Detroit Red Wings rookie Nate Danielson had a goal and an assist for his first two NHL points to double up the Seattle Kraken 4-2. Lucas Raymond also had a goal and an assist,and team captain Dylan Larkin scored for his 600th career NHL regular-season point as the Red Wings moved into first place in the Atlantic Division. Jordan Eberle and Ryker Evans tallied for the Kraken, who dropped to 9-5-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken goaltender Joey Daccord returned to action after being sidelined by a lower-body injury since Nov. 5.

The New York Islanders got their fifth win in six games by holding off the Dallas Stars 3-2. Kyle Palmieri got the game-winning goal and picked up an assist for the 11-7-2 Islanders. Jason Robertson scored both goals for the Stars (12-5-3) as their five-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars winger Mikko Rantanen received a five-minute major penalty and a game misconduct for hitting Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov from behind late in the third period. Romanov had to be helped off the ice, but did not require off-site treatment. Islanders forward Simon Holmstrom missed this game due to illness.

William Nylander’s overtime goal lifted the Toronto Maple Leafs over the St. Louis Blues 3-2, snapping a five-game winless skid (0-4-1). Jake McCabe and Steven Lorentz also scored, and Joseph Woll made 28 saves for the 9-9-2 Maple Leafs. Nathan Walker and Dalibor Dvorsky replied for the Blues, who have dropped three straight and fallen to 6-9-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies missed this game with a lower-body injury and is listed as day-to-day.

The Vegas Golden Knights defeated the New York Rangers 3-2, ending the latter’s six-game road win streak. Tomas Hertl collected two assists, and Shea Theodore tallied the winning goal as the Golden Knights improved to 9-4-6. Vincent Trocheck and Jonny Brodzinski replied for the 10-9-2 Rangers.

IN OTHER NEWS…

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Penn State University forward Gavin McKenna has struggled thus far in his first season in the NCAA.

Ranked as the early top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old left wing has four goals and 15 points in 14 games, but his performance hasn’t been as dominant as expected. He’s struggled at even strength and with the physical style of the NCAA game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna wanted to test himself against NCAA competition, and he’s finding that it’s more challenging than he expected. How he responds and adjusts over the rest of this season could determine whether he remains the top prospect in next year’s draft.

DAILY FACEOFF/PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Pittsburgh Penguins forward Ville Koivunen is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Meanwhile, the club placed winger Philip Tomasino on waivers.

DAILY FACEOFF: Buffalo Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring is expected to be sidelined for an extended period with a lower-body injury.

NHL.COM: The department of player safety fined Ottawa Senators forward Nick Cousins $2,000.00 for embellishment during a Nov. 9 game against the Utah Mammoth.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 18, 2025

by | Nov 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 18, 2025

Are changes coming for the struggling Predators? Could the Canadiens go shopping for a center? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty wondered if changes are coming for the fading Nashville Predators. They have a record of 6-10-4, sitting eighth in the Central Division. He pointed out that they were 6-11-3 after 20 games last year, going on to finish that season with the third-worst record in the league.

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

Daugherty believes there are only so many changes that general manager Barry Trotz can make. Most of his big contracts, including Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault, have no-movement clauses. He frequently supported head coach Andrew Brunette.

Minor changes, such as trading players on expiring contracts (Erik Haula, Michael Bunting), would exacerbate the situation, even if they’re necessary in the long term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daugherty doesn’t expect to see any improvement from the Predators with their current roster this season.

Stamkos and Marchessault have surfaced in the rumor mill. Still, even if they agree to waive their movement clauses, the decline in their production combined with the remaining term of their contracts could make them difficult to move and won’t fetch significant returns.

Ryan O’Reilly has also been mentioned recently as a trade target. The 34-year-old center is second among Predators scorers with 13 points and is still well-regarded for his two-way play. He also carries an affordable $4.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27 and lacks no-trade protection.

O’Reilly might draw more interest. However, like Stamkos and Marchessault, he won’t have the same value in the trade market that he might have had a couple of years ago.

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said Montreal Canadiens GM Kent Hughes is scouring the trade market for a center. Canadiens center Kirby Dach and versatile forward Alex Newhook are both sidelined by injuries.

Friedman indicated that Hughes was among the suitors for former Toronto Maple Leafs center David Kampf before the latter signed with the Vancouver Canucks on Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman didn’t mention any other potential targets for Hughes. One option could be John Beecher of the Boston Bruins, who was placed on waivers on Monday.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 18, 2025

by | Nov 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 18, 2025

The Panthers defeat the Canucks in a high-scoring contest, another goal milestone is in reach for Capitals star Alex Ovechkin, the three stars of the week are revealed, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Florida Panthers blew a 5-2 lead, but recovered to defeat the Vancouver Canucks 8-5. Seth Jones scored two power-play goals, Sam Reinhart had three assists, and Brad Marchand had a goal and an assist to extend his points streak to 11 games for the 10-8-1 Panthers, who’ve won three of their last four games. Center Elias Pettersson tallied twice, and captain Quinn Hughes collected three assists as the Canucks dropped to 9-10-2.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky collected his 438th career regular-season NHL win, passing Jacques Plante for ninth on the all-time wins list. Bobrovsky is eight wins away from Terry Sawchuk for eighth place. He’s also within range of Curtis Joseph (454 wins) and Henrik Lundqvist (459).

Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen missed this game with a lower-body injury.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin scored what proved to be the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over the Los Angeles Kings. Charlie Lindgren stopped 30 shots and Matt Roy netted his first goal of the season for the 9-8-2 Capitals. Anze Kopitar replied for the 10-6-4 Kings as their four-game win streak ended, dropping them into second place in the Pacific Division with 24 points

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin’s goal was his 903rd career regular-season tally and was his 150th game-winning goal (regular-season and playoffs combined), putting him one back of Jaromir Jagr’s record of 151.

Earlier in the day, the Kings announced that defenseman Drew Doughty is out week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

The Anaheim Ducks regained first place in the Pacific Division (25 points) with a 3-2 overtime win over the Utah Mammoth. Olen Zellweger scored the winning goal after teammate Troy Terry tied the game with five seconds left in the third period for the 12-6-1 Ducks, snapping their three-game losing skid. Dylan Guenther and Logan Cooley scored for the Mammoth (10-7-2), who have two wins in their last nine games (2-5-2).

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov made 29 saves to backstop his club to a 3-1 win over the Boston Bruins. Taylor Hall had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes, who are 6-1-1 in their last eight games and improved to 13-5-1. Riley Tufte scored his first of the season for the 12-9-0 Bruins, who remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with 24 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins placed center John Beecher on waivers. A first-round pick (30th overall) in 2019, the 24-year-old Beecher has struggled since his promising 2023-24 rookie campaign. He could prove enticing to clubs seeking depth at center.

The Columbus Blue Jackets (10-7-2) blew a 3-1 lead but managed to nip the Montreal Canadiens 4-3 on a shootout goal on a shootout goal by Kirill Marchenko, who extended his points streak to 12 games by collecting two assists in regulation. Lane Hutson scored the tying goal and picked up an assist for the Canadiens (10-6-3), who have dropped six of their last seven games (1-3-3).

Buffalo Sabres rookie Noah Ostlund had his first NHL multipoint game with two goals in a 5-1 win over the Edmonton Oilers. Colten Ellis kicked out 32 shots and Rasmus Dahlin picked up two assists for the 7-8-4 Sabres. Jack Roslovic scored to extend his point streak to five games as the Oilers slipped to 9-8-4.

HEADLINE

NHL.COM: Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat, and Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes are the league’s three stars for the week ending Nov. 16, 2025.

TSN/DAILY FACEOFF/SPORTSNET/TORONTO SUN: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has not resumed skating since being sidelined by a lower-body injury on Nov. 11. The Maple Leafs also placed sidelined defenseman Chris Tanev on long-term injury reserve, and placed center Nicolas Roy (upper body) and defenseman Brandon Carlo (lower body) on injured reserve.

OTTAWA SUN: Senators captain Brady Tkachuk could return from an injured thumb during the club’s upcoming seven-game Western road trip. They also reacquired defenseman Dennis Gilbert from the Philadelphia Flyers in exchange for blueliner Maxence Guenette.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars placed center Matt Duchene (undisclosed) and forward Adam Erne (lower body) on LTIR.

CBS SPORTS: Chicago Blackhawks captain Nick Foligno (hand) was moved to injured reserve.

NEW YORK POST: Former Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello is remaining with the club as an advisor to team owner Scott Malkin.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 17, 2025

by | Nov 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 17, 2025

Check out the latest on the Maple Leafs and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted the recent report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t willing to trade their core players.

He also believes they won’t part with defensemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and forwards Nicolas Roy, Scott Laughton, and Steven Lorentz. “They all possess the combination of skill and snot that coach Craig Berube is looking for.”

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (NHL Images).

Proteau can see the Maple Leafs attempting to peddle defenseman Morgan Rielly, even if he controls his exit with his full no-movement clause. “Would Toronto move Rielly to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Erik Karlsson? Or what about a Rielly to the New Jersey Devils swap in exchange for Dougie Hamilton?” Proteau asked, suggesting those moves could be sold to Rielly as going to a playoff contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming Rielly would waive his NMC, it would take Karlsson to waive his, or for the Maple Leafs to be on Hamilton’s 10-team trade list. That’s assuming the Penguins or Devils would be interested in Rielly in the first place.

Max Domi could be a trade candidate. The 30-year-old forward has a 13-team no-trade list. Defenseman Brandon Carlo has an eight-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes, Domi or Carlo could be trade candidates, but they likely won’t fetch returns that help the Leafs.

