NHL Rumor Mill – February 16, 2026

by | Feb 16, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – February 16, 2026

Steven Stamkos to the Kings? Nazem Kadri to the Canadiens? Could the Blackhawks trade some of their veterans with term left on their contracts? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE KINGS PURSUE STEVEN STAMKOS TO REPLACE KEVIN FIALA?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau suggested the Los Angeles Kings should look into acquiring Steven Stamkos from the Nashville Predators.

The Kings’ playoff hopes suffered a devastating hit when scoring winger Kevin Fiala suffered a season-ending leg injury in the 2026 Winter Olympics. Proteau thinks the 36-year-old Stamkos could help them replace Fiala’s offense.

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

Stamkos carries an $8 million average annual value, which nearly aligns with Fiala’s $7.875 million. He wouldn’t be a rental player because he has two more years on his contract. Stamkos also has a full no-movement clause, giving him complete control over his situation.

If the Predators become sellers at the March 6 trade deadline, Stamkos might fetch the type of return that speeds up their rebuild/retool. Should he become available, he could provide a boost to the Kings’ offense.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have over $15 million in projected trade deadline cap space. General manager Ken Holland already made a big move by acquiring playmaking winger Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers earlier this month.

Following that deal, Holland hinted that he might not be finished making moves before the trade deadline. Losing Fiala could send him back into the trade market for another scoring forward. Adding a resurgent Stamkos might not be a bad short-term plan if he and Panarin mesh well offensively.

Predators GM Barry Trotz reportedly hasn’t received any offers yet that would motivate him to approach Stamkos about waiving his no-movement clause. Even then, there’s no certainty he wants to be moved, or would accept going to Los Angeles.

WOULD ACQUIRING NAZEM KADRI BE A BAD DECISION FOR THE CANADIENS?

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie recently noted the trade speculation linking the Montreal Canadiens to Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri. However, he doesn’t believe it would be in the club’s long-term interest to add the 35-year-old to their roster.

Lavoie believes the Canadiens had an interest in Kadri, but that didn’t mean a trade would happen. He felt Kadri’s age would be an issue, suggesting he might only help the Canadiens for a season or two before his play declines significantly.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oliver Kapanen’s performance on the Canadiens’ second line has lessened the need to acquire a center. If they were to pursue one, they might prefer someone who fits within their young core, such as 26-year-old Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues.

THE LATEST BLACKHAWKS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently responded to some of his readers’ questions about the Chicago Blackhawks’ plans for the upcoming NHL trade deadline.

Powers doesn’t see the Blackhawks trading veterans who have term remaining on their contracts, such as Tyler Bertuzzi, Teuvo Teravainen, or Andre Burakovsky. They’re banking on their respective salary-cap hits to help them reach the cap floor next season.

Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy is UFA-eligible and is garnering some interest in the trade market. Peters considered it doubtful that they would get a second-round pick for him, suggesting a third-rounder seems more likely.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2024

by | Jul 1, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2024

The annual free-agent signing frenzy begins at noon ET today. Check out the latest notable free agent and trade rumors in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli believing part of the reason the Tampa Bay Lightning haven’t officially announced their signing of Jake Guentzel is they still have some hope of working something out with Steven Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Signing Guentzel could use up half of the Lightning’s cap space. Stamkos would have to accept a major pay cut to remain in Tampa Bay. His agent said he’s heading to market today and it’s doubtful that his situation has changed.

Former Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

If Stamkos goes to market, Seravalli believes the Vegas Golden Knights, Nashville Predators, Los Angeles Kings, and New Jersey Devils could be among the suitors.

Seravalli also reported Tyler Bertuzzi has come to terms with a Western Conference team. It’s expected to be a four-year deal with an average annual value of $5 million.

The Daily Faceoff pundit believes Sidney Crosby and the Pittsburgh Penguins are close to a contract extension. He doesn’t know if the deal will be announced on July 1.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the Rangers shouldn’t overreact after Patrick Kane opted to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings on Sunday. Unless they can land Steven Stamkos, he doesn’t believe the forwards available in the UFA market would make a difference against a team like the defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers.

Brooks acknowledged Jonathan Marchessault’s MVP performance against the Panthers in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. However, he believes the Rangers need a bigger physical forward.

