NHL Rumor Mill – May 2, 2026

by | May 2, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 2, 2026

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

THE LATEST ON THE SENATORS

SPORTSNET: Alex Adams looked at what Ottawa Senators general manager Steve Staios must do to take his club to the next level.

Whatever moves Staios makes this summer will either hamper or improve his efforts to sign Brady Tkachuk to an extension next year.

Adams believes Staios must re-sign winger Drake Batherson and defenseman Artem Zub to long-term contract extensions. Both are a year away from UFA eligibility.

Batherson set an NHL record by improving his point tally in each of his first eight NHL seasons, finishing this season with 33 goals and 71 points. That could earn him between $8 million and $9 million annually on the open market. Meanwhile, Zub has formed a solid chemistry with defense partner Jake Sanderson. He’s open to staying in Ottawa, prompting Adams to suggest a six-year extension with an AAV of $6 million.

Blueline Jordan Spence is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights, completing a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.5 million. Adams speculated a five-year deal worth $5 million annually might make sense for both sides.

Adams also noted the Senators need a scoring forward, an experienced left-shot defenseman, a backup goaltender, and a fourth-line center. They also need to determine if Claude Giroux intends to return or retire.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Re-signing Batherson, Zub, and Spence are necessities. They have the cap space for 2027-28 to sign the first two to contract extensions. They have $17.3 million in cap space for next season, giving them enough to re-sign Spence and still have enough left for a scoring forward, though it won’t leave much to address their other needs.

Adams believes the Senators have plenty of really good players on their roster, so maybe they can make a quality-for-quality move. That could mean peddling Dylan Cozens or Shane Pinto. Both players lack no-trade protection and carry AAV in excess of $7 million.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano noted that Tkachuk and Staios denied the trade rumors linking the Senators captain to the New York Rangers. However, until Tkachuk signs a contract extension, the speculation will likely persist.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

If the Senators trade Tkachuk, Mercogliano believes the Rangers, Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, and Minnesota Wild could be among the suitors. However, the substantial cost of acquiring Tkachuk might not turn the Rangers back into contenders. He believes it’s not worth the cost of selling what’s left of a failing farm system for a quick fix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see what happens with Tkachuk next summer when he’s eligible to sign a contract extension. If he’s reluctant to sign, the Senators will likely shop him for the best deal available rather than lose him to free agency for nothing in 2028.

A trade to the Rangers could be possible if they’re the only club Tkachuk would waive his no-movement clause for, but that’s not a certainty. And as Mercogliano points out, acquiring Tkachuk could come at the cost of short-circuiting their efforts to retool the roster.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio noted the trade rumors that popped up about Tkachuk. Due to his ties to the St. Louis Blues and the trade speculation about Blues center Robert Thomas, some fans have proposed trading the latter for Tkachuk.

Gaudio doesn’t see that happening. For the Blues to get the most out of Tkachuk, they need a playmaking center like Thomas.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those fans are also forgetting that Thomas has a full no-trade clause and has stated his desire to stay in St. Louis. The Blues also set a high asking price, which may have been designed to scare off interested clubs. If Tkachuk joins the Blues, it could be as a free agent in 2028.

WILL THE PENGUINS SHED VETERANS TO ADD MORE YOUTH?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski believes sweeping changes are necessary for the Penguins despite reaching the playoffs this season. He felt that it wasn’t enough to make the postseason, pointing out that this team isn’t a Stanley Cup contender.

Kingerski felt they must break with their past and focus more on building for the future. He doesn’t see any reason to retain their core of veterans if this season’s performance is the best they can do.

Those forwards include long-time Penguins stars Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang. Others include Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe noted the Penguins were largely carried by those veterans this season. He also noted that general manager Kyle Dubas’ efforts to add younger talent have been a mixed bag thus far. Some, such as Ben Kindel, Egor Chinakhov, Elmer Soderblom, and Avery Hayes, have given cause for optimism. Others, such as forward Rutger McGroarty, Ville Koivunen, and defenseman Harrison Brunicke, have yet to develop as hoped.

Malkin is UFA-eligible this summer, and there’s no certainty he’ll be back. Letang struggled through most of this season, but he has two more years left on his contract, and they won’t get any cap relief if they buy him out. Pending UFAs Kevin Hayes, Connor Clifton, and Noel Acciari almost certainly won’t be back.

