NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2026

by | Aug 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 11, 2026

The latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson and an update on the Oilers’ trade plans in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS CONVERSATION: CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal recently dismissed trade speculation linking Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson to the Los Angeles Kings.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

The rumors began when the 27-year-old Canucks center was spotted practicing in Los Angeles. However, Dhaliwal pointed out that Pettersson’s wife is from Los Angeles, which explains why he would be doing some offseason training there.

Dhaliwal also said a trade involving Pettersson has not come close to happening in the last few months. There’s been plenty of conjecture and teams checking in, but nothing reached the point where the Canucks would ask the center or his agent if he would waive his no-movement clause.

Pettersson’s contract remains the sticking point. He has six years remaining on his deal with an average annual value of $11.6 million. Dhaliwal believes the Canucks have no choice but to wait and see how Pettersson plays this season and if it improved their chances of moving him at the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barring a dramatic change in Pettersson’s circumstances, he’ll start this season (and likely finish it) with the Canucks.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Oilers general manager Stan Bowman has more salary cap space to start this season than he’s had over the previous two offseasons since taking over the role in July 2024.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to PuckPedia, the Oilers have over $4.725 million.

Bowman doesn’t plan on using that extra space for more additions before the regular season begins next month. Instead, he’s going to hang onto it in case any players become available early in the season that could help his club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer Bowman holds off using that cap space during the regular season, the more the Oilers will accrue. If he can wait until the March 1 trade deadline, the Oilers would have over $21.8 million available.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2026

by | Aug 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2026

Check out the latest on the Ducks and Stars in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL.COM: How Leo Carlsson’s new contract will affect the Anaheim Ducks is among the big questions facing the club this season.

Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers last month worth an average annual value of $18 million. The Ducks matched the offer, but it was far more expensive than what they had been prepared to pay.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

The most immediate effect will be on the cost of signing restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier. Like Carlsson, the 21-year-old winger is coming off his entry-level contract. Unlike Carlsson, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

After matching the Carlsson offer, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said the intent was to get Gauthier signed. However, he acknowledged he had work to do to fit everyone within their salary-cap space for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space for this season. It’s rumored Gauthier could seek as much as $15 million. Verbeek will attempt to get him signed for less than that, but he could still end up having to make a cost-cutting trade or two at some point during this season to free up enough cap room.

The Ducks could get some relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry ($7 million AAV) on long-term injury reserve before their regular-season schedule begins next month. However, they’ll have to free up room to become cap-compliant once Terry returns from hip surgery later this year.

Veteran forwards Alex Killorn ($6.5 million) and Frank Vatrano ($4.57 million) have been rumored as trade candidates.

NHL.COM: Jason Robertson’s future is among the three big questions facing the Dallas Stars this season.

Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million contract for this season. The 27-year-old Stars winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

The two sides can open contract talks on Jan. 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was the subject of trade rumors stretching back to last summer. Stars GM Jim Nill maintained his club wanted to keep the high-scoring winger in the fold, while Robertson insisted he wanted to stay with the Stars.

Nevertheless, the Stars had a deal in place to trade Robertson to the Seattle Kraken in late June, but the deal fell through when he declined to sign a contract extension.

The one-year deal buys time for both sides. It gives Robertson another season to prove his worth, while giving the Stars another opportunity to negotiate with him knowing they’ll have more salary cap flexibility with which to sign him.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 9, 2026

by | Aug 9, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 9, 2026

Which players could get eight-year contracts before the Sept. 16 deadline? Will the Canadiens move on from Samuel Montembeault? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Pittsburgh Penguins’ signing Ville Koivunen to an eight-year contract extension prompted Eric Cruickshank to ponder which NHL players could also get eight-year deals before the Sept. 16 deadline.

On that date, the maximum term for teams re-signing players drops to seven years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum term for signing unrestricted free agents will also drop on that date from seven years to six.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

Cruickshank listed five players who could get eight-year deals before Sept. 16, with Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets topping his list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets would probably love to get the 21-year-old Fantilli under contract for eight seasons. He’s their first-line center and will play a critical role in the club’s development.

Fantilli could prefer a shorter term closer to five years at an average annual value of around $15 million. That will ensure he gets a chance at a more lucrative deal while still in his prime.

Detroit Red Wings forward Marco Kasper, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie, Edmonton Oilers prospect Matthew Savoie, and Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc could also become candidates for eight-year contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those players would fall under the same category as Koivunen of the Penguins.

Eyebrows were raised when the Penguins signed him to such a lengthy term despite his limited NHL experience. However, general manager Kyle Dubas justified it by saying they were betting on him developing into a top-six forward.

