Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 8, 2025

by | Jun 8, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 8, 2025

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest Bruins’ speculation, updates on Jason Robertson and Nikolaj Ehlers, and some potential free agent targets for the Rangers.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE BRUINS AFTER HIRING A NEW HEAD COACH?

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa reports Boston Bruins general manager Don Sweeney got the coach he wanted when he hired Marco Sturm last week as his new bench boss. Now, Sweeney must find suitable players to plug holes in his roster and fit within Sturm’s system.

Shinzawa doesn’t see Sweeney pursuing an expensive free agent like Mitch Marner. Instead, he expects the Bruins GM to fill those holes with second and third-line reinforcements.

NESN: Jay Pritchard believes Marco Rossi could make sense as a Bruins trade target. The 23-year-old Minnesota Wild center is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights this summer. His future with the Wild is murky amid a contract stalemate.

Pritchard believes Rossi isn’t yet a top-line center, but he’s coming off a 60-point season and would bring youth, skill and upside to the Bruins’ roster.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pritchard noted that Rossi is seeking a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million. The Bruins have over $26 million in cap space and could afford that salary, but it would take up a significant chunk of their cap payroll when they have 14 active roster players under contract. Rossi’s asking price could be too expensive for Sweeney if he’s seeking the type of replacements mentioned by Shinzawa.

THE STARS AREN’T SHOPPING JASON ROBERTSON

TSN: cited a report by Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun, citing league executives claiming the Dallas Stars haven’t shown any interest in trading Jason Robertson. He added that there haven’t been any trade talks involving the 25-year-old winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars headed into the offseason with less than $5 million in cap space, needing to re-sign or replace pending UFAs like Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund. Some pundits suggested Robertson as a cost-cutting trade candidate.

The Stars may have other salary-reducing options in mind. They could peddle or buy out a defenseman like Matt Dumba ($3.75 million cap hit for 2025-26) or Ilya Lyubushkin ($3.25 million AAV through 2026-27).

THE LATEST ON NIKOLAJ EHLERS

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman and Murat Ates expect Nikolaj Ehlers will get a nice raise in the offseason with the Winnipeg Jets or another club via free agency. They cite Evolving Hockey projecting a seven-year deal worth $8.9 million annually on the open market, while their colleague Dom Luszczyszyn projected an AAV of $8.1 million.

The Carolina Hurricanes, Vegas Golden Knights, New Jersey Devils, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Los Angeles Kings are among 11 clubs they believe could target Ehlers if he goes to market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Of those clubs, the Hurricanes are in the best salary-cap position to sign Ehlers. They have over $28 million in cap space, and GM Eric Tulsky said in March he’d have around $20 million in cap space if he re-signed all his free agents.

The Jets can also afford to pay Ehlers a big raise, sitting with over $26 million in cap room. Whether they want to or intend to sign a replacement remains to be seen. The Leafs ($25.7 million) and Kings ($21.7 million) also have sufficient room.

UPDATE ON THE RANGERS

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker recently looked at six pending UFAs who could be on the Rangers’ offseason radar.

Dallas Stars center Mikael Granlund topped her list, followed by New Jersey Devils defenseman Brian Dumoulin, Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato, Colorado Avalanche winger Jonathan Drouin, Edmonton Oilers center Trent Frederic, and Los Angeles Kings defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov would be the best of the bunch. The 29-year-old left-shot defenseman was the Kings’ best blueliner last season. He’s completing a two-year contract with an AAV of $5.875 million.

Unsurprisingly, the Kings hope to retain him, and he wants to stay in Los Angeles. The Rangers would have to free up cap space for the $7 million AAV he’d seek on the open market.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 7, 2025

by | Jun 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 7, 2025

Check out the latest on Drake Batherson, John Gibson, Charlie Coyle, and Nicolas Hague in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SENATORS MANAGEMENT DISMISS BATHERSON TRADE RUMORS

OTTAWA SUN: Jason Duench reports Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer denied rumors claiming Drake Batherson was on the trade block.

“It’s not right,” said Andlauer. General manager Steve Staios added there was “no truth” to the speculation that he was shopping the 27-year-old winger, adding he’d spoken to Batherson to reassure him.

Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the Batherson speculation was reported by Duench’s colleague Bruce Garrioch, who claimed earlier this week that there was “no shortage of talk” that the Senators were shopping the winger.

Andlauer and Staios won’t publicly admit to shopping Batherson or anyone else. Nevertheless, the fact that they dismissed the speculation before reporters started asking questions suggests that they wanted to nip this in the bud.

The Batherson trade rumors were puzzling because they would be trading away a reliable scorer carrying a team-friendly contract for the next two seasons. More than one critic felt the Senators had better be getting a significant return if they were serious about moving him.

Staios also indicated that contract extension talks continue with pending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux and restricted free agent Fabian Zetterlund. He also said the Senators won’t be spending toward the projected $95.5 million cap ceiling for 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have a projected $15 million of cap space with 16 active roster players under contract for next season. Giroux and Zetterlund should be affordable re-signings, but they will eat up at least $5 million of that cap room, leaving $10 million to fill out the remaining roster spots.

Their determination not to spend to the cap means they won’t be pursuing big-ticket talent in this summer’s free-agent market. They could go the trade route, but that could mean a player-for-player swap to manage the dollars, which could explain why Batherson surfaced in the rumor mill in the first place.

MORE SUGGESTED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR JOHN GIBSON

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin proposed five trade destinations for John Gibson. The 32-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender has been a fixture in the rumor mill over the past two offseasons.

Larkin suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins as potential landing spots for Gibson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The significant increase of the salary cap, the lack of quality goaltending depth in this summer’s free-agent market, and Gibson having two seasons left on his contract could finally create the right conditions for a much-anticipated trade.

It was rumored the Hurricanes looked at acquiring Gibson last summer before opting to bring back Frederik Andersen on a one-year deal. The Blue Jackets, Flyers and Penguins lack reliable starters, while the Devils could need a replacement for 1B goalie Jake Allen if he hits the open market on July 1.

THE LATEST ON CHARLIE COYLE AND NICOLAS HAGUE

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes the Colorado Avalanche’s re-signing of Brock Nelson likely means Charlie Coyle will return to the trade market. The Avalanche acquired the 33-year-old forward from the Boston Bruins at the March trade deadline. He has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche has only $1.2 million of cap space after re-signing Nelson. They must shed salary to create more room for other signings. Coyle’s cap hit, his no-movement clause, and three-team trade list could make him a tough sell in the trade market.

The Vegas Golden Knights’ limited cap space could force them to move defenseman Nicolas Hague in a cost-cutting deal. Kypreos claims the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are “hot on the trail” to acquire him, potentially.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hague, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The 6’6”, 240-pound left-shot defenseman earned an AAV of $2.294 million on his previous contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2025

by | Jun 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 6, 2025

Check out the latest on the Avalanche, Canucks and Blackhawks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE AVALANCHE BE FORCED TO MOVE MARTIN NECAS?

THE DENVER POST: Troy Renck believes the Colorado Avalanche signing Brock Nelson to a three-year contract extension puts general manager Chris MacFarland and head coach Jared Bednar on notice.

Renck understood the need to retain Nelson to address their long-standing need for a second-line center. However, he believes the cost ($7.5 million annually) has boxed MacFarland into a salary-cap corner, likely forcing him to buy out Miles Wood and trade Ross Colton when his full no-trade clause becomes a limited one on July 1.

Martin Necas is eligible for a contract extension this summer and could ask for $10 million-plus if he reaches 100 points playing alongside Nathan MacKinnon next season. There’s speculation that the Avs could trade Necas, as the 26-year-old winger is reportedly unhappy in Colorado.

Colorado Avalanche winger Martin Necas (NHL Images).

Necas was the centerpiece of the Mikko Rantanen trade. Moving him would mean trying to get the same haul all over again, which could leave MacFarland with egg on his face.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos claimed that “there’s a sense” that Necas wasn’t “overly thrilled” in Colorado and could seek other options.

