NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

by | Jul 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

The latest on Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and an update on Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON, BRYAN RUST AND RICKARD RAKELL

THE SPORTING NEWS: Sam Bernardi cited Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli claimed recently that the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams that spent some time investigating Erik Karlsson.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

The 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.5 million, of which the Penguins carry $10 million. However, in actual salary, he’ll be paid $11.5 million over the remainder of his deal.

Seravalli also suggested the Penguins might have to retain salary to entice clubs to pursue Karlsson. Bernardi believes the Hurricanes would have to move Sean Walker or Jalen Chatfield to make room for Karlsson on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson could be moved this summer if he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause, and if the Penguins agree to eat a chunk of his AAV in the deal.

Karlsson is more likely to be moved near the March trade deadline, depending on his performance this season and how much salary the Penguins are willing to retain.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski calculated the trade values of Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. He indicated that the Penguins have set a “sky-high” asking price for both forwards.

Kingerski doesn’t expect Rust or Rakell would fetch anything comparable to what the Buffalo Sabres received for JJ Peterka or what the New York Islanders got for Brock Nelson.

Rakell might be worth a good B+ level prospect or player, a draft pick in the range 25th to 48th overall, and a depth NHL player. The “sky-high” asking price for Rust might be a guaranteed first-rounder and a promising young player who might become a first-line forward within a couple of seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with all speculation over the trade value of a player, Rust and Rakell could bring in returns that are better or worse than predicted. Much depends on their performances this season and the level of desperation of the clubs interested in acquiring them.

AN UPDATE ON THE DOUGIE HAMILTON TRADE SPECULATION.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: If the Devils intend to trade Dougie Hamilton this summer, James Nichols believes it could hinge on what happens with several other defensemen in the rumor mill.

Hamilton, 32, has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million and a 10-team trade list. He could become a salary-dump trade candidate if the cost of re-signing restricted free agent (RFA) blueliner Luke Hughes exceeds $7 million annually. The Devils currently have around $6.9 million in cap space for 2025-26.

One is Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old blueliner is eligible for unrestricted free agent (UFA) status next July. It’s believed he’d like a change of scenery and he carries an affordable $4.5 million cap hit this season.

The other, of course, is Erik Karlsson of the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson would be the more desirable of the two in the trade market given his age, all-around skill and cap hit. The Flames are believed to be willing to entertain offers but they aren’t shopping him. General manager Craig Conroy said he’s fine with Andersson being in the lineup this season.

If Andersson and Karlsson are holding up the trade market for defensemen, and if Hughes’ next contract exceeds their current cap space, the Devils might have to consider moving someone other than Hamilton to become cap-compliant.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2025

by | Jul 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2025

What’s the latest on the Oilers and Devils goaltending? What kind of return could the Blue Jackets get for Yegor Chinakhov? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins believes Oilers starting goaltender Stuart Skinner could be in line for a lucrative new deal when his contract expires at the end of this season.

The 26-year-old netminder is in the final year of a three-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $2.6 million. Leavins points to the five-year deal ($6.25 million AAV) that Lukas Dostal recently signed with the Anaheim Ducks as a blueprint for Skinner’s next contract.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I can hear the eyerolls of Skinner’s critics, but backstopping the Oilers to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals matters. If he has a solid performance this season, he won’t have any problem landing a deal comparable to Dostal’s, either with the Oilers or another team via free agency.

Leavins also examined the Oilers’ current goaltending conundrum, particularly Skinner’s inconsistency. If he’s a “1B” goalie, they must find someone to be their “1A”.

The Oilers had “active interest” in Arturs Silovs. However, the Vancouver Canucks refused to trade him to Edmonton, shipping him instead to the Pittsburgh Penguins. They’re also rumored to have an interest in Boston Bruins third-stringer Michael DiPietro.

Landing one of those goalies might’ve been an upgrade over current Oilers backup Calvin Pickard, but their limited NHL experience doesn’t address the need of bringing in a “1A” goalie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The goalie market is thin right now. If the Oilers seek an upgrade, they’ll have to wait for the coming season to unfold and hope that better options become available.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols wonders what the Devils will do with goaltender Nico Daws after they brought back Jake Allen as Jacob Markstrom’s backup.

