NHL Rumor Mill – February 27, 2026

by | Feb 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 27, 2026

Check out the latest on Predators forward Steven Stamkos, Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers, Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

STEVEN STAMKOS PROVIDES PREDATORS WITH A LIST OF TRADE DESTINATIONS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos has provided the team with a list of trade destinations.

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

Stamkos has two years remaining on his contract and carries a full no-movement clause. LeBrun said that the 34-year-old forward is happy in Nashville and isn’t asking to be traded. This is a preparatory move in case Predators management approaches him about a trade.

The list is topped by Stamkos’ former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning. The Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild are also believed to be on it. LeBrun also believes the New Jersey Devils could be there, as they attempted to sign Stamkos two years ago.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos recently said he’s not sweating the upcoming trade deadline because of his no-movement clause. The possibility of a trade seems unlikely at this point.

RED WINGS REPORTEDLY MAKE A TRADE OFFER FOR TYLER MYERS

TSN: Darren Dreger reported yesterday that the Vancouver Canucks received a trade offer from the Detroit Red Wings for Tyler Myers. That’s why they held the 36-year-old defenseman out of the lineup for Wednesday’s game against the Winnipeg Jets.

Myers is signed through next season with an average annual value of $3 million. He also carries a full no-movement clause for this season. The blueliner and his agent were reportedly deliberating their next move.

Dreger indicated other clubs, such as the Dallas Stars, are believed to be interested in Myers.

Chris Johnston reported Myers had not yet signed off on the deal. It remains to be seen how this plays out between now and the March 6 trade deadline. The blueliner wants time to decide where he wants to play.

Speaking of the Canucks, Dreger noted that forwards Brock Boeser, Jake DeBrusk, and Elias Pettersson have been mentioned in the rumor mill. However, he believes Evander Kane remains the most likely of their forwards to be moved.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes the Dallas Stars and Colorado Avalanche would also be interested in Myers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Myers had intended to finish his career in Vancouver. He and his family love the city and are well-established in the community. He probably wants to take their needs into account. We’ll find out soon enough what Myers intends to do.

WILL THE PANTHERS BECOME SELLERS AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Florida Panthers’ remaining games leading up to next Friday’s trade deadline will determine if they become buyers or sellers.

LeBrun noted that goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is among their players eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. He pointed out that ESPN’s Kevin Weekes indicated that the 37-year-old goaltender has not been signed to an extension, and wondered if he could be traded. LeBrun thinks he could be moved if the Panthers become sellers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bobrovsky carries a salary-cap hit of $10 million, but he’s earning $5 million in actual salary this season. He has a 16-team no-trade list.

It will be interesting to see how things unfold for the Panthers in the coming days. Trading Bobrovsky would be a bold move, and it could send them into the offseason trade and free-agent markets for a suitable replacement.

THE LATEST ON MAPLE LEAFS FORWARDS BOBBY MCMANN AND SCOTT LAUGHTON

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Toronto Maple Leafs will move forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton if they haven’t signed contract extensions by the trade deadline.

Both players are eligible to become unrestricted free agents by July 1. The Leafs aren’t going to carry them to free agency in a season that appears to be heading in the wrong direction.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMann and Laughton have indicated they want to remain with the Leafs. However, that’ll only happen if they’re willing to accept less than market value, which for both players could be around $5 million annually on long-term contracts.

OILERS INTERESTED IN FAULK OR EKMAN-LARSSON?

NHL insider Frank Seravalli believes the Edmonton Oilers could be paying close attention to St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk and Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Both play right-side defense, something the Oilers are trying to address before the trade deadline. However, they’ll have to move Andrew Mangiapane first to clear sufficient cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers are pressed against the salary cap. Mangiapane carries an average annual value of $3.6 million through next season with a full no-trade clause, but he’s believed to be willing to waive it to join a team where he’ll get more playing time.

Faulk’s AAV is $6.5 million through 2026-27 with a 15-team no-trade list, while Ekman-Larsson’s is $3 million through 2027-28 with a 16-team no-trade list. By moving Mangiapane, they would have more than enough for Ekman-Larsson, and should have enough to take on the remainder of Faulk’s salary for this season.

However, the Oilers have limited trade assets. The Blues have reportedly set a high asking price for Faulk, and the Maple Leafs could seek a first-round pick or a top prospect for Ekman-Larsson.

