NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 20, 2025

by | Dec 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 20, 2025

Recaps of Friday’s games, the Kings send Phillip Danault back to the Canadiens, the Kraken trade Mason Marchment to the Blue Jackets, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPPING FRIDAY’S NHL GAMES

NHL.COM: A hat trick by Kiefer Sherwood powered the Vancouver Canucks to a 4-1 victory over the New York Islanders. Thatcher Demko made 22 saves, and Filip Hronek collected two assists for the 14-17-3 Canucks. Anders Lee replied for the 19-13-3 Islanders, who have dropped two straight games.

Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since trading Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild last Friday, the Canucks have won three straight games. Veteran defenseman Tyler Myers played his 1,100th career NHL regular-season game.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson scored twice and collected an assist to lead his club to an 8-3 thrashing of the Anaheim Ducks. Roope Hintz and Thomas Harley each had a goal and an assist for the Stars (24-7-5), who picked up their third straight win. Anaheim goaltender Petr Mrazek replaced starter Lukas Dostal after the latter gave up four goals on seven shots in the first period. The Ducks (20-13-2) have lost four of their last five games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars activated forward Adam Erne from long-term injured reserve. He’d been out since Nov. 14 with a lower-body injury.

Earlier in the day, they announced forward Tyler Seguin underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair a torn ACL. He has not been ruled out for the season and will be reevaluated following the Olympic break in February.

The Florida Panthers overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 on a shootout goal by Evan Rodrigues. Brad Marchand, Sam Reinhart, and Sam Bennett each had a goal and an assist for the Panthers (19-13-2), who have won seven of their last eight contests. Sebastian Aho scored twice for the 22-9-3 Hurricanes, whose five-game winning streak ended, as did goalie Brandon Bussi’s nine-game win streak.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes remain atop the Eastern Conference standings with 47 points, but it proved to be a costly victory as versatile forward Seth Jarvis is expected to miss some time after crashing into the Panthers’ net during overtime. They also played without forward Jordan Martinook, who is day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

A third-period goal by Parker Kelly proved to be the game-winner for the Colorado Avalanche as they held off the Winnipeg Jets by a score of 3-2. Brent Burns and Martin Necas also scored for the 25-2-7 Avalanche, who remain in first place in the overall standings with 57 points. Morgan Barron and Mark Scheifele replied for the 15-17-2 Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have won four in a row and seven of their last eight games. Meanwhile, the struggling Jets have won only three of their last 15 contests.

The New Jersey Devils nipped the Utah Mammoth 2-1. Stefan Noesen broke a 1-1 tie in the third period, and Nico Hischier had two assists for the 20-14-1 Devils. Daniil But scored his first career NHL goal for the 17-17-3 Mammoth.

HEADLINES

LOS ANGELES TIMES/MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: The Kings traded center Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Danault is returning to the club where he spent five seasons (2016 to 2021) before signing with the Kings as a free agent. The 32-year-old two-way forward is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.5 million. His addition pushed the Canadiens over the salary cap by $1.4 million, but they could demote Owen Beck and Jared Davidson to become cap-compliant. They could also place Alex Newhook on LTIR.

Danault has struggled offensively this season with five points in 30 games. However, he’s a left-shot center whose defensive skills will take pressure off top center Nick Suzuki and help to improve the Canadiens’ defensive game, especially on the penalty kill and in the faceoff circle. He could skate on the third line between Josh Anderson and Alexandre Texier, or he could be reunited with former linemate Brendan Gallagher on their fourth line.

The Kings were reportedly seeking a player in return, and it was rumored their asking price from the Canadiens was Jake Evans. They instead settled for a second-round pick that the Canadiens received from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Patrik Laine trade in August 2024. The Kings could use that pick as a trade chip to pursue another player.

THE SEATTLE TIMES/THE ATHLETIC: The Kraken traded winger Mason Marchment to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a second-round pick in 2027 and a fourth-rounder in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken acquired Marchment from the Dallas Stars in June, giving up a third-rounder and a fourth-round pick. The gritty 30-year-old winger was used in a top-six role, but he wasn’t a good fit with the Kraken, making him the subject of recent trade speculation. He’s in the final season of a four-year contract with a cap hit of $4.5 million.

Marchment heads to a Blue Jackets club struggling to regain the form that had them challenging for a playoff berth last season. They’re hoping he can regain his 22-goal form and provide a much-needed jolt of physical energy to their lineup.