Daws, 24, is in the final season of a two-year contract with a cap hit of $812,500. He’s eligible for restricted free-agent status next summer with arbitration rights and is no longer exempt from waivers.

It’s unlikely Daws would pass unclaimed through waivers. Nichols suggested the Edmonton Oilers, Columbus Blue Jackets or Chicago Blackhawks might pluck him off the wire. He proposed trying to trade Daws, either on his own or packaged with defenseman Dougie Hamilton or center Dawson Mercer in a larger deal.

Nichols included the Oilers among his list of potential trade partners for Daws. He also mentioned the Calgary Flames and Vegas Golden Knights as possible landing spots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like Silovs and DiPietro, Daws has potential but also a limited NHL resume, so it’s debatable if he can be considered an upgrade over Pickard for the Oilers.

The Flames could use a replacement for Dan Vladar after he signed with the Philadelphia Flyers earlier this month. Vegas Hockey Now’s Hannah Kirkell indicates the Golden Knights need a clear-cut backup for starter Adin Hill.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger examines what type of return Yegor Chinkhov might fetch in the trade market. The 24-year-old forward recently requested a trade from the Blue Jackets, citing misunderstandings with head coach Dean Evason.

Hedger considers Chinakhov “largely undefined as a player.” A first-round pick in 2020, he’s been hampered by injuries, limiting him to 175 NHL games.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell could seek an established NHL player in return. However, trading him creates an additional hole in their forward lines, having let James van Riemsdyk, Sean Kuraly and Justin Danforth depart via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hedger noted that Chinakhov has one more year remaining on his contract. Staying in Columbus could help him improve his trade value. It could also give the forward and the Jackets time to sort out their differences.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

by | Jul 20, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

Recent updates on Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Erik Karlsson and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently released his updated offseason trade board.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of this is a rehash of previously reported rumors by Kypreos. However, it’s been a slow weekend for rumors, so I’m including them as a recap.

The big question regarding Jason Robertson is whether the Dallas Stars are willing to sign him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old left winger is among the Stars’ top scorers and is a restricted free agent next summer.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley as RFA-eligible with arbitration rights next summer. However, they have over $27 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to re-sign both to expensive new contracts if they choose.

Robertson was mentioned in trade rumors after the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. However, it doesn’t appear as though there was any serious effort on their part to move him. That could change if they fail to stage a Cup run next spring.

Three members of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson) are on the list. It doesn’t include Sidney Crosby but Kypreos suggests keeping a close eye on the Penguins captain.

Kypreos claimed there’s “a ton of interest” in Rust. The 33-year-old wing has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Rakell also has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million, but carries an eight-team no-trade list. He could interest teams that are still seeking top-six scoring depth.

Karlsson is now owed a total of $11.5 million in actual salary over the final two years of his contract. If the Penguins retained part of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million cap hit, the 34-year-old defenseman could become an appealing trade target.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Pittsburgh claim Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t shopping Rust and Rakell but is willing to listen to offers. There has been little indication that he’s willing to retain any part of Karlsson’s salary; he’ll have to if he intends to move the aging blueliner at some point.

As for Crosby, he’s in the first season of the two-year extension he signed last fall. All the speculation about him leaving the Penguins isn’t originating from Pittsburgh. Indeed, the local media is constantly reminding everyone that Crosby wants to stay put.

That could change, of course, but until it does, there’s nothing to see here.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri was added to the list. Given how thin the depth is for centers and his performance last season, the 34-year-old’s stock has never been higher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos claimed that Kadri was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Toronto and Montreal. Previous reports indicate Kadri hasn’t requested a trade and the Flames aren’t willing to move their top center and leading scorer. If they were, the Maple Leafs lack the trade assets to acquire him, and the Canadiens aren’t giving up assets for a center who turns 35 in October with an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29.

Speaking of the Flames, Kypreos believes Rasmus Andersson will most likely be playing on a new team by the March trade deadline. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and there’s no indication he’ll sign an extension before then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’ll definitely be moved if the Flames are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline.

