NHL Rumor Mill – April 10, 2025

by | Apr 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 10, 2025

Could the Penguins attempt to accelerate their rebuild? Will Dmitry Orlov head to the KHL next summer? Are the Lightning having trouble signing top prospect Isaac Howard? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe wonders if Sidney Crosby’s ongoing excellence at age 37 could alter general manager Kyle Dubas’ rebuilding plans for the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Since last season, Dubas has shipped out veterans like Jake Guentzel for promising young players and other untapped assets. However, Crosby’s performance remains unaffected.

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas (NHL.com).

Yohe wonders if Dubas will continue his methodical rebuilding knowing that Crosby will be gone once the process is completed, or if he’ll attempt to accelerate things while his captain remains among the league’s elite stars.

The Penguins have $25 million in cap space for next season and double that amount in 2026-27. Dubas could create more space this summer by moving out some bad contracts. Yohe believes being aggressive and spending money is a smart move as long as they also have a system that consistently generates young players like they currently have.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been ongoing speculation that Dubas could attempt to move out Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell and perhaps even Kris Letang this summer to free up cap room and create roster space for younger talent. The intent would be to build a playoff contender around Crosby before his new contract expires two years from now.

Dubas has shown a willingness to make bold moves though sometimes they didn’t pan out as expected, like the acquisition of Karlsson two years ago. Nevertheless, he could search for a deal that speeds up his rebuilding plans.

ORLOV NOT GOING TO THE KHL NEXT SEASON

SPORTSNET: In his latest “32 Thoughts” column, Elliotte Friedman reported a rumor making the rounds had Dmitry Orlov heading to the KHL next season. The 33-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is UFA-eligible on July 1.

Friedman said he was told that there was no truth to that rumor. Orlov intends to stay in the NHL.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether Orlov returns with Carolina or signs with another NHL team remains to be seen. The Hurricanes have the cap room to re-sign him but he might have to accept a lesser annual average value than his current $7.75 million.

COULD OTHER TEAMS HAVE INTEREST IN THE LIGHTNING’S TOP PROSPECT?

TAMPA BAY TIMES: Eduardo A. Encina cited multiple reports indicating Isaac Howard, the Lightning’s top prospect, is returning to Michigan State for his junior year. The decision comes after two weeks of contract talks between the Lightning and Howard’s representatives.

Howard led the NCAA Division 1 with a 1.41 points per game average and is a finalist for the 2025 Hobey Baker Memorial Award. If he goes unsigned and returns to Michigan State, he could become an unrestricted free agent next summer.

Encina suggests this could be posturing by Howard’s camp. If he plays a single NHL game this season, it would burn off the first year of his entry-level contract, enabling him to garner a more lucrative second contract much sooner as a restricted free agent.

The Lightning can continue negotiating with Howard until he becomes a UFA on Aug, 15, 2026. They could also trade his rights if they don’t expect to sign him before then.

Encina noted that the Lightning lacks the cap space to add Howard to their roster for the remainder of the regular season. He cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman cited sources “in NCAA circles” saying the Bolts and the Howard camp “weren’t sympatico on where everything stood at this time.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman is interested in how things proceed from here, “especially if other teams are interested” in Howard.

We saw a similar situation last summer with Rutger McGroarty and the Winnipeg Jets resulting in him getting traded to the Pittsburgh Penguins. McGroarty wanted to join the Jets right away but they preferred he start the season with their AHL affiliate.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2025

by | Apr 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 9, 2025

Check out the latest on the Canucks and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST CANUCKS SPECULATION

TSN: Darren Dreger believes acquiring a second-line center will be among the Vancouver Canucks’ priorities this summer.

The free-agent market is thin for such players. However, the Canucks aren’t afraid to spend some draft capital or prospects in the trade market.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko (NHL Images).

Starting goaltender Thatcher Demko has a year left on his contract. Dreger wondered what a contract extension might look like. He also thinks a trade could be an option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: When healthy, Demko’s among the best goalies in the league. His stellar play last season made him a finalist for the Vezina Trophy and played a big role in the Canucks’ 109-point performance.

However, Demko’s absences due to injury create uncertainty about his effectiveness as a starter. The Canucks have also received solid goaltending from Kevin Lankinen, who signed a five-year extension in February.