Yohe expects Dubas could spend some money in this summer’s thin UFA market, but expects he’ll focus more on the trade market. The Penguins have interest in 26-year-old Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson. Yohe noted that Dubas has a glut of draft picks, older veterans, and salary-cap space to use as trade bait to add younger talent if any becomes available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen how much of a break with the past that Dubas is willing to make. He likely wants to retain the 38-year-old Crosby, who’s proven he still has plenty left in the tank. He has a year remaining on his contract and is taking a wait-and-see approach about an extension.

Dubas has seemed reluctant to re-sign Malkin, even though he had a bounce-back performance this season. The 39-year-old center has indicated he’ll sign with another NHL team if he ends up hitting the open market on July 1. Whatever happens to Malkin could affect Crosby’s future in Pittsburgh.

UPDATE ON THE BLUES

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford offered up some offseason predictions for the St. Louis Blues.

Rutherford doesn’t see Robert Thomas going anywhere this summer. He speculated that the Blues might revisit efforts to trade Colton Parayko, but wouldn’t be surprised if he stays in St. Louis.

Jordan Kyrou might be more willing to waive his no-trade clause than Thomas and Parayko. Rutherford believes there’s interest in moving the 27-year-old winger, but doesn’t see it happening unless they’re getting the value of a 40-goal scorer.

Goaltender Jordan Binnington was the subject of trade speculation this season. However, Rutherford believes he’ll play out the final season of his contract with the Blues.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio listed the Florida Panthers, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes as potential destinations for Binnington if the Blues attempt to move him this summer.

The Panthers and Hurricanes could need new starting goalies if their current starters (Sergei Bobrovsky and Frederik Andersen) hit the open market this summer. The Oilers will need someone to share the duties with struggling Tristan Jarry.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2026

by | May 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 1, 2026

What’s next for the Oilers and Stars following their postseason eliminations? What’s the latest on the Red Wings? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE OILERS?

THE ATHLETIC: Sean Gentille and Chris Johnston looked at what’s next for the Edmonton Oilers after their first-round elimination by the Anaheim Ducks. They don’t have much time to rebuild back into perennial Stanley Cup contender status. Team captain Connor McDavid will be starting his new two-year contract next season.

League sources claim McDavid remains determined to bring the Oilers to the promised land despite this season’s setback. However, he’ll expect management to deliver on specific roster adjustments this summer.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

Finding a suitable starting goaltender remains a prime issue for the Oilers. Tristan Jarry has two years remaining on his contract, and didn’t imbue any confidence that he can handle the starter’s job. Connor Ingram is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

The pickings are slim in this summer’s UFA market. Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues and Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights could be trade candidates, though it’s hard to imagine the latter helping out a division rival.

Forwards Adam Henrique, Jason Dickinson, Jack Roslovic, Kasperi Kapanen, Curtis Lazar, and defenseman Connor Murphy are also UFA-eligible.

The biggest decision could be what to do with Darnell Nurse. He has four years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $9.25 million and a full no-movement clause. If the Oilers can find a way to trade him, it would free up cap space to address other needs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman faces what could arguably be the biggest challenge of his management career this summer. This club is at a crossroads, and trying to rebuild around the core on the cheap likely won’t work any better than it did this season.

Puckpedia indicates the Oilers have over $16.4 million in projected cap space for 2026-27, with 15 active roster players under contract.

Finding a suitable goaltender will be difficult given the limited talent in the trade and free-agent markets. It’s easy to suggest trading for Binnington or Hill, but they both have 10-team no-trade lists, and there’s no certainty they’ll accept a trade to the Oilers.

Nurse’s contract makes moving him a daunting challenge. Even if he agreed to waive his clause, few teams will be willing to take on his full cap hit. The Oilers would have to retain some of it to facilitate a deal.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara believes the Oilers’ collapse raises questions about McDavid’s future and head coach Kris Knoblauch’s job.

If the trade whispers about McDavid were to become reality, O’Hara believes the Los Angeles Kings would make sense.

While the Kings also made an early postseason exit, O’Hara believes their defensive structure and reliable goaltending are things that McDavid hasn’t had in Edmonton, and could make them an enticing destination.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I put no stock into those “whispers” that McDavid wants out. Assuming he did, I don’t see the Kings as a destination.

Like the Oilers, the Kings are at a crossroads, with Anze Kopitar retiring and long-time defenseman Drew Doughty in the twilight of his career. Yes, they play better defense and have better goaltending, but that hasn’t been enough to get them past the first round over the past five years. They also lack the assets to meet what will be a significant asking price for McDavid.

