NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2025

by | Aug 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 27, 2025

Some speculation over Quinn Hughes’ future with the Canucks, and potential destinations for Carey Price’s contract in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: A reader recently asked James Mirtle if he saw the New Jersey Devils attempting to acquire Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes to reunite him with his brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes is signed through 2026-27. Mirtle thinks it would be only natural for the 25-year-old defenseman to wonder about his future in Vancouver if the Canucks can’t break through and win.

The Canucks could surprise with a bounce-back performance this season that convinces Hughes to stay, but Mirtle considers it unlikely. If they don’t, he thinks management will have to consider a blockbuster trade and what the return might look like.

As for the Devils, Mirtle speculated that they might consider making that commitment next summer if Hughes really wants to join his brothers. He observed that they have over $62 million in cap space for 2027-28 before accounting for Luke’s upcoming new contract, leaving plenty of room to sign Quinn to a massive extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season will be crucial in determining Quinn Hughes’ future with the Canucks. If they struggle this season, it will only stoke the trade rumors. Even if a deal isn’t possible with the Devils, there will be potential contenders with salary-cap space willing to acquire him and sign him to an expensive long-term extension next summer.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont looked at possible trade partners for the Canadiens to move the contract of Carey Price, who has been on permanent long-term injury reserve since 2022.

The Canadiens could retain Price’s contract and use LTIR to exceed the salary cap for the coming season, but they wouldn’t be able to accrue salary-cap space during the season. It would provide them with more cap flexibility if they could find a trade partner to take that contract off their books.

There is a year remaining on Price’s contract. The average annual value is $10.5 million, but he will make $7.5 million in actual salary for 2025-26, with $5.5 million paid as a signing bonus on Sept. 1. That would make his contract palatable for rebuilding teams to remain cap compliant without paying much in actual salary if they move pending UFA players by the March trade deadline.

Dumont suggests the Chicago Blackhawks, Seattle Kraken, and Pittsburgh Penguins as three potential trade partners. The Canadiens would likely have to add “a mediocre draft pick” to the deal to sweeten the pot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The San Jose Sharks have also been mentioned as a trade partner.

Price has a full no-movement clause, but he won’t use it to block the Canadiens from trading his contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2025

by | Aug 26, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 26, 2025

The latest about Oilers captain Connor McDavid’s contract status and an update on the Canucks search for a second-line center in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During last week’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman offered up his take on Connor McDavid’s contract negotiations with the Edmonton Oilers.

McDavid, 28, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. So far, there’s no indication that the two sides are close to getting a contract extension done.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

Friedman believes McDavid and the Oilers will get to work on that after Team Canada’s Olympic orientation camp (Aug. 26-28) is completed. “I just think everybody wants to get it done. I would expect between the Olympic camp and training camp, they sit down and say, ‘How’s this all going to look?”

The Oilers’ training camp opens in mid-September.

OILERS NATION: Zach Laing cited Oilers CEO Jeff Jackson expressing confidence that McDavid’s contract negotiations shouldn’t take long to complete.

Appearing on “Daily Faceoff’s The Sheet”, Jackson told host Jeff Marek that he believes when McDavid is ready, they’ll have a discussion and get a deal done. He pointed out that the Oilers captain loves the city of Edmonton and the team, adding that he has confidence in general manager Stan Bowman. Jackson stated that Oilers owner Darryl Katz and his family have treated McDavid and his wife very well.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This situation seems similar to Leon Draisaitl’s last summer. Weeks of speculation over his status with the Oilers ended when he signed an eight-year extension before training camp last September.

The same situation could unfold for McDavid over the next three weeks. Jackson has every reason to feel confident about getting McDavid under contract. Before he was the Oilers CEO, he was McDavid’s agent.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks had hoped to add a second-line center during this offseason. So far, however, there’s little indication suggesting they’re close to reaching that goal.

It’s proven difficult to make trades this summer. Meanwhile, Canucks management has little appetite to sign one of the remaining players in the unrestricted free-agent market. That includes Jack Roslovic, who is no longer on their radar.

The only additions to the Canucks thus far are winger Evander Kane and defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph. As things stand, their internal options for the second-line center position are the oft-injured Filip Chytil and the untested Aatu Raty.

Johnston believes the Canucks would be interested in Mason McTavish if the 22-year-old Anaheim Ducks center becomes available in the trade market. However, he’s also on everyone else’s radar.

Meanwhile, Johnston’s colleague Steve Ewen reported the Canucks were among the teams interested in Marco Rossi. However, the 23-year-old center is off the market after signing a three-year bridge contract with the Minnesota Wild.