Deen questioned this, citing Necas’ performance with the Avalanche and how well he fit in with his new teammates. However, he’s concerned that the winger is a year away from UFA status and could seek a substantial raise over his current average annual value of $6.5 million. They can’t afford to lose him for nothing next year, and they can’t let this situation linger like they did with Rantanen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Necas’ asking price will be the deciding factor in his future with the Avalanche. If he seeks $10 million annually, that will be $2 million less than what Rantanen got with the Dallas Stars, and likely won’t sit well with Avs followers, who would’ve preferred hanging onto Rantanen.

COULD THE CANUCKS PEDDLE THATCHER DEMKO?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma noted that the plethora of injuries suffered by Thatcher Demko creates a dilemma for Vancouver Canucks management.

The 29-year-old goaltender is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He can be signed to an extension as early as July 1. When healthy, he’s among the league’s best netminders, but the concerns about his durability will affect their plans for re-signing him.

Kuzma reports Demko wants to remain a Canuck and has put up numbers that warrant an extension. The salary is negotiable, but contract length will be an issue. Demko will seek long-term security, but Canucks management could prefer caution.

Patrick Johnston reports plenty of people have noticed that Demko and center Elias Pettersson don’t appear in the Canucks’ latest marketing imagery.

He suggested Pettersson’s absence could be because he’s on the trade block, or perhaps his image has too much negative connotations for Canucks fans right now. However, Demko’s absence makes Johnston wonder if the goalie is quietly being shopped.

Johnston cited a league source suggesting Demko would be a solid trade chip that would fetch a return that addresses their need for a second-line center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s poor performance in 2024-25, his drama with former teammate J.T. Miller, and hefty $11.6 million AAV through 2031-32 makes him very difficult to move this summer.

Demko, on the other hand, would be easier to peddle in the trade market. Despite his injury history, there’s no question he’s a talented goaltender. The lack of quality netminders available in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets would draw plenty of interest from teams looking to upgrade between the pipes next season.

The Canucks’ goaltending is in decent shape if they wish to move on from Demkov. They signed Kevin Lankinen earlier this season to a four-year contract extension, and they have promising Arturs Silovs in the minors.

WILL THE BLACKHAWKS MAKE A MAJOR OFFSEASON MOVE?

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers reports there’s an assumption around the league that the Chicago Blackhawks are poised to make a major offseason move. They have plenty of cap space and draft capital, and could be aggressive in the trade and free-agent markets following their recent finishes in the league standings.

GM Kyle Davidson remains determined to continue building through the draft. They could inquire about Mitch Marner if the 28-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs winger goes to market on July 1, but they won’t overpay for him, nor do they consider him or any other player in this year’s UFA market as an essential piece to add.

Powers considers it unlikely they’ll target another club’s restricted free-agent talent with offer sheets. Instead, they could focus on the trade market. Someone like JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres could intrigue them, and they have the trade capital to make such a move.

Turning to their UFAs, Powers indicated the Blackhawks have had contract talks with Ryan Donato. They haven’t reached an agreement yet, and time is getting short, but there’s still a chance he could sign an extension.

Powers also interviewed Davidson, who remains open to trading draft capital for an NHL roster player. The Blackhawks GM is willing to explore every option to help his team, but it has to be the right fit. He also pointed out that acquiring good talent remains difficult because of the competition for the few available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Davidson brought in veterans over the past two years to help his rebuilding team. The problem was that most of them were past their prime, with several ending up traded to other clubs.

His challenge is finding those in the prime, preferably in their mid-to-late twenties, who will fit well with the Blackhawks’ young core. Marner fits that category, but he’d be too expensive, and he could be unwilling to join a rebuilding club.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2025

by | Jun 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 5, 2025

The Avalanche need to shed salary after signing Brock Nelson, plus the latest on Rasmus Andersson, Marco Rossi, Nicolas Hague and Jake Allen in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RE-SIGNING NELSON COULD FORCE THE AVALANCHE TO SHED SALARY

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli and Tyler Yaremchuk discussed the Colorado Avalanche’s salary-cap crunch after signing Brock Nelson to a contract extension on Wednesday.

