NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2026

by | Aug 19, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2026

Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports Sidney Crosby is entering the final season of his two-year contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 39-year-old center will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Yohe acknowledged that the longer Crosby goes unsigned, the more speculation will grow about his future in Pittsburgh, just like what happened before he signed his current deal.

However, Yohe believes Crosby will sign another extension with the Penguins. He indicated that Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, said there is an understanding that his camp will discuss a new contract before the summer is over.

Yohe speculated that Crosby’s next contract will likely be a one- or two-year deal. He’s never been one to push for as much money as he could get. Whatever the term and price, the Penguins will likely accept it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby has long maintained that he doesn’t want to play anywhere else. Nevertheless, some pundits seemed to delight in musing over potential trade destinations for the future Hall of Famer, even insisting that the Penguins owed it to Crosby and the rest of the league to trade him to a playoff contender.

Crosby isn’t going anywhere. He’ll finish his career with the Penguins. Hopefully, the two sides will get a deal done quickly and spare us another season of silly Crosby trade speculation.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert cited a recent report by NHL Network Radio contributor Paul Shaheen, who recently claimed that Cutter Gauthier rejected a four-year contract proposal from the Anaheim Ducks that would’ve paid him an average annual value of $13 million.

Lambert noted that the validity of Shaheen’s reporting remains unclear, but noted that the longer Gauthier remains unsigned, the more questions will be raised. He noted how Leo Carlsson’s new contract left the Ducks with just over $9 million in cap space, meaning they’ll likely have to shed salary to re-sign the talented young winger.

According to Lambert, general manager Pat Verbeek is to blame for creating this situation. His reputation for playing hardball with young players coming off entry-level contracts left the club vulnerable to Carlsson becoming an offer-sheet candidate, resulting in them matching an offer from the Philadelphia Flyers despite it being worth far more than they had originally anticipated signing him for going into this offseason.

Lambert noted that the only leverage Gauthier has is to withhold his services. However, the Ducks have to realize they cannot continue playing hardball like this, especially if doing so costs Gauthier some games or adversely affects his performance this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There hasn’t been much real news about Gauthier’s negotiations with the Ducks. That’s generated plenty of rumors, including one claiming he wouldn’t accept a penny less than the $18 million AAV that Carlsson got on his new contract.

It remains to be seen how much Gauthier gets on his next contract, but it certainly won’t be less than $9 million. If Shaheen’s report is correct, my guess is he won’t accept anything less than $14 million annually.

As with Crosby, the longer Gauthier remains unsigned, the more conjecture will arise about what his new deal could look like, and which players will be trade candidates to ensure the Ducks become cap-compliant for the coming season.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2026

by | Aug 18, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we take a look at the salary cap decisions facing the Ducks, Canadiens, Stars, Avalanche, and Sharks.

SPORTSNET: Emily Sadler recently looked at five teams that face intriguing salary-cap decisions.

The Anaheim Ducks have $9 million in cap space after matching the Philadelphia Flyers’ five-year offer sheet ($18 million average annual value) to Leo Carlsson last month. However, they must also re-sign restricted free agent winger Cutter Gauthier, who led the Ducks last season with 41 goals and 69 points.

Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Sadler noted that the Ducks will get cap relief next summer when Chris Kreider and Alex Killorn become unrestricted free agents. However, she wonders what they’ll do in the meantime. Sadler also noted that Gauthier’s new contract could affect winger Beckett Sennecke’s contract extension talks next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely the Ducks will get Gauthier signed to anything under $9 million. That means they’ll have to shed some salary to become cap-compliant when the regular season opens next month.

The Ducks can get some short-term cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve to start the season. However, a cost-cutting trade or two will be necessary once Terry is ready to return to action, possibly involving Kreider or Killorn.

The Montreal Canadiens have young core players Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, Juraj Slafkovsky, and Lane Hutson signed to affordable long-term contracts under $9 million AAV, and recently signed Ivan Demidov to an eight-year extension worth $9.15 million annually.

