NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2026

by | May 28, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, the latest on Ducks center Mason McTavish, Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, and Islanders captain Anders Lee, plus several teams could be willing to trade their first-round picks, and an update on the Wild.

TEAMS REPORTEDLY CALLING ABOUT MASON MCTAVISH

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes Mason McTavish will be a trade target this offseason. He admits there is “zero evidence” that the Anaheim Ducks are shopping the 23-year-old center, but he said he “knows for a fact” that several teams have inquired about him, despite the fact he regressed this season following a contract dispute.

McTavish has another five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $7 million. According to LeBrun, some teams view him as an “ideal reset candidate”, which is all the more reason why the Ducks won’t move him unless a team makes a major pitch.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

An ideal pitch would be if the Toronto Maple Leafs offered up Auston Matthews, who could have Anaheim on his list of seven or eight potential landing spots. However, LeBrun believes that Matthews will return with the Maple Leafs next season at least.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have over $38.7 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27, which is more than enough to carry McTavish’s cap hit. However, LeBrun noted that Ducks stars Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier are in line for substantial raises coming off their entry-level contracts. He believes that could be a reason why the Ducks might entertain offers for McTavish.

Several teams are in the market for depth at center. The Los Angeles Kings spring to mind, but it’s unlikely the Ducks will send McTavish to a local rival. The Minnesota Wild need a first-line center, but McTavish isn’t ready yet to fill that role, if ever.

McTavish would be a good fit, age-wise, with the young Montreal Canadiens. He could address their need for a second-line center, but there is concern about his speed and his struggles this season.

PROPOSED TRADE DESTINATION FOR SIMON NEMEC

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols observed that just because Simon Nemec didn’t ask the Devils to be traded, that doesn’t mean he won’t be. He believes there would be plenty of suitors if the 22-year-old puck-moving defenseman becomes available.

Nichols suggested the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, Seattle Kraken, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Vancouver Canucks as potential trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks have the cap space and a need for blueline depth. The Blues are retooling their roster but could balk at signing the promising young restricted free agent to an expensive new contract; his lack of arbitration rights would work in their favor.

The Canadiens’ priority is landing a second-line center. The Predators are attempting to transition toward younger talent and could take a serious interest in Nemec. The Kraken seek a scoring winger, not a young defenseman.

The Maple Leafs’ lack of depth on the right side of their blueline would make Nemec an attractive option for them, depending on the cost of the trade package and his new contract. The rebuilding Canucks could also be a serious suitor.

THE LATEST ON THE WILD

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith recently looked at which players on the Minnesota Wild would be considered trade bait this summer.

Goaltenders Jesper Wallstedt and Filip Gustavsson have surfaced in the rumor mill this season. However, Russo and Smith consider it unlikely that Wallstedt will be traded, with Gustavsson recently having undergone hip surgery.

Russo and Smith include center Joel Eriksson Ek and defenseman Jonas Brodin among the players they believe the Wild would listen on for the right deal. They think the Wild would have to shed salary if they’re re-signing Quinn Hughes and looking to acquire another top player. However, they admit that the Wild should have suitable replacements in place if they’re parting ways with Eriksson Ek and Brodin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild management could have other players in mind as trade candidates. They’ll still need Eriksson Ek and Brodin in the lineup once they’ve acquired that first-line center.

ISLANDERS INTERESTED IN RE-SIGNING ANDERS LEE

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports it’s his understanding that New York Islanders general manager Mathieu Darche is interested in re-signing team captain Anders Lee. The 35-year-old left wing is slated to become an unrestricted free agent this summer after coming off a contract paying him an average annual value of $7 million.

Darche has reportedly told Lee’s agent that the team wants Lee back. However, they need to make some other moves before negotiations can begin. LeBrun stated that Lee would like to return, but they must find common ground on salary and term, which won’t be easy because of his age.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lee will have to accept less money on a short-term deal. How much less, and how short a term, will be the sticking points.

MAPLE LEAFS, SHARKS, BLACKHAWKS OPEN TO MOVING THEIR FIRST-ROUND PICKS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cited league sources claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks are open to the idea of moving their respective first-round picks in this year’s draft.