Today is the day Jacob Trouba’s no-movement clause becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The 31-year-old defenseman’s feelings are hurt over the way the Rangers have handled his situation. However, Brooks believes he shouldn’t stand in the way of the Rangers’ efforts to trade him to the Detroit Red Wings. If he does, the Rangers will trade him somewhere else or place him on waivers.

Mollie Walker also noted the Rangers’ rumored efforts to trade Trouba to Motown. She feels it’s best he returns to the state where he grew up and began playing hockey rather than stay with a team that doesn’t want him.

Walker anticipates the Rangers could be interested in adding a forward via free agency. They could be interested in Stamkos, Bertuzzi or Jake DeBrusk. They could also pursue a defenseman like Nikita Zadorov.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: cited ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reporting the Rangers are taking family considerations into account in their efforts to move Trouba. They want to ensure the defenseman ends up in a place that’s best for him and his family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Trouba trade could come as early as today based on the recent reporting. It would certainly add some extra spice to what will be a busy day for player movement.

THE BOSTON GLOBE: The Bruins could start free agency with a bang by signing former Vancouver Canucks Elias Lindholm and Nikita Zadorov. The 29-year-old Lindholm could give the Bruins a reliable two-way center. Zadorov, 29, enjoyed a solid postseason performance on the Canucks blueline, logging over 20 minutes per game and collecting eight points in 13 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm was linked to the Bruins for months last season before he was traded to the Canucks. There was talk leading up to the deadline of a three-way trade that would’ve sent him to Boston.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Trade talk has linked the Kraken to Patrik Laine. The 26-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets winger has yet to be released from the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. Despite his injury history, he could be a high-upside gamble for the low-scoring Kraken without tying them up in a long-term contract. He’s signed through 2025-26 with an average annual value of $8.7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets can trade Laine while he’s in the player assistance program. However, it was reported over the weekend that interested clubs want to speak with him first.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators and Shane Pinto aren’t close to a long-term contract extension. They were exploring the option of a short-term deal to try to get something done. Pinto’s agent, Lewis Gross, could be looking for an offer sheet from a rival club but that could be a long shot. His client also lacks arbitration rights because he lacks the accrued seasons necessary to qualify.

The Senators could make a pitch for Jake DeBrusk, Tyler Toffoli or Matt Roy via free agency.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch noted a team that successfully signs Pinto to an offer sheet would have to part with a first-round pick and a third-rounder as compensation if the offer is between $4.57 million and $6.7 million. He also noted on “X” that the Senators would match it.

THE ATHLETIC: The Vancouver Canucks could be shopping for a veteran backup goaltender when free agency begins. They had contract extension discussions last week with Casey DeSmith but it appears he’d headed to market. They’ll also be shopping for a top-six forward, a speedy bottom-six forward and a left-shot defenseman.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 28, 2024

by | Jun 28, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 28, 2024

With the first round of the 2024 Draft fast approaching, the Flyers attempt an aggressive trade to move up on the draft order. Check out the details, updates on Mitch Marner, Jacob Trouba, Aaron Ekblad, Nikolaj Ehlers and Nazem Kadri, the latest UFA speculation, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLYERS ATTEMPT TO MOVE UP IN THE FIRST-ROUND ORDER

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Philadelphia Flyers attempted to acquire the Columbus Blue Jackets’ first-round pick (fourth overall) in this year’s draft. It was an aggressive pitch, offering their 2024 first-rounder (14th overall), a roster player, and perhaps their 2025 first-round pick.

The Blue Jackets rejected the offers but LeBrun thinks the Flyers could try again.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some social media chatter suggested GM Daniel Briere wants to draft Cayden Lindstrom of the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers to center Matvei Michkov. It would make sense that Briere would try to land a good young center to pair with his promising winger.

UPDATES ON MARNER, TROUBA, EKBLAD, EHLERS AND KADRI

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the most likely scenario for Mitch Marner will be finishing the final season of his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He thinks the Leafs could consider offering the 27-year-old winger a new contract and see where it goes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner holds all the cards here because of the full no-movement clause in his contract. For all the media speculation about his future in recent weeks, there’s no indication he’ll be traded. Of course, it wouldn’t be the first time a trade involving a star like Marner catches everyone by surprise. Still, there’s nothing the Leafs can do about it if Marner doesn’t want to move.

