NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2026

by | Aug 17, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 17, 2026

What’s the latest on the Bruins and Panthers? Would Vladimir Tarasenko be a good fit with the Flyers? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BOSTON HERALD: Steve Conroy recently mused over when and how the Bruins will deal with center Pavel Zacha’s contract status.

Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha (NHL Images).

Zacha, 29, is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His durability and reliability make him worthwhile to retain, but he could also fetch valuable pieces in a trade.

The Bruins have promising centers on the team (Fraser Minten) or in their system (James Hagens, Dean Letourneau) who could be blocked if Zacha is re-signed.

If the Bruins are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline, moving him could be easy if he remains unsigned by then. However, it’s unlikely he’ll be traded if they’re in the thick of the postseason race.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Bruins want to re-sign Zacha, but they’ve also been open to trade inquiries. Much will depend on what he’s seeking on his next contract, and where the Bruins are in the standings as the March 1 trade deadline approaches. For now, expect Zacha to be in the Bruins’ lineup when they open their season next month.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards believes the Panthers could give Patrik Laine a look if winger Brad Marchand is sidelined long term.

Laine, 28, is among the notable players still available in this summer’s UFA market. Meanwhile, the 38-year-old Marchand recently underwent surgery and is expected to miss training camp and the start of the regular season.

Richards noted that Laine has some links to the Panthers. He played under head coach Paul Maurice during their tenures with the Winnipeg Jets, and played with Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov during their youth hockey days.

Laine could be an affordable option on a one-year, “prove-it” contract. Richards suggested signing him to a professional tryout offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We don’t know what the Panthers’ plans are to replace Marchand, let alone if Laine would be part of them. He certainly wouldn’t replace Marchand’s energetic, gritty style of play. Still, as Richards pointed out, there is little downside with giving Laine a shot.

NHL NETWORK: Mike Rupp recently suggested that Vladimir Tarasenko could be a good fit with the Philadelphia Flyers.

The 34-year-old winger is coming off a bounce-back performance with the Minnesota Wild last season, scoring 23 goals and 47 points in 75 games.

Rupp believes Tarasenko could help the Flyers improve their power play, which hasn’t been good for some time. He felt they need more finishers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rupp makes a good point about the Flyers needing help with the man advantage. Their power-play percentage last season (15.7) was dead last in the league.

Like Patrik Laine, Tarasenko is among the few notable players still available in this summer’s UFA market. Whether the Flyers share Rupp’s view that the veteran winger could help them remains to be seen. Rookie winger Porter Martone and a better performance from third-year winger Matvei Michkov could boost those stats significantly.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 16, 2026

by | Aug 16, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 16, 2026

Check out the latest on Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes and Red Wings center Dylan Larkin in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith polled Minnesota Wild fans on a variety of topics. They included whether the fans were confident the Wild can get Quinn Hughes signed to an extension.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Most still believe Wild general manager Bill Guerin can get the 26-year-old superstar defenseman under contract. However, they’re also underwhelmed by the Wild’s offseason moves thus far.

Russo indicated that multiple league sources believe Hughes still intends to re-sign with the Wild, but the market has turned upside-down this summer, making it more difficult than the club expected.

It’s believed that Hughes’ next contract will “almost certainly” be five years or less with an average annual value in the $19 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Talks have been ongoing this summer between Guerin and the Hughes camp. The Wild GM has preached patience, reminding fans that they didn’t get superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov under contract until late September of last year. It wouldn’t be surprising if they announce Hughes’ next contract at some point next month.

Meanwhile, most Wild fans don’t believe the club will be able to land Dylan Larkin, who requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings.

It’s believed the Wild top Larkin’s four-team list of preferred trade destinations. However, things are at a standstill as the Red Wings search for a new general manager after relieving Steve Yzerman of that role last month. Once that’s settled, however, the Wings are expected to maintain a high price for Larkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild reportedly offered up a package of draft picks and prospects for Larkin, but the Wings want a return that will provide immediate help to their roster, including a top-six-forward, preferably a center.

Some observers believe the Red Wings will bend and accept a lesser deal from the Wild because things have reached the point of no return with Larkin. However, the next Wings GM will likely try to mend fences with Larkin. If that fails, he could retain Larkin until a better offer is made, which could prompt the 30-year-old center to expand his trade list.

And speaking of Larkin…

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff dismissed the possibility of Dylan Larkin holding out and not reporting to training camp to put pressure on Wings management to trade him.

Duff pointed out that Larkin has 8.7 million reasons not to stage a holdout. That’s how much his average annual value is, and Duff doesn’t believe Larkin will give the Red Wings a reason not to pay him.