The Maple Leafs own the first-overall pick, the Sharks own the second-overall pick, and the Blackhawks have the fourth-overall pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every team that owns picks that high in the draft is always open to offers, but they rarely move them. It will take substantial offers that would accelerate their retooling/rebuilding programs to tempt them into trading those picks.

Speaking of the Blackhawks, Scott Powers of The Athletic recently reported they’re in the market for a quality defenseman to stabilize their blueline. However, it’s unlikely they’ll part with their first-rounder to get him.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 27, 2026

by | May 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 27, 2026

Check out the latest on the Avalanche and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looked at what could be in store for the Colorado Avalanche after being swept from the Western Conference Final by the Vegas Golden Knights.

Defensemen Brent Burns and Brett Kulak are on expiring contracts. If they don’t re-sign, the Avalanche will need a new third defense pairing.

They must strengthen their supporting cast. Some depth players, such as Ross Colton, have a year remaining on their contracts. They could move on from those players to free up more salary-cap space for more help, or wait until next season begins to make adjustments based on early results.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus also wondered what’s in store for the Avalanche this summer. Their core is aging, with Gabriel Landeskog, Nathan MacKinnon, Brock Nelson, Nazem Kadri, Devon Toews, Josh Manson, Valeri Nichushkin, and Scott Wedgewood in their early to mid- thirties.

Colorado Avalanche head coach Jared Bednar (NHL Images).

Lazerus cited reports claiming general manager Chris MacFarland could depart this summer to become the VP of hockey operations for the Nashville Predators. If MacFarland stays, Lazerus wondered what he would do with head coach Jared Bednar, whose playoff record since winning the Stanley Cup in 2022 includes two first-round losses, a second-round loss, and now a Conference Final loss.

THE DENVER POST: Troy Renck believes it’s time for the Avalanche to part ways with Bednar, pointing to their three early postseason exits since 2022 and getting swept from this year’s conference final as justification for a change behind the bench.

Renck suggests the Avalanche bring in “a young genius” like Denver University’s David Carle or a veteran such as former Golden Knights’ bench boss Bruce Cassidy.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Don’t expect a major roster overhaul for the Avalanche, but a coaching change isn’t out of the question, especially if MacFarland leaves. However, if the Golden Knights are blocking Cassidy from speaking with the Edmonton Oilers and Los Angeles Kings, it’s doubtful they’ll let the Avalanche speak to him.

THE LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

LA PRESSE: Mathias Brunet believes Montreal Canadiens fans shouldn’t get their hope up about acquiring Nico Hischier from the New Jersey Devils.

As per Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic, the Devils have had preliminary contract extension discussions with Hischier’s agent. The 27-year-old two-way center has a year left on his contract and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Brunet believes Sunny Mehta, the Devils’ new general manager, isn’t interested in trading Hischier. The Devils aren’t in a rebuilding situation like the Chicago Blackhawks and San Jose Sharks.

The Canadiens are reportedly keeping a close eye on Hischier’s situation. Finding a comparable center won’t be easy.

They likely don’t want to burden themselves with unproductive Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson and his expensive contract. New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck is 33 years old. Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken is still developing. Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks had a disappointing season and is signed for the next five seasons with an average annual value of $7 million.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: A reader asked Stu Cowan if the Canadiens might part with a promising prospect such as Michael Hage or Alexander Zharovsky to land a bona fide No. 2 center.

Cowan believes it’s possible. He also felt that any team giving up that center would want a center such as Hage in return, rather than a winger like Zharovsky.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The problem for the Canadiens is that there aren’t many suitable centers in this year’s trade market that might be available. Those few that could be acquired would be expensive and would require parting with one or two of their top prospects.

It could be worthwhile for someone such as Hischier if he became available, but that seems unlikely at this point. Pettersson carries too much baggage and too much contract. Trocheck will likely prefer joining an American playoff contender, and his age is a concern. Wright hasn’t proven himself yet as a second-line center. As for McTavish, his decline this season is concerning, but the Ducks will likely set a high price anyway.