Both trades occurred before the annual holiday roster freeze went into effect at 11:59 pm ET on Friday, Dec. 19. The freeze is in place until 12:01 am ET on Sunday, Dec. 28.

LAS VEGAS SUN: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and defenseman Shea Theodore will not be joining their teammates during their weekend Canadian road trip. Eichel was suffering from an illness, but he’s now day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Theodore was listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury, but is now considered week-to-week.

TSN: The Edmonton Oilers placed goaltender Tristan Jarry on injured reserve and called up Connor Ingram from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. They also placed winger Jack Roslovic on LTIR.

DAILY FACEOFF: Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault is out day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: On Friday, the Penguins officially announced that the sale of the franchise to the Hoffman Family of Companies had been completed. It was reported earlier this week that the sale would soon be made official. Fenway Sports Group owned the Penguins for the past four years.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Former forward John MacLean will become the fourth member of the Devils’ Ring of Honor. He will be inducted during a pregame ceremony on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026, when the club hosts the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacLean spent 14 of his 18 NHL seasons with New Jersey from 1983-84 to 1997-98. During his tenure with the Devils, he scored 347 goals and 701 points in 934 regular-season games, and 75 points in 88 playoff contests. He won a Stanley Cup with them in 1995 as a player and another in 2003 as an assistant coach.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 19, 2025

by | Dec 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 19, 2025

The annual holiday roster freeze goes into effect at 11:59 PM ET on Dec. 19. Check out the latest rumors leading up to the freeze in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

RYAN O’REILLY IS NOT READY YET TO CONTEMPLATE A TRADE

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports that some teams with an interest in Ryan O’Reilly were informed that the 34-year-old Nashville Predators center isn’t ready to consider a trade yet.

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

O’Reilly likes living and playing in Nashville and doesn’t want to bail on the Predators, preferring to be part of the solution. LeBrun suggested that doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen by the March 6 trade deadline, but he’s skeptical that it’ll happen at all.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Reilly lacks no-trade protection, but the Predators are treating him as though he does. If he doesn’t want to move, it appears they will respect his wishes.

MULTIPLE TEAMS INTERESTED IN KINGS CENTER PHILLIP DANAULT

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports that sources say the Los Angeles Kings are receiving numerous calls about Phillip Danault.

The 32-year-old two-way center has been struggling this season and has had his playing time reduced. His agent, Allan Walsh, recently denied a report claiming his client had requested a trade.

Nevertheless, LeBrun said the Montreal Canadiens (Danault’s former team), New Jersey Devils, and the Utah Mammoth were among “a long list of teams” that have expressed an interest. One reason is that there aren’t many centers available in the trade market.

LeBrun noted that Danault is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $5.5 million. He also indicated that the Kings currently aren’t sellers because they’re a perennial playoff team that intends to reach the postseason again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings aren’t in any hurry to trade Danault, partly because good centers are difficult to find. However, that doesn’t mean they’re not willing to listen to offers. Most speculation suggests they would want a good player back in return instead of draft picks and prospects.

OILERS LINKED TO SABRES GOALTENDER ALEX LYON

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reported several sources claim the Oilers had an interest in Buffalo Sabres goaltender Alex Lyon, or were interested in him before they acquired Tristan Jarry from the Pittsburgh Penguins last Friday.

With Jarry injured during Thursday’s game against the Boston Bruins, Staples doubted that the Oilers have enough time to land Lyon or another goalie before the holiday roster freeze takes effect.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no immediate update on Jarry’s status following last night’s game. If it’s serious, the Oilers could be stuck with backup Calvin Pickard and whoever they call up from their AHL affiliate in Bakersfield until the freeze is lifted at 12:01 am ET on Dec. 28.

Lyon carries a $1.5 million cap hit, but the Oilers can’t afford it. Even if the Sabres agreed to retain up to half of it, the Oilers would have to move out some salary to take him on.

KRAKEN WINGER MASON MARCHMENT GARNERING INTEREST IN THE TRADE MARKET.

SPORTS ON PRIME: NHL insider Frank Seravalli said Seattle Kraken winger Mason Marchment has “generated real traction” in the trade market. He said teams are calling the Kraken, trying to get something done. Seravalli isn’t ruling out the possibility of the Kraken moving the 30-year-old Marchment before the holiday freeze kicks in.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Following the best start in franchise history, the Kraken have been in free fall in the standings with just one win in their last 11 games. Sitting seven points out of a playoff berth, they could be going into sell mode if they don’t reverse their fortunes soon.

