NHL Rumor Mill – October 30, 2025

by | Oct 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 30, 2025

Evaluating possible trade targets for the Canadiens and the New Jersey Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont weighed in on recent rumors linking the Canadiens to Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently indicated that Canadiens management has compiled a list of centers who might become available between now and the March 6 trade deadline, and Kadri is among them. He thinks the Canadiens might be interested because of their ongoing need for a second-line center.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Dumont noted the 35-year-old Kadri is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list. He’s done a good job of bucking the usual decline for athletes in his age group, and his underlying numbers remain good despite the Flames’ poor performance this season.

Nevertheless, Kadri’s age is a concern, and the Canadiens tend to focus on youth to maximize their asset value in trades. They would also have to pay a premium for Kadri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dumont believes acquiring Kadri would fly in the face of most of the decisions they’ve made during their rebuild. The Canadiens are likely to pursue younger options to address their second-line center needs.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston was recently asked which of the following players could be realistic trade targets for the Canadiens: Matty Beniers of the Seattle Kraken, Bo Horvat of the New York Islanders, or Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins.

Johnston considered Zacha as the most likely candidate, but he doesn’t see the Bruins moving him to a long-time rival like the Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports suggest the Bruins aren’t in any hurry to move Zacha, who is signed through next season. He may sign a contract extension next summer.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked at four early-season trade targets for the Devils.

Nichols believes the Devils will need reinforcements if they intend to stage a deep playoff run this season. He listed Zacha, Blake Coleman of the Calgary Flames, Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks, and Alex Tuch of the Buffalo Sabres as potential options.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All four are on teams that are struggling early in this season. However, none of them are sellers yet. That could change in the coming weeks if they don’t soon turn their fortunes around. By that point, the Devils might find other options elsewhere.

Tuch and Wennberg are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next summer. Zacha and Coleman are signed beyond this season. Tuch has indicated his willingness to stay in Buffalo, but he’s paused his contract extension talks.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 29, 2025

by | Oct 29, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 29, 2025

More updates on Bruins center Pavel Zacha and Flames center Nazem Kadri, plus the latest on the Hurricanes in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports sources confirming that the Vancouver Canucks reached out to the Boston Bruins during the summer about the availability of Pavel Zacha.

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (NHL Images).

LeBrun said the Bruins still see the 28-year-old center as a long-term fit. He’s signed through 2026-27, and it wouldn’t be surprising if he signs an extension next summer.

RG.ORG: James Murphy also noted the recent reports linking Zacha to the Canucks, and that the Bruins have told their players that they haven’t given up on this season. If the Bruins’ season goes south, their asking price for Zacha from the Canucks could be young defenseman Victor Mancini.

Murphy also reported that the Calgary Flames were also interested in Zacha during the offseason. The Edmonton Oilers could also be a good fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams will keep an eye on the Bruins in the coming weeks. They could be sellers if they haven’t gained ground in the standings by midseason. Zacha will draw plenty of interest, but LeBrun’s report suggests it could take a significant offer to pry him away from the Bruins. If he’s willing to sign an extension, they’re unlikely to peddle him.

THE LATEST ON NAZEM KADRI

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports that there is plenty of media-driven speculation regarding Nazem Kadri based on the Calgary Flames playing well below expectations to start the season. There are other Canadian teams (Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, Toronto Maple Leafs) that can envision the 35-year-old center in their lineup.

However, Kadri loves playing in Calgary. Unless the Flames decide to reconstruct their roster, any talk of moving him is premature.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Flames are still wallowing in the basement by the Christmas roster freeze, then it’s likely they’ll start exploring trade options for Kadri. However, they’re under no pressure to move him this season. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an annual average value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade clause. They can afford to wait until next summer if necessary if they don’t get any suitable offers for him during this season.

WILL THE HURRICANES ATTEMPT ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER MOVE?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo believes Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky will attempt to acquire a superstar for the long term.

League sources said the Hurricanes reached out to the Minnesota Wild to express an interest in Kirill Kaprizov if they were to consider trading him. This was before Kaprizov signed his eight-year extension with the Wild.

