NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2025

by | Feb 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 19, 2025

Check out the latest on Blues captain Brayden Schenn, Flyers forward Scott Laughton, and Bruins forward Morgan Geekie in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford weighed in on the trade speculation surrounding St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn.

Rutherford believes the well-respected Schenn would be the Blues player drawing the most attention in the trade market. The 33-year-old center has three years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million, but that might not hurt his value given the projected rise in the salary cap over the next three seasons.

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).

Blues general manager Doug Armstrong plays things close to the vest. However, TSN’s Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger have reported he’s sent out feelers to gauge Schenn’s trade value. He has a full no-trade clause for this season but it becomes a 15-team no-trade list on July 1, prompting Rutherford to wonder if he’d waive it to join a contender.

Rutherford thinks the Blues would trade Schenn if they can get a first-round pick and move the remainder of his contract. However, he doesn’t think they’d move him just for the sake of doing so. The Toronto Maple Leafs are the only team he’s heard of thus far that could be interested in Schenn.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports Schenn said he hasn’t been approached by Blues management about waiving his no-trade clause nor is there any indication that they will.

The Blues captain admitted being surprised to hear his name is in the rumor mill. He maintained he loves living and playing in St. Louis.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong might be willing to consider offers for Schenn but it could take a significant offer to tempt him. He’s under no pressure to move his captain by the trade deadline because he’s under contract beyond this season.

If Armstrong doesn’t get any suitable offers for Schenn by March 7 he can wait until the offseason, especially with the veteran center’s no-trade protection being reduced to 15 teams on July 1. By that point, there could be more willingness from teams that miss out on the best free-agent talent to meet Armstrong’s asking price.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz reports Philadelphia Flyers GM Daniel Briere wasn’t lying when he said he’s not shopping Scott Laughton. He’s set a high asking price for the 30-year-old forward because he remains more important to them than to any team that acquires him.

Kurz thinks Briere might consider moving Laughton if a team like the Maple Leafs offered its 2026 first-round pick and a decent prospect. He singled out the Leafs as the only club that makes sense as a trade destination for the Toronto-area native. Kurz also doesn’t see them moving Laughton to another city without his approval because they want to do right by their players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton lacks no-trade protection but the Flyers could leave the trade destinations to him. His $3 million AAV through next season makes him a more affordable target for the Leafs than Schenn. Whether they would pay the Flyers’ asking price is another matter.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Boston Bruins are still trying to figure out what to do with Morgan Geekie. The 26-year-old forward is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1 with arbitration rights. He’s in the final season of a two-year contract with an AAV of $2 million.

Murphy cited a source claiming there’s growing interest in Geekie from playoff contenders and clubs not likely to qualify for the postseason. He’s young enough to interest rebuilding or retooling teams. Geekie’s value has risen since being placed on a line with superstar David Pastrnak and center Pavel Zacha.

The Bruins would like to re-sign Geekie but he could price himself out of their market depending on their offseason plans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Geekie’s matched his career-best for goals (17) and is only 10 points away from breaking his career-high 39 points set last season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 15, 2025

by | Feb 15, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 15, 2025

Previewing Saturday’s 4 Nations Face-Off Games and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

4 NATIONS FACE-OFF NEWS

TSN/SPORTSNET/THE SCORE: Canada and the United States practiced Friday in preparation for their much-anticipated match-up on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal.

Players from both clubs look forward to the next chapter in the ongoing rivalry between the two hockey nations.

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby called it a game that you love to be a part of, regardless of previous experience. “Excited for the challenge,” he said. Teammate Brad Marchand said there was no bigger rivalry. “They’re the games that everybody dreams about playing growing up.”

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk led Team USA to their 6-1 victory over Finland on Thursday. Brady considers Saturday’s tilt against Canada the biggest game he’s ever played in his career. “Bigger than just the guys on the ice,” he said.

The last time Matthew Tkachuk faced Canada was in a 4-2 victory for Team USA in the preliminary round of the 2016 World Junior Championship. “I think I’ve thought about this game for nine years, so we’ll be ready for it,” said Tkachuk.

