Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 6, 2025

by | Jul 6, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 6, 2025

What are the Rangers’ plans for Artemi Panarin? Could the Blues acquire Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram? What’s the latest on the Red Wings? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT ARE THE RANGERS PLANS FOR PANARIN?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered what the New York Rangers intend to do with Artemi Panarin following the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old left winger has a year left on his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Brooks considers Panarin to be the greatest free-agent signing in Rangers history. Since joining the Blueshirts in 2019, he’s fourth among all NHL scorers with 550 points since 2019-20. He has also led the Rangers in scoring in each of his six seasons with the club.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

According to Brooks, the Rangers haven’t opened contract extension talks yet with Panarin. That raises the possibility of his departure next summer. Despite his age, Panarin has turned in his best seasons in his 30s.

Brooks suggests a four-year extension could do the trick. He believes the Rangers can’t afford to lose Panarin, suggesting having him on the roster beyond next season could help them entice other free-agent talent next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation over Panarin’s future is bound to surface in the rumor mill at some point in this offseason. The longer he goes without a contract extension, the more questions will be raised about where he’ll be playing after this season.

The Rangers have over $29 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 17 active roster players under contract. Braden Schneider is the only key player besides Panarin to be re-signed. They’ll have the cap room to re-sign the high-scoring winger, perhaps even to a slight pay cut from his current $11.6 million AAV.

Whether Panarin wants to stay is another matter. That decision could depend on the club’s performance this season. If he feels the Rangers aren’t in Cup contention, he could move on to a team that would allow him to win that elusive championship.

COULD THE BLUES ACQUIRE BOWEN BYRAM?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Matthew Fairburn examined recent speculation suggesting the St. Louis Blues were attempting to acquire Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Blues are trying to revamp their defense corps. Rutherford and Fairburn believe he’d slot in as their second-pairing right-side blueliner if they could include Justin Faulk in the deal. They also speculate the Blues might have to part with a good young NHL player (like Jake Neighbours) as part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last two major trades made by the Sabres were player-for-player swaps. That included the deal that sent Byram to the Sabres in 2024, with Casey Mittelstadt going to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Sabres already have plenty of draft picks and prospects. They want a player who can help them immediately, starting this season.

Faulk isn’t that player. He’s 33 years old with two years left on his contract at an AAV of $6.5 million. He also has a 15-team no-trade list, and there’s a good chance that the Sabres are on that list. 

THE RED WINGS ARE STILL TRYING TO ADD TO THEIR ROSTER

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff recently reported that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman isn’t giving up trying to add to his roster this summer. He intends to explore the trade market to try and make the necessary upgrades to his team.

Yzerman addressed his goaltending depth by acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. However, the Wings still need a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman noted that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram are the big-name forwards believed to be available in this summer’s trade market. That’s assuming the Dallas Stars don’t put winger Jason Robertson on the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We already know that the Sabres want a good young NHL player as part of the return for Byram. The rebuilding Penguins would likely want a similar return for Rust or Rakell. As for Robertson, there’s no indication that the Stars are shopping him, though there are probably clubs that could be interested in acquiring him.

Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and center Marco Kasper could be the players the Sabres or Penguins would want as part of the return. However, it’s unlikely Yzerman would give up either of those promising youngsters.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025

by | Jul 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025

Could the Maple Leafs attempt a reunion with Nazem Kadri? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRY TO BRING BACK NAZEM KADRI?

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan wondered if Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving would attempt to bring Nazem Kadri back to Toronto.

The Leafs traded Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019. In 2022, he signed a seven-year contract with the Calgary Flames, whose GM at the time was Treliving.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Koshan said he wasn’t suggesting anything was imminent trade-wise between the Leafs and Flames. He cited an NHL source claiming Kadri wouldn’t use his no-movement clause to block a return to Toronto. However, Kadri enjoys playing in Calgary and isn’t looking to be moved, nor has he been asked to waive his NMC.

THE SPORTING NEWS: cited TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated the Flames don’t want to trade Kadri, whose NMC remains in effect until next July, when it becomes a 13-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came close to making the playoffs last season, with Kadri playing a key role as their leading scorer. He’ll be a crucial part of their postseason hopes for 2025-26. They’re not parting with Kadri unless he demands to be traded, and there’s no indication he wants out.