Russo also noted that the Hurricanes are often rumored to be looking to upgrade their goaltending. However, Tulsky said that doesn’t mean they’re unhappy with the current tandem of Frederik Andersen and Pyotr Kochetkov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes acquired Mikko Rantanen last January, but moved him six weeks later to the Dallas Stars when he wouldn’t sign a contract extension. They also attempted to acquire Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the trade deadline. So yes, Tulsky will likely attempt another big move in the trade market.

The Hurricanes currently have over $9 million in cap space, which accrues to over $36 million by the March 6 trade deadline. Tulsky won’t let that cap space go to waste if he can find a suitable trade target and meet the asking price.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2025

by | Oct 28, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2025

The latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri, Blue Jackets winger Yegor Chinakhov, and Sharks center Alex Wennberg in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

KADRI ISN’T CONCERNED ABOUT TRADE RUMORS

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Nazem Kadri is brushing off recent trade rumors that arose during the Calgary Flames’ poor start to this season. The 35-year-old center acknowledged there would be questions about it, but he’s putting his focus on winning hockey games.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Kadri is signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million and a 13-team no-trade list. Some pundits have mentioned him as a trade candidate if the Flames become sellers at some point before the March 6 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s far too early in the season for the Flames to go into sell mode. They need players like Kadri if they hope to turn things around in the coming weeks. However, that could change if they’re still mired in the basement by the New Year.

THE LATEST ON YEGOR CHINAKHOV

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Yegor Chinakhov has been a “good soldier” for the Columbus Blue Jackets. Despite seeing limited playing time on their fourth line, the 24-year-old forward is still working hard in practice and staying involved in team charity functions.

Chinakhov has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since making his trade request in July, something he has not rescinded. Portzline noted the difficulty he faces moving up in the Blue Jackets’ lineup. The Jackets aren’t moving Kirill Marchenko and Dmitri Voronkov from the first line. Boone Jenner and Kent Johnson aren’t easy to move from the second line, while third-liners Cole Sillinger and Mathieu Joseph work better as penalty killers than Chinakhov.

The Jackets prefer a return for Chinakhov that addresses their immediate needs. Portzline wondered if struggling clubs, such as the New York Rangers or Calgary Flames, might become trade partners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will eventually find a suitable trade destination for Chinakhov. For now, it’s difficult to find a team willing to do a player-for-player deal that addresses their needs.

SHOULD THE CANUCKS PURSUE WENNBERG?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Kierszenblat cited reports claiming Alex Wennberg could be available in the trade market. The 31-year-old San Jose Sharks forward can play center or wing, and is in the final season of a two-year contract with a cap hit of $5 million. He also has a 15-team approved trade list.

Kierszenblat wondered if Wennberg could become a trade target for the Vancouver Canucks to help address their center depth. He wouldn’t be surprised if the Sharks forward wound up in Vancouver before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks won’t be moving Wennberg right now unless someone like the Canucks is willing to overpay for his services. They could peddle him later in the season, but that could come too late to help the Canucks.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025

by | Oct 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025

The latest on the Flames, plus updates on the Leafs’ Nick Robertson, the Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov, and the Rangers’ Brennan Othmann in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports the trade market is stagnant right now because so many teams began this season targeting a playoff berth.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

It’s become a seller’s market, with the Calgary Flames being the only club in the cellar. They possess what Fox considers “two of hockey’s most moveable assets”: minute-munching defenseman Rasmus Andersson and two-way center Nazem Kadri

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are off to a rough start with just two wins in their first 10 games. Nevertheless, general manager Craig Conroy is reportedly shopping around for additional scoring for his offensively anemic team.

Andersson and Kadri have frequently appeared in early-season trade rumors, but Conroy isn’t moving either guy at this stage unless he gets a mind-blowing offer, which isn’t likely. He’ll hang onto both of them and see how the season unfolds.

If the Flames remain bottom-feeders when the calendar flips to January, that’s when Conroy will likely go into sell mode.

The Chicago Blackhawks got a fourth-round pick when they shipped winger Lukas Reichel to the Vancouver Canucks last week.