The same principle could apply to Kasper, Geekie, Savoie, and Bolduc. Whether their respective teams are willing to make those gambles remains to be seen.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Brendan Kelly believes the Canadiens must move on from Samuel Montembeault and trade him as soon as possible.

Montembeault, 29, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $3.15 million. His struggles last season cost him the starter’s job to Jakub Dobes, and he was relegated to third-stringer behind promising Jacob Fowler.

Kelly noted that the Canadiens stubbornly stuck with Montembeault, hoping he’d be able to regain his form. He believes they cannot make the same mistake this season, insisting that they try to trade him to another club and stick with the young tandem of Dobes and Fowler.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was assumed the Canadiens would trade or buy out Montembeault this summer. The buyout period has passed, and if they were peddling him, it appears that there weren’t any takers.

Montembeault’s struggles last season hurt his value in the trade market. They’ll have to give him some playing time and hope he does well enough to become enticing to another team. Until they can find a suitable trade partner for him, they might have to send the promising Fowler to their AHL affiliate to ensure the 22-year-old gets sufficient playing time.

Failing that, the Canadiens could keep Dobes and Fowler as their tandem and send Montembeault to the minors. It’ll free up a bit of extra cap space for them ($1.225 million) while providing him with more time and less pressure to work on his game.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2026

by | Aug 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2026

Could the new contracts for Leo Carlsson, Macklin Celebrini, and Connor Bedard affect contract talks for Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Cutter Gauthier, and Adam Fantilli? What’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Alexander Nikishin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes Connor Bedard’s new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million average annual value) has affected the contract negotiations of Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

Gauthier, 21, scored 41 goals last season. While he might not be seeking a contract similar to that of teammate Leo Carlsson (five years, $18 million) or San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (five years, $18.8 million), he could consider his worth to be between $15 million and $16 million. That could make it challenging for the Ducks.

The 21-year-old Fantilli could also seek something in a range similar to Bedard, but the Blue Jackets’ preference could be in the $12 million to $12.5 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have over $13.4 million in cap space for this season, so it’s understandable why they’d want Fantilli inked to $12.5 million or less.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space, so they’ll have to shed some salary at some point to make room for Gauthier’s new contract. They can start the season with Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve, but they must free up cap space when he returns to the lineup, and that means a cost-cutting trade or two.

Friedman also believes the Carlsson and Celebrini contracts will affect the contract extension negotiations for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Minnesota Wild blueliner Quinn Hughes. Both are established veteran superstars who are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

According to Friedman, the big question for Makar could be term, as he might not prefer doing the current league maximum of eight years. The cap number will also be a factor.

Friedman thinks Makar and Hughes are looking at each other’s situations and want to be in the same range contract-wise. He predicts that Hughes will sign a three-year deal worth $18 million annually with the Wild.

Some observers are surprised that Hughes hasn’t been re-signed yet. That’s raised speculation about his future in Minnesota and the possibility of reuniting with his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey. Friedman believes the time to worry is if Hughes and the Wild haven’t agreed to a new contract by the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar is more of a certainty to re-sign with his club than Hughes is with his because of the latter’s family links with the New Jersey Devils. As James Nicholls of New Jersey Hockey Now put it, the longer Quinn goes without an extension with the Wild, the more it favors the Devils.

Nevertheless, the Wild have been having ongoing discussions with Hughes and his representatives this summer. It must be remembered that they didn’t get superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov re-signed until the end of training camp last year, so it could take as long to get Hughes under contract.

Friedman was asked about the possibility of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck getting traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He indicated that things are quiet on that front. While Friedman believes Hellebuyck will get moved at some point, there’s nothing new to report thus far, though things might pick up closer to training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two clubs were reportedly close to a deal before the NHL Draft weekend, but things fell through. So far, there’s been nothing but silence from both clubs, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the trade discussions are over.

However, Hellebuyck is the Jets’ most valuable asset. He is under contract through 2030-31, so they’re in no hurry to move him even if the 33-year-old goaltender were trying to force the issue.

It will take a substantial return to pry Hellebuyck away from the Jets. The Sabres have plenty of good young players (especially forwards) to draw on for trade bait, but the Jets’ asking price could involve moving one or two that they don’t want to part with.

Friedman suggests keeping a close eye on Alexander Nikishin. The 24-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a restricted free agent, and it’s been rumored the Hurricanes could attempt to trade him.