Brunet didn’t mention Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues. He’s been a fixture in the rumor mill for months, with the Blues reportedly setting a high asking price.

However, I’m not convinced that the Blues will move Thomas. They seem to be retooling, not rebuilding. Thomas was a good fit between wingers Dylan Holloway and Jimmy Snuggerud this season. He also has a full no-trade clause and indicated that he wants to stay in St. Louis and be part of their retooling process.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 26, 2026

by | May 26, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 26, 2026

Check out the latest on Devils captain Nico Hischier, Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, Kraken center Matty Beniers, Red Wings goalie Sebastian Cossa, and Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WILL THE DEVILS RE-SIGN OR TRADE NICO HISCHIER?

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports several teams are keeping an eye on what happens to New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier this summer.

The 27-year-old center has a year remaining on his contract with a salary cap hit of $7.25 million. He can sign a contract extension starting on July 1.

LeBrun reports preliminary discussions between Devils general manager Sunny Mehta and Hischier’s agent, Allain Roy, have been “amicable and positive.” Nevertheless, Mehta will want clarity on Hischier’s intentions. LeBrun doubts he’ll want to go into next season with his captain on an expiring contract.

The Los Angeles Kings, Minnesota Wild, and Montreal Canadiens would be among the clubs that will be interested if Hischier becomes available in this summer’s trade market. However, LeBrun believes an extension is the more likely outcome, though the discussions are at “an early and delicate stage”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could cost the Devils up to $13 million annually to re-sign Hischier. They have over $47 million in projected cap space for 2027-28, which would be the first season for his new contract. A new contract for Simon Nemec this summer could cost $9 million, but that could be offset by finding a suitable trade destination for blueliner Dougie Hamilton.

ARE THE PANTHERS PURSUING BRADY TKACHUK?

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Alan Greenberg reports rumors “continue to swirl” claiming Panthers GM Bill Zito is attempting to acquire Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators.

Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tkachuk might one day be united with his brother, Matthew, on the Panthers, but that day hasn’t arrived yet. Brady and Senators GM Steve Staios recently shot down any notion that he wants a trade or that they’re going to listen to trade offers.

If Tkachuk became available in this summer’s trade market, it would cost the Panthers at least two of their good young players, such as Anton Lundell and Mackie Samoskevich. Unless Tkachuk only wants to go to Florida, the Panthers are unlikely to outbid other clubs that would be interested in his services.

The best way for the Panthers to land Tkachuk would be to wait until 2028, when he’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent, assuming he wouldn’t re-sign with the Senators before then. That’s assuming they’ll have sufficient cap space to sign him.

WOULD MATTY BENIERS BE A GOOD TRADE TARGET FOR THE FLYERS?

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James suggested Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken could be a good “under-the-radar” trade target to address the Flyers’ need for depth at center.

With Chandler Stephenson locked up long-term and promising Berkly Catton knocking at the door, the 23-year-old Beniers could become the perfect trade candidate. James speculated it might take a scoring winger to tempt the Kraken.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Beniers to add a scoring winger would address one issue while creating another. The Kraken need more offense, but they’re unlikely to trade their first-line center to get him. Catton has promise, but he’s not ready for first-line duty yet, while Stephenson is best-suited as their second-line center.

SUGGESTED DESTINATIONS FOR RED WINGS GOALIE SEBASTIAN COSSA

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen noted the rise of promising goalies Trey Augustine and Michal Postava has made Sebastian Cossa the subject of trade rumors. It’s been reported that GM Steve Yzerman is considering moving the 23-year-old netminder.

Allen suggested the Edmonton Oilers, Philadelphia Flyers, Florida Panthers, Ottawa Senators, and New York Rangers as potential trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cossa was expected to become the Red Wings’ backup goaltender next season. He could fill that role with those other clubs, but his struggles this season might be a cause for concern.

ARE THE PREDATORS INTERESTED IN THE AVALANCHE’S GENERAL MANAGER?