Fox believes that’s set the trade market for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov. A fourth-round pick doesn’t help either club when they’re trying to ice a better product now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means Robertson and Chinakhov will likely be sticking with their current clubs for the time being.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano reports Brennan Othmann is aware his name recently surfaced in trade rumors. It’s believed New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is willing to move the 22-year-old left winger for another young player with upside.

Othmann was sent down to the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford before the start of the season. However, his recent recall suggests the club still sees value in him and won’t give him away.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari pointed out that the aging Rangers have wasted a lot of their young talent of late, due to poor development or players not panning out. He believes they don’t have the luxury of wasting more young talent and need players like Othmann and other prospects to pan out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferrari believes a trade is the most likely option trending right now for Otthman. A lot will depend on how he performs during this call-up with the Rangers. However, the best they might get is a return comparable to what the Blackhawks got for Reichel.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 26, 2025

by | Oct 26, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 26, 2025

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on Flames center Nazem Kadri, Bruins center Pavel Zacha, and Canadiens winger Patrik Laine, plus some proposed goalie trade targets for the Oilers.

THE LATEST ON NAZEM KADRI

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said there is a lot of attention lately on Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. There is “zero chance” that he will be going anywhere before he plays his 1,000th career regular-season game. He is currently on 994 games.

Friedman also pointed out that Kadri no longer has a no-movement clause, as it has reverted to a 13-team no-trade list. Interested teams will want to know if they’re on that list, and if so, what it will take to sell him if the Flames decide to put him on the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely he’ll be going anywhere until at least January if the Flames decide to become sellers. It’s been a terrible month, but they still have time to turn things around. They could try to move Kadri in late November or December, but they might find better options if they wait until the New Year.

CANUCKS ARE INTERESTED IN PAVEL ZACHA

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (NHL Images).

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman cited a report from Rick Dhaliwal, claiming the Vancouver Canucks contacted the Boston Bruins about Pavel Zacha. Friedman believes the Canucks’ interest in the versatile 28-year-old forward goes back to the summer.

Zacha is signed through 2026-27. Teams are looking for centers, and Boston doesn’t have to do anything they don’t want to do. However, the Canucks and some other teams have been trying to pry Zacha away from the Bruins. The Canucks don’t believe that they’re on Zacha’s no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks probably aren’t the only club to contact the Bruins about Zacha’s availability. The Montreal Canadiens, Nashville Predators, and Philadelphia Flyers were among the clubs that were reportedly shopping around for a second-line center.

However, the Bruins are trying to rebound from their disappointing performance last season. Trading away Zacha this early in the season won’t help. If they become sellers, it’ll be in the New Year unless someone makes a ridiculously lopsided offer. 

PATRIK LAINE’S FUTURE WITH THE CANADIENS IS UNCERTAIN

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels believes Patrik Laine faces an uncertain future with the Montreal Canadiens. The 28-year-old winger is currently sidelined after surgery to repair an injury core muscle and is expected to be out for three to four months.

Laine is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Injuries have hobbled his effectiveness as a scoring forward, and Engels believes he could have difficulty getting back into the Canadiens’ lineup if they remain fully healthy or add more forwards before the March 6 trade deadline.

Engels also speculated that Laine could be moved before the March trade deadline. Given his UFA eligibility, that was a possibility before he was sidelined.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another tough break for Laine, who was hoping to put his injury woes behind him and prove to the Canadiens that he was willing to make the changes in his game that they wanted.

A year ago, losing Laine was devastating to the Canadiens’ offense. They struggled through the first two months of the season, and started to rally back after he rejoined the lineup in December. Montreal general manager Kent Hughes said earlier this year that Laine’s performance last season played a key role in the club reaching the playoffs.

This season is a different story. His injury is unfortunate news for the Canadiens. Still, the additions of Ivan Demidov, Zach Bolduc, and puck-moving defenseman Noah Dobson, along with the full-time promotion of Oliver Kapanen, have given this club some much-needed scoring depth. Meanwhile, Laine had one point in eight games, seeing fourth-line minutes while seeing duty on the second power-play unit.