The Leafs have a glut of forwards to draw on for trade bait. They include Calle Jarnkrok, Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann, and Dakota Joshua. Proteau noted that Robertson is on a hot streak, but it may be time to sell high on him as an asset.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s been touted as a decent trade chip before, but it doesn’t appear as though anyone’s knocking down the door trying to get him. During the summer, the Columbus Blue Jackets reportedly rejected a swap of Robertson for Yegor Chinakhov.

McMann might have some value. He had a 20-goal performance last season.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports that an injury to Thomas Chabot and the departure of Donovan Sebrango have left the Senators shorthanded on the left side of their blueline. It’s forced general manager Steve Staios to scour the trade market for depth on defense.

The Senators aren’t seeking someone who can skate in their top six. At this point, they’d be happy to land a left-shot blueliner to help their AHL affiliate in Belleville, and be available for call-up should more injuries strike.

Garrioch suggested Ville Heinola of the Winnipeg Jets. He’s skating with the Jets’ AHL affiliate and has indicated he wouldn’t mind a fresh start.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 17, 2025

by | Nov 17, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 17, 2025

The Penguins defeat the Predators in the second game of the 2025 Global Series, Quinn Hughes leads the Canucks to victory over the Lightning, the Kings re-sign Adrian Kempe, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF SUNDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: The Pittsburgh Penguins blanked the Nashville Predators 4-0 in the second and final game of their 2025 Global Series in Stockholm, Sweden. Sergei Murashov made 21 saves for his first NHL shutout while Parker Wotherspoon, Evgeni Malkin, Sidney Crosby, and Blake Lizotte were the goal scorers for the 10-5-4 Penguins. Juuse Saros stopped 18 of 21 shots for the Predators, who dropped to 6-10-4.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes collected four assists to lead his club over the Tampa Bay Lightning 6-2. The Canucks (9-9-2) tallied six unanswered goals, with five of those in the third period. Nikita Kucherov and Jake Guentzel tallied for the 7-2-1 Lightning.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks winger Conor Garland left this game following the second period with an undisclosed injury.

The Colorado Avalanche extended their points streak to 10 games with a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders, snapping the latter’s four-game win streak. Scott Wedgewood turned aside 28 shots, and Brock Nelson had a goal and an assist against his former club as the Avalanche (13-1-5) holds a four-point lead over the New Jersey Devils and Dallas Stars in the overall standings with 31 points. Emil Heineman replied for the 10-7-2 Islanders.

A power-play goal by Kirill Kaprizov with 10 seconds remaining in overtime lifted the Minnesota Wild over the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 3-2. Mats Zuccarello picked up two assists for the 9-7-4 Wild, who’ve won four of their last five games. Pavel Dorofeyev and Reilly Smith scored for the Golden Knights (8-4-6), who are 1-3-2 in their last six contests.

Detroit Red Wings forward Lucas Raymond scored late in the third period to give his club a 2-1 win over the New York Rangers. Raymond finished the game with two points, and Alex DeBrincat also scored for the 11-7-1 Red Wings. Jonathan Quick kicked out 40 shots, and Mika Zibanejad scored for the Rangers (10-8-2) as their three-game win streak ended.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Quick started a bench-clearing scrum at the end of the game when he took offense to Wings forward Mason Appleton shooting the puck into the empty net after the final horn sounded.

Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan missed this game for personal reasons. He could also miss the start of the club’s upcoming three-game road trip.

HEADLINES

LOS ANGELES TIMES: Adrian Kempe has agreed to an eight-year contract extension with the Kings. The 29-year-old winger was eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He will earn an average annual value of $10.625 million starting in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Next summer’s UFA class is getting thinner. Kempe is the latest notable star to sign an extension. With Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season, the Kings couldn’t risk the departure of their top goal scorer. Since his breakout performance in 2021-22, Kempe has tallied a team-leading 145 goals.

Kempe is almost doubling his salary with this new deal. He will be turning 30 next September, which means his cap hit could become a burden for the Kings in the final half of his contract when his performance inevitably declines. Nevertheless, it was the price they felt was worthwhile to keep him in the fold.

NESN: Boston Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy travelled home from Montreal with his teammates after being struck in the jaw by a slapshot from Canadiens defenseman Noah Dobson. He was reportedly cleared after undergoing a series of tests. Bruins coach Marco Sturm was relatively optimistic regarding those tests.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens center Kirby Dach has been sidelined for four to six weeks with a fractured foot suffered during Saturday’s game against the Bruins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dach missed considerable time over the last two seasons with a knee injury. He was off to a decent start to this season with seven points in 15 games.

CALGARY SUN: Flames forward Sam Honzek is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks placed veteran winger Jeff Skinner (lower body) on injured reserve.