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark believes the only concern for the Oilers is how to build up a better roster around superstar Connor McDavid. He acknowledged there are other needs to be addressed, but improving the supporting cast around McDavid is the main concern.

The Oilers will have to accomplish that by finding help at team-friendly prices. One way they could resolve that is move one of their higher-paid players not named McDavid or Leon Draisaitl.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If they can’t move Nurse (and I doubt that they can without adding a significant sweetener to the deal), trading away any of their other high-salaried guys (Evan Bouchard, Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins) would do more harm than good. They could attempt to trade defenseman Jake Walman ($7 million AAV starting next season), but he has a full NMC.

The easier player to move that would free up considerable cap space is Evan Bouchard. He earns an AAV of $10.5 million, lacks no-trade protection, and he would fetch a better return than the aforementioned players. However, moving him would take away their top puck-moving defenseman, leaving them scrambling to find a suitable replacement. Trading Bouchard could also send the wrong signal to McDavid, making the prospect of his early departure more likely.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE STARS?

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos reports that losing in the first round of the playoffs was never an acceptable outcome for a team with Stanley Cup aspirations like the Stars. They will start again and try to get back to the level they were a year ago.

The roster might have a slightly different look next season. They still have to re-sign winger Jason Robertson, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. They could also have a new team captain if Jamie Benn retires.

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark believes the cost of re-signing Robertson will be expensive, pointing to the expensive deals signed by wingers Kirill Kaprizov of the Minnesota Wild and Mitch Marner of the Vegas Golden Knights.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered if Robertson’s play could price him out of Dallas. The 26-year-old winger had 45 goals and a team-leading 96 points this season, and was second among his teammates in this postseason with eight points in six games.

The Stars have $11.1 million in projected cap space next season. Robertson is coming off a four-year contract with an AAV of $7.75 million, and his next deal will exceed $10 million annually. That could force general manager Jim Nill to make a cost-cutting move or two to free up space to re-sign him.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus wondered if Nill will re-sign Robertson or dangle him in the trade market for a return that replenishes their depleted prospect and draft-pick pools.

Like Proteau, Lazerus believes Nill would have to make a salary-dumping deal to re-sign Robertson. He wondered if veteran center Matt Duchene or the oft-injured (but still highly respected) Roope Hintz would become a trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner is earning an AAV of $12 million on an eight-year contract, while Kapizov will earn $17 million annually when his new contract kicks in next season. Robertson won’t get Kaprizov money, but he could end up in the same neighborhood as Marner.

Hintz would be more valuable than Duchene in the trade market, but both players have full no-movement clauses. Thomas Harley ($10.5 million starting next season) and Wyatt Johnston ($8.4 million) would each fetch significant returns and lack no-trade protection, but Nill isn’t going to move those core players.

THE LATEST ON THE RED WINGS

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman looked at some potential offseason free agents and trade targets for the Detroit Red Wings to boost their chances of ending their long playoff drought.

Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres, Mason Marchment of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Anders Lee of the New York Islanders top his list of potential free-agent candidates.

Trade targets could include Buffalo Sabres forwards Josh Norris and Jack Quinn, and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson.

Bultman also looked at which players on the current Red Wings roster are likely to stay and which ones are likely to move. Players with term remaining on their contracts (J.T. Compher, Michael Rasmussen, and Mason Appleton) are potential trade candidates. Pending UFAs James van Riemsdyk, David Perron, and Cam Talbot could move on.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 30, 2026

by | Apr 30, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 30, 2026

Senators captain Brady Tkachuk addresses the trade rumors swirling about him, the Penguins could face some tough choices about two of their top players, and the latest on the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRADY TKACHUK SHOOTS DOWN TRADE RUMORS AGAIN

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators captain Brady Tkachuk dismissed the trade rumors that have swirled around him in recent weeks.

“I’ve never said (that I want to be traded), teams never said it, I’ve always believed in this team, I’ve always believed in playing for this city, and the city’s always been good to me,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t know what else to say other than what I’ve said countless times, but I still have to answer to it. A lot of that stuff has never come from my mouth.”

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Tkachuk said he remains fully committed to the team and the city, adding that the rumors about his future in Ottawa have become a frustrating distraction.

The Senators captain has two years left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. He and the Senators can begin discussions on an extension next July.

