NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2025

by | Apr 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 19, 2025

What could be in store for the Red Wings this off-season? Could the Sharks trade the potential first-overall pick? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RED WINGS?

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman recently looked at some of the storylines facing the Detroit Red Wings following another disappointing season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings’ postseason drought is at a team-record nine seasons, with the last six under general manager Steve Yzerman. The first three seasons were expected because they were rebuilding, but their struggles to break through as a playoff contender have some observers suggesting the “Yzerplan” is broken.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

The Red Wings’ offensive depth remains a concern beyond Patrick Kane, Alex DeBrincat, Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. They’ll have to find a way to get more out of the group they have, or shake things up this summer.

Bultman thinks the Wings should bring back Patrick Kane. The 36-year-old right wing developed a strong chemistry this season with linemates DeBrincat and Marco Kasper. He seemed to like playing in Detroit the past two years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane is eligible for unrestricted free agent status but could be enticed to return for one or two more seasons. However, that could depend on management’s plans to improve the roster for next season.

The Red Wings could be aggressive this summer to improve their roster. Bultman doesn’t expect them to throw expensive contracts at as many big names as possible. He recommends adding a shutdown defenseman like Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings.

Bultman acknowledges there could be some free-agent forwards to consider like Mitch Marner, Sam Bennett, Brock Boeser or Nikolaj Ehlers. He thinks they might only be able to make a big swing at one position.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Defense seems the priority for the Wings. The depth at that position really drops beyond top blueliner Moritz Seider, though Simon Edvinsson showed promise this season.

SHARKS COULD BE OPEN TO TRADING THE FIRST-OVERALL PICK

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Sheng Peng reports San Jose Sharks general manager Mike Grier could be open to trading the first-overall pick if his club wins next month’s NHL Draft Lottery.

The Sharks won last year’s draft lottery and selected foundation player Macklin Celebrini. Finishing last overall, they have the best odds of winning the lottery again.

Grier noted the consensus first-overall pick is defenseman Matthew Schaefer of the OHL’s Erie Otters, after which it’s more forward-heavy. He wouldn’t say no if he received a really good offer of young, established players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Every general manager holding the first-overall pick says they’re willing to listen to offers because they know it’s almost certain they won’t get any that’ll tempt them to part with that pick.

The last time that happened was in 2003, when the Florida Panthers traded it to the Pittsburgh Penguins. That pick turned into Marc-Andre Fleury. To be fair to the Panthers, they already had a future Hall-of-Fame goalie on their roster named Roberto Luongo.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2025

by | Apr 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 18, 2025

Check out the latest speculation regarding the offseason plans for the Canucks, Penguins and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston wondered what the future holds for Vancouver Canucks head coach Rick Tocchet and first-line center Elias Pettersson.

Tocchet’s contract expires at the end of this season but the Canucks hold a club option for another year. It’s believed they offered a contract extension, but Tocchet has strong bargaining power given his reputation around the league and his 2024 Jack Adams Award.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Management’s plans for next season and beyond will also factor into whether Tocchet stays or goes.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Pettersson had an awful season, prompting Johnston to ponder if management still believes signing him to his long-term contract last year was a good idea. If they decide to move him, they must find a trade partner and a suitable replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson has seven seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $11.6 million. If the Canucks intend to move him their best opportunity is before his no-movement clause kicks in on July 1.

Pettersson’s performance this season makes him difficult to move unless the Canucks retain up to half of that cap hit, which they won’t do. They’ll likely hang onto him and hope he has a bounce-back effort next season.

Johnston believes the Canucks must find a suitable second-line center. Filip Chytil is talented but not a full-fledged second-line center, plus he’s frequently sidelined. Pius Suter has shown potential in that role, but Johnston wonders if he can truly fill that spot next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Suter can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The Canucks could scour the trade and free-agent markets before then to see if there are obtainable options. They have over $16.7 million in cap space with 17 active roster players under contract for next season.