Sadler pointed out that the Canadiens will have considerable salary-cap flexibility for the next several years. She wonders if general manager Kent Hughes has a big swing in store after a quiet offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wasn’t for lack of trying on Hughes’ part. The Canadiens were linked to Toronto Maple Leafs power forward Matthew Knies at the March trade deadline and to Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko during this summer.

The Canadiens are pursuing a top-six forward, preferably a second-line center to skate alongside Demidov. Hughes is being patient in his quest for the right return, but at some point this season, he’ll likely pull the trigger on a major trade.

The Dallas Stars re-signed Jason Robertson to a one-year, $12 million contract, but it did little to quiet the trade rumors swirling around the 26-year-old winger, who is UFA-eligible next summer.

Sadler noted that the Stars remain above the $104 million salary cap. She also thinks how this season plays out will have “massive implications” for the Stars and Robertson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson reportedly wants to stay in Dallas, and the Stars want to keep him. His one-year contract buys management time to re-sign him next summer when they’ll have more cap space, while giving him another season to prove his worth as a first-line winger.

PuckPedia indicates the Stars are above the cap by $1.36 million. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News suggested trading or demoting defenseman Kyle Capobianco and winger Colin Blackwell to free up the necessary space.

Colorado Avalanche superstar Cale Makar is slated to become a UFA next summer. Sadler wondered what moves they could make to ensure the 27-year-old defenseman remains in Colorado.

The Avalanche have four other contracts set to come off their books next summer, with Brent Burns, Nicolas Roy, Artturi Lehkonen, and Scott Wedgewood also UFA-eligible. While that frees up around $10 million, it creates other roster gaps to be addressed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $32 million in projected salary-cap space for 2027-28, with 17 active roster players under contract. However, $20 million of it could go toward re-signing Makar. With salaries on the rise, the remaining $12 million might not be enough to replace their other UFAs adequately.

Sadler noted the expensive extension that Macklin Celebrini recently signed with the San Jose Sharks. His league-leading $18.8 million AAV has set the market for the next wave of young talent. She wondered how much Sharks teammates Will Smith and Michael Misa could command on their next contracts?

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Smith had 45 points in 74 games as a rookie and 59 points in 69 games as a sophomore. He’ll be in line for a substantial raise if he continues to improve, likely over $12 million annually. A strong sophomore campaign for Misa could also put him within that range.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2026

by | Aug 17, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2026

What’s the latest on the Bruins and Panthers? Would Vladimir Tarasenko be a good fit with the Flyers? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BOSTON HERALD: Steve Conroy recently mused over when and how the Bruins will deal with center Pavel Zacha’s contract status.

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (NHL Images).

Zacha, 29, is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His durability and reliability make him worthwhile to retain, but he could also fetch valuable pieces in a trade.

The Bruins have promising centers on the team (Fraser Minten) or in their system (James Hagens, Dean Letourneau) who could be blocked if Zacha is re-signed.

If the Bruins are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, moving him could be easy if he remains unsigned by then. However, it’s unlikely he’ll be traded if they’re in the thick of the postseason race.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Bruins want to re-sign Zacha, but they’ve also been open to trade inquiries. Much will depend on what he’s seeking on his next contract, and where the Bruins are in the standings as the March 1 trade deadline approaches. For now, expect Zacha to be in the Bruins’ lineup when they open their season next month.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards believes the Panthers could give Patrik Laine a look if winger Brad Marchand is sidelined long term.

Laine, 28, is among the notable players still available in this summer’s UFA market. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Marchand recently underwent surgery and is expected to miss training camp and the start of the regular season.

Richards noted that Laine has some links to the Panthers. He played under head coach Paul Maurice during their tenures with the Winnipeg Jets, and played with Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during their youth hockey days.

Laine could be an affordable option on a one-year, “prove-it” contract. Richards suggested signing him to a professional tryout offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We don’t know what the Panthers’ plans are to replace Marchand, let alone if Laine would be part of them. He certainly wouldn’t replace Marchand’s energetic, gritty style of play. Still, as Richards pointed out, there is little downside with giving Laine a shot.

