NHL Rumor Mill – October 22, 2025

by | Oct 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 22, 2025

What’s the latest on Sabres winger Alex Tuch? Could the Hurricanes and Canucks make moves in the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE BRUINS AND OILERS ARE LINKED TO ALEX TUCH

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports a source claims the Buffalo Sabres are listening to trade offers for Alex Tuch.

The 29-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His agent claimed they recently paused contract extension talks with the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Murphy’s source stated that the Boston Bruins and Edmonton Oilers have inquired about Tuch, along with a few other clubs. Another source believes the Toronto Maple Leafs would be at the front of the line to sign Tuch if he goes to market next July.

Another source doubted the Sabres would trade Tuch by the American Thanksgiving weekend in late November or by the New Year. Instead, he believes it would happen close to the Olympic break in February or the March 6 trade deadline.

The pressure is on Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams to make the playoffs this season, so he’s not going to trade one of his best players this early in the season. Tuch has also indicated his willingness to re-sign with the Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch and the Sabres seem to be taking a wait-and-see approach to this season. If they’re in the playoff hunt by the trade deadline, they’ll hang onto him and try to sort out the contract issue afterward. Otherwise, a trade seems more likely around the timeframes mentioned by Murphy’s sources.

However, that could come too late for the Bruins if they continue to struggle this season. Meanwhile, the Oilers lack the cap space and trade capital to pull it off unless they’re giving up a substantial player in return.

THE LATEST ON THE HURRICANES AND CANUCKS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Carolina Hurricanes could make another attempt at landing a big-name player. They acquired Mikko Rantanen last January but traded him six weeks later to the Dallas Stars when he wouldn’t agree to a contract extension. The Hurricanes also attempted to acquire Mitch Marner from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the March trade deadline.

LeBrun said the Hurricanes also contacted the Minnesota Wild after Kirill Kaprizov rejected the latter’s first contract proposal. However, there was no trade opportunity there as Kaprizov eventually re-signed with the Wild.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes have plenty of cap dollars available to acquire more depth. They currently have over $10 million in salary cap space. By the March trade deadline, it will be over $44 million if they haven’t used any of it to make additions to their roster before then.

Darren Dreger reports the Vancouver Canucks are in the market for a center. They’ve been seeking a second-line center for some time. Recent injuries to Filip Chytil and Teddy Blueger have amplified the issue. They’re looking at all options, including third and fourth-line centers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could be searching for a while for a depth center. There aren’t many that are currently available. They could target teams with centers that are UFA-eligible next summer, but most of them won’t be available in the trade market this early in the season.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2025

by | Oct 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 21, 2025

Could the Rangers part ways with Artemi Panarin before the March trade deadline? What’s the latest on the Oilers? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jim Parsons wonders if Artemi Panarin’s time with the New York Rangers is coming to an end.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

The 33-year-old left winger is in the final season of a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $11.6 million. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Parsons cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claiming the Rangers offered Panarin a contract extension similar to Anze Kopitar’s recent deal with the Los Angeles Kings, which was a short-term proposal with a reduced salary cap hit. Kopitar agreed to a two-year contract with an AAV of $7 million.

Friedman said the Rangers asked Panarin if he would take a “Kopitar kind of deal”, and the winger said no.

Parsons also stated that Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period was claiming that the Rangers could peddle Panarin if they’re a playoff bubble team and there’s no sign that he will stay beyond this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin’s age ensures he won’t get a lengthy deal like his current one. His production dropped from 120 points in 2023-24 to 89 points last season, and at his current pace, he could finish with less than 80 points. That will affect how much he’ll get from the Rangers or another club if he tests the market next summer.

If the Rangers are a bubble team by February, they could approach Panarin about trade destinations. He has a full no-movement clause, but he could waive it for the right club.

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman pointed out that the Edmonton Oilers have a logjam on defense. They’re carrying eight defenseman, prompting Friedman to suggest they could consider moving one of them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Oilers do trade a defenseman, it will likely be Ty Emberson, Troy Stecher, or Alex Regula. The latter is on a two-way contract with an AAV of $775,000, Stecher has a one-way deal with a $787,500 cap hit, and Emberson has a year remaining on his deal with a cap hit of $1.3 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2025

by | Oct 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 20, 2025

Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Flyers winger Owen Tippett in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: TVA Sports’ Renaud Lavoie recently joined Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne to discuss the possibility of the Montreal Canadiens making a pitch for Sidney Crosby if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain decides he wants to chase another Stanley Cup.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Lavoie noted the Canadiens would like to add a second-line center at some point. He believes they and a couple of other clubs are keeping an eye on Crosby, and felt that they must be ready for that possibility by ensuring they have sufficient salary-cap space to acquire him.

The Canadiens aren’t in a rush and are willing to be patient to address that second-line center position. If they were to land Crosby, Lavoie believes team captain Nick Suzuki would have no problem with dropping down as the second-line center and allowing Crosby to center the top line.