New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Friedman also reported New York Rangers captain Jacob Trouba’s full no-movement clause turns into a 15-team no-trade list on July 1. The Rangers have asked the 30-year-old defenseman for his list, which is normal procedure. However, Friedman doesn’t rule out the possibility of Trouba getting traded.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trouba has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8 million. While he struggled through an injury this season, he remains well-respected by his teammates and a physical presence on their blueline. Nevertheless, there’s been recent media conjecture about his future in New York. We likely haven’t heard the last of it.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Dwork reports hearing the Florida Panthers are shopping defenseman Aaron Ekblad. He’s entering the final season of his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. The 28-year-old defenseman’s no-movement clause becomes a 12-team no-trade list on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be a bold move by the Panthers coming so soon after winning their first Stanley Cup. The Toronto Sun’s Steve Simmons reported earlier this month that the Panthers would move Ekblad to free up cap space to re-sign Brandon Montour. This will be worth watching in the coming days.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff continues to receive calls about winger Nikolaj Ehlers and top prospect Rutger McGroarty. There’s no rush to move them, though the Jets are interested in moving McGroarty for a first-round pick, maybe a prospect or young player.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos wondered if Nazem Kadri might consider waiving his no-movement clause. It’s apparent the Calgary Flames are rebuilding after trading Jacob Markstrom last week to New Jersey. The question is where the 33-year-old center sees himself fitting in the short and long term.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri could ask to be traded but his age and contract will make him difficult to move. He carries a $7 million AAV through 2028-29.

LATEST UFA SPECULATION

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes are still pushing hard to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent Jake Guentzel. They’re the only team that can offer him an eight-year contract which is giving the 29-year-old winger something to think about

LeBrun said the list of teams lining up to bid on Guentzel on July 1 is growing. Some would have to move some pieces around but are willing to do so if he becomes a UFA on Monday.

Darren Dreger believes the Vancouver Canucks could be among the suitors. They’re also considering what to do with Elias Lindholm. The 29-year-old center is heading to market and could be a good fit with the Boston Bruins.

Dreger also mentioned teams will be interested in Chris Tanev if the 34-year-old defenseman doesn’t re-sign with the Dallas Stars by Monday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple leafs could be among the suitors.

Chris Johnston believes pending UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi want to stay with the Toronto Maple Leafs. Negotiations are continuing as the Leafs are also looking at shoring up their blueline. Both players are waiting to see if the Leafs can afford them.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 12, 2024

by | Jun 12, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – June 12, 2024

Check out the latest on John Tavares, Max Domi, Tyler Bertuzzi and more in today’s Leafs-oriented NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST MAPLE LEAFS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: During Monday’s episode of “The Jeff Marek Show”, the host noted that the Utah franchise is most likely in business to acquire veteran players on short-term contracts. He had a conversation with someone who wondered if they could offer Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares a two-year contract extension with a “healthy number” as an enticement to waive his no-movement clause.

Toronto Maple Leafs captains John Tavares (NHL Images).

His guest, Elliotte Friedman, said he’s under the impression that Tavares intends to finish his current contract with the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares has clearly stated his intent to honor his contract with the Leafs. The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun reported last week that the 33-year-old center has no interest in waiving his no-movement clause. Leafs management will have to look elsewhere to shed some salary or use one of their notable players as trade bait to address other roster needs.

TORONTO STAR: Mark Colley recently reported Max Domi is making no secret of his desire to remain with the Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old forward is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

“I hope it works out, but we’ll see,” said Domi. He added that his agent is speaking with Leafs general manager Brad Treliving.

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports Domi met with Craig Berube and would love to play for the Leafs’ new head coach. He’d also like to spend more than one season in his hometown after playing for six other NHL teams before coming to Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Domi is finishing a one-year, $3 million contract with the Leafs. They have a projected $19.7 million in cap space for 2024-25 with 15 active roster players under contract. The Leafs must add a reliable starting goaltender and shore up their blueline. Domi might have to accept another one-year, cost-effective deal unless Treliving can free up additional cap room.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau listed three options for Tyler Bertuzzi should he head to free agency. One is re-signing with the Leafs, another is a reunion with the Detroit Red Wings, and the third is signing with the Nashville Predators.