THE SHARKS COULD FLIP KIEFER SHERWOOD

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports a source informed him that the San Jose Sharks are open to trading Kiefer Sherwood if he hasn’t signed a contract extension by March 6.

The Sharks acquired the 30-year-old winger from the Vancouver Canucks last month. Given his $1.5 million cap hit, he could draw plenty of interest in the trade market.

LeBrun believes Sherwood would like to stay with the Sharks. However, it’s more likely than not that he gets moved by the trade deadline if he’s not re-signed by then.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 26, 2026

by | Feb 26, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 26, 2026

Who could the Maple Leafs peddle if they become trade deadline sellers? What’s the latest on Canadiens winger Patrik Laine? Could Brendan Shanahan and Marc Bergevin join the Predators’ front office? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MAPLE LEAFS TRADE CANDIDATES

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan looked at five potential Maple Leafs trade candidates if management becomes a seller by the March 6 trade deadline.

Bobby McMann topped the list. The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Maple Leafs currently lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Given the way first-round picks are thrown around in trades now, McMann could fetch one.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Bobby McMann (NHL Images).

McMann has said he wants to re-sign with the Maple Leafs, but that could cost between $4.5 million and $5 million per season. Koshan believes he’ll be moved if he hasn’t signed an extension before next Friday.

Scott Laughton is also UFA-eligible, and he hasn’t provided the return that the Leafs sought when they sent a first-rounder and prospect Nikita Grebenkin to the Philadelphia Flyers last year to get him. He could be an effective depth player for a contender.

Defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $3.5 million. He could be an attractive piece for teams with Stanley Cup aspirations.

Goaltender Anthony Stolarz’s four-year contract extension begins next season with an AAV of $3.75 million. Injuries have hampered his performance this season.

Like McMann and Laughton, forward Calle Jarnkrok is due to become a UFA on July 1.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports the Maple Leafs would like to re-sign McMann, but it doesn’t seem like they’re willing to pay him up to $5 million annually. They’d also like to keep Laughton, but where his salary number starts is debatable.

There’s not much of a goalie market heading toward the trade deadline. The Leafs might have to wait until the offseason to determine who stays or goes between Stolarz, Joseph Woll, and Dennis Hildeby.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon listed some possible trade destinations for McMann.

Topping his list is the Edmonton Oilers, followed by the Utah Mammoth, New York Islanders, Seattle Kraken, Detroit Red Wings, and Los Angeles Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMann’s style of play and his affordable $1.4 million cap hit will make him among the most desirable players at this year’s trade deadline.

The Oilers lack their 2026 first-rounder, and their prospect pool is getting shallow. The other clubs have their first-rounders, while the Islanders and Kraken each have two, though their spare first-rounders come with conditions attached. Most of them also have plenty of prospects and promising young players to draw on for trade bait.

CANADIENS AND KINGS DISCUSSED PATRIK LAINE

TVA SPORTS: According to Dennis Bernstein of The Fourth Period, the Montreal Canadiens and Los Angeles Kings had talks about Patrik Laine in recent weeks.

The Kings are looking for a top-six forward and spoke with the Canadiens about Laine, who is due to return to action after being sidelined by abdominal surgery since October. However, there doesn’t seem to be a fit right now, and the Kings are looking elsewhere.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was expected that the Kings would return to the trade market following Kevin Fiala’s season-ending leg injury during the Olympics. No surprise that they checked in with the Canadiens, who could be having some difficulty fitting players returning from injuries back into their lineup.

It’s doubtful that Laine will end up with the Kings by the trade deadline, but the 27-year-old winger could end up with another playoff contender by March 6.

The Canadiens have played well in Laine’s absence, and he no longer fits in their plans. He’s UFA-eligible on July 1. The asking price won’t be high, and the Canadiens could be willing to retain part of his $8.7 million cap hit.

COULD SHANAHAN AND BERGEVIN JOIN THE PREDATORS?

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports multiple NHL sources claim Brendan Shanahan and Marc Bergevin have been linked to the Nashville Predators.

Shanahan is the former president of the Toronto Maple Leafs, while Bergevin is the former general manager of the Montreal Canadiens and currently an associate GM with the Buffalo Sabres.