If the Kraken are selling, it would make sense that they would peddle Marchment. A big, physical middle-six winger who tallied 22 goals in each of the last two seasons, he carries a $4.5 million cap hit and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Marchment also has plenty of recent postseason experience with the Florida Panthers and Dallas Stars.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 19, 2025

by | Dec 19, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 19, 2025

Recaps of Thursday’s action and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Connor McDavid scored a shorthanded goal and picked up an assist in a 3-1 victory over the Boston Bruins. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins also had a goal and an assist for the 17-12-6 Oilers, who have won six of their last eight games. Pavel Zacha replied for the Bruins (20-15-0), who dropped two of their last three contests.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid has caught up with Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon for first place in the scoring race, with each player having 58 points. Calvin Pickard replaced Oilers starting goalie Tristan Jarry as the latter left the game in the second period with a lower-body injury. There was no postgame update on his status.

The Minnesota Wild extended their win streak to six games by downing the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-2. Matt Boldy and Kirill Kaprizov each had a goal and two assists, and Jesper Wallstedt made 27 saves as the Wild improved to 21-9-5. Zach Werenski scored both goals for the Blue Jackets (14-14-6), who have lost six of their last seven games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boldy join Kaprizov with his 20th goal of the season, making the Wild the only team thus far this season to have two 20-goal scorers.

Washington Capitals goaltender Logan Thompson stopped 22 shots to shut out the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0. Jakob Chychrun tallied twice, and John Carlsson had a goal and two assists for the Capitals (19-11-4) as they snapped a three-game losing skid. Dennis Hildeby made 25 saves for the Maple Leafs, who slipped to 15-13-5.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs coach Craig Berube pulled no punches about his team’s performance following this game, laying the blame for the loss at the feet of his players. He pointed out that the Capitals played with more passion and urgency. When asked why his players were so flat in this game, Berube replied, “Ask those guys, not me.”

Speaking of 4-0 wins, Ottawa Senators netminder Linus Ullmark made 24 saves to earn his shutout over the Pittsburgh Penguins, handing the latter their seventh straight loss (0-3-4). Brady Tkachuk netted two goals, and Drake Batherson collected two assists for the 16-13-4 Senators, who have won three of their last four games. Arturs Silovs stopped 22 shots for the Penguins as their record dropped to 14-10-9.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Senators announced that former head coach Jacques Martin will be inducted into their Ring of Honour in a pregame ceremony on Jan. 24, 2026. Martin coached the Senators from 1996 to 2004, following a brief return behind the bench in 2023-24. In 748 games with the Senators, his record was 367-261-96-24.

Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe scored two goals, and Anton Forsberg kicked out 31 shots for a 2-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning. With the win, the Kings (15-10-9) ended a four-game winless streak (0-2-2). Oliver Bjorkstrand replied for the Lightning (18-13-3), who are winless in their last three games (0-1-2).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy and defenseman Ryan McDonagh returned to action after missing time with injuries.

An overtime goal by J.T. Miller lifted the New York Rangers over the St. Louis Blues by a score of 2-1. Igor Shesterkin made 26 saves, and Gabe Perreault also scored for the Rangers, who improved to 17-15-4. Jonatan Berggren tallied for the Blues (13-15-8).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers winger Artemi Panarin missed this game with an illness.

Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson scored to extend his goal streak to five games in a 5-3 victory over the Philadelphia Flyers. Zach Benson and Mattias Samuelsson each had two assists for the Sabres, who won their fourth straight game and improved to 15-14-4. Bobby Brink had two points for the Flyers (17-10-6).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buffalo head coach Lindy Ruff picked up his 915th win to move into fourth place on the all-time list. Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring returned to action after missing a month with an injury. However, the Sabres lost defenseman Conor Timmins to a broken leg that will sideline him for six to eight weeks, while forward Tyson Kozak departed with an upper-body injury.

The Calgary Flames got two goals from Mikael Backlund to double up the Seattle Kraken 4-2. Nazem Kadri had a goal and an assist for the 14-17-4 Flames. Joey Daccord made 42 saves for the Kraken (12-14-6), who have lost four straight games and have one win in their last 11 contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier in the day, the Flames announced defenseman Jake Bean will be sidelined indefinitely as he will undergo surgery for an undisclosed injury.

Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc tallied twice in a 4-1 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Lane Hutson had three assists for the 18-12-4 Canadiens. Frank Nazar scored, and Spencer Knight had 31 saves for the Blackhawks (13-15-6), who have lost four straight.

Dallas Stars center Wyatt Johnston had two goals as his club held off the San Jose Sharks by a score of 5-3. Roope Hintz had a goal and an assist, and Jake Oettinger stopped 34 shots for the Stars (23-7-5). Chad Graf scored twice for the 17-15-3 Sharks.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2025

by | Dec 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup, we have the latest on Sabres winger Alex Tuch, Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and winger Ondrej Palat, plus updates on the Blues and Oilers.

ALEX TUCH SEEKS A CONTRACT LARGER THAN ADRIAN KEMPE’S DEAL

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal referenced a report claiming that former Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams revealed that Alex Tuch seeks a contract bigger than that of winger Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings.

Kempe, 29, signed an eight-year extension with the Kings in November that was worth an average annual value of $10.625 million.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

During TSN’s Overdrive show, insider Darren Dreger said that the 29-year-old Tuch “is looking for money just beyond Adrian Kempe.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Tuch is actually seeking more than Kempe, he is overrating his value.

Since Kempe’s breakout performance in 2021-22, he’s been the Kings’ leader with 150 goals and 297 points in 351 games. He’s also their leader in shorthanded goals (10) and game-winning goals (26).

Over the same period, Tuch is second among Sabres scorers with 117 goals and third in points with 271 in 312 games. He also has a team-leading 10 shorthanded goals and 21 game-winning goals.

Kempe has played more games than Tuch, but he’s far more important to the offensively starved Kings than Tuch is to the Sabres. 

That said, Tuch can make a case for $10 million annually, but the Sabres were reportedly unwilling to go that high. If that remains the case after their management change, he’ll be playing elsewhere before the March 6 trade deadline.

THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON AND ONDREJ PALAT

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton and winger Ondrej Palat addressed recent rumors claiming the club was trying to move them in cost-cutting trades.

Hamilton repeated what he said during training camp when asked about rumors that surfaced during the summer, saying he signed with the Devils because he believes he can help them win the Stanley Cup. He brushed off a question about whether he’d waive his no-trade clause, saying it’s not something he thinks about.

Palat was more direct when he was asked about the rumors. He said that general manager Tom Fitzgerald hasn’t approached him about a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those rumors about Hamilton and Palat surfaced in the aftermath of the Vancouver Canucks trading Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild last Friday. The Devils were among the clubs that made a legitimate offer, but they had to clear cap space to absorb Hughes’ $7.85 million cap hit. When they couldn’t, the Canucks jumped at the offer from the Wild.

Having lost out on the Hughes sweepstakes, it’ll be interesting to see what Fitzgerald does to bolster his roster and whether Hamilton or Palat would be part of it in one way or another.

BLUES READY TO CONSIDER ALL OPTIONS

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong is willing to consider all his options regarding his roster, including the possibility of trades.

Armstrong remains hopeful that his struggling team will go on a run to secure a playoff position. However, he’s realistic about his club’s current situation, saying he’s starting to field calls from other clubs that he wouldn’t entertain otherwise, admitting teams are kicking tires.

The Blues GM isn’t ruling out a December trade, but he’s most likely to be preparing for moves later in the season, either before the Olympic roster freeze in February or the March 6 trade deadline.

Some of the Blues mentioned in trade rumors (goaltender Jordan Binnington, center Brayden Schenn, defenseman Justin Faulk) are players Armstrong could have an incentive to move because they’re in their thirties with term left on their contracts.

Armstrong is open to offers for those players, each of whom has some form of no-trade protection. However, he stressed that he’ll want full value in any trade, hoping to add to his younger core of players rather than adding draft picks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong could start peddling players by mid-January if the Blues haven’t reversed their fortunes by then. Binnington has a 14-team no-trade list, while Schenn and Faulk have 15-team no-trade lists.

Teams could also be interested in some of the Blues’ younger players. Jordan Kyrou has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since June. However, he now has a full no-trade clause, and Armstrong would likely prefer hanging onto him.

THE OILERS MIGHT NOT BE DONE ADDING TO THEIR ROSTER

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports Oilers insider Bob Stauffer believes the Oilers aren’t done making moves after trading goalie Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for netminder Tristan Jarry.