Kypreos wondered if Morgan Rielly might waive his no-movement clause for a fresh start elsewhere. The 31-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m guessing Rielly has no intention of waiving his NMC.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, Kypreos adding Brandon Carlo to the list. While it’s hard to believe the Leafs could trade the recently acquired defenseman, a lack of sufficient trade assets to acquire a scoring forward could make Carlo expendable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos published this list before the Leafs acquired checking-line forward Dakota Joshua. He won’t address that need for a scoring winger, which suggests they’re shoring up depth elsewhere in the lineup instead. That would mean the current makeup of their top-six forwards is what we’ll likely see to start the season in October.

According to Kypreos, the Jordan Kyrou trade rumors won’t go away. St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong would like to make more changes to his roster, and he could move the 27-year-old winger for a big return. Kyrou is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.l25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kyrou rumors died away on July 1, when his full no-trade clause kicked in.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 32-year-old carries a $9 million AAV for the next three seasons with a 10-team no-trade list. Kypreos wondered if they might move Hamilton for a return that brings back a solid contributor. He thinks we could get a clearer picture once the Devils re-sign blueliner Luke Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out, especially with a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space this summer. That doesn’t mean Hamilton is certain to be traded, but it could make it easier if one of the teams not on his no-trade list is interested in him.

The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the latter the subject of trade conjecture. Wild GM Bill Guerin said he’ll match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center. Kypreos believes there could be clarity on this once the Wild sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos suggests Guerin could be unwilling to part with Rossi until he knows for certain how much it’ll cost to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wild GM recently insisted that his club wants to retain Rossi.

The Colorado Avalanche must sort out Martin Necas’ future. The 26-year-old forward is a year away from UFA status and could seek around $10 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $26 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. There’s plenty of room to re-sign Necas, but they must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Cale Makar to the hefty raise that he’ll seek when his contract expires in 2027.

Jonathan Marchessault could become a trade candidate if the Nashville Predators decide to shed one of their expensive long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz shot down speculation that Marchessault was unhappy in Nashville and would welcome a trade. He’s got a full no-movement clause. Trotz said he wanted to allow his veteran core to rebound from last season’s poor performance.

The Florida Panthers must shed salary to become cap-compliant if Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t start the season on long-term injury reserve. Winger Evan Rodrigues could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to create some salary cap space by peddling defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Kypreos wonders if the Seattle Kraken’s addition of left-side defenseman Ryan Lindgren could make blueliner Jamie Oleksiak available.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 19, 2025

by | Jul 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 19, 2025

Updates on Bowen Byram and Yegor Chinakhov plus the latest on the Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Following the Sabres’ signing Bowen Byram to a two-year bridge contract earlier this week, Mike Harrington looked at whether the 24-year-old defenseman remains a trade candidate.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Byram will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status when the deal expires in 2027.

Harrington suggested Byram could still have plenty of value at the March 2026 trade deadline because he’ll have another year remaining on his contract. That would provide the Sabres with the opportunity to move him in a “hockey trade” for another player, rather than for draft picks and prospects.

However, Harrington cited three NHL sources who confirmed that Byram never requested a trade before signing his contract and the Sabres aren’t shopping him. General manager Kevyn Adams could listen to calls about the defenseman now that he’s signed through 2027, but he’s not initiating those discussions.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram’s new contract immediately ended all the trade speculation that swirled around him for months. Nevertheless, his name will likely resurface in the rumor mill if the Sabres get off to a poor start this season, or if they’re out of playoff contention as the trade deadline approaches.

THE PROVINCE: Steve Ewen wondered if the Vancouver Canucks will use the salary-cap space created by trading Dakota Joshua to Toronto to pursue UFA forward Jack Roslovic.

The Canucks now have $3.27 million in cap room and must boost their depth among their top-six forwards. They’ve been linked to the 28-year-old Roslovic in the rumor mill.

Roslovic earned $2.8 million on a one-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes last season. The Washington Capitals, Buffalo Sabres, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs are also rumored to have an interest in him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canucks can’t land Roslovic, they could turn to the trade market. They were recently suggested as a potential suitor for Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann if he becomes available.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Yegor Chinakhov’s agent, Shumi Babaev, doubts there’s any way his client can stay with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Earlier this week, Chinakhov requested a trade. Babaev said the 24-year-old winger is comfortable with the team and the city but not with head coach Dean Evason. Babaev isn’t confident that the relationship between the two can be repaired.