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes Colorado Avalanche general manager Chris MacFarland is a “logical target” for the Nashville Predators to fill their GM role.

Friedman doesn’t believe it’s guaranteed that MacFarland is leaving the Avalanche or going to Nashville. However, he thinks the amount of time it’s taking the Predators to find a new GM suggests they’re waiting to talk to somebody.

It’s been reported that MacFarland would be taking a VP of hockey operations position with the Predators. However, Friedman said he doesn’t think the Predators have permission to speak with him or that any agreement is in place.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators could be waiting until the Avalanche’s postseason is over before seeking permission to talk to MacFarland. Even then, there’s no certainty they’ll be allowed to, especially since he’s a finalist for the GM of the Year award.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 25, 2026

by | May 25, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 25, 2026

Will the Sabres sign defenseman Bowen Byram to a contract extension? Could the Bruins pursue Devils blueliner Simon Nemec? Could the Blue Jackets and Boone Jenner part ways? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn looked at the offseason “to-do” list for Buffalo Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen.

Bowen Byram’s future with the Sabres is part of that list. The 24-year-old left-shot defenseman is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility and can sign a contract extension on July 1.

Kekalainen told Byram during his exit interview that he’d love to keep the puck-moving blueliner. The Sabres’ top-four defense, of which Byram was a part, played a significant role in the club’s impressive improvement this season.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Byram wants to play for a winner, and the Sabres check that box. However, Fairburn wondered if he wants to remain a second-pairing defenseman with Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Mattias Samuelsson also playing big minutes.

If Byram wants a top-pairing role and a contract to match, free agency might be his best option. However, if he’s happy with his current role, the Sabres must find a way to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram was the subject of media trade speculation last year, but he surprised the pundits by inking a two-year contract. His situation will be worth monitoring this summer.

Byram could opt for a long-term deal. He could also opt for another short-term deal, ensuring he could be UFA eligible again while still in his playing prime. He and the Sabres could also wait to see how next season pans out before committing to serious contract talks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias suggested Sabres defenseman Michael Kesselring could be on the New York Islanders’ radar this summer.

Kesselring, 26, is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.4 million. He will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Injuries sidelined him for 29 games, and he was a healthy scratch for all but three games from March 12 to May 18.

Macias expects Kesselring to be traded this summer. He expects the asking price to be a second or third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres acquired the 6’5”, 215-pound Kesselring from the Utah Mammoth last year to skate alongside Owen Power, but it didn’t work out as hoped. He put up good numbers (29 points in 82 games) during his final season with the Mammoth.

MORE DEVILS TRADE RUMORS

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Boston Bruins should pursue New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec if he becomes available in the trade market this summer.

Conflicting reports emerged last week regarding a supposed trade request by the 22-year-old Nemec. He’s a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.

Goss believes Nemec’s puck-moving ability, offensive skills, and right-hand shot are what the Bruins desperately need on their blueline. He would also be a younger, more affordable option than pursuing Tampa Bay’s Darren Raddysh or Vegas’ Rasmus Andersson via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins won’t be the only club interested in Nemec if the Devils shop him in this summer’s trade market. They do have some promising young players and draft picks, including two first-rounders in the 2027 and 2028 NHL Drafts, to draw on for trade capital.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols listed several players he considers trade targets that could bolster the Devils’ lack of scoring depth.

Ross Colton of the Colorado Avalanche tops that list, followed by Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets, Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames, and Mavrik Bourque of the Dallas Stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Colton has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4 million. Zary has two years left with an average annual value of $3.775 million. Perfetti and Bourque are both restricted free agents with arbitration rights.

The Jets could be reluctant to part with Perfetti despite the drop in his production this season. Colton could be available if the Avs shed salary to make some roster changes, especially if they get swept in the Western Conference Final.

Zary hasn’t progressed as the Flames had hoped, but they might give him another season. Bourque could be an affordable offer-sheet target if he’s willing to sign. If he’s not, he could become a trade candidate if the Stars’ efforts to re-sign Jason Robertson leave them little cap room for other players.

COULD THE BLUE JACKETS PART WAYS WITH BOONE JENNER?