Nelson, 33, agreed to a three-year deal with an average annual value of $7.5 million. That leaves the Avalanche with $1.2 million in cap space with 12 forwards, five defensemen and two goaltenders under contract for 2025-26.

Yaremchuk believes the Avalanche must make a cost-cutting move or two to free up cap room. Seravalli suggested defenseman Samuel Girard and forwards Charlie Coyle and Martin Necas as trade candidates.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Samuel Girard (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Girard is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5 million and a nine-team no-list. Coyle was a trade-deadline acquisition from the Boston Bruins. He has a year left with a $5.25 million cap hit, a no-movement clause and a three-team no-trade list.

Necas was part of the return from the Carolina Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade in January. He has a year left at $6.5 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Forwards Ross Colton and Miles Wood surfaced in the rumor mill before the Nelson signing. Colton is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $4 million and a modified no-trade clause. Wood has four years left on his contract with a $2.5 million AAV and a six-team no-trade list.

UPDATE ON RASMUS ANDERSSON

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports Rasmus Andersson will remain the biggest storyline for the Flames until he’s re-signed, traded, or signs with another club as an unrestricted free agent next summer.

A trade is possible during the draft weekend (June 27-28) as that’s a period when deals get done. There are a few teams with top-10 draft picks who could be in the market for an experienced right-shot defenseman. The Flames aren’t in any rush to move him, but general manager Craig Conroy has a reputation for moving players around this time.

An extension for Andersson remains possible after July 1, which is the earliest the Flames can sign him.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon listed the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens as possible trade destinations for Andersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres and Canadiens have the depth in draft picks and prospects to make a tempting offer to the Flames. However, the Habs’ biggest need is a second-line center, so they’ll likely put those assets toward addressing that need. The Sabres are in the market for a right-shot blueliner to pair with Owen Power.

The Stars are expected to shake things up after falling short in the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. They need depth on the right side behind Miro Heiskanen, but must first shed some salary if they intend to pursue someone like Andersson.

Most of the talk about the Hurricanes suggests they’ll pursue big fish via free agency to address their need for an impact player to carry them to the Stanley Cup Final. If there’s enough cap space after landing that player, maybe they’ll look at Andersson.

The Leafs need a puck-moving right-shot defenseman on their top pairing. GM Brad Treliving knows Andersson from his days in the Flames’ front office.

THE LATEST ON MARCO ROSSI

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith and Michael Russo report league sources claim there was another call between Wild GM Bill Guerin and agent Ian Pulver, who represents Marco Rossi. The 23-year-old center becomes a restricted free agent without arbitration rights on July 1.

Earlier this season, the Rossi camp rejected a five-year, $25 million contract proposal. A shorter bridge deal was pitched last week, but Pulver told Guerin that the recent offer no longer makes sense after he was buried on the fourth line during the playoffs.

The Wild aren’t willing to offer Rossi a deal comparable to teammate Matt Boldy’s seven-year, $49 million contract. It feels like his time with the Wild could be coming to an end.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi’s future in Minnesota has been the subject of frequent speculation for weeks. His asking price could make him difficult to move, but rumors persist that teams continue to inquire about his availability.

FLYERS INTERESTED IN NICOLAS HAGUE

SPORTSNET 590: Elliotte Friedman reports the Philadelphia Flyers are believed to have contacted the Vegas Golden Knights about Nicolas Hague. The 26-year-old left-shot defenseman completed a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.294 million and is an RFA with arbitration rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vegas Hockey Now’s Hannah Kirkell recently observed that the Golden Knights already have Shea Theodore, Noah Hanifin, Alex Pietrangelo and Brayden McNabb under contract for next season. She suggested that it could make Hague the odd man out.

The Golden Knights could go shopping for a big-ticket UFA this summer. They have $9.6 million in cap space and might be willing to part with Hague in a trade if they have no plans to re-sign him.

JAKE ALLEN HOPES TO REMAIN WITH THE DEVILS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols cited an NHL.com report indicating Jake Allen hopes to stay in New Jersey. The 34-year-old Devils goaltender is UFA-eligible on July 1.