Predators general manager Barry Trotz has indicated he will step down as soon as a suitable replacement is found. It’s rumored that Shanahan would become the Predators’ President of Hockey Operations while Bergevin would be their new general manager.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy stated that his sources caution that nothing is set in stone yet. Shanahan and Bergevin could be among several candidates for those positions.

For now, Trotz remains as general manager and is handling the club’s plans for the upcoming trade deadline. There is no timetable to replace Trotz, but it’s believed the club prefers to do so before the 2026 NHL Draft in June.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 25, 2026

by | Feb 25, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 25, 2026

Check out the latest on the Canucks’ Elias Pettersson and Evander Kane, the Flames’ Nazem Kadri, the Maple Leafs and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS GETTING INTEREST IN ELIAS PETTERSSON, COULD MOVE EVANDER KANE

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there is renewed trade interest in Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, but they haven’t yet received an offer worth considering. Pettersson’s agents are aware of the trade discussions. However, they won’t include their client (who has a no-movement clause) until it reaches a point where there is a potential deal.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s declining production is a stumbling block in the path to a trade, though the teams that have inquired about him likely believe he’ll regain his scoring form with a change of scenery. Nevertheless, his no-movement protection and his $11.6 million average annual value through 2031-32 are also significant hurdles that could keep him in Vancouver beyond the March 6 trade deadline.

Chris Johnston reports Evander Kane was the subject of a fair amount of trade discussions. It’s expected the 34-year-old winger could be moved to a playoff club by the March 6 deadline, with the Canucks willing to retain half of his $5.125 million cap hit. The Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Dallas Stars are among the clubs that have made inquiries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is more likely to be moved by March 6 than Pettersson, especially if the Canucks retain half of his remaining salary. He might cost at most a third-round pick.

FLAMES COULD MOVE KADRI, LOOKING AT INTEREST IN COLEMAN AND MORE

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Calgary Flames are still testing the trade market for Nazem Kadri. He claims the 35-year-old center wants to be traded. They’re also looking at the interest in winger Blake Coleman and defensemen MacKenzie Weegar and Zach Whitecloud. Dreger stated that Flames general manager Craig Conroy will remain patient to ensure he has a full assessment of the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All those players are signed beyond this season. That’s why Conroy can play the waiting game. He’s under no pressure to move them at the trade deadline. If there are no suitable offers by March 6, he can wait for the offseason to see if the trade market improves.

Chris Johnston suggested the Colorado Avalanche might be a suitor for Kadri, who played for them for several seasons before signing with the Flames in the summer of 2022. The Avalanche created extra salary-cap space on Tuesday by trading defenseman Samuel Girard to the Pittsburgh Penguins for blueliner Brett Kulak. They’re expected to use that additional cap room to add a forward, probably a centerman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri carries an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29 with a 13-team no-trade list. It’s a good bet that the Avalanche aren’t on that list. He’d probably leap at the opportunity to rejoin the Avalanche and pursue another Stanley Cup with them.

WILL THE MAPLE LEAFS BECOME SELLERS?

TSN: Darren Dreger thinks the next two or three games for the Toronto Maple Leafs will decide if they become sellers at the trade deadline. They’re currently six points out of a wild-card berth in the Eastern Conference with four clubs to leapfrog.

If the Leafs decide to sell, Dreger believes UFA-eligible forwards such as Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton could be put on the trade block.

WHICH PLAYERS’ TRADE VALUE WAS AFFECTED BY THEIR OLYMPIC PERFORMANCES?

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin examined which players’ trade value changed for better or worse by the performances in the Olympics.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington topped the list of those whose value went up. Binnington had a solid performance between the pipes for Canada. New York Rangers winger Mika Zibanejad and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen also likely got a boost from their efforts in the Olympics.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson, Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Ottawa Senators center Lars Eller, and Seattle Kraken winger Eeli Tolvanen saw their stock go down.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 24, 2026

by | Feb 24, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 24, 2026

Check out the latest on the Flames’ Nazem Kadri, the Rangers’ Vincent Trocheck, the Predators’ Steven Stamkos, the Canucks’ Evander Kane, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

A NAZEM KADRI TRADE SEEMS INEVITABLE

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis believes it’s not a question of if the Calgary Flames trade Nazem Kadri, but when.