Team USA center J.T. Miller expects his team to be fired up when they face Canada on their home turf. Teammate Noah Hanifin expects it will be the most intense environment he’s ever been a part of.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is the marquee matchup of the tournament. The two clubs could also end up facing each other again in the championship game in Boston on Feb. 20.

Travis Sanheim will replace Shea Theodore on Canada’s defense. Theodore was sidelined by an upper-body injury in Canada’s 4-3 win over Sweden and is considered week-to-week.

Sam Bennett will replace Travis Konecny among Canada’s forward lines. He skated alongside Marchand during practice on Friday.

Canada’s top defenseman Cale Makar skipped Friday’s practice due to illness but is expected to play against the Americans on Saturday. Canada has been granted permission to bring in blueliner Thomas Harley if Makar remains sidelined.

Team Canada defenseman Drew Doughty spoke out against Canadian fans booing the American anthem before Thursday’s game between Team USA and Finland. “I know what’s going on and I understand Canadians’ frustration,” said Doughty. “But I think we should respect the anthems…I don’t think anyone should be booing.”

Canadian coach Jon Cooper hadn’t named his starting goalie for Saturday’s game. Jordan Binnington allowed three goals on 26 shots against Sweden on Wednesday. Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights and Samuel Montembault of the Montreal Canadiens are Canada’s other goalies.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Is this a mind game Cooper is playing against the Americans or a genuine lack of confidence in Binnington on his part? We’ll know for sure by game time if not sooner.

NHL.COM: Kevin Lankinen of the Vancouver Canucks will get the start in goal for Finland in Saturday’s game against Sweden on Saturday at the Bell Centre in Montreal (1 PM ET). Juuse Saros gave up six goals on 31 shots against the Americans on Thursday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a must-win game for Finland. A regulation loss will eliminate them from reaching the championship game on Feb. 20.

NHL.com writers selected Sweden’s Quarter-Century Team on Friday.

The First Team comprised goaltender Henrik Lundqvist, defensemen Nicklas Lidstrom and Erik Karlsson, and forwards Daniel and Henrik Sedin and Nicklas Backstrom.

The Second Team featured forwards Peter Forsberg, Mats Sundin and Henrik Zetterberg, defensemen Victor Hedman and Niklas Kronwall, and goalie Jacob Markstrom.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some might question why Forsberg and Sundin aren’t on the First Team. That’s because most of their best seasons occurred in the 1990s. Forsberg won the Hart Memorial Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in 2002-03 but injuries hampered him throughout the first decade of this century.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Kaapo Kakko has found the role with the Seattle Kraken that he always wanted with the Rangers. He’s seeing first-line duty alongside center Matty Beniers and winger Jaden Schwartz as well as playing on the top power-play unit. Following a period of adjustment where he scored one goal in his first three games, Kaako improved in his next 21 games with 16 points over that stretch.

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Lance Lysowski recently reported the Sabres have opened contract extension talks with Jason Zucker. The 33-year-old winger is currently on a one-year, $5 million deal.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Stars signed versatile forward Sam Steel to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension. The average annual value is $2.1 million beginning in 2025-26.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins traded minor-league winger Corey Andonovski to the St. Louis Blues organization for minor-league forward Mathias Laferriere.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 12, 2025

by | Feb 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 12, 2025

Could there be some trade activity during the 4 Nations Face-Off? What’s the latest on Brayden Schenn, Brock Nelson, Brad Marchand, Jeff Skinner and Jared McCann? Who are the Senators’ trade targets? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THERE BE SOME TRADES DURING THE 4 NATIONS FACE-OFF

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman isn’t ruling out the possibility of some trade activity during the 4 Nations Face-Off. The league has paused its schedule from Feb. 10-21 to accommodate the tournament.

During Monday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Friedman said he believes some players have been told by their teams or their agents that they think there could be some action. The players don’t return to practice until Feb. 18, and there’s a feeling that “some guys will not return to where they are.”