GM Tom Fitzgerald said they’re trying to figure out what type of salary Allen prefers and whether they can make it work.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 4, 2025

by | Jun 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 4, 2025

The latest on the Senators’ Drake Batherson, the Avalanche’s Samuel Girard, and the Ducks’ Mason McTavish and Trevor Zegras in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the talk around the league is the Senators would like to acquire a proven top-six forward who can score via trade or free agency.

They’re also in the market for a right-shot defenseman because Nick Jensen will require a lengthy recovery from recent hip surgery.

Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson (NHL Images).

Garrioch cited three league executives suggesting to keep an eye on Drake Batherson. It was rumored that the Senators were listening to offers for the 27-year-old winger at the March trade deadline. His name has resurfaced in the rumor mill.

Batherson has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.975 million. He had 26 goals and 68 points last season, but Garrioch claims some within the Senators’ organization are frustrated with his inconsistency.

However, the Senators will proceed with caution because Batherson’s contributions shouldn’t be ignored. Moving him would free up a top-six forward spot for Fabian Zetterlund.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Julian McKenzie of The Athletic believes the Senators won’t move Batherson unless they’re getting a better scorer in return. The same could apply to their need for a top-four, right-shot blueliner, if the intent is to move Zetterlund up among their top-six forwards.

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak observed that Samuel Girard is frequently mentioned as an Avalanche trade candidate. He’s stuck behind Cale Makar and Devon Toews as their No. 3 defenseman. His 5’10”, 170-pound frame and the perception that the Avs need more grit and defensive aptitude on their blueline are other reasons why he comes up in the rumor mill.

However, Masisak believes trading an underrated puck-moving No. 3 blueliner on a team-friendly contract ($5.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27)is a tough ask for the Avalanche. It would be difficult to find a suitable replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Girard trade speculation started about two years ago. TSN’s Pierre LeBrun dismissed those rumors for the same reasons mentioned by Masisak.

Things can change, of course. The Avalanche’s early playoff exits over the past three seasons could spur management to gauge Girard’s value in the trade market. Nevertheless, it doesn’t seem like they will consider that move this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently looked at which players will stay with the Anaheim Ducks this summer and those that might be on the move.

Mason McTavish is on his “Not going anywhere” list. The 22-year-old center has been mentioned as an offer-sheet candidate, but Stephens points out the Ducks can easily match an offer that doesn’t throw off their future salary scale.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks could let McTavish go if a rival club signed him to an offer sheet with an AAV between $7.03 million and $9.36 million. The compensation they’d receive would be a first, a second, and a third-round pick.

However, only 15 clubs have the necessary picks to make that pitch. Of those, the Devils, Predators, Canadiens, Flyers, and Oilers have less than $20 million in cap space and could be reluctant to invest between $7 million and $9 million on an offer sheet for a second-line center.

Nobody’s paying McTavish between $9.36 million and $11.7 million and giving up two firsts, a second, and a third. He’s good, but not in that pay class. And if anyone is dumb enough to offer up over $11.7 million and four first-rounders, they should be fired immediately. 

Stephens acknowledged that Trevor Zegras is a long-time trade candidate whose career with the Ducks has reached a crossroads. However, playing under Joel Quenneville next season might help him finally develop into an elite playmaking forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was plenty of interest in Zegras last summer and lots of speculation suggesting he’d be moved. However, another injury-hampered performance this season has hurt his trade value.

Zegras has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.75 million, becoming an RFA with arbitration rights next July. Unless the Ducks get a terrific trade offer, they’ll likely hang onto Zegras and see how he does playing for Quenneville.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2025

by | Jun 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 3, 2025

Could the Stars trade Jason Robertson? What kind of return could the Predators get for Jonathan Marchessault? What’s the latest on Marco Rossi? The answers to those questions, and an update on the Islanders, in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD JASON ROBERTSON BECOME A TRADE CANDIDATE?

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek wondered if the Dallas Stars would consider moving Jason Robertson and his $7.75 million cap hit to recoup some draft capital and free up salary-cap space to go “big-game hunting” this summer.

