NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026

by | Aug 13, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026

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

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently wondered if the Flyers should return to the offer-sheet route and look into the availability of Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Fantilli and the Blue Jackets remain apart in their contract negotiations. Friedman speculated the 21-year-old center could seek a deal comparable to Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks (five years, $18 million average annual value) or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million AAV). However, the Blue Jackets could prefer something within the $12 million to $15 million range.

James acknowledged a report from Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco last month indicating the Flyers are unlikely to pursue Fantilli with an offer sheet. According to Di Marco, they prefer to preserve their financial flexibility in case a better opportunity arises.

Nevertheless, James mused about whether it might be worthwhile to pursue Fantilli if he and the Blue Jackets remain apart.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ultimately, James leans toward the Flyers maintaining their cap flexibility for better opportunities. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility. And if the Flyers aren’t interested, perhaps another club might consider it.

I’d be interested in hearing what Flyers fans think. Please let us know in the comments section below.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan pondered the possibility of Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc becoming sign-and-trade candidates before training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Cowan noted the Canadiens’ ongoing need for a second-line center. He also pointed out that general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t ruled out a trade in September or October, though he ruled out making a “dumb trade” just to appease fans on a short-term basis.

Xhekaj, 25, and the 23-year-old Bolduc are restricted free agents coming off low-cost contracts. Cowan believes other teams will definitely have interest in them if they become available in the trade market.

The fact neither player has signed yet led Cowan to conclude they could become part of sign-and-trade scenarios.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer the duo remains unsigned, the more likely the possibility that they could be traded before training camp starts.

I doubt Xhekaj or Bolduc would be enough on their own to fetch a quality second-line center who would fit well within the Canadiens’ long-term plans. Perhaps as a package deal, but even then, the Habs would likely have to add another piece to the deal as a sweetener.

OTTAWA SUN: Callum Fraser reports Senators GM Steve Staios isn’t ruling out making other moves to improve the club before the season begins.

Speaking with season ticket holders on Wednesday, Staios pointed out that he wasn’t done making trades after shipping Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, noting his acquisition of winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks soon afterward.

Staios maintained that he’s not done, adding he remains determined to bring the Stanley Cup to Ottawa. He also indicated that he’s focused on getting winger Drake Batherson signed to a contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios wanted to add a scoring winger before he moved Tkachuk and brought in Eklund and winger Andre Burakovsky. That will remain his focus throughout the coming season if he cannot find a suitable option before training camp.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

by | Aug 12, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

How the Ducks might clear cap space to create room for Cutter Gauthier’s new contract, and the latest Flames speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal listed three Anaheim Ducks players who could become salary-cap casualties to make room for a new contract for Cutter Gauthier.

Wingers Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano are Leal’s trade candidates.

Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Killorn, 36, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6.25 million. He also carries a 15-team no-trade list.

The 35-year-old Kreider is also in the final season of his contract. He has a cap hit of $6.5 million. Like Killorn, he carries a 15-team no-trade list.

Vatrano, 32, has two seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.571 million and a seven-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier, 21, could seek between $14 million and $15 million annually on his next contract. However, the Ducks have only $9.07 million in cap space this season.

They can exceed the $104 million salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason if they sign Gauthier now. However, they must be cap-compliant when their regular season opens in late September.

The Ducks can get some short-term cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve to start this season. However, they must shed salary to make room for him when he returns.

Kreider could draw more interest around the league given his bounce-back performance this season. Shedding his $6.5 million would create the most cap space to re-sign Gauthier. However, the Ducks could prefer moving Killorn and/or Vatrano.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered if there could be more trades coming for the Flames before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Flames have nine defensemen jockeying for six positions this season. He assumes that Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, and Zach Whitecloud will fill the top-four defense pairings. That leaves Yan Kuznetsov, Jake Middleton, Brayden Pachal, Joel Hanley, and Hunter Brzustewicz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin’s colleague, Kent Wilson, noted that Whitecloud would draw a quality return given his experience, reputation, and affordable contract ($2.75 million AAV for two more seasons). However, moving Whitecloud would leave their blueline staffed almost entirely by kids.

Wilson noted that Whitecloud was a good fit with the Flames since joining them in January from the Vegas Golden Knights. He considers it unlikely that the 29-year-old blueliner will be traded.