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline speculated that long-time Columbus Blue Jackets forward Boone Jenner might be moving on this summer.

Jenner, 32, is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Blue Jackets captain is completing a four-year contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.

This is Jenner’s last opportunity to sign a multi-year contract via free agency. Portzline believes he will draw plenty of suitors, pointing out that the Blue Jackets received plenty of calls about him at the March trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline observed that nothing’s settled yet, and Jenner could still re-sign with the Blue Jackets. However, he doubted that the veteran forward would be happy with a one or two-year deal. He also pointed out that it appears the Jackets management hasn’t made re-signing him a priority.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 24, 2026

by | May 24, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 24, 2026

Check out the latest on the Golden Knights, Stars, Canucks, and Kings in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CAP SPACE AN OFFSEASON ISSUE FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS AND STARS

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal listed seven teams that could face a salary-cap crunch in 2026-27. Two of the more interesting were the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.

The Golden Knights have a projected $12.5 million in salary-cap space if sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo remains on LTIR for next season. That won’t leave much to re-sign restricted free agent winger Pavel Dorofeyev and pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl (NHL Images).

Dayal speculated that forward Tomas Hertl could become a salary-cap casualty. The Golden Knights are carrying $6.75 million of his $8.137 million average annual value (with this former club, the San Jose Sharks, carrying the rest) through 2029-30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev’s RFA status would make him an enticing offer-sheet candidate if he’s willing to consider that option. Because he has arbitration rights, interested teams will have from the start of free agency on July 1 until the July 5 arbitration filing deadline to make their pitch, assuming he doesn’t file between those dates. If he goes to arbitration, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

The Golden Knights acquired Andersson from the Calgary Flames in January. Some observers wondered why they haven’t re-signed him yet. It’s believed they’re waiting until July 1 to do so. On that date, they’ll be allowed to exceed the salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason. It will also give them time to determine if Pietrangelo will remain on LTIR for next season.

Hertl has a modified no-trade clause, but there are no details as to how limiting it might be. Dayal suggested that the high demands for centers could create plenty of opportunities for the Golden Knights to move him.

The Stars’ limited cap space has created speculation over how they’ll free up room to re-sign RFA winger Jason Robertson. Dayal also mentioned that it could make center Mavrik Bourque a tempting offer-sheet target. He suggested that the Stars could have difficulty matching a $4.775 million offer sheet for Bourque, and it would only cost a second-round pick in compensation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s situation has been well-documented. However, the Bourque offer sheet scenario could be intriguing.

Bourque is completing a one-year deal with an AAV of $950,000 and, like Robertson, has arbitration rights. The versatile 24-year-old can play center or wing, lacks no-trade protection, and had a career-best 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points this season.

As with Hertl, the demand for centers could tempt a rival club to try to sign Bourque to an offer sheet, assuming he’s interested in doing so. Signing him to between $4.776 million and $7.163 million would cost a first and a third-round pick, so it’s understandable why Dayal suggested the $4.775 million AAV offer.

THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma suggested the Vancouver Canucks should be buoyed by the Montreal Canadiens’ swift rise to ensure long-term competitiveness. As the Canucks embark on a rebuild, they can draw lessons from the Canadiens’ efforts, which turned them from a last-overall team to an Eastern Conference finalist within four years.

Kuzma observed that one of the ways the Canadiens rebuilt quickly was by identifying roster players with market value to acquire assets, while targeting players who hadn’t yet hit their stride with other clubs.

Winger Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Filip Hronek could be marketable players for the Canucks.

DeBrusk, 29, wants to win now. His goal production and his affordable $5.5 million AAV for the next five seasons could be attractive in the trade market.

The 28-year-old Hronek is a big-minute, lead-by-example defenseman who finished second in scoring on the Canucks this season. He has a full no-movement clause, but Kuzma speculated he could fetch a first-round pick, a prime prospect, and perhaps more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk has indicated he’s not keen about a rebuild, which makes him the more likely of the two to be traded this summer. He also has a full no-movement clause, but will be open to waiving it to join a playoff club.