If the Stars were to move the 25-year-old Robertson, Marek suggested the Ottawa Senators and Anaheim Ducks as possible destinations. With Robertson’s cap hit off their books, they might get into the bidding for Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger becomes a free agent on July 1.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos examines the pros and cons of trading Robertson.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

One reason for moving Robertson is that his role has changed since the Stars acquired Mikko Rantanen at the trade deadline. He’s also due to become a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights and will be UFA-eligible the following year unless he signs a long-term extension. Robertson will seek a significant raise on his next contract, and he doesn’t produce at the same rate in the playoffs as he does in the regular season.

Robertson’s offensive consistency in the regular season is one reason why they shouldn’t trade him. He has yet to reach his full potential, and he has matured and improved his defensive game. Trading away a proven scorer could be risky.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson lacks no-trade protection, giving Stars management plenty of potential trade partners if they go that route. Because of his free-agent status next summer, interested parties could prefer a sign-and-trade scenario.

Moving Robertson makes sense if the goal is salary-cap flexibility and restocking their prospect pool. Ditching him to clear cap room for a more expensive veteran like Marner creates a bigger cap headache while doing nothing to improve their prospect pipeline.

PREDATORS WON’T GET MUCH FOR TRADING JONATHAN MARCHESSAULT

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty mentioned the trade rumors swirling around Jonathan Marchessault of late. The 34-year-old winger would reportedly welcome a trade only a year after signing a five-year contract with the Nashville Predators.

Daugherty believes trading Marchessault’s contract, age, and the decline in his production would make him difficult to move this summer. He carries an AAV of $5.5 million and has a full no-movement clause. If he were asked to be traded, he must provide a 15-team no-trade list.

If the Predators trade Marchessault, Daugherty doesn’t expect they’ll get much back. “A late draft pick or a low-end prospect is the most Nashville can expect in return.” He also thinks they might have to bundle Marchessault with a draft pick to sweeten the deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators could accept that type of return if their intent is freeing up salary-cap space. However, they wouldn’t have much leverage, and interested clubs could even squeeze them to retain part of his cap hit to facilitate a trade.

LATEST ON MARCO ROSSI

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports that Marco Rossi’s demand for a lucrative long-term contract is a roadblock in trade talks with the Minnesota Wild.

It’s believed the Rossi camp seeks a deal comparable to teammate Matthew Boldy’s seven-year, $49 million contract. That’s too expensive for Wild GM Bill Guerin, who is at least taking calls about the 23-year-old center.

Di Marco believes the Philadelphia Flyers have had “lukewarm interest” in Rossi since last year. He clarified his report from last week, saying there’s no indication that the two teams have engaged in trade talks recently. He cited a source claiming Flyers forward Tyson Foerster was a player the Wild were interested in as a return for Rossi. Neither Foerster nor any of the Flyers’ late first-round picks are on the table.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Di Marco also acknowledged that Guerin is comfortable retaining Rossi, something he stated to The Athletic’s Michael Russo earlier this week.

An RFA coming off his entry-level contract, Rossi lacks arbitration rights. The only leverage he has is the threat of an offer sheet from another team or withholding his services next season until he gets a suitable deal.

The Rossi camp might be hoping for an offer sheet after July 1. However, there might not be many teams with enough cap space left by that point. Most will have used up their cap space well before then in the trade and the UFA markets. There could be even fewer by then willing to meet his rumored asking price.

UPDATE ON THE ISLANDERS

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears recently looked at the winners and losers from the early days of Mathieu Darche’s tenure as GM of the Islanders.

Sear thinks something has to give with aging blueliners Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock and Adam Pelech. Mayfield has a full no-trade clause, Pulock has a full no-movement clause this season and Pelech has a 16-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been suggested Mayfield could be bought out of the remaining five years of his contract if a trade isn’t possible. It would free up $2.33 million in cap space for the next five years, but the buyout cap hit would be $1.166 million annually for the next 10 years.

Jean-Gabriel Pageau could be their most expendable player. He has a year left on his contract and will be a UFA next summer. Anders Lee is in a similar situation, but as their team captain, there are implications to trading Lee that don’t exist for Pageau.