Despite Demko’s injury history, the lack of quality goalies in the trade and free-agent markets could make him an enticing trade chip for the Canucks if the two sides fail to agree to terms for an extension.

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Thomas Drance what his top center trade targets would be for the Canucks this summer.

One option could be pursuing an older center on a risky contract like Steven Stamkos. Drance acknowledged the 34-year-old Stamkos’ no-movement clause but noted that he’s had a rough season with the Nashville Predators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will probably have to look elsewhere for that type of center. Besides, Stamkos is more effective at left wing at this stage in his career.

Another option would be a promising young center who hasn’t broken out yet like Connor McMichael of the Washington Capitals or Cole Perfetti of the Winnipeg Jets. Drance admits both would be expensive to acquire, but if the Canucks intend to make a big swing in this summer’s trade market, those would be the two to pursue.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McMichael has become part of the Capitals’ core this season with a 55-point performance. He’s signed through next season with an average annual value of $2.1 million. He’s not going anywhere.

Drance observed Perfetti had an acrimonious negotiation with the Jets last summer before agreeing to a two-year deal (at an AAV of $3.25 million). Perfetti would be the most likely to be available, but that doesn’t mean the Jets will move him.

The final option is a reliable veteran in his prime with some term left on his contract. Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins and Jesperi Kotkaniemi of the Carolina Hurricanes fall into that category. Drance pointed out that the Bruins are rebuilding, which could make Zacha available. He also noted the Canucks were linked to Kotkaniemi in the past.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha is the better of the two. He had a career-high 59 points last season and has 45 points this season. However, he might not be available if the Bruins are retooling for a quick turnaround rather than staging a rebuild.

The 24-year-old Kotkaniemi is younger than Zacha and has more contract certainty with five years remaining. However, he’s been inconsistent during his tenure with the Hurricanes and usually sees third-line center duty.

MORE CHANGE IN STORE FOR THE SABRES?

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn examined why the Buffalo Sabres missed the playoff for the 14th straight season, and what might be in store during the offseason.

Fairburn noted the Sabres trading Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators at the trade deadline. He believes more changes could be coming this season, citing their goals-against (fourth highest in the league) and woeful special-teams play (25th-ranked power play, 23rd-ranked penalty kill).

General manager Kevyn Adams and head coach Lindy Ruff each have a year left on their contracts. Fairburn wondered if team owner Terry Pegula would make more changes in the front office and behind the bench.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres’ woes begin with Pegula. He’s provided the financial stability that ensures this club won’t be moved, but as Fairburn observes, the constant losing is taking a toll on its fanbase.

If Adams remains as general manager he’ll emphasize improving the Sabres goaltending and defensive game.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2025

by | Apr 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2025

Is this Chris Kreider’s final season with the Rangers? Will the Blue Jackets attempt to improve their goaltending in the offseason? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

IS THIS CHRIS KREIDER’S LAST SEASON WITH THE RANGERS?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks thinks this brutal season could bring a sad end to Chris Kreider’s 13 NHL seasons with the Rangers.

Kreider’s had a difficult campaign. The 33-year-old winger’s production has suffered (20 goals and five assists in 63 games), he’s missed time with a nagging lower-back injury, and he was among the trade candidates on general manager Chris Drury’s infamous memo leaked to the media last November.

New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Brooks believes Kreider’s production and publicly stated lower-back issues likely hurt his trade value among the general managers interested in him. However, he thinks this summer will be different, citing Kreider’s production over the previous three seasons.

Brooks feels the remaining two years of his contract (with an average annual value of $6.5 million) shouldn’t be a hindrance to receiving fair value back in a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The issues that hurt Kreider’s trade value this season could carry over into the offseason. There could be GMs willing to gamble on him regaining his scoring touch but they could squeeze the Rangers to accept a lesser return, retain salary in the deal, or both.

The Rangers have a projected cap space of $9.6 million next season with 18 active roster players under contract and restricted free agents K’Andre Miller and Will Cuylle to re-sign.

Drury must free up some cap space to sign Miller and Cuylle. He also needs room to bolster his roster through trades and free agency. Rivals general managers know this, and they will try to take advantage.

