NHL Rumor Mill – September 16, 2025

by | Sep 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 16, 2025

An update on Kirill Kaprizov’s contract negotiations with the Wild, and the latest on the Penguins, Canadiens, and Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said he doesn’t think Kirill Kaprizov has informed the Minnesota Wild about a contract number he’d consider acceptable.

Last week, the 28-year-old winger rejected an eight-year, $128 million contract proposal from the Wild, with an average annual value of $16 million.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Friedman said there’s some sense that there’s “no magic number” for Kaprizov. He pointed to Wild owner Craig Leipold’s comments last fall, where he said no other team could pay the winger the type of years and salary that they could.

That has Friedman wondering if the Kaprizov camp is waiting to see how far they can push this, and how comfortable the Wild will be with his final number. While some might think Kaprizov isn’t a $17 million or $18 million player, he could be worth that much to the Wild because of how valuable he is to the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leipold’s public comments may have put his club at a disadvantage in negotiations with Kaprizov’s representatives. However, given the winger’s value to the Wild, they may have taken this stance even if Leipold had said nothing.

Kaprizov is the most exciting player in Wild history. He set the single-season franchise records for goals (47), assists (61), and points (108) in 2021-22, and had 46 goals and 96 points in 2023-24. The game-breaking winger is crucial to their efforts to become a Stanley Cup contender within the next five years.

Signing Kaprizov to an eight-year contract with an AAV between $17 million and $18 million is expensive, and the deal might not age well if injuries and age catch up with him in the final half of the deal. However, if the Wild were willing to pay him $16 million, they should be willing to come up another million or two, especially with the salary cap projected to rise significantly.

If the Wild isn’t willing to do that, trading Kaprizov at the trade deadline or watching him depart as a free agent next July could be disastrous for a franchise that has only won four playoff rounds in 24 years. It sends the wrong message to their fans, creating the perception that Minnesota, the “State of Hockey”, isn’t a desirable location for the league’s best players.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Matt Vensel wondered how much longer forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust will remain with the Penguins.

Both forwards are signed through 2027-28, but they’ve been the subjects of frequent trade speculation throughout the offseason. It’s believed Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has set a high asking price for both, which would explain why they haven’t moved yet.

Vensel expects one or both could be moved at some point between now and the March 2026 trade deadline, or at some point down the road.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubas isn’t going to just move Rust and Rakell for the sake of making a trade. He’s hoping to get the best return possible, which means a first-round pick and a top prospect or a young NHL-ready player. With both players under contract beyond this season, he can afford to be patient.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports Montreal Canadiens management is happy with the club’s progress, especially with its roster core. However, they know that more work must be done.

They want to surround that young core with the right complementary pieces. GM Kent Hughes didn’t rule out overpaying to get a specific player who is important for the team’s future. Asked if the priority was pursuing a young player or a veteran in his 30s, Hughes said he’d answer that question by midseason.

Basu believes the Canadiens will focus on the start of this season to see which teams get off to a slow start and begin shopping veteran players in an effort to improve their chances of winning the 2026 draft lottery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Finding a reliable second-line center remains the Canadiens’ priority. They will likely start the season looking internally, with Kirby Dach filling that role if he’s returned from season-ending knee surgery. However, they will keep their focus on the trade market.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reported that TSN’s Darren Dreger said he wouldn’t be surprised if the Maple Leafs attempted to sign Dillon Dube.

The 27-year-old winger was among the five former Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault charges last month. Dube played for Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving during their days with the Calgary Flames.

Dreger felt Dube might help the Leafs as a possible top-six forward. However, Hornby believes the club would weigh that with the backlash they could face from fans and pundits. He doubted that Dube would dislodge one of the Leafs’ current top-six forwards after a year and a half away from the NHL.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2025

by | Sep 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2025

Should the Rangers attempt to acquire Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov? Which teams should become sellers this season? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST KAPRIZOV SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Vince Z. Mercogliano was recently asked what a realistic trade offer from the New York Rangers would be needed to acquire winger Kirill Kaprizov from the Minnesota Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov, 28, is in the final season of his contract with the Wild and eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. He reportedly rejected an eight-year offer from the Wild worth an average annual value of $16 million.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Mercogliano indicated there are many connections here. Kaprizov shares the same agent as Rangers winger Artemi Panarin. He’s also believed to be close to Rangers goalie Igor Shesterkin and defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov. He claimed that he’s heard the Blueshirts would be on Kaprizov’s short list of trade destinations, and Rangers general manager Chris Drury has growing cap space and a desire to reshape the roster.