Management will have to determine whether Hronek wants to be part of the rebuild. If he does, he can provide leadership and skilled experience to their young defense corps. Otherwise, they’ll find out where he wants to be traded and go from there.

UPDATE ON THE KINGS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently listed who stays and who goes from the Los Angeles Kings this summer.

Stephens included Darcy Kuemper among those he believes are “staying put, almost certainly”. He noted that the 35-year-old goaltender’s struggles this season cost him his job as the team’s starting goalie.

Kuemper has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million. Stephens believes he could be a comeback candidate or put on the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuemper also has a 10-team no-trade list. Despite that and his struggles this season, the limited market for goaltenders could make him a trade target for clubs desperate for help between the pipes.

Stephens thinks Trevor Moore could stay put, but he noted that the 31-year-old forward has been up-and-down in recent years. He also observed that he has two years left on his contract without trade protection.

They could face a tough decision with pending UFA Scott Laughton. His departure would leave them thin at center if they can’t find a suitable replacement. He will draw interest in the free-agent market. Forwards Mathieu Joseph and Andrei Kuzmenko are UFA-eligible and unlikely to be back.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 23, 2026

by | May 23, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 23, 2026

Which Sabres goaltender could draw some interest in this summer’s trade market? Should the Islanders target a young Sharks winger? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS COULD TARGET SABRES GOALIE DEVON LEVI

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch cited ESPN’s Kevin Weekes, who reported Friday that the Senators have shown an interest in Devon Levi of the Buffalo Sabres as a potential backup for starting goaltender Linus Ullmark.

Buffalo Sabres goaltender Devon Levi (NHL Images).

Levi, 24, spent last season with the Sabres’ AHL affiliate in Rochester. He would reportedly welcome a change of scenery after being squeezed out of the Sabres’ goalie picture by Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis.

Weekes believes Levi still has potential. Garrioch pointed to his collegiate career and his performance with Team Canada in the 2021 IIHF World Juniors. He has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $812,500 and is no longer exempt from waivers.

If the Sabres want a goalie in return, it could cost the Senators Leevi Merilainen, who is a restricted free agent on July 1 and also no longer waiver-exempt.

Garrioch also reports the Senators are believed to be interested in pending unrestricted free agents, such as Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Connor Ingram of the Edmonton Oilers.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James wondered if the Flyers should pursue Levi. He pointed out that current Flyers backup Samuel Ersson was inconsistent this season and is RFA-eligible on July 1. Given Levi’s reduced trade value, he could become an affordable acquisition for the Flyers, perhaps costing a mid to late round draft pick.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples included Levi among his list of potential goalie targets for the Oilers.

Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Sebastian Cossa of the Detroit Red Wings, Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, Samuel Montembeault, and Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets were also on Staples’ list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Levi would be the most affordable of those goalies for the Senators, Flyers, and Oilers to pursue. His limited NHL experience makes him a gamble, albeit one that won’t create a salary-cap headache or put a serious dent into their tradeable assets.

SHOULD THE ISLANDERS TARGET A YOUNG SHARKS WINGER?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Russell Macias believes the New York Islanders will attempt to add to their roster this summer. They need a scoring forward and depth on the right side of their defense.

Macias noted that the Islanders have spent the past several years adding stopgap measures and failed experiments to address their roster weaknesses. He recommends that GM Mathieu Darche bring in a clear top-line winger, especially with Victor Eklund looking like a future NHL player.

Macias suggested Darche consider acquiring Eklund’s older brother, William, who currently plays for the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eklund surfaced in trade rumors following the March trade deadline. The Sharks’ growing list of promising young forwards has some observers suggesting the 24-year-old winger could become a trade chip this summer to add an experienced defenseman to their blue line.

So far, there is no indication that the Islanders are interested in Eklund, but if they were, Alexander Romanov could interest the Sharks. The 26-year-old is a physical blueliner who missed most of this season recovering from shoulder surgery.

When healthy, Romanov could make a good addition to the Sharks’ defense corps, and he would be closer in age to the Sharks’ young core players.