Tkachuk said he hasn’t given any thought to an extension because it’s a year away, focusing instead on what improvements he and the team can make for next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All the conjecture about Tkachuk has been based on random media musings as some pundits attempt to glean his mood through his on-ice performance, body language, and interactions with his brother, Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk.

There’s no reason to doubt Tkachuk’s sincerity about his commitment to the Senators. Nevertheless, as Sportsnet’s Wayne Scanlan observed, the speculation about his future in Ottawa will likely persist until contract extension talks begin next year.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PENGUINS?

ESPN.COM: Kristen Shilton looked at what the offseason keys are for the Pittsburgh Penguins following their first-round elimination by the Philadelphia Flyers.

Shilton believes this could be the summer when the Penguins must decide whether they’re going all in on rebuilding their roster. They have four picks in the first three rounds of this year’s draft, and could get a lot more if they put Sidney Crosby on the trade block.

Crosby has a year left on his contract, and he probably isn’t keen to spend it fronting a retooling roster. They must also decide if they’ll re-sign Evgeni Malkin or let the long-time Penguins star depart as a free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be surprising if general manager Kyle Dubas tries to convince Crosby to accept a trade. If that deal goes through, it’ll likely be because Crosby asked to be traded.

The Penguins exceeded expectations this season as they continue to transition toward a younger roster. Dubas and Crosby could be fine with seeing how things go next season.

Whether Malkin returns could affect that plan, but Crosby could return even if his long-time teammate signs elsewhere.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Toronto Maple Leafs are working on installing former Leafs captain Mats Sundin as vice-president of hockey operations and former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka as their new GM.

“As it stands right now, I’m under the impression it’s gonna be Sundin and Chayka, and they just have to close the deal,” Friedman said. “Nothing is done until it’s done, but that’s what I believe is going on.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka being a candidate for the Leafs GM role isn’t sitting well with pundits and podcasters in Leafs Nation. He checks the ownership’s requirement for a “data-driven” general manager, but his checkered past as GM of the Coyotes raises questions about who is conducting this search and why they haven’t found better options.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 29, 2026

by | Apr 29, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 29, 2026

More conjecture about the future of Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and the latest on the Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Wayne Scanlan believes the trade rumors dogging power forward Brady Tkachuk will keep swirling until contract extension talks begin with the Ottawa Senators.

The Senators captain has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.205 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Tkachuk has been the subject of trade rumors since last year, which he dismissed as lies. The conjecture increased following the Olympic break.

Senators general manager Steve Staios called the rumors “nonsense.” Nevertheless, some observers believe Tkachuk could be traded during the offseason.

The earliest the Senators and Tkachuk can discuss a contract extension is next July. Until then, Scanlan expects the speculation will continue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t believe Tkachuk hates playing in Ottawa or doesn’t care about the Senators. If either case were true, he would’ve forced a trade a long time ago. Watching his postgame reaction to the Senators’ elimination from this postseason, it’s obvious that Tkachuk wants to lead this team on a Stanley Cup run.

With two years left on his contract, Tkachuk isn’t going anywhere this summer unless he tells Staios he wants out, which doesn’t seem likely. However, if the Senators fail to improve next season, he could decide that he has a better chance of winning the Cup elsewhere. If that’s the case, Staios will have to move him for the best return possible rather than lose him for nothing to free agency in 2028.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Staios intends to go shopping for a reliable backup goaltender this summer.

With the league eliminating the emergency backup rule, the Senators can carry three NHL goalies on their roster next season. Staios also didn’t rule out the possibility of bringing back James Reimer as a third goalie.

WHAT CHANGES COULD BE COMING FOR THE KINGS?

MAYOR’S MANOR: John Hoven examined what could be in store for the Los Angeles Kings during the offseason.

Hoven expects team president Luc Robitaille and general manager Ken Holland to return in their respective roles. A roster rebuild isn’t likely to occur, but tinkering around the edges isn’t good enough. They must also decide who their new head coach will be. Hoven indicated that it will not be former Vegas Golden Knights bench boss Bruce Cassidy or David Carle of the University of Denver.

If a contract extension with long-time defenseman Drew Doughty isn’t feasible, it may be time for the two sides to move on. Hoven also believes their defense corps cannot return in its current form. Mikey Anderson, Brandt Clarke, and Cody Ceci seem the least likely to be moved, leaving Doughty, Brian Dumoulin, and Joel Edmundson as the trio to talk about, with two of them having to go.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: At this stage of Doughty’s career, he must accept a short-term offer worth considerably less than the $11 million AAV he’s currently making. Trading him would mean retaining a healthy chunk of that cap hit, while his seven-team trade list is another obstacle.