Stauffer thinks the Oilers could pursue a top-nine forward. He felt they could consider adding a player comparable to Vasily Podkolzin, who wasn’t initially considered a “sexy” addition but has since become a valuable role player.

Staples pointed out that the Oilers are in desperate need of offense from their third line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with the swap of Skinner for Jarry, salary-cap space will be an issue for the Oilers. It’ll have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out move, or a separate cost-cutting deal to free up room for that third-line forward.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 18, 2025

by | Dec 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 18, 2025

Recaps of Wednesday’s games, the latest on the sale of the Penguins, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

RECAPPING WEDNESDAY’S ACTION

NHL.COM: Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho scored two goals and collected an assist to lead his club to a 4-1 victory over the Nashville Predators. Jackson Blake had a goal and an assist for the Hurricanes (22-9-2), who picked up their fifth straight win and hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 46 points. Filip Forsberg replied for the Predators, who dropped to 13-16-4.

Carolina Hurricanes center Sebastian Aho (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hurricanes forward Jordan Martinook left this game with a lower-body injury. Predators winger Cole Smith returned to action after missing 19 games with an upper-body injury.

A shootout goal by Jesper Bratt lifted the New Jersey Devils over the Vegas Golden Knights by a score of 2-1. Connor Brown opened the scoring for the Devils, who improved to 19-14-1. Pavel Dorofeyev tied the game for the Golden Knights (16-6-10), who took over first place in the Pacific Division with 42 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (illness) and defenseman Shea Theodore (upper-body injury) missed this game and are listed as day-to-day. Jeremy Lauzon returned to the lineup after missing the past month with an unspecified injury. Devils defenseman Brett Pesce returned after missing 24 games with an upper-body injury. 

The Utah Mammoth got a goal and an assist from Clayton Keller in a 4-1 win over the Detroit Red Wings. Karel Vejmelka made 27 saves as the Mammoth improved to 17-16-3. Emmitt Finnie scored for the Red Wings (19-13-3), who remain in first place in the Atlantic Division with 41 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vejmelka picked up his league-leading 15th win of the season.

Florida Panthers forwards Anton Lundell, Carter Verhaeghe, and Sam Bennett scored as their club held off the Los Angeles Kings 3-2. Daniil Tarasov made 27 saves, and Brad Marchand had two assists for the 18-13-2 Panthers, who have won three straight games and six of their last seven. Joel Armia and Kevin Fiala replied for the Kings (14-10-9), who are winless in their last four games (0-3-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings center Phillip Danault missed his third straight game with the flu. He’s been the subject of recent trade speculation, but there is no indication that the Kings intend to move him before the upcoming NHL holiday roster freeze (Dec. 20-27).

The St. Louis Blues blanked the Winnipeg Jets 1-0 on a goal by Justin Faulk. Joel Hofer turned in a 24-save shutout for the Blues, who improved to 13-15-7. Connor Hellebuyck made 25 saves for the 15-16-2 Jets, who are 1-4-1 in their last five contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets winger Kyle Connor’s points streak ended at nine games.

HEADLINES

TRIBLIVE.COM: Multiple reports indicated Fenway Sports Group has reached an agreement in principle to sell the Pittsburgh Penguins to the Hoffman Family of Companies.

The purchase price is reportedly between $1.7 billion and $1.8 billion. Fenway Sports Group purchased a controlling interest in the Penguins from Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle in 2021 for $900 million.

Final sale of the Penguins requires approval from the NHL Board of Governors, which is expected to be a formality that should unfold with little difficulty.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The upcoming change of ownership isn’t expected to adversely affect the Penguins’ current front office or their salary-cap payroll.

Lemieux and Burkle maintained a minority stake in the Penguins. It is uncertain what role, if any, they’ll have with the incoming ownership.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: Flyers forward Tyson Foerster is expected to be sidelined for five months following shoulder surgery. He suffered the injury during a Dec. 1 game against the Penguins.

SPORTSNET: Tampa Bay Lightning winger Brandon Hagel is listed as day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seattle Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour is being evaluated for an injury suffered on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche.

THE ATHLETIC: The New York Rangers called up prospects Gabe Perreault and Brennan Othmann.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL winger Milan Lucic signed with the EIHL’s Fife Flyers.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 17, 2025

by | Dec 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 17, 2025

Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is drawing more interest, the latest on the Maple Leafs, an update on Alex Tuch’s contract situation following the Sabres’ change in management, the Flyers seek a center, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

GROWING INTEREST IN FLAMES DEFENSEMAN RASMUS ANDERSSON

CALGARY SUN: In the wake of the Vancouver Canucks trading defenseman Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild last Friday, Kent Wilson recently examined the implications of that deal for the Flames.