As for what the Canadiens could offer in a trade package, Lavoie believes it’ll take a couple of picks and a couple of really good young players. He suggested a first-round pick, prospect defenseman David Reinbacher, and young center Oliver Kapanen as part of the return. Lavoie dismissed the idea of parting with Juraj Slafkovsky, Cole Caufield, or Kaiden Guhle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Crosby could decide at some point that he wants to chase the Stanley Cup one last time. The Canadiens would be among the interested parties if they were on his list of preferred destinations.

However, don’t expect that possibility to occur anytime soon, if ever. The Penguins captain has been insistent that he doesn’t want to leave Pittsburgh. He may change his mind, but the chances of that happening appear slim at the moment.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James noticed the recent speculation suggesting that Flyers winger Owen Tippett could be a trade candidate. The club has plenty of depth on the wings (including within their prospect pipeline), and they could draw on that for trade bait to address other roster needs.

James doesn’t put much stock into early-to-mid October trade rumors, but doesn’t rule out the possibility. Tippett is in the second season of an eight-year contract and under pressure to produce for the rebuilding Flyers.

Tippett’s trade value is high right now, and he’d probably fetch a solid return for the Flyers. However, just because his name is floating around in the early-season rumor mill doesn’t mean he’ll be moved at some point.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: James believes that much will depend on Tippett’s performance and that of the Flyers this season. If he’s playing well, it will boost his value in the trade market, but it could also increase his value to the Flyers’ roster.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 19, 2025

by | Oct 19, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 19, 2025

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: an update on Shane Pinto’s contract talks with the Senators, and the latest on the Oilers.

SENATORS OFFER PINTO AN EIGHT-YEAR EXTENSION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Ottawa Senators have made an eight-year contract extension offer to Shane Pinto.

Ottawa Senators center Shane Pinto (NHL Images).

The 24-year-old center will become a restricted free agent next July with arbitration rights. He’s in the second year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.75 million.

Friedman said a deal isn’t imminent, and it’s unknown how much money the Senators are offering Pinto.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports Pinto’s performance this season could raise the cost of re-signing him. He became the first player in franchise history to score six goals in the first five games of a season.

Senators general manager Steve Staios said he had positive discussions with the Pinto camp during the offseason. However, Garrioch observed that they weren’t positive enough to get a deal done. Staios indicated that Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, wanted to let the season start without any distractions.

Garrioch claimed the talk in league circles is that the discussions were shelved because of a large gap between what the Senators were offering and what the Pinto camp considers fair market value. A league executive told Garrioch that the young center’s next contract could come in between $7.1 million and $8.35 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pinto’s situation will be worth watching. He leads the league in goals right now, and it’s going to strengthen his hand in negotiations. If this ends up going to arbitration next summer, it could hasten his departure from Ottawa.

Pinto would provide the Senators with long-term depth at center with Tim Stutzle and Dylan Cozens. As Garrioch observed, he must decide if he wants to be part of the Senators over the long term.

Garrioch wondered if Pinto would accept a four-year deal to 2029-30. That would be when the contracts of Stutzle and Cozens will expire.

LATEST OILERS SPECULATION

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli reporting that the Oilers have a “pecking order” of players who could be moved via demotion or trade to make room for sidelined players such as Jake Walman, Zach Hyman, Mattias Janmark, and Alec Regula.

Seravalli believes Isaac Howard will be the first to be demoted because he’s waiver-exempt. Next would be forward Curtis Lazar. He thinks the Oilers want to avoid putting center Noah Philp on waivers because a rival club would claim him.

Defenseman Ty Emberson could become the odd man out, leading Seravalli to ponder whether the Oilers will make a trade and move Emberson. He also thinks they would trade Janmark if an opportunity presented itself.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2025

by | Oct 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 18, 2025

Check out the latest on the Sabres, Maple Leafs, and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SABRES SPECULATION

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco examined who stays or goes if the Buffalo Sabres end up rebuilding their roster, should they extend their league-record playoff drought, currently at 14 seasons.

Among their forwards, Di Marco believes there isn’t much outside of Tage Thompson and winger Alex Tuch that would fetch a major return. Young forwards Zach Benson, Jiri Kulich, and Jack Quinn have potential, but they aren’t proven commodities.

Buffalo Sabres captain Rasmus Dahlin (NHL Images)

The defense is a different story, where Rasmus Dahlin, Owen Power, and Bowen Byram would garner plenty of interest in the trade market. Of the three, Dahlin would fetch a king’s ransom given his status among the league’s elite blueliners.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Zach Berman suggested the Devils target Thompson, citing speculation that the 27-year-old forward could be leaning toward asking out of Buffalo.

If Thompson becomes available, Berman believes Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald should go all-in to land him. He suggested that no one, other than the Hughes brothers, Nico Hischier, Jesper Bratt, and Timo Meier, should be considered untouchable.