Kadri remains focused on helping the Flames, insisting he doesn’t have one foot out the door. However, the 34-year-old center acknowledged that his future remains in the hands of the club’s management. He admitted having discussions about his future with general manager Craig Conroy, but declined to elaborate.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

What complicates things is Kadri’s contract. He’s signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list. Francis believes plenty of contenders would love to have him as a second-line center, but the Flames would have to retain a healthy portion of his salary cap hit.

Francis pointed out that the Flames only have one salary retention spot left for this season. He speculated they could use that to maximize the return if they trade winger Blake Coleman. That would leave Conroy waiting until the summer to move Kadri, when two more retention spots open up.

TSN: Darren Dreger reported the Flames have received strong offers for Kadri, who has 10 goals and 39 points in 56 games this season. He believes they could hang onto the veteran center until other centers, such as Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers, come off the market, hoping that it will increase Kadri’s value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Flames retain part of Kadri’s cap hit, they could insist on a sweetener in the deal. Hanging onto him to wait for other centers to be moved could be risky if those centers don’t move until the final hours before the trade deadline.

Nevertheless, Kadri being under contract beyond this season works to the Flames’ advantage. If they don’t receive suitable proposals from other clubs by the trade deadline, they can afford to wait for the offseason for better offers, especially from teams with plentiful cap room trying to improve their depth at center.

THE WILD AND RED WINGS ARE AMONG THE CLUBS INTERESTED IN VINCENT TROCHECK

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports sources believe Vincent Trocheck will be moved by the March 6 trade deadline if he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause. Like Kadri, the 32-year-old center is signed through 2028-29. He carries an AAV of $5.625 million and a 12-team no-trade list.

The Minnesota Wild are considered the front-runners for Trocheck. One source told Murphy that the Rangers’ asking price is prospect Charlie Stramel and maybe the Wild’s first or second-round pick in 2027.

Sources also said the Detroit Red Wings are interested in Trocheck. Murphy wondered if they’d be willing to part with rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka and a prospect goaltender such as Sebastian Cossa or Trey Augustine.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Murphy pointed out, the Rangers are seeking young players who can either immediately join their roster or those on the cusp.

The Wild traded three of their top prospects to the Vancouver Canucks in the Quinn Hughes trade. That’s why young goaltender Jesper Wallstedt has been frequently mentioned as a trade chip to bring in a center.

Comparing the respective prospect pools for the Wild and Red Wings, the latter has the advantage in tradeable assets. Whether the Wings will part with any of them for Trocheck remains to be seen. They might be willing to move Cossa or Augustine, but it seems unlikely that they’ll part with the promising Sandin-Pellikka.

STEVEN STAMKOS SHOOTS DOWN TRADE SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith reports Steven Stamkos isn’t sweating the upcoming NHL trade deadline. The 34-year-old Nashville Predators forward has been the subject of trade rumors this season.

Stamkos acknowledged that those rumors come with the territory for a playoff bubble team like the Predators. However, he said he’s not worried about it because he’s got a full no-movement clause on his contract, which runs through 2027-28. Stamkos said he hasn’t had any discussions about it with management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos isn’t going anywhere unless he wants to move. By the sound of things, he’s happy in Nashville.

FLYERS DEFENSEMAN RASMUS RISTOLAINEN GARNERING INTEREST

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports there’s been growing interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen in recent weeks. He claimed five or six teams have checked in on the 31-year-old right-shot blueliner.

Ristolainen is signed through next season with an AAV of $5.1 million. He lacks no-trade protection. Di Marco claims the Flyers seek a return comparable to what the Boston Bruins received in last year’s Brandon Carlo trade or what the Montreal Canadiens got for Ben Chiarot four years ago.

Di Marco indicated that Ristolainen doesn’t seem particularly fond of the idea of getting traded. Nevertheless, the Flyers are believed to be willing to retain part of his cap hit to facilitate a deal for the right price. Di Marco claimed the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers are among the interested teams, but neither club has stepped up as a serious landing spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen has popped up often in the rumor mill near the past two trade deadlines. His value in this year’s trade market could be hampered by his injury history.