With Hughes off the trade block, the Flames’ Rasmus Andersson becomes the best defenseman available. He’s not on the same skill level as Hughes and won’t fetch a comparable return. The Wild shipped three promising young players (Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, and Liam Ohgren) and a 2026 first-round pick to Vancouver.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

The Hughes trade could also raise interest in Flames forwards Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman. Potential suitors include the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Vegas Golden Knights, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Washington Capitals.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames received an increase in calls about Andersson after the Quinn Hughes trade.

Andersson, 29, is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July. LeBrun wonders if the Flames will move him as a rental player or attempt a sign-and-trade scenario in order to get a better return.

The Toronto Maple Leafs attempted to acquire Andersson at last season’s trade deadline. LeBrun said they’ve circled back on him. They are believed to be among the teams that Andersson would consider with, if a trade can be worked out between the two clubs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson’s rumored willingness to sign with Toronto is likely tied to his relationship with Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving, who was GM of the Flames for most of Andersson’s tenure in Calgary.

LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving would like to add one or two top-six forwards. However, the Leafs’ lack of depth in their prospect pool could hamper those efforts.

Dreger later said that the Maple Leafs have continued interest in Rasmus Andersson or another top-four defenseman in the trade market. He also mentioned that they could use a top-line winger to skate alongside center Auston Matthews.

NESN: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Boston Bruins attempted to acquire Matias Maccelli from the Utah Mammoth last summer before he was traded to the Maple Leafs.

Maccelli hasn’t been a fit with the Maple Leafs, who would be open to moving him. Friedman isn’t sure if the Bruins would still be interested in the struggling winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with Andersson, any attempt by the Leafs to land one of the bigger names in the trade market will be hindered by their limited number of tradable assets on their roster and within their prospect pipeline.

Treliving will wait and see if the asking prices go down or if more players become available as more teams drop out of the playoff race. However, that might not come soon enough to bring in the help the Leafs need.

UPDATE ON ALEX TUCH’S CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE SABRES

TSN: Contract extension discussions with Alex Tuch’s representatives are among the issues facing Jarmo Kekalainen, who replaced Kevyn Adams on Monday as the Buffalo Sabres new general manager.

Kekalainen told reporters on Tuesday that he intends to take charge of the situation. He said the teams appreciate and like Tuch, and want to get him signed. The 29-year-old winger is UFA-eligible next summer. He’s completing a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million.

Pierre LeBrun reports Kekalainen had a pretty good feel for what his predecessor discussed with the Tuch camp. According to LeBrun, the previous negotiations fizzled because the Sabres weren’t willing to go double digits on the AAV (over $10 million annually).

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek believes the Dallas Stars could be a good destination for Alex Tuch. He thinks the Stars are going for it again this season and believes Tuch would fit in well with them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch will depart via free agency next July unless Kekalainen can somehow talk him down from $10 million annually. If so, expect the veteran winger to become available leading up to the March 6 trade deadline.

FLYERS SEEK A CENTER

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers are seeking another center, specifically for their fourth line. It might also make sense for them to add a middle-six center, given Noah Cates’ struggles in the faceoff circle.

If UFA-eligible centre Christian Dvorak opts to head to market next summer, Kurz wondered if the Flyers might get more aggressive and pursue a higher-end option like Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues or Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators.

Kurz doesn’t see the Flyers dangling their high-end young players or top prospects as trade bait. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to part with some of their future assets for a player who could help them make a playoff push.

KINGS CENTER PHILLIP DANAULT REPORTEDLY REQUESTS A TRADE

RG.ORG’s Marco D’Amico reports sources indicating that center Phillip Danault has requested a trade. His camp hopes to secure a deal sooner rather than later, perhaps before the upcoming NHL holiday roster freeze (Dec. 20-27).

D’Amico said the Kings are willing to wait it out because they seek a player-for-player trade. The Montreal Canadiens, New Jersey Devils, and Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams reportedly interested in Danault.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Over the weekend, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said the Kings aren’t inclined to move Danault without a good reason because good centers are hard to come by in this season’s trade market. A trade request could be the inclination they need.