The Canucks might have to find a scoring right wing if Brock Boeser departs as a free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser recently expressed doubt that he’ll be back with the Canucks. If they don’t re-sign him, it’ll give them more cap space to add that second-line center, likely the more pressing need in management’s eyes.

Team captain (and reigning Norris Trophy winner) Quinn Hughes has two years left on his contract. They can sign him to an extension next summer, but Johnston believes he’ll want to see improvement before he commits to a long-term deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes isn’t going anywhere this summer but the Canucks’ performance next season could determine his future in Vancouver. That will play a role in management’s moves this summer.

PENGUINS

POST-GAZETTE.COM: Matt Vensel had nine questions that will define the offseason for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

One was whether it would be the status quo for next season. Vensel doesn’t think so, suggesting defensemen Erik Karlsson and winger Rickard Rakell as trade candidates this summer.

Winger Bryan Rust’s no-movement clause expires at the end of this season but it would take a significant offer to convince management to part with him. Much-maligned defenseman Ryan Graves and goaltender Tristan Jarry could be shopped this summer, though the latter is no sure thing if they can’t find a suitable replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Josh Yohe of The Athletic believes there’s a real chance Karlsson could be moved if a suitable offer from a team he’s willing to join should emerge, but it would take the Penguins retaining part of his annual cap hit.

As for Jarry, Yohe believes he’ll be back next season, citing his improved performance following his stint in the minors. Of course, the Penguins will listen to offers if a rival club expresses interest in him.

Vensel wondered if the Penguins would make a splash in the trade or free-agent markets this summer. If they do, improving the blueline is the priority. Vladislav Gavrikov and Ivan Provorov are the top left-handed defensemen potentially available in the UFA market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vensel also mentioned that Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner will be the player we hear the most between now and the start of free agency on July 1. He cited Marner’s relationship with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas during the latter’s tenure as Leafs GM. However, that relationship might not be enough for the rebuilding Penguins to win a bidding war for his services.

ISLANDERS

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple addressed questions over how the New York Islanders intend to address their crowded blueline during the offseason.

He believes restricted free agents Noah Dobson and Alexander Romanov will be re-signed. Dobson’s difficult season could land him a four or five-year contract with an AAV between $7.5 million and $8 million. He suggested a six or seven-year deal for Romanov for between $6.5 million and $7 million.

Dobson and Romanov would receive lots of interest in the trade market, but it would be difficult getting equal value for either guy.

Scott Mayfield seems the main candidate to be moved. He’s got five years left on his contract with a full no-trade clause, but they could attempt to buy him out. Ryan Pulock has five years left with a full NTC for the next two years.

Adam Pelech had four years left on his contract with a 16-team no-trade list. Of those three, he’s the one they could prefer to keep.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2025

by | Apr 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 17, 2025

Check out the latest about the possible offseason plans for the Rangers, Blackhawks and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BIG CHANGES COMING FOR THE RANGERS THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh reported the New York Rangers have fallen behind younger Eastern Conference rivals like the Montreal Canadiens, Ottawa Senators and Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Rangers carry an older roster that fell from being considered a Stanley Cup contender a year ago to missing the playoffs, raising concerns about their future. They have a middle-of-the-pack prospect pool and gave up one of their next two first-round picks acquiring J.T. Miller from the Vancouver Canucks.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Baugh expects general manager Chris Drury will fire head coach Peter Laviolette. He’ll likely try to keep reworking the roster as he did during this season. However, the Rangers only have $9.672 million in cap space for next season. Most of that will have to go to re-signing restricted free agents Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller, though the latter could become a trade candidate this summer.

Chris Kreider is the most obvious cost-cutting candidate. However, the 33-year-old winger had a disappointing performance this season. He also has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. Drury could also try moving Mika Zibanejad, but his full no-movement clause gives him complete control over his situation.

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports the Rangers face a massive roster overhaul after missing the playoffs this season.