Ewen believes the Canucks could head into training camp with their current group of top-six forwards. He also noted that McTavish has surfaced in the rumor mill, pointing out that other teams are also believed to be interested in him. Ewen indicated the Ducks remain keen to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That list includes Elias Pettersson centering Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk on the first line, and Chytil centering Kane and Conor Garland on the second line. Raty would center their third line.

Barring any developments during training camp and preseason, the Canucks are likely to start the season with those six forwards on their top two lines. Management may have to wait until later in the season to find a trade for a suitable second-line center.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2025

by | Aug 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2025

The latest speculation about Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco was asked by a reader which UFA-eligible players might test the market next summer.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

Di Marco replied that he doesn’t think it’s a slam dunk that Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov will re-sign with their respective teams.

Having paid big bucks to land Mitch Marner this summer, Di Marco wonders if they can afford another high-salaried forward. The rising salary cap for next season could see the average annual value on Eichel’s next contract soar above $12.6 million.

Kaprizov is poised to become the league’s highest-paid winger next season, but Di Marco wonders if Wild general manager Bill Guerin is willing to make him that. Guerin played hardball this summer with Marco Rossi before signing the 23-year-old restricted free-agent center to a three-year contract.

Di Marco believes Kaprizov has the opportunity to change the market for NHL wingers in the largest way since Artemi Panarin signed with the New York Rangers in 2019. He might not want to turn that down.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule out the possibility of Eichel and Kaprizov testing next summer’s UFA market. Nevertheless, both are likely to remain with their current teams beyond this season.

Eichel’s role as a first-line center makes him invaluable to the Golden Knights. They also have a projected $20.3 million in cap space for 2026-27, and we can add another $8.8 million to that with Alex Pietrangelo on permanent long-term injury reserve. They shouldn’t have much difficulty hanging onto him.

Meanwhile, Wild owner Craig Leipold stated last October that re-signing Kaprizov was their focus. “We plan to re-sign him,” said Leipold. “I will tell you nobody will offer more money than us, or longer years, so all we have to do is prove to him that we want to win.”.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 24, 2025

by | Aug 24, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 24, 2025

A suggested trade for the Maple Leafs and Penguins, and speculation the Kings considered shopping Brandt Clarke in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE LEAFS NATION: cited former Toronto Maple Leafs player Jay Rosehill saying he’d welcome a trade that would have the Leafs ship defenseman Morgan Rielly and winger Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for puck-moving blueliner Erik Karlsson.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Rosehill made his comments about the mock trade during his Aug. 21 appearance on the “Leafs Morning Take” podcast. He believes they’re trying to move Nick Robertson because he doesn’t think there’s a fit for the winger on their roster. Rosehill also noted that Rielly’s performance has stalled, and he no longer produces as he used to.

Despite the 35-year-old Karlsson’s age, Rosehill believes the former Norris Trophy winner would still have upside quarterbacking the Leafs’ power play.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can tell we’re still mired in the dog days of a quiet offseason when a mock trade starts making the rounds in the rumor mill.

Thankfully, September is fast approaching, and so is the start of training camp. We should soon start seeing some movement in the trade market, and hopefully some more realistic trade rumors once the pundits all return from their vacations.

As for this mock trade, Pittsburgh would have to retain $3 million of their $10 million share of Karlsson’s $11.5 million average annual value through 2026-27 to make the dollars fit for the Leafs. Regardless, the Penguins likely won’t take on the remaining four years of Rielly’s contract ($7.5 million AAV) just to get the final two years of Karlsson’s deal off their books, especially when it appears Rielly’s performance is declining.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jesse Courville-Lynch cited Michael Russo of The Athletic saying the Los Angeles Kings considered trading defenseman Brandt Clarke.

Russo made those comments during a recent appearance on the “DFO Rundown” podcast. The 22-year-old Clarke had 33 points last season, which was his first full NHL campaign. According to Russo, there were points during this offseason when it felt like the Kings would consider moving Clarke. However, he believes general manager Ken Holland wants to “get his eyes on him” before making a major move like that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings lost defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to the New York Rangers through free agency and traded blueliner Jordan Spence to the Ottawa Senators. They added Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin via free agency, two moves that were greeted with criticism.

Some observers suggest that Clarke could be traded for a return that bolsters their forward depth. However, moving him could further deplete their blueline, making life miserable for their goaltenders.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2025

by | Aug 23, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 23, 2025

Could the Kraken trade Jared McCann? Are the Bruins peddling Fabian Lysell? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SEATTLE HOCKEY INSIDER: Rob Simpson recently reported that the New Jersey Devils were at least one team to express an interest in Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken. The Montreal Canadiens were also rumored to have a strong interest in the 29-year-old forward.