Staging a holdout won’t improve Larkin’s value in the trade market. Duff pointed out that the Red Wings could suspend him without pay if he withholds his services because he’d be breaching his contract. They would then toll the contract forward so that the term doesn’t run out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staging a holdout to force a trade stands as much of a chance of happening as threatening to retire unless he gets traded. Larkin isn’t going to sacrifice part (or all) of a season and damage his reputation.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2026

by | Aug 15, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 15, 2026

The latest on the Red Wings and an update on Patrik Laine in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MLIVE.COM: Whether the Detroit Red Wings retain or trade Dylan Larkin, Ansar Khan believes they still must improve their offense.

Larkin requested a trade following the end of last season. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars are his preferred destinations, with the Wild as the prime landing spot.

However, the Wild lack the necessary assets (“minimum, a top-six forward, preferably a center”) to deal for Larkin, and the Red Wings aren’t interested in draft picks and prospects in return. Meanwhile, the other three clubs on his list either have little interest, insufficient salary-cap space, or no desire to meet the Wings’ high price.

Even if Larkin returns, the Red Wings must bolster their scoring depth. They lost Patrick Kane (16 goals last season) and James van Riemsdyk (15 goals) to free agency, although signing Viktor Arvidsson (25 goals with Boston last season) will offset part of it.

The Wings also need more production from younger players like Marco Kasper and Michael Brandsegg-Nygard. Still, they have to add another experienced scoring forward.

Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).

Few options remain in the unrestricted free-agent market. Former Wing Vladimir Tarasenko is available, but he wasn’t a good fit in Detroit. Eeli Tolvanen, Michael Bunting, and Patrik Laine are the other notables still on the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Acquiring a top-six forward in a trade could require parting with a promising young player or two, something former general manager Steve Yzerman seemed reluctant to do. The Red Wings’ woes could also make it difficult to convince a scorer with any form of no-trade protection to accept a move to Detroit.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau recently wondered if Larkin’s future in Detroit would affect Alex DeBrincat’s willingness to re-sign with the Red Wings.

A Michigan native, the 28-year-old DeBrincat scored 41 goals last season, marking the third time in his career that he’s reached that milestone. He’s slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Proteau pondered whether DeBrincat would move on if the Red Wings trade Larkin. If so, the Wings could get a solid return for him by peddling him before the March 1 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now believes DeBrincat wants to stay with the Red Wings regardless of Larkin’s situation, provided they make him a fair contract offer. Nevertheless, the longer he’s unsigned, the more his name will surface in trade rumors this season, especially if the Wings are still struggling by the March deadline.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Alter recently noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs are among five clubs linked to former Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine.

Laine, 28, is among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s free-agent market. Alter noted that Laine still has an elite shot. Meanwhile, his injury-shortened 2025-26 season made him eligible for a performance-bonus contract this season, which could make him a low-risk, high-reward addition for the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs are above the $104-million salary cap by $2.752 million. However, they could become cap-compliant by placing forward Max Domi and his $3.75 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve. Domi remains uncertain to play following complications from back surgery.

That could free up sufficient wiggle room to sign Laine, especially if there’s any concern about how well rookie winger Gavin McKenna will adjust to the NHL pace. Still, it seems unlikely that the Leafs will consider adding Laine given his injury history and lack of speed.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2026

by | Aug 14, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 14, 2026

Should the Bruins make a pitch to acquire Dylan Larkin from the Red Wings? Which members of the Kings could become trade candidates? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Boston Bruins’ biggest area of concern is their talent and depth at the center position.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

The Bruins currently have Pavel Zacha, Elias Lindholm, Fraser Minten, and Sean Kuraly slotted in as their centers for this season. However, Proteau thinks they need an upgrade at that position.

It’s been reported that the Bruins aren’t on Dylan Larkin’s list of preferred trade destinations. However, Proteau feels that general manager Don Sweeney should try to convince the Detroit Red Wings center and his agent that Boston would be a terrific landing spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney could do this by contacting the Red Wings to seek permission to speak with the Larkin camp to see if they could be at least persuaded into adding the Bruins to his list of destinations.

Proteau also mused over the availability of Will Smith of the San Jose Sharks, Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights. He admits all are long shots, but thinks it’s up to Sweeney to get creative to address that need at center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but you can also bet that other general managers could also have an eye on those centers, and on Larkin. Whether Sweeney will get creative in his search for a first- or second-line center remains to be seen.

What say you, Bruins fans? Let us know in the comments section below.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara believes two members of the Los Angeles Kings could become trade candidates this season.

Goaltender Darcy Kuemper struggled last season, losing the starter’s job to Anton Forsberg. Kuemper is in the final season of his contract with a $5.25 million cap hit, which would make him an expensive backup.

O’Hara speculates that a team seeking help in goal could be interested in Kuemper, who was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2024-25.

Meanwhile, speedy winger Trevor Moore has been unable to nail down a top-six role with the Kings. He has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.2 million. He scored 31 goals in 2022-23 and could benefit from more offensive responsibilities with another club.