Assuming Kadri would welcome a trade to Toronto, the retooling Flames would likely want a good young player as part of the return. That’s something the Leafs lack among their limited tradeable assets.

THE LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently looked at trade speculation surrounding Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The 33-year-old Rust’s no-movement clause ended on July 1.

Yohe had a hunch that both players would be part of the Penguins’ starting lineup in October. However, he expects at least one of them will be playing elsewhere by the March 2026 trade deadline.

“They’re great players, great guys, and fairly paid,” wrote Yohe. “But they’re also valuable commodities who are in their 30s. Does keeping them make sense?” He thinks both players could command a first-round pick in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has resisted moving Rust or Rakell this summer, possibly because he hasn’t received any suitable trade offers, or maybe because he wants to maintain some veteran depth to his rebuilding roster for the coming season.

Whatever the reason, one of them could indeed be on the move by the trade deadline if, as expected, the Penguins are out of playoff contention by then.

TVA SPORTS: cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes Sidney Crosby could be moved by the March 2026 trade deadline.

Kypreos noted that the 37-year-old Crosby is still performing at a high level. He thinks the Penguins’ captain is too good a player to be acting as a babysitter for young talent on a non-contending club.

“Leaving him in Pittsburgh would be a disservice to our game,” Kypreos said. He then deadpanned about Crosby possibly landing with the Montreal Canadiens following the Olympic break.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos is among several pundits who believe Crosby must be traded to a playoff contender “for the good of the game”. Some suggest the long-time Penguins superstar join the Canadiens, his boyhood team. Others openly salivate over the thought of him playing alongside his buddy (and fellow Cole Harbour, NS native) Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.

Folks, it’s up to Crosby to decide what he thinks is best for him. And if that means staying with the now-rebuilding Penguins until he retires, so be it. If he wanted out, he never would’ve signed that two-year extension last September. He would’ve let his contract expire and hit the open market this past Tuesday.

Crosby could change his mind if he feels that he wants one more shot at the Stanley Cup. Maybe he sticks around long enough for Evgeny Malkin’s farewell tour this season and decides he’s had enough.

Or maybe, just maybe, Crosby intends to remain loyal to the only NHL team he’s ever played for, and sticks around to provide guidance and leadership to the promising next generation of Penguins players. Either way, it’ll be what’s best for him, and it won’t hurt the integrity of the game at all.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2025

by | Jul 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2025

What’s the latest on Bowen Byram? What will teams do that missed out in the free-agent market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST BOWEN BYRAM SPECULATION

TSN: cited the Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reporting the St. Louis Blues have been trying hard to acquire Bowen Byram. He also speculated that the 24-year-old Buffalo Sabres defenseman could receive an offer sheet.

The Blues made headlines last summer by using offer sheets to successfully sign away defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers.

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn reminded us that Byram is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. However, he’s yet to put pen to paper on a new contract with the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Earlier this week, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams indicated that he would match any offer sheet for Byram, pointing out they saved cap space ($12 million) to address that possibility.

If Adams decides to trade Byram, his preference is for a return that immediately helps the Sabres. Fairburn speculated that it could contain multiple players, like the recent JJ Peterka deal with the Utah Mammoth. It could also involve packaging Byram with a pick or prospect for a better player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have just over $625,000 in cap space, but they can free up $6.5 million by placing Torey Krug on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). Nevertheless, that won’t be enough for an unmatchable offer sheet for Byram.

If Byram wants out of Buffalo, signing an offer sheet could backfire on him if the Sabres match. A trade seems the only way he gets moved this summer, and that’s not a certainty if Adams doesn’t get the return he wants.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR TEAMS THAT MISSED OUT ON FREE AGENCY?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Tovell cited TSN’s Chris Johnston speculating that teams that lost out on the best available talent in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market (UFA) could turn to the trade market to address their roster needs.

Potential trade options include Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, or Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins are open to offers for Rust and Rakell but they aren’t shopping them. The asking price will include a good young NHL player in the return.

The Stars are roughly $1.8 million over the salary cap. They can be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be cap-compliant at the start of the regular season.

Robertson surfaced in the rumor mill following the Stars’ third-straight elimination from the Western Conference Final. He’s a year away from restricted free-agent status (RFA) with arbitration rights and a year away from UFA eligibility after that.

Shedding Robertson’s $7.75 million AAV for this season would not only make them cap-compliant but also provide invaluable wiggle room for other moves during the season. Given his value to their offense, however, they could opt for a more affordable move to shed salary.