Nothing seems to be close to a deal right now, but Friedman thinks Nikishin could get moved at some point, perhaps around the start of training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ryan Lambert of The Hockey News listed five NHL teams that should make Nikishin a trade target. They include the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets. It’ll be interesting to see if one of them ends up landing the promising blueliner.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 7, 2026

by | Aug 7, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 7, 2026

What’s the latest on Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrik Laine? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SICK PODCAST: Nick Lariviere cited Jimmy Murphy and Shayne Gaumond discussing the possibility of Vladimir Tarasenko being a free-agent option for the Montreal Canadiens.

Former Minnesota Wild winger Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Murphy and Gaumond believe the 34-year-old Tarasenko could be a good fit with the Canadiens, who need second-line depth. Murphy cited the winger’s versatility as the best “plug-in” piece for the Habs.

However, Murphy’s Eye Test podcast co-host Pierre McGuire disagrees, saying he doesn’t believe Tarasenko would have a spot among the Canadiens’ top six.

Lariviere acknowledged Tarasenko lacks the speed of Canadiens’ second-line winger Alex Newhook. However, he believes the veteran’s pure skill and experience could make him a good short-term fit alongside fellow Russian Ivan Demidov on the Habs’ second line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s no secret the Canadiens seek a suitable linemate for the talented Demidov, preferably a center. Trade rumors have linked them to Toronto Maple Leafs power forward Matthew Knies and Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

Canadiens management has been unwilling to bring in aging veterans, preferring players in their mid-to-late 20s that would mesh well with their young core. If they wanted Tarasenko, they probably would’ve signed him by now.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Herb Zurkowsky reports former Canadiens winger Patrik Laine has been linked to several NHL clubs this summer.

Laine, 28, is an unrestricted free agent coming off a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $8.7 million. The sniper spent the past two seasons with the Canadiens, with injuries limiting him to 57 regular-season games.

Zurkowsky noted that Laine had been linked to the New York Rangers, Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs and, more recently, the Philadelphia Flyers. He believes a team could land the former 44-goal scorer for around $1.5 million on a one-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s skating has slowed, his defensive game is weak, and he’s become more of a power-play specialist at this stage of his career. Still, his powerful shot could land him with a team seeking additional scoring while playing with the man advantage. Whether it’ll be with one of the clubs mentioned by Zurkowsky remains to be seen.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 6, 2026

by | Aug 6, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 6, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: a look at what it might cost the Devils to acquire Quinn Hughes and the latest on the Sabres’ goaltending.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols looked at what it might cost the New Jersey Devils to acquire Quinn Hughes if his contract extension talks with the Minnesota Wild fall through.

Negotiations between the Wild and the Hughes camp have been ongoing this summer. The 26-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. It’s rumored the two sides were discussing salary numbers in the mid-to-high teens. The Wild prefer a long-term deal, while Hughes might want a short-term commitment.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

So far, there’s no indication that a deal is close. Wild general manager Bill Guerin is preaching patience, pointing out it’s a major decision for both sides.

It’s believed Hughes would like to reunite one day with his brothers Jack and Luke, who play for the New Jersey Devils.

Nichols noted that the Devils have the salary cap flexibility to acquire Hughes via trade or free agency if he doesn’t re-sign with the Wild. He also pointed out that they have the draft picks and prospects to draw on for trade capital. A roster player, such as Dawson Mercer, could also be used as part of a trade package.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nichols acknowledged that Guerin’s remarks don’t close the door on the Wild’s chances of re-signing Hughes. The two sides could agree to a three-year extension, giving the Wild a four-year window to chase the Stanley Cup with Hughes on their roster.

Nichols is correct in assuming that the longer Hughes goes without an extension, the more it could favor the Devils. It could force the Wild to move him before the March 1 trade deadline, or let him walk next summer as a free agent. In both cases, the Devils could be poised to pursue the superstar defenseman.

Nevertheless, if Hughes ends up on the trade block this season, there’s no certainty that the Devils will win a bidding war. However, he could narrow the potential destinations if he has no intention of signing an extension as part of the trade terms.

NHL.COM: Amalie Benjamin has goaltending among the three questions facing the Buffalo Sabres this season.

Benjamin observed that offseason rumors have been rife about the Sabres’ goalie situation, “which became a revolving door in the playoffs with time split between Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon.” She noted that most of the speculation centered around Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

The Sabres are currently heading into training camp with Luukkonen, Lyon, Colten Ellis, and Matt Villalta as their goalies. Benjamin wondered if Lyon and/or Luukkonen could be the answer for a team that believes it can improve on last season’s performance.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported that the Sabres and Jets were discussing a trade involving Hellebuyck before the June draft weekend, but the deal fell through.

So far, there’s no indication that those discussions have been renewed or whether the Jets intend to move Hellebuyck, who is under contract through 2030-31. If he’s unavailable, the Sabres could have little choice but to return with their Luukkonen/Lyon tandem for the coming season.