Portzline indicated that Evason had conversations last season with Chinakhov, and there were conversations between the player and the assistant coaches. Through a spokesman, Evanson stated that the lines of communication were open and would remain so.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell is open to trading Chinakhov, but only if he gets the right offer. The expectation is that the winger will report to training camp in September, which Babaev confirmed his client will do.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if Chinakhov gets traded before training camp. Several teams still have forward depth issues to address.

NESN’s Jay Pritchard believes Chinakhov could be a “smart gamble” for the Boston Bruins. Pittsburgh Hockey Now’s Dan Kingerski suggested the winger’s youth and potential could be a good fit with the rebuilding Penguins.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2025

by | Jul 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2025

Check out the latest on Quinn Hughes, Mason McTavish and Jack Roslovic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently cited Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers shot down speculation linking his teammate, Quinn Hughes, to the Devils.

Myers made the remarks during a recent appearance on the Cam and Strick Podcast. He was referring to rumors that arose after Jim Rutherford, the Canucks president of hockey operations, said that Hughes would one day like to play with his brothers Jack and Luke, both of whom play for the Devils. Rutherford quickly said that the Canucks would do all they could to keep Hughes in Vancouver.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

“He (Hughes) doesn’t like all that speculation and stuff,” Myers said. “He loves his brothers, loves his family, like everybody else, but he’s not going around the room saying he wants to play with his brothers. I know it’s a big, big story around the hockey world, but everyone makes it a lot more than it is.”

Nevertheless, Nichols wonders if Rutherford was trying to brace Canucks fans for an eventual trade of Hughes, perhaps already gauging the defenseman’s value in the trade market to reel in the best possible return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rutherford hasn’t said anything more about this. Whatever his intention, his comments generated turmoil for a team that had its fair share last season.

Hughes hasn’t spoken about it, but he will face questions from the Vancouver media when he reports to training camp in September.

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal took note of the Vancouver Canucks trading forward Dakota Joshua to the Toronto Maple Leafs on Thursday. He noted that the Canucks are interested in unrestricted free agent forward Jack Roslovic and have had discussions with his representatives.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs were also linked to Roslovic, but there’s no indication that their addition of Joshua means they’re no longer pursuing the UFA forward.

By shedding Joshua’s $3.25 million cap hit, the Canucks have $3.72 million in cap space to add to their roster. Dhaliwal speculates they could go the trade route if they fail to land what they want in the UFA market.

COULD MASON MCTAVISH RECEIVE AN OFFER SHEET?

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman believes there are still some suitable offer-sheet targets available this summer, starting with center Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

Goldman acknowledged the Ducks have the salary-cap space to match any offer for McTavish. However, she suggested an expensive offer (“at least to the tune of $7.02 million”) might stump the Ducks.

The rebuilding Ducks don’t need the compensatory draft picks; they have a well-stocked prospect pipeline, and keeping McTavish makes the most sense after trading away Trevor Zegras to Philadelphia.

However, they might be unwilling to make an expensive commitment to McTavish. She suggested it might be worthwhile for a club like the Montreal Canadiens, Boston Bruins, Calgary Flames or Detroit Red Wings to take a chance.

SEKERES & PRICE: Daily Faceoff’s Jeff Marek wonders if McTavish might be available. If he is, teams in the market for a second-line center (like the Minnesota Wild, Montreal Canadiens or Vancouver Canucks) will line up for his services.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks GM Pat Verbeek reportedly told rival teams not to waste their time with an offer sheet because of his club’s plentiful cap space. He also indicated in June that his focus this summer was on re-signing McTavish and goalie Lukas Dostal.

Dostal was re-signed on Thursday, which should encourage Ducks fans about the state of McTavish’s negotiations. However, Dostal filed for arbitration, which set a deadline for the Ducks to sign him. McTavish lacked arbitration rights, meaning an offer sheet would be his only leverage if negotiations stall with the Ducks.

It’s rumored that McTavish isn’t happy with his role or is growing weary of the constant losing since joining the Ducks. However, there has been nothing to confirm the speculation, which originated from hockey markets far from Anaheim.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2025

by | Jul 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2025

Some recent speculation about Connor McDavid, Sidney Crosby and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SDPN: On Monday, TSN insider Chris Johnston was a guest on the Steve Dangle Podcast Network. Among the topics discussed was possible landing spots for Connor McDavid if he tests the open market next summer.