As for the asking price, Mercogliano believes it would include two first-round draft picks and a player like Alexis Lafreniere. Clearing the 23-year-old winger’s $7.45 million AAV through 2031-32 might make it possible to sign Kaprizov and retain Panarin, provided the latter agreed to a pay cut.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks took to social media to dismiss the possibility of the Rangers “hollowing out their roster and draft capital” to trade for Kaprizov and then signing him for an AAV between $16 million and $18 million. He called it “about as ludicrous as it gets.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Kaprizov really wants to join the Rangers, and if they have the cap space to sign him, then why trade away solid assets to get him? It would give them exclusive signing rights until July 1, but as Brooks points out, it would do more harm to their roster depth now and in the future.

The Rangers are projected to have over $29.6 million in cap space for 2027-28 with 17 active roster players. Assuming it costs $18 million annually for Kaprizov, that would leave them with only $11 million, most of which would be used to re-sign Panarin or to find a suitable replacement.

Moving Lafreniere’s cap hit increases that cap space to over $37 million, giving them more wiggle room to sign Kaprizov and retain Panarin. However, Lafreniere’s contract is a tough sell right now, and another disappointing campaign means the Rangers would have to retain part of it or take on a bad contract in return.

Age is also a concern. Kaprizov turns 29, and Panarin is currently 33. The Rangers would be investing a significant amount of that projected cap space into two players whose next contracts might not age well, becoming more burdensome during the final years of those deals.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons recently looked at several teams that have the cap space to sign Kaprizov to a massive new contract.

They include rebuilding teams like the Detroit Red Wings, Anaheim Ducks, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Chicago Blackhawks. The retooling Boston Bruins are another, as is the Washington Capitals, who finished first overall in the Eastern Conference last season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If it’s all about the money for Kaprizov, he won’t care where he goes as long as he gets paid. However, the 28-year-old superstar winger might prefer landing with a club that has a chance at becoming a Stanley Cup contender. That rules out all those rebuilding teams for at least the next four or five years.

The Bruins have the cap room, but it’s unlikely that their ownership would approve a massive contract for Kaprizov. That leaves the Capitals, who will seek a replacement for future Hall-of-Famer Alex Ovechkin in the near future. Whether they’re willing to pony up to get him remains to be seen.

WHICH TEAMS SHOULD BECOME SELLERS THIS SEASON?

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato looked at four teams that should consider becoming sellers this season.

The Nashville Predators could consider offloading the salaries of veteran forwards like Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Ryan O’Reilly now that the salary cap will rise significantly over the next two years. Stamkos and Marchessault have no-trade clauses, but they’re in the mid-30s and might not want to stick with a retooling club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wouldn’t be surprising if Stamkos and Marchessault get peddled to playoff clubs if the Predators are out of contention by the March trade deadline.

If the Pittsburgh Penguins want to improve their chances of winning the 2026 draft lottery, they should offload as many veterans as possible. They’ve been trying to move defenseman Erik Karlsson, but should also attempt to trade wingers Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. There are rumblings that this season is Evgeni Malkin’s last, so perhaps he’d consider moving on for one last shot at the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In February, Malkin stated he intends to retire as a Penguin. Unless he’s changed his mind, we can rule out the possibility of shipping him to a playoff contender.

The Calgary Flames are almost certain to move UFA-eligible defenseman Rasmus Andersson. Given the massive demand for centers, they should attempt to trade Nazem Kadri. Veteran winger Blake Coleman could also draw some interest in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came within a whisker of clinching a playoff berth last season. It’ll be interesting to see what they do if they’re still in the hunt by the deadline. Andersson could still be moved, but they will likely hang onto Kadri and Coleman unless those two want to be moved.

This could also be a perfect time for the Boston Bruins to retool their roster. Players like Pavel Zacha, Viktor Arvidsson, Sean Kuraly, and Andrew Peeke could be in demand, enabling them to get returns that help them restock their prospect pipeline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trade rumors have dogged Zacha throughout the offseason. He could be their most valuable trade chip this season if they decide to sell.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 14, 2025

by | Sep 14, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 14, 2025

More Sidney Crosby trade speculation plus the latest on the Canucks in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: Mark Madden believes that, for the first time in Sidney Crosby’s NHL career, the prospect of the Penguins’ superstar finishing his playing days with another team seems real.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Madden based this on comments made by Crosby’s agent, Pat Brisson, who suggested last week that a trade was “always a possibility.” He doesn’t expect the Penguins captain to be moved if the club winds up sold this season. If they remain in the hands of the current ownership, they won’t trade their biggest asset during this season.