Buying out the remainder of Kreider’s contract is another option but it won’t provide as much cap relief as a trade. The Rangers would face a cap hit of $3 million next season and $4 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.5 million for each of the remaining two years.

BLUE JACKETS MUST ADDRESS THEIR GOALTENDING THIS SUMMER

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline believes the Columbus Blue Jackets’ priority this summer should be addressing their goaltending.

Starter Elvis Merzlikins is playing better than last season but his performance still hasn’t been good enough. As of Apr. 6, he was ranked 42nd with a save percentage of .890 and 44th with a 3.24 goals-against average. Meanwhile, Blue Jackets head coach Dean Evason has shown little faith in backups Daniil Tarasov and Jet Greaves.

Portzline believes it’s still highly doubtful that Merzlikins is tradeable. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.4 million. However, a contract buyout would cost the Blue Jackets $1.5 million for next season, $2.8 million in 2026-27, dropping to $1.63 million for each of the remaining two seasons of the buyout.

Finding a new starter this summer will be challenging in a thin free-agent goalie market. The notables could include Jake Allen of the New Jersey Devils, Dan Vladar of the Calgary Flames, Ilya Samsonov of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Frederik Andersen of the Carolina Hurricanes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Allen, Vladar and Andersen would be short-term upgrades over Merzlikins, assuming they haven’t re-signed with their current clubs before July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2025

by | Apr 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 7, 2025

Could this season be the latest for Brock Boeser with the Canucks and Nikolaj Ehlers with the Jets? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports the next 10 days could be the last for winger Brock Boeser with the Vancouver Canucks.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

Boeser, 28, is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1. The Canucks are poised to miss the playoffs for the fourth time in the last five seasons.

It’s been an up-and-down season for Boeser amid a season of turmoil for the Canucks. He said he’s trying not to think about the possibility of moving on after this season. Boeser admitted the trade rumors swirling around him before last month’s trade deadline affected his play.

Boeser doesn’t know what the future holds, but he knows his improved performance down the stretch will stand him in good stead.

SPORTSNET: Jacob Stoller noted that the Winnipeg Jets’ 4-1 loss to the Utah Hockey Club on Saturday could be a preview of life without winger Nikolaj Ehlers, who is day-to-day with an injury.

Ehlers, 29, plays a key role on the Jets’ second line, tallying 60-plus points four times. He’s UFA-eligible on July 1 and was the subject of trade speculation last summer. At the time, he was reportedly open to a change of scenery.

If Ehlers departs, it could be difficult to find a replacement. Stoller observed the Jets are not a prime destination for free agents. He suggested general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff could parlay a first-round pick for a play-driving top-six winger. However, it’s difficult to determine who could be available in this summer’s trade market and if the Jets first-rounder would be enough.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli has Boeser sitting second and Ehlers at seventh on his list of this summer’s top unrestricted free agents.

Both players will be in high demand when the UFA market opens on July 1, especially if other notable forwards ahead of them on this list (Toronto’s Mitch Marner and John Tavares, Dallas’ Matt Duchene and Florida’s Sam Bennett) end up re-signing with their current clubs.

Boeser and Ehlers could also decide to stay with their current teams. However, the pull of lucrative long-term contracts could prove irresistible.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 6, 2025

by | Apr 6, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – April 6, 2025

Check out the latest on the Flyers and Bruins in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE FLYERS COULD SHOP DRAFT PICKS FOR PLAYERS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere is open to shopping some of their draft capital to acquire young players who can join their roster more quickly.

The Flyers have three first-round picks and four second-rounders in this year’s draft. Some of those picks could be used as trade bait. Briere indicated he’s open to moving one of his first-round picks.

Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere (NHL.com).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Briere is following the recent trend to accelerate a roster rebuild or retooling project by stocking up on draft picks and using some of them to acquire young NHL-ready players.

In addition to their pick, the Flyers have the Edmonton Oilers and Colorado Avalanche’s first-rounders. Holding seven picks in the first two rounds gives Briere the option of packaging some of them together or bundling one or two with a player in a trade offer.

The Flyers’ first-rounder would draw the most attention and fetch the better return. If the draft were held today, they’d have the fourth-overall pick. However, Briere likely prefers retaining that pick and shopping the other two, which are currently 23rd and 25th overall.