Austin also noted that the Flames have plenty of wingers. He noted that trade rumors surfaced earlier this year about Connor Zary, suggesting that there are moves they could make among their forward lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin doesn’t expect a flurry of late August trade activity by the Flames. However, I agree that there could be a trade or two before training camp opens next month.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2026

by | Aug 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2026

The latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson and an update on the Oilers’ trade plans in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS CONVERSATION: CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal recently dismissed trade speculation linking Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson to the Los Angeles Kings.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

The rumors began when the 27-year-old Canucks center was spotted practicing in Los Angeles. However, Dhaliwal pointed out that Pettersson’s wife is from Los Angeles, which explains why he would be doing some offseason training there.

Dhaliwal also said a trade involving Pettersson has not come close to happening in the last few months. There’s been plenty of conjecture and teams checking in, but nothing reached the point where the Canucks would ask the center or his agent if he would waive his no-movement clause.

Pettersson’s contract remains the sticking point. He has six years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $11.6 million. Dhaliwal believes the Canucks have no choice but to wait and see how Pettersson plays this season and if it improved their chances of moving him at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a dramatic change in Pettersson’s circumstances, he’ll start this season (and likely finish it) with the Canucks.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has more salary cap space to start this season than he’s had over the previous two offseasons since taking over the role in July 2024.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to PuckPedia, the Oilers have over $4.725 million.

Bowman doesn’t plan on using that extra space for more additions before the regular season begins next month. Instead, he’s going to hang onto it in case any players become available early in the season that could help his club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer Bowman holds off using that cap space during the regular season, the more the Oilers will accrue. If he can wait until the March 1 trade deadline, the Oilers would have over $21.8 million available.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2026

by | Aug 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2026

Check out the latest on the Ducks and Stars in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL.COM: How Leo Carlsson’s new contract will affect the Anaheim Ducks is among the big questions facing the club this season.

Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers last month worth an average annual value of $18 million. The Ducks matched the offer, but it was far more expensive than what they had been prepared to pay.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

The most immediate effect will be on the cost of signing restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier. Like Carlsson, the 21-year-old winger is coming off his entry-level contract. Unlike Carlsson, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

After matching the Carlsson offer, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said the intent was to get Gauthier signed. However, he acknowledged he had work to do to fit everyone within their salary-cap space for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space for this season. It’s rumored Gauthier could seek as much as $15 million. Verbeek will attempt to get him signed for less than that, but he could still end up having to make a cost-cutting trade or two at some point during this season to free up enough cap room.

The Ducks could get some relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry ($7 million AAV) on long-term injury reserve before their regular-season schedule begins next month. However, they’ll have to free up room to become cap-compliant once Terry returns from hip surgery later this year.

Veteran forwards Alex Killorn ($6.5 million) and Frank Vatrano ($4.57 million) have been rumored as trade candidates.

NHL.COM: Jason Robertson’s future is among the three big questions facing the Dallas Stars this season.

Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million contract for this season. The 27-year-old Stars winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

The two sides can open contract talks on Jan. 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was the subject of trade rumors stretching back to last summer. Stars GM Jim Nill maintained his club wanted to keep the high-scoring winger in the fold, while Robertson insisted he wanted to stay with the Stars.

Nevertheless, the Stars had a deal in place to trade Robertson to the Seattle Kraken in late June, but the deal fell through when he declined to sign a contract extension.

The one-year deal buys time for both sides. It gives Robertson another season to prove his worth, while giving the Stars another opportunity to negotiate with him knowing they’ll have more salary cap flexibility with which to sign him.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 9, 2026

by | Aug 9, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 9, 2026

Which players could get eight-year contracts before the Sept. 16 deadline? Will the Canadiens move on from Samuel Montembeault? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ signing Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract extension prompted Eric Cruickshank to ponder which NHL players could also get eight-year deals before the Sept. 16 deadline.

On that date, the maximum term for teams re-signing players drops to seven years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum term for signing unrestricted free agents will also drop on that date from seven years to six.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

Cruickshank listed five players who could get eight-year deals before Sept. 16, with Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets topping his list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets would probably love to get the 21-year-old Fantilli under contract for eight seasons. He’s their first-line center and will play a critical role in the club’s development.

Fantilli could prefer a shorter term closer to five years at an average annual value of around $15 million. That will ensure he gets a chance at a more lucrative deal while still in his prime.

Detroit Red Wings forward Marco Kasper, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie, Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie, and Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc could also become candidates for eight-year contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those players would fall under the same category as Koivunen of the Penguins.

Eyebrows were raised when the Penguins signed him to such a lengthy term despite his limited NHL experience. However, general manager Kyle Dubas justified it by saying they were betting on him developing into a top-six forward.