If Crosby ends up traded, Madden believes it’ll happen following the 2025-26 campaign. He considers a move at the trade deadline to be a long shot. “Crosby’s addiction to routine makes a midseason move squeamish.”

Crosby would have one season left on his contract after 2025-26. That might hurt his trade value, but a Stanley Cup contender might be willing to pay big to get him.

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu believes if Crosby wants to be traded, the Montreal Canadiens can offer exactly what he wants.

The Canadiens have the young players and draft picks to meet the Penguins’ asking price in a trade. Certain core players, including Ivan Demidov, would be untouchable.

Other clubs, such as the Colorado Avalanche, Tampa Bay Lightning, Dallas Stars, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Florida Panthers, might give Crosby a better chance to win the Stanley Cup. However, the Canadiens exceeded expectations last season and reached the playoffs. They’re a team on the rise, and Crosby could accelerate that ascension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Only one person can decide if Crosby will be traded, and that’s Crosby. He has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his situation. Given his status as the Penguins’ franchise player and one of the game’s greatest stars, the Penguins aren’t going to push him out the door. The decision is his alone.

Basu also noted that the Canadiens were Crosby’s favorite team when he was growing up, and he has always been treated well by Montreal fans whenever he plays there.

As for trade assets, Marc Dumont of Montreal Hockey Now included center Michael Hage and goaltender Jacob Fowler among those promising young players who would be the most enticing. Whether the Canadiens would actually part with either one for one year of Sidney Crosby seems unlikely, but not impossible.

Still, it’s more likely that the Canadiens resolve their second-line center needs internally or with a more affordable option from a different team before the March trade deadline.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks’ management will be on the hot seat this season.

If the Canucks fail to rebound from last season’s disappointing performance, Johnston believes there will be changes in the front office. That will put plenty of pressure on Jim Rutherford, the president of hockey operations, and general manager Patrik Allvin.

A source who is a “close observer” of the situation told Johnston that those management changes could come by Christmas if the Canucks stumble out of the gate.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 13, 2025

by | Sep 13, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 13, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: how Flames goalie Dustin Wolf’s new contract could affect the Oilers’ Stuart Skinner’s next deal, the latest on netminder Carter Hart, and winger Lukas Reichel’s uncertain future with the Blackhawks.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson believes Dustin Wolf’s new contract with the Calgary Flames could affect the next contract of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner.

Wolf, 24, signed a seven-year deal earlier this week with an average annual value of $7.5 million, making him the 10th highest-salaried goalie in the league. Skinner, 26, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Skinner has played 50 playoff games over the past three seasons, backstopping the Oilers to two straight Stanley Cup Finals. He’s played three times more NHL games (including playoffs) than Wolf. His current AAV is a bargain-basement $2.6 million.

Matheson believes a strong season from Skinner in 2025-26 will determine what his next contract looks like.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson pointed out that Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers and Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning are the only goalies among the 10 highest-paid that have Stanley Cup rings.

Skinner is also UFA-eligible at the same time as teammate Connor McDavid. How much the Oilers pony up to keep McDavid in the fold could determine if they have enough to retain their starting goaltender.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston cited NHL sources claiming Carter Hart is expected to reach terms on a new two or three-year contract on Oct. 1, though it can’t be officially registered with the league until Oct. 15.

Hart was among the five former Hockey Canada players recently acquitted of sexual assault charges stemming from a 2018 incident in London, Ontario. Johnston indicated the 27-year-old goalie is seeking a job where he can get a meaningful number of starts with a team that can win.

Johnston reports Hart seeks a fresh start, which rules out returning to his former NHL club, the Philadelphia Flyers. Sources believe he’s almost certain to sign with an American team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hart was the most notable of those five players, having spent several seasons as a starter with the Flyers. He could be the only one who finds an NHL club to sign with, as teams could shy away from the lesser-talented.

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope recently reported that Blackhawks forward Lukas Reichel thought at one point during this offseason that he was going to be traded to the Edmonton Oilers.

“I heard from guys in Germany that I didn’t know knew hockey,” Reichel said. “They came up to me and said, ‘You’re going to go to Edmonton.’ I can’t do anything about it.”