NHL NETWORK: Mike Rupp recently suggested that Vladimir Tarasenko could be a good fit with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 34-year-old winger is coming off a bounce-back performance with the Minnesota Wild last season, scoring 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games.

Rupp believes Tarasenko could help the Flyers improve their power play, which hasn’t been good for some time. He felt they need more finishers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rupp makes a good point about the Flyers needing help with the man advantage. Their power-play percentage last season (15.7) was dead last in the league.

Like Patrik Laine, Tarasenko is among the few notable players still available in this summer’s UFA market. Whether the Flyers share Rupp’s view that the veteran winger could help them remains to be seen. Rookie winger Porter Martone and a better performance from third-year winger Matvei Michkov could boost those stats significantly.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 16, 2026

by | Aug 16, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 16, 2026

Check out the latest on Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes and Red Wings center Dylan Larkin in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith polled Minnesota Wild fans on a variety of topics. They included whether the fans were confident the Wild can get Quinn Hughes signed to an extension.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Most still believe Wild general manager Bill Guerin can get the 26-year-old superstar defenseman under contract. However, they’re also underwhelmed by the Wild’s offseason moves thus far.

Russo indicated that multiple league sources believe Hughes still intends to re-sign with the Wild, but the market has turned upside-down this summer, making it more difficult than the club expected.

It’s believed that Hughes’ next contract will “almost certainly” be five years or less with an average annual value in the $19 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talks have been ongoing this summer between Guerin and the Hughes camp. The Wild GM has preached patience, reminding fans that they didn’t get superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov under contract until late September of last year. It wouldn’t be surprising if they announce Hughes’ next contract at some point next month.

Meanwhile, most Wild fans don’t believe the club will be able to land Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings.

It’s believed the Wild top Larkin’s four-team list of preferred trade destinations. However, things are at a standstill as the Red Wings search for a new general manager after relieving Steve Yzerman of that role last month. Once that’s settled, however, the Wings are expected to maintain a high price for Larkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild reportedly offered up a package of draft picks and prospects for Larkin, but the Wings want a return that will provide immediate help to their roster, including a top-six-forward, preferably a center.

Some observers believe the Red Wings will bend and accept a lesser deal from the Wild because things have reached the point of no return with Larkin. However, the next Wings GM will likely try to mend fences with Larkin. If that fails, he could retain Larkin until a better offer is made, which could prompt the 30-year-old center to expand his trade list.

And speaking of Larkin…

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff dismissed the possibility of Dylan Larkin holding out and not reporting to training camp to put pressure on Wings management to trade him.

Duff pointed out that Larkin has 8.7 million reasons not to stage a holdout. That’s how much his average annual value is, and Duff doesn’t believe Larkin will give the Red Wings a reason not to pay him.

Staging a holdout won’t improve Larkin’s value in the trade market. Duff pointed out that the Red Wings could suspend him without pay if he withholds his services because he’d be breaching his contract. They would then toll the contract forward so that the term doesn’t run out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staging a holdout to force a trade stands as much of a chance of happening as threatening to retire unless he gets traded. Larkin isn’t going to sacrifice part (or all) of a season and damage his reputation.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2026

by | Aug 15, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2026

The latest on the Red Wings and an update on Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MLIVE.COM: Whether the Detroit Red Wings retain or trade Dylan Larkin, Ansar Khan believes they still must improve their offense.

Larkin requested a trade following the end of last season. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars are his preferred destinations, with the Wild as the prime landing spot.

However, the Wild lack the necessary assets (“minimum, a top-six forward, preferably a center”) to deal for Larkin, and the Red Wings aren’t interested in draft picks and prospects in return. Meanwhile, the other three clubs on his list either have little interest, insufficient salary-cap space, or no desire to meet the Wings’ high price.

Even if Larkin returns, the Red Wings must bolster their scoring depth. They lost Patrick Kane (16 goals last season) and James van Riemsdyk (15 goals) to free agency, although signing Viktor Arvidsson (25 goals with Boston last season) will offset part of it.