Friedman cited the lack of a roster freeze during this period. He also pointed out that Linus Ullmark was traded last year on the same day as Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final. He doesn’t believe there’s been any direction from the league against making trades, but they might prefer that those moves be kept away from game days during the tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chris Johnston of The Athletic recently reported a sense around the league that no one wanted to take the spotlight off the tournament by making trades. We’ll find out soon enough.

BRAYDEN SCHENN LINKED TO THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS

VEGAS HOCKEY NOW: Hannah Kirkell cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman earlier this week suggesting the Vegas Golden Knights as a destination for Brayden Schenn.

St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn (NHL Images).

Friedman indicated St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong isn’t happy with his club’s performance and is unafraid to make big moves. He noted there would be a lot of interest in the 33-year-old Schenn but the Blues would set a big asking price for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $6.5 million and has a full no-trade clause for this season. Assuming he’d accept a trade to Vegas, the Golden Knights lack sufficient cap space to acquire him.

That hasn’t stopped Golden Knights management from making bold moves in the past. However, their salary cap constraints and limited trade capital could make it difficult to win a bidding war for Schenn.

BROCK NELSON UNDECIDED ABOUT CONTRACT EXTENSION

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports Brock Nelson’s comments about a potential contract extension with the Islanders will do little to dampen trade speculation swirling around him. The 33-year-old center is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.

Nelson is interested in an extension but said there are many factors to consider, such as what’s best for him, his family, and the team. He praised Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello, adding his agent has a great relationship with him.

Sears cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported Nelson’s agent will continue contract discussions with Lamoriello during the 4 Nations Face-Off. However, there’s a risk Nelson will depart as a free agent on July 1 if there isn’t an extension in place by the March 7 trade deadline.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias suggested several contract-extension scenarios for Nelson. One is a two-year, $14 million offer, another is three years at $21 million and four years at $24 million. There’s also a seven-year, $35 million paying him $5 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nelson sits atop most pundits’ trade boards as the player most likely to be moved by March 7. Lamoriello declined to discuss his plans for the trade deadline with the media, saying his focus was on his team’s efforts to make the playoffs.

A lot will depend on the Isles’ performance in the two weeks between the resumption of the regular-season schedule on Feb. 22 and the deadline on March 7.

The long-term option suggested by Macias would provide the Isles with the most salary-cap flexibility while providing Nelson with the most security. However, it will become a cap headache in the final years when his performance inevitably declines.

MARCHAND DISMISSES TRADE RUMORS

THE SCORE: Kayla Douglas reports Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand isn’t worried about his name popping up in recent trade rumors. “That’s just fans having fun with it all,” he said during an appearance on the “What Chaos!” podcast.

Marchand acknowledged his pending UFA status and the Bruins’ struggles this season have stoked speculation about his future in Boston. He said he tries not to pay attention to it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The conjecture will increase if Marchand remains unsigned when the calendar flips to March.

OILERS NOT SHOPPING JEFF SKINNER

THE ATHLETIC: Edmonton Oilers GM Stan Bowman told Daniel Nugent-Bowman that he doesn’t intend to trade Jeff Skinner. The 32-year-old winger signed a one-year, $3 million contract last summer with the Oilers.

Skinner has struggled at times this season with 10 goals and 20 points in 49 games. Bowman cited the winger’s positive attitude and willingness to work through his difficulties, adding that he’s shown improvement in recent games.

KRAKEN COULD MAKE MCCANN AVAILABLE

SPORTSNET: Jacob Stoller reported hearing the Seattle Kraken could make Jared McCann available at the trade deadline. He noted the 28-year-old is a versatile scoring forward who can also play center and kill penalties.

McCann is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5 million. Stoller believes he’d make a lot of sense for the Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann has 42 points in 57 games this season, leading the Kraken in scoring as he’s done in their three previous seasons. Shopping him would be a big move by GM Ron Francis, signaling he’s starting a major roster overhaul. He would draw plenty of interest around the league, increasing the likelihood of fetching a significant return for the Kraken.