Johnston believes Connor McDavid will most likely re-sign with the Edmonton Oilers. Nevertheless, he thinks that there could be 10 teams in the running to sign the 28-year-old superstar if he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA).

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

“I’m sure it has occurred to the Kings, I’m sure it has occurred to the Rangers, you don’t think Julien BriseBois down in Tampa Bay is looking at his long-term roster?” said Johnston.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If McDavid goes to market next July, he will likely want to become the highest-paid player in the league.

The salary cap for 2026-27 will be $104 million. A team can invest no more than 20 percent of its salary-cap payroll on one player. McDavid could seek between $18 million and $20 million per season on his next contract.

PuckPedia indicates that the Rangers have a projected $29.6 million in cap space for 2026-27. The Kings have $37.8 million, and the Lightning $27.7 million. All have the cap space to sign McDavid.

However, the Rangers would be bidding farewell to Artemi Panarin as they can’t afford to retain him and still sign McDavid. The Kings could afford to retain aging captain Anze Kopitar on a cheaper contract, but could have a difficult time keeping a UFA-eligible Adrian Kempe and defenseman Brandt Clarke, who will be a restricted free agent (RFA).

The Lightning could be the most enticing. All their core players are under contract for 2026-27, with defenseman JJ Moser an RFA with arbitration rights and winger Oliver Bjorkstrand and defenseman Ryan McDonagh as their notable UFAs. However, signing McDavid to even a reduced rate of, say, $17 million (because the Lightning are in a no-tax state), could make it difficult to re-sign Moser and re-sign or replace Bjorkstrand and McDonagh.

McDavid also stressed that winning the Stanley Cup means the most to him. Given their recent records, those three clubs might not be the best options to answer that need.

Johnston also joined the pundits who believe Sidney Crosby probably won’t finish his playing career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. He acknowledged that no one knows Crosby’s intentions, but claimed that the possibility of his availability is a topic of discussion around the league.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: NHL analyst Pierre McGuire recently talked about the speculation linking Crosby to the Montreal Canadiens. He believes it would take a first-round pick, a top prospect, and an NHL player (“and a great one at that”) to land him. So, Habs fans, Suzuki for Crosby? Maybe Demidov? Lane Hutson? How bad do you want to see Sid in a Canadiens jersey?

A Crosby trade is possible. As the old saying goes, if Wayne Gretzky could be traded, anyone could be traded. Whenever I mention his two-year extension, some believe that it enhances his trade value because any playoff club acquiring him before the March 2026 trade deadline would have him for two postseason runs.

Nevertheless, I remain skeptical. There’s nothing to suggest Crosby wants out, and most of the trade talk thus far sounds like wishful thinking. Unless something changes, he seems intent on finishing his playing career with the Penguins.

Turning to the Minnesota Wild, Johnston wouldn’t be surprised if they re-sign Kirill Kaprizov this summer. He thinks the winger’s new AAV could be higher than that of Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl. “It wouldn’t surprise me if he gets something like $15 million”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild owner Craig Leipold last year indicated that his club intends to open the vault for Kaprizov. Draisaitl currently has the NHL’s highest annual average value at $14 million.

Johnston noted that Carey Price will receive $5.5 million of the $7.5 million in actual salary that he’s owed for this season as a signing bonus on September 1. Once that’s paid out, Johnston thinks there’s a high probability that the Canadiens will trade Price’s contract.

TVA SPORTS: explained why the Canadiens would do that. With Price permanently sidelined, the Canadiens could put him on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to become cap-compliant when the season begins. However, they won’t be able to accrue cap space throughout the season.

Trading Price’s contract ($10.5 million AAV) before the season begins makes them cap-compliant and allows them to accrue cap space. It would also allow a rebuilding team to remain above the salary-cap minimum if they shed salary leading up to the March trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TVA Sports listed clubs like the San Jose Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins as possible trade partners. Hey, maybe Price’s contract can be part of the return when the Canadiens acquire Sidney Crosby (insert wink here).