Teams called about Zibanejad and Kreider last fall when Drury let it be known they were looking to make changes. Biringer wondered if they could be moved this summer. He also wondered if Artemi Panarin could be shopped. He’s in the final year of his contract. Like Baugh, Biringer suggested Miller could become a trade candidate.

The Rangers could also decide to make a coaching change. Biringer also cited a source suggesting a management change might be in order.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin, Zibanejad, Kreider and Miller have frequently surfaced in this season’s rumor mill, with Kreider considered the leading trade candidate.

Like Zibanejad, Panarin has a full NMC and controls his fate. That doesn’t necessarily mean they won’t accept a trade, but their preferred destinations would be limited.

Laviolette seems all but certain to be relieved of his coaching duties. As for Drury, he’s not going anywhere. He wouldn’t have made the moves he did in this season’s trade market without the blessing of team ownership.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BLACKHAWKS?

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus and Scott Powers wondered who would become the next head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks.

They believe interim bench boss Anders Sorensen will probably get an interview. University of Denver coach David Carle is the hottest name among this year’s NHL coaching candidates, but there’s no guarantee he’ll leave Denver.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: RG.Org’s James Murphy cited a league source claiming the Blackhawks want Carle badly and are willing to “show him the money if the situation presents itself.” However, they’re not the only NHL club hoping to pry him away from his current job. Another source told Murphy to keep an eye on the Seattle Kraken and the Utah Hockey Club.

The Blackhawks would love to re-sign UFA-eligible forward Ryan Donato. There is a three-year offer worth an AAV of $4 million on the table but the 28-year-old hasn’t accepted it. Donato’s coming off a career-best performance of 31 goals and 31 assists for 62 points.

Lazerus and Powers believe the Blackhawks would be first in line if Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner hits the open market on July 1. They have the cap space to offer him an AAV of between $12 million and $14 million.

The Blackhawks could also get creative by going the offer-sheet route. “The Rangers’ Will Cuylle could be a target, or maybe Dallas’ Mavrik Bourque.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks have the cap space and tradeable assets to improve their roster through trades, the unrestricted free-agent market, and offer sheets. Whether they can land the talent they need could be easier said than done.

Signing Marner would be a major acquisition by the Blackhawks that could accelerate their rebuild process if he clicks with franchise player Connor Bedard. However, he could prefer signing with a playoff contender if he goes to market.

THE LATEST ON THE FLAMES

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the Calgary Flames must improve an offense ranked 30th overall this season.

GM Craig Conroy knows a team can’t be built through free agency, but he isn’t ruling out finding assets that could improve their roster in the UFA market. He’s also looking at adding young players from within their system.

The Flames’ top need is a right-shot center. They were interested in Dylan Cozens before the Buffalo Sabres traded him to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline.

CALGARY SUN: Wes Gilbertson reports the Flames must decide on Rasmus Andersson’s future with the club. The 28-year-old defenseman is a year away from UFA eligibility. He could be traded away if he’s not signed to a contract extension this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Blackhawks, the Flames have a lot of cap space for next season ($34.2 million) and tradeable assets like draft picks and prospects. Some cap room will go toward new contracts for Matt Coronato, Connor Zary, Adam Klapka, Morgan Frost and Kevin Bahl. However, there should be enough to add that elusive right-shot center if one can be found this summer.

Andersson indicated that he loves living and playing in Calgary and wants to stay. Whether he and the Flames can find the right deal remains to be seen.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 16, 2025

by | Apr 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 16, 2025

Could the Flyers go the offer-sheet route or attempt to acquire Lightning prospect Isaac Howard this summer? What’s the latest on the Canadiens? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST FLYERS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz pointed out that Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere isn’t shy about attempting to make bold moves. He wondered if Briere might go the offer-sheet route this summer to bring in a good young player.

Kurz included Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Matthew Knies of the Toronto Maple Leafs among his list of suggested offer-sheet targets.