Dumoulin and Edmundson are the more likely trade candidates. Dumoulin earns $4 million annually and Edmudson $3.85 million, but they’re under contract for two more years with 10-team no-trade lists. It won’t be easy to find teams willing to take those contracts off their hands.

Despite next season’s salary cap increasing to $104 million, Hoven doesn’t expect the Kings to spend up to that total, given they didn’t spend to this year’s $95 million cap. He also believes it’ll be difficult for the Kings to put together a suitable trade package to acquire a replacement for departing center and team captain Anze Kopitar.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have a projected $85.5 million invested in their roster for 2025-26. If they intend to remain under $95 million, they won’t have much to work with to bolster their roster unless they can shed some salary in the offseason. Their chances of landing a first or second-line center seem bleak.

Hoven believes trading Quinton Byfield creates another hole at center that would have to be filled. They could fill their third-line center role by re-signing Scott Laughton, as there is mutual interest in an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byfield has yet to prove that he’s a reliable first-line center, but the 23-year-old will get his chance next season. The Kings aren’t moving him unless they’re getting a player of equal or better value in return.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 28, 2026

by | Apr 28, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 28, 2026

Senators GM Steve Staios shoots down Brady Tkachuk trade speculation, and what’s next for the Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Senators general manager Steve Staios dismissed speculation suggesting team captain Brady Tkachuk should be traded.

Despite the Senators getting swept from the opening round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Staios has no intention of sitting down with Tkachuk to discuss his future.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

“This comes up very often. There’s nothing that we have talked about or thought about where that conversation should happen,” Staios said. He praised Tkachuk’s performance as he persevered through a thumb injury earlier this season and a compressed schedule because of the Winter Olympics. Staios believes the 27-year-old winger’s game continues to improve, on and off the ice.

Tkachuk has two more years left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. Garrioch believes there is no reason to trade him and expects the power forward to be back next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade speculation about Tkachuk began almost immediately after the Senators’ elimination. Daily Faceoff’s Matt Larkin was among the pundits suggesting Tkachuk’s relationship with Ottawa as a market was fraying, raising questions about whether he’ll commit to a contract extension next summer.

I’ve said before that I don’t believe Tkachuk will be going anywhere this summer, and I still believe that. However, Staios could be forced to consider moving his captain next summer if he’s reluctant to sign an extension. I think he knows that and will do what he can to improve the Senators, in hopes of convincing Tkachuk to stay beyond 2028.

Garrioch reports Staios and head coach Travis Green are already studying ways to improve the Senators’ roster for next season.

The Senators have been searching for a top-six scorer since last season. Getting a high-end free agent to sign with Ottawa is tough, and the asking prices are high in the trade market. Staios might have to move one of his core players or a top prospect to get a high-end player.

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie reports Staios will keep his options open for a backup goaltender to starter Linus Ullmark, including adding a goalie who can play in the NHL or AHL.

Staios could also add to his defense corps. Rookie Carter Yakemchuk was given opportunities to play regular-season and playoff minutes, but there’s no certainty he’ll get a roster spot next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a suitable backup goalie and adding to the defense could be easier for Staios than landing a top-six scorer. Addressing the latter will likely have to be done in the trade market, and it will likely mean parting with a core player other than Tkachuk, Ullmark, leading scorer Tim Stutzle, defenseman Jake Sanderson, or winger Drake Batherson. It could mean peddling Dylan Cozens or Shane Pinto.

What say you, Senators fans? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE KINGS?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes it’s time for the Los Angeles Kings to change what they’ve been doing after they were swept from the opening round of the playoffs for the fifth straight year, especially with long-time captain Anze Kopitar having played his final NHL game.

Stephens believes a new head coach is coming, despite interim coach D.J. Smith doing an admirable job to get them into the playoffs. They have only three forwards (Adrian Kempe, Artemi Panarin, and Kevin Fiala) capable of producing consistently.

The Kings could attempt to trade to make another big splash for a scorer, as they did with Panarin. They could kick tires on St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas, Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, or Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews if he is determined to move on after a disastrous season in Toronto.

However, Stephens believes the best course of action is to embrace a rebuild. He recommends they jettison expensive veterans and follow the model of the Anaheim Ducks and San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stephens isn’t wrong; the Kings should rebuild now that Kopitar is retired and long-time defenseman Drew Doughty will soon follow him. However, it’s unlikely that general manager Ken Holland will go that route.