THE BRUINS COULD BE BIG SPENDERS THIS SUMMER

DAILY FACEOFF: Ty Anderson of Boston’s sports radio 98.5 The Sports Hub believes the Bruins will spend to the salary cap for next season. He thinks they’ll be very aggressive, though how much could depend on whether they win the draft lottery as they’ll need to ensure sufficient long-term cap space for that player.

Anderson doubts that Bruins ownership wants to engage in a long rebuild or retooling process. He cites their high ticket sales (particularly season tickets) as one factor. They want to give their fans a good reason to come to the games. He believes they’ll try to make a move for a big-time player in free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have a projected cap space of $27.1 million next season with 13 active roster players under contract. They have six restricted free agents, with Morgan Geekie the most notable to be re-signed.

They will have sufficient cap room to pursue a big-name player through free agency like Toronto’s Mitch Marner, or second-tier stars like Vancouver’s Brock Boeser, Winnipeg’s Nikolaj Ehlers and Florida’s Sam Bennett. They might even have enough left to bring back Brad Marchand.

However, other clubs will compete with the Bruins for those UFA players. They could instead attempt to add a player through the offer-sheet route.

The Bruins have their own picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft to use as compensation if they want to invest between $6.871 million and $9.161 million on another club’s restricted free agent.

If they want to make a bigger investment, they also have their first-rounders in the next three drafts. That allows them to use two of those picks as compensation (along with their 2026 second and third-round picks) to invest between $9.162 million and $11.452 million into an offer sheet.

What do you think, folks? Should the Bruins try to land a potential UFA like Marner? Or should they chase someone like Minnesota’s Marco Rossi, Toronto’s Matthew Knies or Buffalo’s JJ Peterka with an offer sheet?

 










NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2025

by | Apr 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – April 5, 2025

The latest on the Canucks and Bruins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Earlier this week, Patrick Johnston mused on what he called “the most disappointing Vancouver Canuck season in recent memory” as the club’s playoff hopes were all but dashed following their 5-0 loss to the Seattle Kraken.

Johnston wondered what head coach Rick Tocchet’s path forward would be following this trying season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tocchet is in the final season of his contract with the Canucks, but they hold a one-year option on that deal. He’s open to discussing an extension following this season but the club’s difficulties raised speculation that he might move on.

Tocchet’s been linked to the Philadelphia Flyers, who replaced John Tortorella as head coach last week with Brad Shaw on an interim basis. Tocchet spent 11 of his 18-season NHL playing career with the Flyers and remains well-respected and popular among their fan base.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Johnston also wondered how management would address their depth at center. “If they do keep Elias Pettersson, who are they going to find to be the other top-line center?” “Is Pius Suter really the second-line center behind Pettersson?”

If the Canucks trade Pettersson this summer, they’ll likely have to retain part of his $11.6 million average annual value. Finding a suitable replacement will be difficult.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading J.T. Miller in January did little to improve Pettersson’s production. With 45 points in 64 games, he’s having the worst performance of his seven-season NHL career. Since the Miller trade, he has 17 points in 30 games.

Nevertheless, Pettersson had 89 points in 82 games last season and 102 points in 2022-23. The Canucks know what he’s capable of and that there is no one available to replace his production when he’s on top of his game. Unless they intend to tear down the roster and rebuild, trading Pettersson makes no sense.

Even if they trade Pettersson, they won’t get fair value in return. His expensive contract and poor performance this season hurt his value in the trade market. Their best option is retaining Pettersson and hope he has a bounce-back performance.

BRUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa believes the Washington Capitals offer a template for the Boston Bruins to quickly retool their roster.

He suggests the Bruins bring in a younger, less experienced coach who can grow with the team, suggesting former Providence Bruins coach Jay Leach, who is now part of the Seattle Kraken’s coaching staff.

Shinzawa also recommends building around David Pastrnak, Jeremy Swayman and Charlie McAvoy through the trade and free-agent markets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boston won’t tear things down to the studs with Pastrnak, Swayman and McAvoy in their prime and under long-term contracts. They must build up around those three as quickly as possible while they remain at their peak.

Bruins management has $28.8 million available next season with 11 active roster players under contract. They have the cap space to make additions this summer. The aim could be landing younger, affordable NHL-ready players from cap-strapped clubs or those looking to shake up their rosters.