Could the Flyers target Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The Ducks have plenty of salary-cap space, but rarely spend to the cap ceiling. They must also consider long-term contracts for forwards Leo Carlsson and Cutter Gauthier. Kurz also wonders if the threat of an offer sheet might entice the Ducks to consider trading McTavish.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule out the possibility of Briere attempting to sign away a good young NHL forward with an offer sheet. However, it takes two to tango, and McTavish, Rossi and Knies might not be interested in offers from rival clubs. Recent reports out of Toronto suggest that’s the case regarding Knies.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Bailey believes it would make perfect sense for the Flyers to acquire prospect forward Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Bailey pointed out the difficulties the Lightning are facing getting Howard under contract. The 21-year-old Hobey Baker Award winner can become an unrestricted free agent on Aug. 15, 2026, if he and the Lightning fail to agree to an entry-level deal.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently speculated the Lightning could trade Howard’s rights if they feel they cannot sign him before next August. Bailey observed the Flyers are well-situated to make a competitive offer, carrying three first-round picks and four second-rounders in this year’s draft to draw on for trade bait.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers could be among the suitors for Howard if the Lightning decide to peddle him leading up to the 2025 NHL Draft in June. They stand better odds of landing him than they would of signing away a talented restricted free agent from another team with an offer sheet.

CANADIENS’ YOUNG TALENT COULD HELP THEM BECOME A PREFERRED DESTINATION

TSN: Darren Dreger took note of the impressive debut of Montreal Canadiens rookie winger Ivan Demidov on Monday. He also observed that the rebuilding Canadiens’ improved play this season could be a selling point for management to entice UFA talent or players with no-trade protection on other teams who might become available in this summer’s trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ significant improvement this season can be tied to established young stars Nick Suzuki and Cole Caufield, and promising youngsters like Lane Hutson and Juraj Slafkovsky. Demidov’s debut and his immense potential suggest they have a future superstar in their midst.

The Canadiens’ odds of landing NHL talent through trades and free agency will only get better as their on-ice performance improves.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 15, 2025

by | Apr 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 15, 2025

What will the Flyers, Blue Jackets and Kraken do about their goaltending during the coming offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz recently examined what went wrong with the Philadelphia Flyers’ goaltending this season and how they might attempt to fix it in the offseason.

Kurz noted the Flyers have the worst save percentage (.879 as of Apr. 14) among the 32 NHL clubs. Their goals-against average (3.44) is the fifth-worst. Their three goaltenders (Aleksei Kolosov, Ivan Fedotov and Samuel Ersson) are among the bottom six in save percentage among the league’s 65 goalies.

Ersson is likely to remain as the Flyers’ starting goalie given the number of consistent stretches this season where he looked like a competent goalie. Fedotov could become their No. 3 while Kolosov’s future is uncertain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored Kolosov could return to Belarus at the end of this season.

General manager Daniel Briere will find slim pickings for goaltenders in this summer’s free-agent market. The best options there could include Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils (who could be re-signed by the Devils) and the oft-injured Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.

The pickings could be better in the trade market. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks has been a fixture in trade rumors. He’s also battled injuries but put up solid numbers this season on the rebuilding Ducks. Gibson is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million.

Could the Philadelphia Flyers pursue Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko? (NHL Images).

Kurz also wonders about the availability of Vancouver Canucks netminder Thatcher Demko. He’s got a year left on his contract (with a salary-cap hit of $5 million) and the Canucks recently signed Kevin Lankinen to a five-year extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson has a 10-team no-trade list and wants to go to a club where he’ll be the starting goalie. He’d get that opportunity with the Flyers if they’re willing to move Ersson into the backup job. However, Gibson could also prefer going to a playoff contender instead of another rebuilding club.

Demko lacks no-trade protection and also has an injury history. However, the Flyers could be a suitor if he becomes available. When healthy, he’s among the league’s elite goalies, finishing second in voting last season for the Vezina Trophy. They’d also have the trade capital in draft picks, prospects and young players to make a competitive bid to the Canucks.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline believes the Columbus Blue Jackets will spend major resources overhauling their goaltending.