The same principle could apply to Kasper, Geekie, Savoie, and Bolduc. Whether their respective teams are willing to make those gambles remains to be seen.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Brendan Kelly believes the Canadiens must move on from Samuel Montembeault and trade him as soon as possible.

Montembeault, 29, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $3.15 million. His struggles last season cost him the starter’s job to Jakub Dobes, and he was relegated to third-stringer behind promising Jacob Fowler.

Kelly noted that the Canadiens stubbornly stuck with Montembeault, hoping he’d be able to regain his form. He believes they cannot make the same mistake this season, insisting that they try to trade him to another club and stick with the young tandem of Dobes and Fowler.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was assumed the Canadiens would trade or buy out Montembeault this summer. The buyout period has passed, and if they were peddling him, it appears that there weren’t any takers.

Montembeault’s struggles last season hurt his value in the trade market. They’ll have to give him some playing time and hope he does well enough to become enticing to another team. Until they can find a suitable trade partner for him, they might have to send the promising Fowler to their AHL affiliate to ensure the 22-year-old gets sufficient playing time.

Failing that, the Canadiens could keep Dobes and Fowler as their tandem and send Montembeault to the minors. It’ll free up a bit of extra cap space for them ($1.225 million) while providing him with more time and less pressure to work on his game.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2026

by | Aug 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2026

Could the new contracts for Leo Carlsson, Macklin Celebrini, and Connor Bedard affect contract talks for Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Cutter Gauthier, and Adam Fantilli? What’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Alexander Nikishin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes Connor Bedard’s new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million average annual value) has affected the contract negotiations of Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

Gauthier, 21, scored 41 goals last season. While he might not be seeking a contract similar to that of teammate Leo Carlsson (five years, $18 million) or San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (five years, $18.8 million), he could consider his worth to be between $15 million and $16 million. That could make it challenging for the Ducks.

The 21-year-old Fantilli could also seek something in a range similar to Bedard, but the Blue Jackets’ preference could be in the $12 million to $12.5 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have over $13.4 million in cap space for this season, so it’s understandable why they’d want Fantilli inked to $12.5 million or less.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space, so they’ll have to shed some salary at some point to make room for Gauthier’s new contract. They can start the season with Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve, but they must free up cap space when he returns to the lineup, and that means a cost-cutting trade or two.

Friedman also believes the Carlsson and Celebrini contracts will affect the contract extension negotiations for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Minnesota Wild blueliner Quinn Hughes. Both are established veteran superstars who are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

According to Friedman, the big question for Makar could be term, as he might not prefer doing the current league maximum of eight years. The cap number will also be a factor.

Friedman thinks Makar and Hughes are looking at each other’s situations and want to be in the same range contract-wise. He predicts that Hughes will sign a three-year deal worth $18 million annually with the Wild.

Some observers are surprised that Hughes hasn’t been re-signed yet. That’s raised speculation about his future in Minnesota and the possibility of reuniting with his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey. Friedman believes the time to worry is if Hughes and the Wild haven’t agreed to a new contract by the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar is more of a certainty to re-sign with his club than Hughes is with his because of the latter’s family links with the New Jersey Devils. As James Nicholls of New Jersey Hockey Now put it, the longer Quinn goes without an extension with the Wild, the more it favors the Devils.

Nevertheless, the Wild have been having ongoing discussions with Hughes and his representatives this summer. It must be remembered that they didn’t get superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov re-signed until the end of training camp last year, so it could take as long to get Hughes under contract.

Friedman was asked about the possibility of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck getting traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He indicated that things are quiet on that front. While Friedman believes Hellebuyck will get moved at some point, there’s nothing new to report thus far, though things might pick up closer to training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two clubs were reportedly close to a deal before the NHL Draft weekend, but things fell through. So far, there’s been nothing but silence from both clubs, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the trade discussions are over.

However, Hellebuyck is the Jets’ most valuable asset. He is under contract through 2030-31, so they’re in no hurry to move him even if the 33-year-old goaltender were trying to force the issue.

It will take a substantial return to pry Hellebuyck away from the Jets. The Sabres have plenty of good young players (especially forwards) to draw on for trade bait, but the Jets’ asking price could involve moving one or two that they don’t want to part with.

Friedman suggests keeping a close eye on Alexander Nikishin. The 24-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a restricted free agent, and it’s been rumored the Hurricanes could attempt to trade him.

Nothing seems to be close to a deal right now, but Friedman thinks Nikishin could get moved at some point, perhaps around the start of training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ryan Lambert of The Hockey News listed five NHL teams that should make Nikishin a trade target. They include the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets. It’ll be interesting to see if one of them ends up landing the promising blueliner.