The Wings also need more production from younger players like Marco Kasper and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Still, they have to add another experienced scoring forward.

Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).

Few options remain in the unrestricted free-agent market. Former Wing Vladimir Tarasenko is available, but he wasn’t a good fit in Detroit. Eeli Tolvanen, Michael Bunting, and Patrik Laine are the other notables still on the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring a top-six forward in a trade could require parting with a promising young player or two, something former general manager Steve Yzerman seemed reluctant to do. The Red Wings’ woes could also make it difficult to convince a scorer with any form of no-trade protection to accept a move to Detroit.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently wondered if Larkin’s future in Detroit would affect Alex DeBrincat’s willingness to re-sign with the Red Wings.

A Michigan native, the 28-year-old DeBrincat scored 41 goals last season, marking the third time in his career that he’s reached that milestone. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Proteau pondered whether DeBrincat would move on if the Red Wings trade Larkin. If so, the Wings could get a solid return for him by peddling him before the March 1 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now believes DeBrincat wants to stay with the Red Wings regardless of Larkin’s situation, provided they make him a fair contract offer. Nevertheless, the longer he’s unsigned, the more his name will surface in trade rumors this season, especially if the Wings are still struggling by the March deadline.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Alter recently noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs are among five clubs linked to former Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine.

Laine, 28, is among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s free-agent market. Alter noted that Laine still has an elite shot. Meanwhile, his injury-shortened 2025-26 season made him eligible for a performance-bonus contract this season, which could make him a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are above the $104-million salary cap by $2.752 million. However, they could become cap-compliant by placing forward Max Domi and his $3.75 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. Domi remains uncertain to play following complications from back surgery.

That could free up sufficient wiggle room to sign Laine, especially if there’s any concern about how well rookie winger Gavin McKenna will adjust to the NHL pace. Still, it seems unlikely that the Leafs will consider adding Laine given his injury history and lack of speed.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2026

by | Aug 14, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2026

Should the Bruins make a pitch to acquire Dylan Larkin from the Red Wings? Which members of the Kings could become trade candidates? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Boston Bruins’ biggest area of concern is their talent and depth at the center position.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

The Bruins currently have Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, Fraser Minten, and Sean Kuraly slotted in as their centers for this season. However, Proteau thinks they need an upgrade at that position.

It’s been reported that the Bruins aren’t on Dylan Larkin’s list of preferred trade destinations. However, Proteau feels that general manager Don Sweeney should try to convince the Detroit Red Wings center and his agent that Boston would be a terrific landing spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney could do this by contacting the Red Wings to seek permission to speak with the Larkin camp to see if they could be at least persuaded into adding the Bruins to his list of destinations.

Proteau also mused over the availability of Will Smith of the San Jose Sharks, Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights. He admits all are long shots, but thinks it’s up to Sweeney to get creative to address that need at center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but you can also bet that other general managers could also have an eye on those centers, and on Larkin. Whether Sweeney will get creative in his search for a first- or second-line center remains to be seen.

What say you, Bruins fans? Let us know in the comments section below.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara believes two members of the Los Angeles Kings could become trade candidates this season.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper struggled last season, losing the starter’s job to Anton Forsberg. Kuemper is in the final season of his contract with a $5.25 million cap hit, which would make him an expensive backup.

O’Hara speculates that a team seeking help in goal could be interested in Kuemper, who was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2024-25.

Meanwhile, speedy winger Trevor Moore has been unable to nail down a top-six role with the Kings. He has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.2 million. He scored 31 goals in 2022-23 and could benefit from more offensive responsibilities with another club.

O’Hara believes the Kings don’t have to move Kuemper or Moore right now. However, they could become trade chips if GM Ken Holland feels the need to shake up his roster again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuemper and Moore could be players worth monitoring if the Kings struggle this season, or if Holland wants to improve his club’s chances for a deep playoff run before the March trade deadline.