LATEST ON THE SENATORS

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are believed to be interested in Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato and Kraken forward Brandon Tanev. Another trade option could be Gustav Nyquist of the Nashville Predators.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 9, 2025

by | Feb 9, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 9, 2025

Multi-point performances from Brandon Hagel, Ryan O’Reilly, Matthew Tkachuk, Matt Duchene, Sebastian Aho, and more highlight Saturday’s games in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: A four-goal first period carried the Tampa Bay Lightning to a 6-3 victory over the Detroit Red Wings, snapping the latter’s seven-game win streak. Brandon Hagel scored two goals and collected two assists while Nikita Kucherov picked up three assists as the Lightning moved into third place in the Atlantic Division with 64 points. Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat had a goal and two assists while Vladimir Tarasenko tallied his 300th NHL regular-season goal.

Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings remain in the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 61 points.

Nashville Predators forwards Ryan O’Reilly and Jonathan Marchessault each had four points in a 6-4 win over the Buffalo Sabres. O’Reilly collected four assists and Marchessault a goal and three assists. Filip Forsberg and Brady Skjei each scored twice for the Predators. Sabres winger Alex Tuch had a goal and two assists.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk had a goal and assisted on two others as his club defeated the Ottawa Senators 5-1. Aleksander Barkov had a goal and an assist as the Panthers erupted for four goals in the second period. Matthew’s brother Brady Tkachuk scored for the Senators, who got a 43-save performance from Linus Ullmark.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 71 points while the Senators have lost three straight games, dropping into the first Eastern wild-card berth with 62 points.

The Dallas Stars overcame a 2-0 deficit to thump the San Jose Sharks 8-3. Matt Duchene scored twice and collected an assist for the second straight game while Jamie Benn, Wyatt Johnston and Thomas Harley each had a goal and an assist. William Eklund, Fabian Zetterlund and Walker Duehr scored for the Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars sit second in the Central Division with 72 points. Sharks forward Klim Kostin returned to action after missing 12 games with a lower-body injury.

Carolina Hurricanes forwards Sebastian Aho and Seth Jarvis each scored twice in a 7-3 win over the Utah Hockey Club. Aho finished with three points and Jarvis with four while Pyotr Kochetkov stopped 36 shots as the Hurricanes remain in second place in the Metropolitan Division with 70 points. Clayton Keller scored twice for Utah.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was a milestone game for Aho, joining Washington’s Alex Ovechkin, Detroit’s Patrick Kane, and Toronto’s John Tavares and Auston Matthews as the only active NHL players to score 20 goals in each of their first nine seasons. Ovechkin leads that group with 20 seasons. Meanwhile, Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen missed this contest with a lower-body injury.

The Philadelphia Flyers held off the Pittsburgh Penguins 3-2 to end a five-game losing skid. Travis Konecny had a goal and an assist while Samuel Ersson made 31 saves for the Flyers while the Penguins got goals from Erik Karlsson and Anthony Beauvillier. Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen missed this game with an injury.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby missed his second straight game with an upper-body injury. His status for Team Canada in the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off remains uncertain.

Meanwhile, the Penguins placed winger Bryan Rust on injured reserve, recalled goaltender Tristan Jarry from the AHL affiliate, and placed winger Jesse Puljujarvi on unconditional waivers as they are granting his request to terminate his contract. Puljujarvi intends to explore other options in Europe.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal kicked out 43 shots in regulation and overtime to nip the Los Angeles Kings 2-1. Trevor Zegras and Leo Carlsson scored in the shootout rounds to give the Ducks their third straight win. Kings forward Adrian Kempe tallied his 25th of the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the 4 Nations Face-Off, Kings defenseman Drew Doughty was named to Canada’s roster as Alex Pietrangelo’s replacement. The Kings recalled goalie Pheonix Copley on an emergency basis and placed defenseman Mikey Anderson on injured reserve.