However, the Kraken informed Devils management that McCann wasn’t available. He’s led that club in scoring in every season since their expansion campaign in 2021-22. He also carries a reasonable $5 million average annual value on his contract through 2026-27 with a 10-team no-trade list.

Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann (NHL Images).

Simpson believes it would take a hefty offer to tempt the Kraken into trading McCann. The trade talk could increase if they’re out of playoff contention following the American Thanksgiving long weekend in late November.

RG. Org’s Jim Biringer believes the asking price for the Devils could be a first-round pick. If Dawson Mercer is part of the deal, they’ll have to add a top prospect as well. If the Kraken need defense, Biringer suggested they might have to offer up Simon Nemec or Seamus Casey.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann’s been a good, reliable scorer for the Kraken, but he could be surpassed on their depth chart by younger forwards like Shane Wright or Kaapo Kakko. That could make it easier for the Kraken to peddle him if necessary later this season.

The Kraken would understandably want to get the best return possible if they decide to trade McCann. However, the suggested asking price of a first-rounder or a top prospect like Nemec or Casey, plus Mercer, would probably be too expensive for the Devils.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Andrew Fantucchio reports the Bruins’ recent influx of youth reportedly has management entertaining the idea of trading Fabian Lysell, whom they chose in the first round (21st overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft.

The 22-year-old Lysell made his NHL debut last season, netting three points in 12 games. Fantucchio singled out the lack of consistency in his defensive game. Entering his fourth professional season, this could be a make-or-break campaign for Lysell.

Fantucchio believes Lysell’s trade stock remains relatively high, but that could change if he has another poor showing this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That might explain the recent speculation suggesting Lysell’s availability in the trade market. The Bruins could attempt to cash in while his stock remains high.

The latest on Lysell linked him to the Edmonton Oilers for Matthew Savoie or Vasily Podkolzin, but David Staples of the Edmonton Journal doesn’t see him as a fit with the Oilers.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2025

by | Aug 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 22, 2025

Check out the latest on Marco Rossi and Mason McTavish in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: cited a report by Michael Russo of The Athletic claiming there’s been “significant progress” toward a potential new contract for Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old Minnesota Wild center is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.

Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)

Russo speculates an agreement between Rossi and the Wild could be announced in the coming days. He believes it will be a bridge contract.

RG.ORG: James Murphy cited two NHL sources claiming the Vancouver Canucks and Seattle Kraken recently revisited their interest in Rossi to see where things stand in his contract talks with the Wild.

Neither source provided specifics as to the Wild’s asking price for Rossi. Both suggested one target could be Kraken winger Jared McCann, who is entering the fourth year of a five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi’s been the subject of trade speculation since last season. It was reported that his camp sought a long-term deal between $6 million and $7 million annually, while the Wild reportedly weren’t willing to go much higher than $5 million on a short-term deal.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin never ruled out trading Rossi, but he consistently stated his preference is to sign the young center. Based on Russo’s report, the latter is more likely to happen.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports the Anaheim Ducks want to re-sign Mason McTavish. Like Rossi, the 22-year-old center is a restricted free agent coming off his ELC and has been the subject of growing trade speculation this summer.

Stephens claims the Ducks intend to keep McTavish, seeing him as an important part of their lineup. He indicated the two sides have gone back and forth on short and long-term proposals. The Ducks may not wish to go to the maximum eight-year deal, but they’re not just looking at a bridge deal.

There’s been lots of speculation about which teams need a second-line center and possible trade destinations for McTavish. Stephens believes teams have asked Ducks GM Verbeek about him.

“You know who else needs a second-line center? Anaheim,” replied Stephens. “And it has one that’s 22 and on the rise with a strong finishing kick to last season.” He believes Verbeek sees McTavish as a core player more than he did former Ducks Jamie Drysdale and Trevor Zegras.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the first report I’ve seen this summer from a Ducks beat writer on the status of McTavish’s contract negotiations. All the trade speculation about the young center has come from pundits in other NHL cities.

Stephens pointed out that Verbeek has a reputation as a tough negotiator, which would explain why this situation hasn’t been resolved yet. He also noted that there is still plenty of time for the two sides to get a deal done before training camp opens in mid-September.

We haven’t heard anything from the McTavish camp yet, but that could be because they’d prefer not to discuss those negotiations with the media.