Reichel, 23, acknowledged he had an inconsistent performance last season. Chosen 17th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, he’s struggled to establish himself as a top-six forward.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said Reichel’s name remains “out there” in the rumor mill. He thinks it’s understood that the Blackhawks could move the young forward if they find a suitable trade partner. Friedman also thinks Reichel understands it might be time for a change.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A suitable trade partner would be one willing to meet the Blackhawks’ asking price. Whatever that might be for a struggling first-rounder who has yet to meet expectations remains to be seen, but it’s unlikely to be very high.

The best scenario could be moving Reichel for another struggling young forward and hoping the change of scenery works out for both players.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 12, 2025

by | Sep 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 12, 2025

Check out the latest speculation about Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and Bruins forward Pavel Zacha in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON KIRILL KAPRIZOV

SPORTSNET: During yesterday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said the Minnesota Wild were surprised that Kirill Kaprizov rejected their offer of an eight-year, $128 million contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov, 28, is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The average annual value (AAV) of his current contract is $9 million, and he carries a full no-movement clause. The Wild’s offer had an AAV of $16 million, which would’ve made him the NHL’s highest-paid player, or at least, the highest-paid until Connor McDavid signs his new contract, but that’s another story.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

The Wild must now assess different options to address this situation. One could be increasing their offer. Another could be attempting a sign-and-trade scenario with another team. They could ask Kaprizov which teams he’d be willing to waive his NMC for.

Friedman believes the Kaprizov camp rejected the Wild’s offer because there could be a rival club willing to make him a more expensive proposal. “There’s somebody out there sending up smoke signals, saying ‘We can do better,” Friedman said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Any team that might be signaling a more lucrative offer to the Kaprizov camp had better tread carefully. Under the CBA, making contract offers to a rival player already under contract is considered tampering.

Despite speculation suggesting Kaprizov prefers a short-term deal, Friedman thinks the winger wants to get as many years as possible because of his injury history.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports rumors claiming that the Wild asked Kaprizov for a list of trade destinations are unfounded. “The Wild have not and will not be asking Kaprizov for a trade list,” a source close to the Wild told D’Amico.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michael Russo, the Wild beat writer for The Athletic, also shot down that rumor.

Contract negotiations between the two sides are ongoing. A source close to the situation claims the Kaprizov camp is pushing for a deal closer to the league maximum of 20 percent of the salary cap, preferring something between $18 million and $19 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The first season of Kaprizov’s new contract is 2026-27. With the salary cap reaching $104 million next season, the maximum average annual salary he can get is $20.8 million.

A source also told D’Amico that Kaprizov and his representatives are waiting to see what Connor McDavid’s next contract will be. The Edmonton Oilers superstar is also UFA-eligible next summer. It’s expected that McDavid’s next contract will reset the market, giving Kaprizov leverage for a record-breaking deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid would get the league maximum if he asks for it, but he could also accept a little less than market value to give the Oilers some cap flexibility to add players to the roster. His camp could also be waiting to see what Kaprizov gets, which could lead to both players spending months waiting to see what the other one gets.

SHOULD THE SENATORS PURSUE SIDNEY CROSBY?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch wondered if adding Sidney Crosby might make sense for the Senators should the Pittsburgh Penguins captain become available in the trade market.

Garrioch cited the analysts at TSN’s “Overdrive” afternoon radio show, naming the Senators as one of the teams that might consider the possibility, suggesting they’ll be trying to win the Stanley Cup within the next two or three years.

Jeff O’Neill believes Penguins GM Kyle Dubas would want a talented young player (like defenseman Jake Sanderson) or top prospects for the 38-year-old Crosby, who is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $8.7 million and a full no-movement clause.

The Montreal Canadiens have been mentioned as a destination because they were Crosby’s favorite team growing up. O’Neill upset Canadiens fans by suggesting the Penguins would demand promising winger Ivan Demidov or Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Lane Hutson as part of the return.

Garrioch also noted the Colorado Avalanche are also considered a potential destination, in part because of Crosby’s friendship with Avs star Nathan MacKinnon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby will draw plenty of interest if he’s willing to be traded before his contract expires. The Senators will likely look into it. Whether they have the assets that would tempt the Penguins, or the willingness to meet the asking price, is another matter.

As for the Canadiens, trading a top prospect like Demidov or a rising star like Hutson would go against everything that their management has been building over the past three years. They seek success over the long term, not short-term gains that could delay or derail their goal of perennial Stanley Cup contention.