A buyout of starter Elvis Merzlikins must be considered because his inconsistency makes him almost impossible to trade this summer. He has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $5.4 million.

Blue Jackets coach Dean Evason has lost faith in backup Daniil Tarasov. How management handles him as a restricted free agent this summer will be worth watching.

Portzline expects the Blue Jackets will pursue a goalie through trade or free agency. Jet Greaves is making the case to become a full-time member of the Columbus Blue Jackets roster. It remains to be seen where he fits in next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets will face the same problem as the Flyers and any other team seeking a goalie upgrade this summer. They could sign someone like the Devils’ Jake Allen or the Hurricanes’ Frederik Andersen or pursue the Ducks’ John Gibson or the Canucks’ Thatcher Demko if he’s available.

Greaves was the NHL’s first star of the week with a record of 3-0-0, a 1.00 goals-against average, a .968 save percentage and a shutout. However, that’s just a small sample size. He’s yet to prove he can perform well consistently at the NHL level, which means he’ll likely be penciled in as their backup for next season.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Kate Shefte reports this season could be Philipp Grubauer’s last with the Kraken.

Grubaur has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.9 million. However, the 33-year-old goaltender has struggled, losing the starter’s job to Joey Daccord, raising speculation the Kraken could buy out the remainder of his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A buyout for Grubauer would be at two-thirds of the remaining value for twice the remaining tenure of the contract. His deal is structured in such a way that it would count as $1.983 million during the first year of the buyout, $3.083 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.683 million annually for the final two years.

With Daccord as their starter, the Kraken should find it easier to bring in an affordable backup on a short-term deal. Grubauer could find another NHL home as a free agent but his difficulties in Seattle will hurt his value.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 14, 2025

by | Apr 14, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 14, 2025

Could the Blues pursue Mitch Marner via this summer’s free-agent market? What’s the latest on Sabres winger JJ Peterka? What will the Jets do with Luke Schenn and Neal Pionk? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE BLUES PURSUE MITCH MARNER?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford was recently asked what he thought the St. Louis Blues might do regarding Mitch Marner. The 28-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Rutherford believes Marner would be a terrific fit with the Blues alongside his former junior teammate Robert Thomas. However, he’s set to be the premier player in this summer’s UFA market and could seek an average annual value of $14 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a projected cap space of $7.146 million with 23 active roster players under contract for next season. They’ll have to shed considerable salary to sign Marner, making it unlikely they’ll be bidding for him if he goes to market on July 1.

THE LATEST ON PETERKA

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski recently profiled JJ Peterka, singling out the 23-year-old forward’s development this season into one of the Sabres’ “core, young guys”.

Peterka is completing his entry-level contract. He’s in line for a significant raise though the Sabres hold the advantage because he lacks arbitration rights. They could do a short or long-term deal, with the latter projected to be a six-year deal with an average annual value of $6.6 million.

An offer sheet is possible but unlikely. The Sabres possess the cap space to match and they won’t want to lose him for draft picks as compensation. General manager Kevyn Adams has no intention of trading him and hopes to extend his contract as soon as possible.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Peterka surfaced in the rumor mill as a potential target for the New York Rangers before last month’s trade deadline but Adams quickly denied any trade discussions occurred.

The young forward recently popped up as a possible offer-sheet candidate. The only way that happens is if someone pitches an offer that far exceeds that $6.6 million projection.

Given Adams’ recent comments, Peterka could be re-signed well before his restricted free-agent eligibility on July 1.

JETS EXPECTED TO RETAIN SCHENN AND RE-SIGN PIONK

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates was asked if the Winnipeg Jets intend to keep Luke Schenn next season. The 35-year-old defenseman was acquired at the trade deadline. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an AAV of $2.75 million.

Ates fully expects they’ll keep Schenn, pointing out that the Jets are happy with his defensive play and veteran presence.

He also believes they intend to sign Neal Pionk to a contract extension. The 29-year-old blueliner is UFA-eligible on July 1. He’s completing a four-year deal with an AAV of $5.875 million.