For those who might be wondering, the Bruins received forward Fraser Minten, a conditional first-round pick in 2026, and a 2025 fourth-rounder from the Toronto Maple Leafs for Carlo. The Canadiens received a prospect, a 2023 first-round pick, and a 2022 fourth-rounder from the Florida Panthers for Chiarot.

THE LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance reports the Vancouver Canucks are willing to listen to offers for just about everybody on the roster. However, they aren’t actively shopping their half-dozen expensive veterans with several years remaining on their contracts and some form of no-trade protection.

The Canucks are in the market for draft picks and prospects, but they’re also open to players with term left on their deals who can provide short and medium-term help.

Evander Kane is drawing some interest in the trade market. He’s eligible for unrestricted free-agent status and carries a $5.15 million cap hit this season. The Canucks are willing to retain half of it to facilitate a deal. Drance believes the 34-year-old winger could be a fallback option for the Dallas Stars, Los Angeles Kings, Tampa Bay Lightning, or Colorado Avalanche.

CANUCKS ARMY: TSN’s Darren Dreger believes there’s enough interest in Kane to make a trade plausible. He suggested a deal might likely get done sometime this week.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane’s recent postseason history will make him enticing as a depth addition for a contender, especially if the Canucks are willing to retain salary. He could cost at most a third-round pick.

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes the Canucks will attempt to peddle their UFA-eligible players such as Kane, Teddy Blueger, and David Kampf.

Kuzma claims Canucks high-priced center Elias Pettersson is still drawing interest in the trade market. He said he was told to check out the Detroit Red Wings, who need a second-line center.

The Red Wings have the cap space to take on Pettersson’s $11.6 million AAV, but he does hold the hammer with his full no-movement clause. Kuzma wonders if they’ll part with center Marco Kasper and prospect Nate Danielson, plus a 2026 first-rounder and a conditional 2027 first-round pick.

Kuzma also wondered if wingers Conor Garland and Jake DeBrusk could be trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Never say never when it comes to an expensive, struggling player such as Pettersson getting traded. He could waive his NMC for an opportunity to join a rising young team in Detroit. However, I don’t think Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman would offer up that much to get him. Maybe Kasper or Danielson with one of those picks.

WILL THE OILERS FIND A TAKER FOR ANDREW MANGIAPANE?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports Oilers GM Stan Bowman will have to work some salary-cap gymnastics to free up salary for his cap-strapped club to bolster their defense and add a third-line center.

Bowman has attempted to move little-used winger Andrew Mangiapane and his $3.6 million cap hit through next season, but hasn’t drummed up much interest. They’ll likely have to add a draft pick or prospect as a sweetener.

Meanwhile, Matheson’s colleague David Staples reports NHL insider Frank Seravalli has said he expects the Oilers will move Mangiapane within the next three or four days. Seravalli believes they’ll use the cap space freed up by moving him to bring in a winger with size who can score.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if Mangiapane will be moved by the deadline. There are conflicting views here on what the Oilers are seeking, but the consensus among Edmonton pundits has them looking for a right-side top-four defenseman to play alongside Darnell Nurse.










NHL Rumor Roundup – February 23, 2026

by | Feb 23, 2026

NHL Rumor Roundup – February 23, 2026

The Olympic trade freeze is lifted. With the March 6 trade deadline approaching, check out the latest on the Oilers and Flyers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHICH DEFENSEMEN COULD THE OILERS TARGET IN THE TRADE MARKET?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson observed that the Oilers have acquired a defenseman in two of the last three NHL trade deadlines. As much as they need a third-line center, Matheson believes they have a greater requirement for a right-shot top-four blueliner.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy (NHL Images)

Matheson referred to TSN’s Craig Button’s suggestion that Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks would be a good fit alongside Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse.

Other options include Luke Schenn of the Winnipeg Jets, Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins, Nick Perbix of the Nashville Predators, and Rasmus Ristolainen of the Philadelphia Flyers. However, Schenn is aging, Peeke and Perbix are “iffy”, and Ristolainen has an injury history.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the available options are either out of the Oilers’ price range in terms of return and cap hit, or could be risky acquisitions if they fail to mesh well on their blueline.

The Oilers could wait a few days to see how the blueline corps responds to the return of Paul Coffey as their defense coach. However, if they wait too long, they could lose out on the few options in the trade market.