Minnesota Wild forward Matt Boldy scored twice and picked up an assist as his club overcame a 3-1 deficit for a 6-3 win over the New York Islanders. Filip Gustavsson turned aside 31 shots for the Wild as they sit third in the Central Division with 70 points. Brock Nelson and Kyle Palmieri each had a goal and an assist as the Islanders (57 points)dropped their second straight game and sit four points out of the final Eastern wild card.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders also announced that forward Mathew Barzal underwent a procedure on his injured left kneecap on Thursday. He could be sidelined for six weeks.

The New York Rangers got two unanswered third-period goals from Urho Vaakanainen and Will Cuylle for a 4-3 victory over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jonathan Quick stopped 22 shots as the Rangers (58 points) sit three points out of the final Eastern wild card. Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski collected an assist to extend his home points streak to 21 games as his club remains out of that wild-card spot with 60 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers starting goalie Igor Shesterkin will be sidelined for one-to-two weeks with an upper-body injury. He could be ready to return to action by the end of the upcoming two-week 4 Nations Face-Off.

The New Jersey Devils got a 34-save shutout from Jake Allen to blank the Montreal Canadiens 4-0, handing the latter their seventh loss in their last eight contests. Devils forwards Jack Hughes and Jesper Bratt each had a goal and an assist as their club sits two points back of the Hurricanes in third place in the Metro Division. With 55 points, the Canadiens join the Flyers and Penguins sitting six points out of the final Eastern wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was talk a week ago of the Canadiens hanging onto pending UFAs like David Savard, Joel Armia, Jake Evans and Christian Dvorak as “own rentals” for a playoff run. Their recent skid makes it more likely that those four will be peddled by the March 7 trade deadline.

St. Louis Blues forward Radek Faksa scored in the 10th round of the shootout to give his club a 6-5 win over the Chicago Blackhawks. Robert Thomas, Philip Broberg and Mathieu Joseph each had a goal and an assist for the Blues while Ilya Mikheyev had a goal and two assists for the Blackhawks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blues defenseman Ryan Suter became the third American player in league history to play 1,500 regular-season games.

A third-period goal by Tomas Hertl with 1:10 remaining lifted the Vegas Golden Knights over the Boston Bruins 4-3. Jack Eichel, Mark Stone and Shea Theodore each collected two points for the Golden Knights as they sit second in the Pacific Division with 72 points. Brad Marchand scored his 20th goal while Nikita Zadorov had a goal and an assist as the Bruins remain one point behind the Red Wings for the final Eastern wild card.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser scored in the third period in a 2-1 victory over the Toronto Maple Leafs. Filip Hronek also scored while Kevin Lankinen stopped 21 shots for the win following Thatcher Demko’s departure in the first period with an undisclosed injury. Morgan Rielly scored for the Leafs (68 points), who sit three points behind the Panthers in second place in the Atlantic Division.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vancouver head coach Rick Tocchet said Demko’s injury isn’t considered serious and confirmed he didn’t reinjure his knee. The Canucks sit in the final Western wild-card berth with 63 points.

An overtime goal by Matty Beniers completed a three-goal comeback for the Seattle Kraken to defeat the Calgary Flames 3-2. Shane Wright and Andre Burakovsky also scored for the Kraken while Morgan Frost and Nazem Kadri tallied for the Flames, who sit three points behind the Canucks for that final Western wild-card spot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kraken defenseman Brandon Montour left this game following the first period with an undisclosed injury. There was no postgame update on his status.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 8, 2025

by | Feb 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 8, 2025

Could Mikko Rantanen hit the trade block again? Will the Blues consider moving Pavel Buchenvich, Jordan Kyrou or Brayden Schenn? What’s the latest on the Islanders and Sharks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD RANTANEN HIT THE TRADE BLOCK AGAIN?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos updated his trade board on Friday, featuring many of the names that frequently surfaced in the rumor mill and on other trade boards this season.

However, one interesting name is Mikko Rantanen, traded two weeks ago by the Colorado Avalanche in a blockbuster move to the Carolina Hurricanes.