Holland wasn’t brought in to rebuild the Kings; he was brought in to turn them into a Cup contender, and he’s going to hunt high and low for veteran players to get them over the hump, even if that goal seems less attainable than it was a year ago.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 27, 2026

by | Apr 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 27, 2026

With their postseason over, what’s next for the Senators? What’s in store for the Blackhawks during the offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE SENATORS?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators enter the offseason facing no shortage of questions about what the future holds after they were swept from the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs by the Carolina Hurricanes.

Topping the list is team captain Brady Tkachuk. The 27-year-old power forward has been the subject of speculation this season. He’s downplayed the conjecture, insisting that his focus is on helping the Senators win the Cup. Tkachuk was a physical presence against the Hurricanes but was held off the score sheet during that four-game series.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Garrioch cited New York Rangers fans pining for their club to acquire Tkachuk, who lives in New Jersey during the offseason. He’s often been linked to New York-area teams in the rumor mill.

Tkachuk has two more years left on his contract with a full no-movement clause. The earliest the Senators can re-sign him is next July. However, Garrioch thinks a discussion must occur between Tkachuk and general manager Steve Staios to determine the winger’s future in Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL insider Frank Seravalli wondered about Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa. He felt that the Senators captain seemed “a little bit off” over the past several weeks, as evidenced by his body language and frustration. He cited Tkachuk’s post-series interview, which was tinged with a bit of emotion, and mused about whether that was recognition on the winger’s part that this could be the beginning of the end of his tenure in Ottawa.

I don’t believe that the Senators intend to trade Tkachuk this summer unless he asks for it. Both sides will likely take a wait-and-see approach throughout the offseason and into 2026-27. If the Senators improve significantly next season, it could convince Tkachuk to sign an extension. If they don’t, he could be reluctant to stay, which could force Staios to peddle him for the best possible return.

The Senators’ lack of offense among their scoring forwards against the Hurricanes was troubling. Garrioch believes it’ll be up to Staios to determine if he should move out a core player or enhance the roster by acquiring a player.

Staios must also determine what’s next for Linus Ullmark. The 35-year-old goaltender took a leave of absence at midseason for mental health reasons, and his performance improved significantly following his return.

Ullmark has three seasons remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Garrioch wondered if Staios might explore the trade market to see if Ullmark’s value has improved. If they retain him, they must find a reliable backup who can play more than 30 games.

WHAT’S IN STORE FOR THE BLACKHAWKS?

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers looked at what the offseason could hold for the rebuilding Chicago Blackhawks.

If the Blackhawks don’t win the draft lottery or if prospect Roman Kantserov doesn’t work out, they might have to add a top-six forward through a trade or free agency. General manager Kyle Davidson has the draft capital (including three first-round picks in the 2027 NHL Draft) to use for trade bait. I Davidson pursues a legitimate top-six forward such as Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars, or Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Powers believes it’ll take more than draft picks to land one of them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks were rumored to be among the clubs that were interested in Knies before the March trade deadline. He lacks no-trade protection and would be the easiest to acquire.

Robertson also lacks a no-trade clause, but he’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer who’s also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. If the Blackhawks were to acquire him, they would risk losing him for nothing to next summer’s UFA market.

Thomas has a full no-trade clause. He was the frequent subject of trade speculation before the deadline, but his post-deadline comments suggest he’s not interested in leaving St. Louis. If so, he could be unwilling to join a rebuilding club. 

Powers believes the Blackhawks must also add an experienced top-four defenseman. He suggested the possibility of bringing back Connor Murphy, who was traded to the Edmonton Oilers at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Other possibilities could include Darren Raddysh of the Tampa Bay Lightning or Mario Ferraro of the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy might be open to returning to Chicago, but at this stage of his career, he might prefer joining a Stanley Cup contender. Raddysh had a career-best performance this season with 22 goals and 78 points, but there’s a risk that he might not repeat those numbers, especially if he were to change teams. Ferraro could be a more reliable addition given his all-around play.

Powers also looked at which players will return with the Blackhawks next season and which ones could be moving on.

It’s 50-50 that winger Andre Burakovsky, Andrew Mangiapane, and Ilya Mikheyev return. Burakovsky and Mangiapane struggled this season, and could be bought out of their contracts depending on how the offseason goes for the Blackhawks. They want to re-sign Mikheyev, who turned down a contract offer at the trade deadline.