SPORTSNET: Player agent Brian Bartlett said his client, Alex Tuch, has paused contract negotiations with the Sabres. Bartlett indicated they weren’t able to get a deal done during the offseason, and that things are on the back burner for now.

Tuch, 29, is among the notable forwards eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer. Bartlett indicated that there had been good, consistent communication with Sabres management, adding that his client informed them that he was happy to stay in Buffalo.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres’ 1-3-0 start has already made them a hot topic for trade conjecture. If they don’t snap out of this early-season funk, it would lead to significant changes in the front office and behind the bench, subsequently leading to roster changes if things don’t improve.

Thompson, Tuch, Dahlin, Power, and Byram will definitely draw the most attention if the Sabres decide to tear down the roster and rebuild again.

Tuch’s UFA status for next summer makes him the most obvious trade candidate, which is why he’s already surfaced in media trade chatter. However, he could be joined by one or more of the other core players if any of them finally reach the limit of their patience with the club’s current direction.

UPDATE ON LEAFS WINGER NICK ROBERTSON

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel and Chris Johnston noted the recent trade speculation swirling around Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson.

Siegel and Johnston believe the Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets as potential trade destinations.

The Penguins are rebuilding and targeting players in Robertson’s age group, plus there’s his connection with Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas. Columbus doesn’t have the same apparent need for a scoring winger, but they believe the Blue Jackets should still call.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan also noted Robertson’s return to the rumor mill. However, he believes the Leafs are better off hanging onto him, citing his goal-scoring potential despite his early-season drought. Trading him for a draft pick would free up his $1.85 million salary for this season, but Koshan feels that money is better spent on keeping him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs likely see Robertson as a depth forward worth retaining in case injuries strike the lineup. Unless they go into a tailspin and drop out of playoff contention, which is unlikely, trading him for a draft pick doesn’t improve their roster.

The Blue Jackets aren’t a suitable destination for Robertson unless injuries deplete the ranks of their wingers this season. Seigel and Johnston noted that Yegor Chinakhov can’t crack the Jackets roster, so it’s unlikely Robertson would fare better.

FLAMES SEEK BLUELINE HELP

DAILY FACEOFF‘s Anthony Di Marco stated that the Calgary Flames are looking for “a young, left-shot defenseman with size.” He pointed out that they have “too many bodies on 1-way deals and want to move some out.”

Di Marco heard that the Flames would like to move Jake Bean and Daniil Miromanov. He’s heard they like Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Egor Zamula, who played his junior hockey in Calgary.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2025

by | Oct 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the Devils hope to re-sign Jacob Markstrom, Rangers winger Brennan Othmann is drawing some interest, and the latest on the Maple Leafs.

DEVILS TALKING CONTRACT WITH MARKSTROM

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the New Jersey Devils have had contract extension talks with the representatives for goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

The 35-year-old goaltender is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Dreger indicated the discussions were “healthy”, adding that negotiations are expected to continue. There is a mutual interest from both sides to get something done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was a recent rumor claiming the Devils offered Markstrom an extension with a slightly lower AAV of $5 million. However, there’s been no confirmation about that.

Markstrom could draw a lot of attention if he goes to market next summer. Apart from himself, there aren’t many experienced starting goalies who could be available. They include Florida’s aging Sergei Bobrovsky, Carolina’s oft-injured Frederik Andersen, and Edmonton’s inconsistent Stuart Skinner.

RANGERS COULD CONSIDER MOVING OTHMANN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports New York Rangers prospect winger Brennan Othmann is garnering some interest in the trade market. The 22-year-old was sent down to their AHL affiliate in Hartford, and there have been conversations with other clubs about his future.

Friedman indicates the Rangers have a lot of wingers. Othmann might benefit from a change of scenery.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano cited a league source claiming the Rangers are open to moving Othmann. There’s been no trade request from the young winger, but both sides feel he might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury is believed to be gauging interest in Othmann, but he’s not in a rush to move him. It’s uncertain what type of return Drury would want.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Othmann was the Rangers’ first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s had 25 games with the Blueshirts since 2023-24, collecting two assists.

Drury has been steadily reshaping the Rangers’ roster since last December. Othmann would be the latest of several players to be shipped out in recent months. Given the young winger’s struggles, he might not fetch much of a return unless he’s included in a package deal.

LEAFS MANAGEMENT HAS THE GREEN LIGHT TO MAKE A MAJOR MOVE IF POSSIBLE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports that Keith Pelley, the CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), feels that it’s “go time” for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With the salary cap rising and the Maple Leafs having some cap flexibility, LeBrun believes Pelley has given the green light to general manager Brad Treliving to “take a swing” at a deal sometime before the March 6 trade deadline.

Treliving remains in the market for a top-six forward. Given the average age of the Leafs roster, there’s a sense of urgency to get over the hump this season.

LeBrun believes they’ll have to get creative given their limited trade assets. They don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Drafts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how creative Treliving can get to land that elusive top-six forward before the trade deadline. And no, shopping Nick Robertson won’t be enough to get it done.