According to Kypreos, Rantanen could hit the trade block again before the March 7 deadline if he and the Hurricanes haven’t agreed to a new contract. The 28-year-old winger slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and carries an annual average value of $9.25 million on his current contract.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Kypreos believes the Hurricanes will make offers to entice Rantanen to stay but claims some observers think they’ll fall short. They gave up a lot to get him (Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and two draft picks) and they don’t want to risk his departure via free agency on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t help that Rantanen has only two points in six games with the Hurricanes while Necas is tearing it up in Colorado with nine points in eight games. That could be attributed to Rantanen adjusting to the shock of getting traded while Necas thrives in a new environment.

Rantanen getting shopped again seems unlikely. However, we didn’t expect the Avalanche to trade him so we shouldn’t completely dismiss the possibility. It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds in Carolina over the next four weeks.

WILL THE BLUES PEDDLE BUCHNEVICH, KYROU OR SCHENN?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos claims St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong isn’t a happy camper given his club’s lack of improvement this season. He’s looking to change things up which could include Pavel Buchnevich, Jordan Kyrou, or team captain Brayden Schenn.

Kypreos writes that Armstrong wants to shed an $8 million salary and that could include Buchnevich or Kyrou. Buchenvich’s new six-year contract (with an $8 million AAV) begins on July 1, when he’ll be 30 years old. Kyrou, 26, is in the second season of an eight-year deal with an AAV of $8.125 million.

Armstrong isn’t ready yet to shock the Blues fans by trading Schenn but teams are calling about him. He’s 33, carries a $6.25 million AAV through 2027-28 and a full no-trade clause this season.

Kypreos also wonders whether Armstrong will move out one of his defensemen. He mentioned Justin Faulk or Colton Parayko but they and the sidelined Torey Krug all have full no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bunchnevich, Kyrou, and Schenn will draw more interest than Faulk and Parayko in the trade market. However, their expensive contracts could be deal breakers unless the Blues retain some salary or take back a hefty salary. Peddling any of them might have to wait for the offseason when teams have more cap space to work with because of the projected $7.5 million increase for 2025-26.

LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias dismissed a recent rumor claiming the Islanders are willing to entertain trade offers for defenseman Noah Dobson.

He pointed out that the 25-year-old Dobson is entering his playing prime and his departure would create a major hole on the Isles blueline. He also cited the risk of getting a poor return akin to what happened five years ago in the Devon Toews trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Macias’ take. It doesn’t mean the Islanders aren’t getting calls about Dobson but it would take a significant offer to tempt GM Lou Lamoriello to part with him. Dobson should be part of whatever the Islanders’ plans will be beyond this season.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders face a tough decision with their impending logjam on defense heading toward the March trade deadline.

They recently added Tony DeAngelo, Scott Perunovich, and Adam Boqvist to offset the absence of sidelined blueliners like Dobson, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield. However, someone will have to move once those three return to action.

Sears believes moving Pulock or Mayfield “would drop a bomb into the dressing room”. Moving Dobson would be admitting they don’t consider him worthy of a long-term commitment.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of the new guys seems more likely to leave via trade or demotion to the minors.

FERRARO RETURNS TO THE RUMOR MILL

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro is resurfacing in the rumor mill ahead of the March 7 trade deadline. It’s believed teams are calling the Sharks about the hardworking 26-year-old blueliner. 

Ferraro considers it a sign that he’s playing well but isn’t paying attention to the speculation. Pashelka pointed out that he’s UFA-eligible in July 2026, meaning the Sharks must decide whether to re-sign or trade him over the next 12-13 months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferraro’s situation will be worth watching. He could be moved by March 7 if the Sharks get a fantastic offer for him. However, they could wait and see what they might get for him in the offseason, or they could try and re-sign him to a long-term deal to maintain blueline stability for their rebuilding plans.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2025

by | Feb 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2025

Will the Islanders trade Brock Nelson or Noah Dobson? Could the Blues trade captain Brayden Schenn? Will the Blue Jackets become buyers at the trade deadline? Should the Rangers trade Brennan Othmann? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports some teams would love to get into discussions with the New York Islanders about pending free-agent center Brock Nelson. However, there’s no certainty whether he’ll be available at the March 7 trade deadline.