What do you think, Oilers fans? Let us know in the comments section which defensemen you believe your club has a realistic chance of acquiring by the trade deadline.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell also looked at possible trade targets to address the Oilers’ need for a right-shot defenseman.

Dougie Hamilton of the New Jersey Devils and John Carlson of the Washington Capitals are mentioned. However, multiple factors (cap hit, no-trade clauses, expensive return) rule them out for the Oilers.

Braden Schneider of the New York Rangers is a good bet to have strong shutdown seasons, but the 24-year-old could be a risky move as a deadline addition. Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames is very good, but the Flames aren’t likely to help their long-time rival.

As for Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks and Andrew Peeke of the Boston Bruins, Mitchell pointed out that they’re not having strong seasons.

Mitchell believes Artem Zub of the Ottawa Senators would be a perfect fit based on his numbers versus elite talent. However, he’s unlikely to be available.

COULD THE FLYERS MOVE RASMUS RISTOLAINEN AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports the Philadelphia Flyers would be willing to listen to calls about Rasmus Ristolainen.

Kurz noted there was tepid interest in Ristolainen last season until the final days leading up to the 2025 deadline. He indicated that the lanky defenseman has a year left on his contract with a salary cap hit of $5.1 million.

As a right-shot blueliner, Ristolainen could draw more interest this season, given the limited number of sellers. The Flyers won’t be interested in a minimal return for him.

The Dallas Stars could be a suitor. They could be seeking a right-shot defenseman after losing out on Rasmus Andersson, who was traded by the Flames to the Vegas Golden Knights last month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ristolainen has become a more defensively reliable rearguard in Philadelphia. Having that extra year on his contract would make him enticing for clubs seeking players who will be more than rentals. However, his injury history could lead clubs to pursue healthier options elsewhere.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 22, 2026

by | Feb 22, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 22, 2026

The latest on Blues center Robert Thomas, and an update on the Blue Jackets in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup

SPORTSNET: With the March 6 trade deadline on the horizon, St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas acknowledged the trade rumors swirling around him and his teammates.

The Blues are near the bottom of the standings. That has led to rumors involving several Blues, such as defenseman Justin Faulk and forwards Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich, and Jordan Kyrou. They also include the 26-year-old Thomas, who has a full no-trade clause.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).

Thomas is in the third season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.125 million.

Elliotte Friedman reports the Blues seek a high asking price for Thomas, who declined to say if he’ll waive his NTC. “I don’t really want to talk too much about it now. We’ll talk about it later,” Thomas said. “I have one. That’s kind of where we’re at.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues management has probably spoken to Thomas about whether he’d agree to waive his clause if a rival club is willing to meet their price for him. The fact that it’s expensive suggests few teams are willing to do so, and perhaps even fewer would be on Thomas’ list of preferred destinations.

Thomas could be moved before March 6, but that’s not a certainty. The Blues aren’t under any pressure to move him as they would be if he were a pending free agent. If no one meets their price by March 6 (assuming Thomas agrees to a trade), they’ll revisit it in the offseason.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reported on Thursday that the Columbus Blue Jackets had not engaged in serious contract talks with UFA-eligible players Charlie Coyle, Boone Jenner, Mason Marchment, and Erik Gudbranson.

However, general manager Don Waddell said he spoke with the players and their agents to gauge their feelings about staying in Columbus. “Everybody wants to stay here,” Waddell said. We’ve got something going here.”

Coyle and Marchment could be Waddell’s biggest priorities. He’ll have to decide if he’ll keep them or trade them if they’re still unsigned by the March 6 deadline.

NHL.COM: Waddell also indicated that he’s not interested in acquiring rental players if his club remains in playoff contention by the deadline.

“If we could trade for somebody that has term, that we like going forward, that’s a different value that we look at,” Waddell said. “We’ll see. All the UFAs right now on our team on our team play a good role for our team, so if you take anybody off, you’re going to have to replace them because of the positions that they play.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jackets have over $45 million in projected trade deadline cap space, so they have room to add if Waddell wishes to. They also have over $46 million in projected space for next season with 14 active roster players under contract.

Re-signing Coyle, Marchment, Jenner, and Gudbranson shouldn’t take up too much room, leaving space to re-sign RFAs such as Adam Fantilli, Cole Sillinger, and Jet Greaves. It should also leave enough space to add a player or two signed beyond this season.