CANADIENS AND FLAMES SAID TO BE INTERESTED IN PAVEL ZACHA

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an NHL source claims the Canadiens and the Calgary Flames are among the teams to have inquired about the availability of Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha, 28, is in the third season of a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.75 million. The versatile forward also has an eight-team no-trade list.

No deal is imminent, but different trade scenarios have been discussed. No names are confirmed, but Murphy’s source said Canadiens forward prospects Joshua Roy and Oliver Kapanen, and defenseman Jayden Struble, have been mentioned as trade candidates as the club continues its search for a second-line center. The Canadiens are reportedly reluctant to mess with their young core for any center.

Multiple sources said that the trade chatter surrounding Zacha this summer hasn’t been coming from the Bruins, but from the teams interested in acquiring him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins hope to bounce back from last season’s poor performance. Trading Zacha would weaken their depth among their top-six forwards. However, the likelihood of his availability will increase if the Bruins struggle during the opening weeks of this season.

Prospects like Roy and Kapanen and roster players like Struble are the kind of players the Canadiens would be willing to dangle in their quest to shore up their depth at center. Depending on the center, they could also include a draft pick in the deal.

As for the Flames, they would prefer a center with a right-hand shot. Zacha shoots left, but that doesn’t mean they wouldn’t be interested if he becomes available.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 11, 2025

by | Sep 11, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 11, 2025

Could Penguins captain Sidney Crosby end up traded to the Avalanche or Canadiens? Could the Canucks land Ducks center Mason McTavish? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Roundup

CROSBY TO THE AVALANCHE OR CANADIENS?

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen wonders if this is the beginning of the end of Sidney Crosby’s long tenure with the Pittsburgh Penguins after his agent didn’t dismiss the idea of a trade.

Pat Brisson, Crosby’s agent, told The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun earlier this week that a trade was “always a possibility.”. Deen suggests that opens the door a crack to Crosby’s potential departure from Pittsburgh, even if the chances are remote that he gets traded.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Brisson pointed out the Penguins have missed the playoffs the past three years. He indicated that it would depend on how Crosby is going to be and how the Penguins are doing. It’s Brisson’s personal opinion that his client should be playing in the postseason every year.

Deen noted that Crosby’s long friendship with Avalanche star (and fellow Cole Harbour, NS native) Nathan MacKinnon has generated speculation that the Penguins star would end up in Colorado. However, Deen thinks Crosby would be a better fit with his boyhood team, the up-and-coming Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Crosby to the Avalanche is a long shot. They lack the cap space to take on his $8.7 million cap hit for this season, even if the Penguins retain half. The Avs don’t have their first-round pick in 2026, which is likely to be part of the asking price from any team interested in acquiring Crosby. Their prospect pool is ranked 32nd by The Athletic’s Corey Pronman, and they don’t have the type of young NHL-ready players that would tempt the Penguins.

The Canadiens would be a better fit, especially given their depth in 2026 draft picks, their prospect pool, and their young NHL talent. However, Crosby is the type of player a team acquires if they’re poised to be serious Stanley Cup contenders. The Canadiens aren’t there yet.

Jim Parson of The Hockey Writers cited the hosts of TSN’s Overdrive show discussing what a hypothetical trade of Crosby to the Canadiens would look like. Habs fans were overwhelmingly against the idea of parting with winger Ivan Demidov or defenseman Lane Hutson. Parsons believes moving Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, or Juraj Slafkovsky would also be non-starters for the Canadiens.

Giving up any of those young players for a 38-year-old Crosby would go against everything the Canadiens have been doing for the past three years. It could delay or derail their efforts to build into a perennial Stanley Cup contender.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Joe Starkey wonders if Crosby might be softening his stance on being a Penguin for life as a power play to bring back Mario Lemieux as team owner.

If the Crosby trade talk heats up, Starkey suggests that might make the club less attractive to a potential owner other than the Lemieux group.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s an interesting theory, but if Crosby decides to move on, it’ll likely be for one more opportunity to play for a Stanley Cup contender than to help Lemieux regain control of the Penguins.

NO MCTAVISH FOR THE CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston believes Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish would be a great fit as a second-line center for the Vancouver Canucks. However, the Ducks aren’t interested in moving on from the 22-year-old restricted free agent.

If McTavish became available, Johnston pointed out that the Canucks lack the blue-chip trade prospect to pry him away from the Ducks. Meanwhile, there’s a growing consensus among the pundits that the Ducks will get the young center re-signed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other clubs with more depth in draft picks and prospects have been linked to McTavish in the rumor mill. However, as much as those teams need a second-line center like him, so do the Ducks.