LeBrun cites several factors for this uncertainty. The Islanders have played themselves back into wild-card contention. General manager Lou Lamoriello doesn’t always trade his pending UFA players. The Isles GM could also try and sign Nelson to a contract extension, though LeBrun believes the 33-year-old center will test the free-agent market on July 1.

The Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs could be among Nelson’s suitors if the Islanders shop him by March 7.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited a source suggesting Nelson could remain with the Islanders on a three-year contract with a raise over his current average annual value of $6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello has consistently said his team’s performance by the trade deadline will determine if he’ll be a buyer or a seller. He could become a buyer if they’re still in the race a month from now. That could also mean Nelson finishes this season with the Isles. Stay tuned.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (NHL Images).

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reported a source claiming Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson is available for trade. The 25-year-old defenseman is the piece they’re supposedly willing to part with to bring in the scoring presence they’ve been lacking the last three seasons.

D’Amico cited a rumor from The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner suggesting the Islanders could be interested in Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. Dobson could be part of the package to get Pettersson, though the Canucks might have to retain part of the center’s $11.6 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams could be reluctant to trade for Dobson this season. He’s listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury and on long-term injury reserve. The Isles’ recent additions of blueliners Scott Perunovich, Adam Boqvist and Tony DeAngelo suggest he could be out for the remainder of the regular season.

Moving Dobson in a package deal for Pettersson could address the Isles’ need for a scoring presence up front. However, it leaves them searching for a puck-moving defenseman to fill that void on their blueline.

Pettersson might not be the ideal trade target. His offensive struggles continue despite the trading away of J.T. Miller a week ago. It’s been reported the Canucks have taken Pettersson off the trade block as they’re hoping to let the dust settle and give him time to regain his form.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias suggested Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras as a more affordable trade option for the Islanders than Elias Pettersson. He cited a rumor suggesting the Ducks would want a defenseman in exchange for the 23-year-old Zegras.

Macias wondered if the Isles could convince one of Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock or Adam Pelech to waive their no-trade clause. Failing that, he proposed a package of a rejuvenated Scott Perunovich and a second-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely Mayfield, Pulock or Pelech will waive their clauses to go to a rebuilding club. The Ducks probably won’t be tempted by an offer of Perunovich and a second-rounder. It’s believed they’ve set a high asking price for Zegras despite the decline in his production since last season due to injuries.

COULD THE BLUES PEDDLE BRAYDEN SCHENN?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports “there’s potential” for center Brayden Schenn to be traded by the St. Louis Blues. The 33-year-old Blues captain has a full no-trade clause this season. However, Dreger noted that Blues GM Doug Armstrong can be very aggressive in the trade market.

Dreger believes teams in the market for a center, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, could be interested in Schenn. However, the return would have to be mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn wouldn’t be a rental player. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $6.5 million. Not many teams will be comfortable taking on that contract during this season. If the Blues are gauging Schenn’s trade value, they might find it easier to move him after July 1, when his NTC becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The projected rise in the salary cap to $95.5 million for next season could also make a summer trade more likely.

BLUE JACKETS COULD BE BUYERS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets could be moderate buyers at the March 7 trade deadline. Despite being walloped by injuries, they’re still battling for a wild-card spot. GM Don Waddell believes he owes it to his team to try and add a top-nine forward as a rental player. He won’t sacrifice the Jackets’ long-term plans and won’t be pursuing the big-name players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jackets captain Boone Jenner is expected to make his season debut following the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s been sidelined since preseason by a shoulder injury. His return to action could be as good as acquiring a comparable player via the trade market.

WILL THE RANGERS TRADE OTHMANN?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks recently expressed concern that the Rangers will trade promising winger Brennan Othmann for a rental player to help them reach the postseason. He believes it would be a mistake to do so, preferring they attempt to move pending free agents Reilly Smith and Ryan Lindgren for draft picks.