O’Hara believes the Kings don’t have to move Kuemper or Moore right now. However, they could become trade chips if GM Ken Holland feels the need to shake up his roster again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuemper and Moore could be players worth monitoring if the Kings struggle this season, or if Holland wants to improve his club’s chances for a deep playoff run before the March trade deadline.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026

by | Aug 13, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 13, 2026

Check out the latest on the Flyers, Canadiens, and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James recently wondered if the Flyers should return to the offer-sheet route and look into the availability of Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Fantilli and the Blue Jackets remain apart in their contract negotiations. Friedman speculated the 21-year-old center could seek a deal comparable to Leo Carlsson of the Anaheim Ducks (five years, $18 million average annual value) or Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million AAV). However, the Blue Jackets could prefer something within the $12 million to $15 million range.

James acknowledged a report from Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco last month indicating the Flyers are unlikely to pursue Fantilli with an offer sheet. According to Di Marco, they prefer to preserve their financial flexibility in case a better opportunity arises.

Nevertheless, James mused about whether it might be worthwhile to pursue Fantilli if he and the Blue Jackets remain apart.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ultimately, James leans toward the Flyers maintaining their cap flexibility for better opportunities. Nevertheless, I wouldn’t dismiss the possibility. And if the Flyers aren’t interested, perhaps another club might consider it.

I’d be interested in hearing what Flyers fans think. Please let us know in the comments section below.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan pondered the possibility of Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc becoming sign-and-trade candidates before training camp opens on Sept. 16.

Cowan noted the Canadiens’ ongoing need for a second-line center. He also pointed out that general manager Kent Hughes hasn’t ruled out a trade in September or October, though he ruled out making a “dumb trade” just to appease fans on a short-term basis.

Xhekaj, 25, and the 23-year-old Bolduc are restricted free agents coming off low-cost contracts. Cowan believes other teams will definitely have interest in them if they become available in the trade market.

The fact neither player has signed yet led Cowan to conclude they could become part of sign-and-trade scenarios.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer the duo remains unsigned, the more likely the possibility that they could be traded before training camp starts.

I doubt Xhekaj or Bolduc would be enough on their own to fetch a quality second-line center who would fit well within the Canadiens’ long-term plans. Perhaps as a package deal, but even then, the Habs would likely have to add another piece to the deal as a sweetener.

OTTAWA SUN: Callum Fraser reports Senators GM Steve Staios isn’t ruling out making other moves to improve the club before the season begins.

Speaking with season ticket holders on Wednesday, Staios pointed out that he wasn’t done making trades after shipping Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers, noting his acquisition of winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks soon afterward.

Staios maintained that he’s not done, adding he remains determined to bring the Stanley Cup to Ottawa. He also indicated that he’s focused on getting winger Drake Batherson signed to a contract extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios wanted to add a scoring winger before he moved Tkachuk and brought in Eklund and winger Andre Burakovsky. That will remain his focus throughout the coming season if he cannot find a suitable option before training camp.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

by | Aug 12, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

How the Ducks might clear cap space to create room for Cutter Gauthier’s new contract, and the latest Flames speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal listed three Anaheim Ducks players who could become salary-cap casualties to make room for a new contract for Cutter Gauthier.

Wingers Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano are Leal’s trade candidates.

Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Killorn, 36, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6.25 million. He also carries a 15-team no-trade list.

The 35-year-old Kreider is also in the final season of his contract. He has a cap hit of $6.5 million. Like Killorn, he carries a 15-team no-trade list.

Vatrano, 32, has two seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.571 million and a seven-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier, 21, could seek between $14 million and $15 million annually on his next contract. However, the Ducks have only $9.07 million in cap space this season.

They can exceed the $104 million salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason if they sign Gauthier now. However, they must be cap-compliant when their regular season opens in late September.

The Ducks can get some short-term cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve to start this season. However, they must shed salary to make room for him when he returns.

Kreider could draw more interest around the league given his bounce-back performance this season. Shedding his $6.5 million would create the most cap space to re-sign Gauthier. However, the Ducks could prefer moving Killorn and/or Vatrano.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered if there could be more trades coming for the Flames before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Flames have nine defensemen jockeying for six positions this season. He assumes that Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, and Zach Whitecloud will fill the top-four defense pairings. That leaves Yan Kuznetsov, Jake Middleton, Brayden Pachal, Joel Hanley, and Hunter Brzustewicz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin’s colleague, Kent Wilson, noted that Whitecloud would draw a quality return given his experience, reputation, and affordable contract ($2.75 million AAV for two more seasons). However, moving Whitecloud would leave their blueline staffed almost entirely by kids.

Wilson noted that Whitecloud was a good fit with the Flames since joining them in January from the Vegas Golden Knights. He considers it unlikely that the 29-year-old blueliner will be traded.

Austin also noted that the Flames have plenty of wingers. He noted that trade rumors surfaced earlier this year about Connor Zary, suggesting that there are moves they could make among their forward lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin doesn’t expect a flurry of late August trade activity by the Flames. However, I agree that there could be a trade or two before training camp opens next month.