Proteau puts Bertuzzi’s chances of staying in Toronto at 60/40. Meanwhile, the Red Wings and Predators have plenty of salary-cap space and could benefit from his gritty style.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with Domi, the Leafs cap space could complicate Bertuzzi’s efforts to stay in Toronto. If he’s looking to cash in on free agency this summer after taking a one-year deal with the Leafs last summer, he’ll likely find it elsewhere.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle reports Leafs management remains very high on Laurent Brossoit as someone to share the goaltending duties next season with Joseph Woll. The 31-year-old Brossoit hasn’t played a lot but has put up good numbers. He’ll likely want to go to a good team where he has a chance to start more frequently.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brossoit was also part of the Vegas Golden Knights’ Stanley Cup run last spring. Laking over for sidelined starter Logan Thompson, he backstopped them to their first-round series victory over the Winnipeg Jets. He’d be a good, affordable addition to the Leafs.

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan believes Leafs GM Brad Treliving must also decide if he’ll retain his 2024 first-round pick or use it as trade bait for more immediate roster help.

The Leafs hold the 23rd overall pick in this year’s draft. They traded away their 2025 first-round to the Chicago Blackhawks in February 2023 for Jake McCabe, though that pick is top-10 protected.

Koshan speculated that pick could come into play if Treliving attempts a legitimate run at acquiring Calgary Flames goalie Jacob Markstrom.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That pick will be part of the conversation if Treliving pursues Markstrom or another starter such as Boston’s Linus Ullmark or Nashville’s Juuse Saros.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2024

by | Jun 6, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 6, 2024

The latest on the Oilers and Panthers as they prepare for the Stanley Cup Final, plus updates on Jacob Trouba, Matt Duchene, Chris Tanev, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

STANLEY CUP FINAL NOTEBOOK

THE ATHLETIC: The top-four picks in the 2014 NHL Draft are playing in the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was the first-overall pick with teammates Sam Reinhart and Sam Bennett chosen second and fourth by other teams and later traded to the Panthers. Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl was chosen third overall.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports 75 percent of NHL analysts are predicting the Oilers will lose to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m among the 75 percent. My heart is with the Oilers because I want to see a Canadian team finally win the Cup after 31 years and for Connor McDavid to cement his legacy as his generation’s greatest player.

However, the Panthers have more experience at this stage of the postseason, they’re built for the long physical playoff grind, they’re healthier than they were in last year’s Cup Final, and possess more consistent goaltending. With 11 players eligible to become unrestricted free agents, this could also be the last opportunity for the current Panthers roster to win the Cup.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Panthers are ramping up the intensity of their practices as the Cup Final approaches with an emphasis on their special teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They face a big challenge in shutting down Edmonton’s lethal power play. At the same time, they must find a way to score against the Oilers’ playoff-leading penalty kill.

Meanwhile, a Miami Herald sportswriter is trying to stir the pot (and somewhat succeeding) with Oilers fans by calling Connor McDavid “overrated” for not leading his club to the Stanley Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Edmonton pundits could say the same thing about Florida Panthers captain (and two-time Selke Trophy winner) Aleksander Barkov. Sure, he led them to back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, but he hasn’t won anything so he’s overrated. See, it’s easy to make silly clickbait statements.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Jacob Trouba took exception to a “Spittin’ Chiclets” producer’s critique of the Rangers captain’s game by mentioning his wife, Kelly, a neuroscience major.

The producer noted that Trouba and his wife founded the Trouba Creative Expressions Arts Program which offers art services to adults with epilepsy and seizures. “Maybe Jacob should go home and get a lesson from his wife about the dangers of concussions that can lead to epilepsy and seizures before he goes around concussing guys on a daily basis,” he said.