As for Marchessault, Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said there was no truth to the recent trade rumors, indicating the veteran winger will return with the Predators this season.

Tovell also mentioned the possibility of some teams targeting RFAs on other clubs with offer sheets. Possible targets include Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, Alex Laferriere of the Los Angeles Kings, Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

However, those players must be willing to entertain those offer sheets. If they do, their current clubs have the option to match them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be a waste of time for clubs to target most of those players as their current teams have over $10 million in salary-cap space, more than enough to match.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2025

by | Jul 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2025

The top players still available in the UFA market, an update on Bowen Byram, and the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TOP REMAINING UFAs

DAILY FACEOFF: Winger Nikolaj Ehlers remains atop the list of the best available players in this summer’s crop of unrestricted free agents (UFAs).

Defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Matt Grzelcyk, forwards Jack Roslovic, Victor Olofsson, Max Pacioretty and Jeff Skinner, and goaltender Ilya Samsonov are among the remaining notables.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently indicated the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning were among the clubs reportedly interested in Ehlers.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

Potential landing spots for Orlov include the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, and his former club, the Capitals.

Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said the door remains open for Pacioretty’s return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers was expected to decide on Wednesday, but nothing happened. Perhaps we’ll get the answer on Thursday.

A significant number of teams have the money to sign Ehlers to a lucrative contract. Puckpedia indicates that 14 clubs have over $10 million in cap room this season. Not all of them are pursuing him, but it wouldn’t be surprising if several of them have spoken to the Ehlers’ camp.

SABRES WILL MATCH ANY OFFER SHEET FOR BYRAM

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said he would match any offer sheet for Bowen Byram. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.

Harrington also corrected a TSN report claiming Byram was a year away from UFA eligibility, pointing out that the blueliner is two years away. He also noted the Sabres don’t need the draft pick compensation if an offer sheet is unmatched.

If Byram wants out of Buffalo, signing an offer sheet would backfire if the Sabres matched it.

Harrington speculates a trade could be in the works for Byram. The Sabres traded top-six winger JJ Peterka last week to the Utah Mammoth and must find a suitable replacement. Byram could be used as a trade chip to address that need.

The Sabres could also re-sign Byram, give him another season alongside Rasmus Dahlin, and revisit moving him at the March trade deadline or next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the slim pickings in this summer’s UFA market, teams that missed out on signing a top-four, left-side defenseman could make Byram a trade target. Those clubs should be prepared to part with a top-six forward in a player-for-player swap.

THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports the Montreal Canadiens still need to address their lack of a reliable second-line center. Given the few options in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets, GM Kent Hughes stressed that the short-term answer must come from within the organization.

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels believes oft-injured Kirby Dach remains the most likely candidate for that role this season. While the 24-year-old struggled at that position last season when healthy, Engels noted that he didn’t have Ivan Demidov and Zachary Bolduc as potential linemates.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Karine Hains noted that the Canadiens’ acquisition of right-shot defenseman Noah Dobson prompted speculation suggesting Mike Matheson could become a trade chip.

Matheson, 31, is a year away from UFA status and carries a $4.875 million cap hit this season. However, Hughes told reporters that he intends to retain Matheson, citing his big minutes, experience and leadership.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes has a well-deserved reputation as a savvy trader, but he’s not a magician who can conjure a second-line center out of thin air. There were few quality centers among this summer’s UFA class before the market opened on July 1, and it’s a seller’s market as far as trades go.

Hughes has little choice but to wait and see what develops in the trade market throughout the summer and into the regular season.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 2, 2025

by | Jul 2, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 2, 2025

Check out the latest on Nikolaj Ehlers, Bowen Byram and Rasmus Andersson, plus the latest on the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

EHLERS STILL AVAILABLE IN UFA MARKET

Former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers is the only player still unsigned among this summer’s top-10 unrestricted free agent class.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported the Carolina Hurricanes, Washington Capitals and Tampa Bay Lightning were among the clubs interested in the 29-year-old winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ehlers camp can afford to take its time. Unlike recent UFA years, there are a lot of teams with cap space this summer. Those in the market for a top-six forward will be interested in signing him.

One of them is his former team. We can’t rule out the possibility of his return to Winnipeg, but it seems likely he’ll be heading elsewhere as early as today.