POTENTIAL GOALTENDING TRADE CANDIDATES FOR THE OILERS

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin recently listed some potential trade options for the Edmonton Oilers to upgrade their goaltending.

Low-ceiling veteran stopgaps include Alex Lyon of the Buffalo Sabres and David Rittich or Semyon Varlamov of the New York Islanders.

Tristan Jarry of the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Sabres’ Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen are “buy lows with upside.”

The Penguins’ Arturs Silovs and Arvid Soderblom of the Chicago Blackhawks are in the “betting on youth” category.

“Realistic” starter targets are John Gibson or Cam Talbot of the Detroit Red Wings, and Elvis Merzlikins of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Joey Daccord of the Seattle Kraken, Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators, and Ilya Sorokin of the Islanders are in the “pipe dream” category.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s far too early in the season for any of these goaltenders to be available. That could change for some of them later this season if their teams fail to maintain their promising early performances. Some of them have no-trade protection, and the Oilers might not be on their preferred lists of destinations.

Of this group, Lyon, Soderblom, and Merzlikins are the most likely to become available. However, they’re not an upgrade over the current Oilers’ goaltenders.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2025

by | Oct 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 25, 2025

Check out the latest on the Flames and Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE FLAMES SOON PEDDLE KADRI AND ANDERSSON?

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco looked at whether Nazem Kadri and Rasmus Andersson would be trade casualties if the Calgary Flames fail to turn their season around.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Di Marco cited TSN’s Chris Johnston indicating Andersson was open to an eight-year contract extension with the Flames. However, management wanted to see how the season unfolded before committing.

The 28-year-old defenseman has been the subject of trade rumors since the summer. He was linked to the Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson sits atop Johnston’s list of early NHL trade candidates. He believes the blueliner is the Flames’ biggest trade chip.

The Golden Knights could squeeze the remainder of Andersson’s $4.55 million cap hit within their limited cap payroll by the March 6 trade deadline. However, they have limited trade capital, which could hurt their efforts to outbid rival clubs.

Kadri, meanwhile, is signed through 2028-29 with an AAV of $7 million. The 35-year-old center also had a 13-team no-trade list. Di Marco targeted the Montreal Canadiens as a landing spot, but two NHL executives he spoke with felt that the Vancouver Canucks were an ideal fit given their need for a reliable No. 2 center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s assuming Montreal and Vancouver aren’t on his no-trade list.

THE LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted that the Penguins’ surprisingly strong start to this season puts them in a more powerful position when it comes to their trade chips. The Penguins are considered a confirmed seller, with forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and defenseman Erik Karlsson considered the players most likely to be moved.

Kingerski listed the Vancouver Canucks, Carolina Hurricanes, and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential trade partners for the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kingerski’s column appeared before the Canucks acquired forward Luka Reichel from the Chicago Blackhawks on Friday. Nevertheless, they could return to the trade market if Reichel fails to pan out.

The Hurricanes are believed to be interested in making a big addition this season. A few observers wondered if they might take a swing at acquiring Karlsson, but Kingerski suggested that Rust or Rakell might be more enticing to them.

Meanwhile, the Maple Leafs have been auditioning Easton Cowan, Nick Robertson, and Max Domi as first-line wingers with little success. However, the Leafs lack sufficient trade capital in draft picks and prospects, and are unlikely to part with the promising Cowan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are in a much better position than the Leafs in terms of cap space and trade assets to make a big addition to their roster. Whether they’ll pursue Rust or Rakell remains to be seen.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, they’ve been linked to Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov. He’d be a more affordable option than Rust or Rakell, but his inconsistent play suggests he wouldn’t be much of an upgrade.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted Justin Brazeau’s strong start to this season. He has 5 goals and 8 points in his first eight games.

Proteau wondered if the Penguins view the 27-year-old forward as a long-term fit or if general manager Kyle Dubas might try to capitalize on his improving trade value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brazeau had 22 points in 76 games last season between the Minnesota Wild and Boston Bruins. He’s in the first year of a two-year contract with an AAV of $1.5 million.

Dubas probably isn’t in any rush to shop Brazeau, but he could be open to offers if he continues playing well. Given his age, however, he could be a player that the Penguins GM prefers to retain.