Trouba announced that for the next 30 days, proceeds from his 24-inch print sales will go to the Athletes for Hope Foundation in response. “We must do better than this,” he replied on Twitter to the podcaster’s comments. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Criticizing Trouba’s on-ice performance and his history of undisciplined play is fair game. However, dragging his family into it was uncalled for and crossed the line.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Stars forward Matt Duchene and defenseman Chris Tanev are eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Both players indicated they’d love to re-sign with the club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That will depend on how much they’re seeking and whether the Stars have the cap space to retain them.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving he remains interested in signing pending UFA forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi.

TORONTO SUN: The Leafs also hired former New York Islanders bench boss Lane Lambert as an associate coach and parted ways with Dean Chynoweth, who was an assistant coach for the past three seasons.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks promoted skills guru Yogi Svejkovsky was promoted to assistant coach. Meanwhile, Hall of Famers Daniel and Henrik Sedin will take on larger roles in day-to-day coaching with the Canucks and their AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

THE DENVER POST: The Colorado Avalanche have opened contract talks with winger Jonathan Drouin and defenseman Jack Jackson. Both are slated to become UFAs on July 1.

THE SCORE: Philadelphia Flyers president of hockey operations Keith Jones has heard the rumors suggesting highly-touted prospect Matvei Michkov could join the club this summer. However, he couldn’t provide any further details.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Michkov has three seasons remaining on his contract with KHL club SKA Saint Petersburg. A recent report out of Russia claimed his deal was being terminated but it has yet to be corroborated by a North American media source.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sharks assistant coach Ryan Warsofsky is considered the front-runner to become the club’s head coach.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 26, 2024

by | May 26, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 26, 2024

Check out the latest on Jake Guentzel, Steven Stamkos, Elias Lindholm, and the other top unrestricted free agents in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the latest speculation on some of this summer’s top NHL unrestricted free agents.

Jake Guentzel and the Carolina Hurricanes have a mutual interest in negotiating a new contract. LeBrun wonders if an eight-year contract at $8 million per season might keep him in Carolina.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Guentzel could seek a higher annual cap hit but the eight-year term offers greater long-term security.

Tampa Bay Lightning captain Steven Stamkos (NHL Images).

Contract extension talks between the cap-strapped Tampa Bay Lightning and Steven Stamkos continue even after reacquiring Ryan McDonagh (and his $6.75 million cap hit) from Nashville last week. LeBrun speculates this could go right up to when the free-agent market opens on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have just over $4.1 million of cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. They’ll have to shed salary to re-sign Stamkos unless he’s taking the biggest pay cut in franchise history.

The Vancouver Canucks could make a strong push to re-sign Elias Lindholm. However, LeBrun believes he could be too expensive to retain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm is coming off a six-year deal earning an average annual value of $4.85 million. This is his best opportunity to land a big money deal. He’ll find it somewhere else on July 1 if he can’t get it from the Canucks.

The Vegas Golden Knights have made re-signing Jonathan Marchessault their priority. Both sides are expected to begin discussions soon and could get a deal done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights have $1.79 million of cap space with 18 roster players under contract for next season. They’ll get $5 million in cap relief if Robin Lehner remains on long-term injury reserve.

Marchessault is completing a six-year contract with an AAV of $5 million. Assuming he accepts a similar salary, there won’t be enough to fill out the rest of the roster. That’s prompted speculation suggesting Shea Theodore ($5.2 million cap hit for next season) could become a cost-cutting trade chip.

LeBrun believes Winnipeg Jets winger Tyler Toffoli will be heading to the free-agent market. He wondered if the Nashville Predators might be interested as they could use more offense.

LeBrun was surprised that the Hurricanes haven’t yet gotten Brady Skjei under contract. He reported contract talks have been ongoing since last summer and feels Skjei is their priority on defense to get re-signed. The 30-year-old blueliner could get a six or seven-year deal with an AAV of $6 million but LeBrun thinks he’d accept a little less to stay in Carolina.

Brett Pesce is likely heading to market. The 29-year-old Hurricanes defenseman could get a six-year contract at between $6 million and $6.5 million annually.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have held contract discussions with forwards Tyler Bertuzzi and Max Domi. No numbers have been discussed yet.

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Sean Walker is one of several right-shot defensemen who could draw plenty of interest in this summer’s free-agent market. LeBrun wondered if he might get a five-year deal at $5 million annually.