WILL BOWEN BYRAM BE TRADED OR SIGN AN OFFER SHEET?

TSN: Darren Dreger reported Tuesday that the Flames, Golden Knights, Los Angeles Kings, and St. Louis Blues were among the teams holding trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres about Bowen Byram. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent (RFA) with arbitration rights.

Dreger also suggested the possibility of Byram signing an offer sheet with a rival club. Chris Johnston believes the sweet spot of such an offer would come in at $7,020,113 on the offer-sheet compensation scale. Anything below that means the Sabres receive a first-round pick and a third-round pick as compensation if they decline to match.

If the Sabres were to match an offer sheet for Byram, Johnston pointed out that it would take him up to UFA status next summer while losing the ability to trade him.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington noted the reports suggesting Byram might receive an offer sheet. However, he thinks Byram would’ve signed one by now if he were interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The interested teams could be trying to go the trade route first before resorting to an offer sheet. Then again, maybe the offer-sheet speculation was merely some pundits killing time on air during the opening day of a talent-thin free-agent market. We’ll find out in due course.

Even with Alex Pietrangelo on long-term injury reserve, the Golden Knights have limited cap space to pursue Byram. They must find another way to shed salary to pull this off.

The Blues could be out of the market after acquiring promising Logan Mailloux from the Montreal Canadiens yesterday. The Kings are also probably out after signing Brian Dumoulin and Cody Ceci.

THE LATEST ON RASMUS ANDERSSON

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson considers it inevitable that the Flames will trade Rasmus Andersson. The 28-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his contract with no extension in sight.

Andersson has been linked to the Vegas Golden Knights following reports claiming they were the only team he was willing to sign a contract extension with if traded.

TSN: reports Flames general manager Craig Conroy said he hadn’t given the Andersson camp permission to speak with other clubs about an extension, and the blueliner has never told him that he was honed in on one team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy has repeatedly said he has no problem with Andersson being in the lineup when the Flames begin the 2025-26 regular season. Nevertheless, a team that lost out in signing a top-four defenseman via free agency could soon come calling about Andersson.

UPDATES ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes the Toronto Maple Leafs’ biggest offseason need is finding a way to bolster their offense following the departure of Mitch Marner to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Siegel believes they need a winger who can make plays next to Auston Matthews or John Tavares, or a second-line center that pushes Tavares to the wing or drops down to the third line.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox believes Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving will survey the trade market, find a bona fide top-six forward, and make a hard pitch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Easier said than done. Treliving might have to wait until the regular season to address that issue.










Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

 Anaheim Ducks sign unrestricted free-agent forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

The New York Rangers signed winger Will Cuylle to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle was a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract.

Buffalo Sabres re-sign center Ryan McLeod to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million. McLeod was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

The San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million contract. He was an unrestricted free agent.

 

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Nate Schmidt inked a three-year contract ($3.5 million AAV) and forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract ($2.5 million AAV).

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million, blueliner Brian Dumoulin to a three-year deal with a $4 million AAV, and winger Corey Perry to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Winger Jonathan Drouin agreed to a two-year contract ($4 million AAV) with the New York Islanders.

Forward Radek Faksa inked a three-year contract ($2 million AAV) with the Dallas Stars.

 

The Vancouver Canucks brought back Brock Boeser, signing him to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

The New York Rangers sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Joel Armia to a two-year contract with a $2.5 million AAV.

The Boston Bruins signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a four-year deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign forward Connor Brown to a four-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year contract with a $3.35 million AAV.

The San Jose Sharks sign winger William Eklund to a three-year deal with an AAV of $5.6 million. Eklund, 22, was a restricted free agent.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens trade defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

Logan Stankoven signs an eight-year contract extension ($6 million AAV) with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old forward was slated to become an RFA next July.

Jake Allen re-signed with the New Jersey Devils. The 34-year-old goaltender agreed to a five-year contract with an AAV of $1.8 million.

The Edmonton Oilers trade winger Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round draft pick in 2027. This move frees up $4 million of salary-cap space for the Oilers.

Thatcher Demko signs a a three-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 29-year-old goaltender was eligible for UFA status next July.

The Canucks also confirmed that Conor Garland signed a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $6 million. Like Demko, he was slated to become a UFA next July.

Martin Fehervary signed a seven-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals worth an AAV of $6 million. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.