NHL Rumor Mill – January 26, 2026

by | Jan 26, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – January 26, 2026

Which Blues could be moved before the March trade deadline? What’s the latest on Kraken center Shane Wright? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST BLUES SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford was recently asked when we can expect the St. Louis Blues to begin selling in the trade market.

If they make moves before the March 6 trade deadline, Rutherford expects defenseman Justin Faulk or center Brayden Schenn to be the most likely to be dealt. He acknowledged that goaltender Jordan Binnington has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill, but thinks he’s more likely to be traded in the offseason.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).

Rutherford also noted the rumors swirling around Blues forwards Robert Thomas and Jordan Kyrou. He doesn’t rule out one of them getting moved, but doubts that contending clubs have sufficient cap space to make significant additions like that before the trade deadline. Both players also have full no-trade clauses.

Rutherford was also asked why Colton Parayko hasn’t been mentioned in trade rumors. He claimed the Blues aren’t looking to move him, citing his role as a 22-minute per game shutdown defenseman. He’s got four years left on his contract, and the Blues need him if they hope to be competitive.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn has a 15-team no-trade list and an average annual value of $6.5 million through 2027-28. Interested parties could prefer the Blues retain part of his cap hit. Faulk has the same trade list and AAV, though for one less year. Binnington has a year left on his deal with a $6 million AAV and a 14-team no-trade list.

Thomas and Kyrou have identical AAVs ($8.125 million) through 2030-31. There are some clubs with plentiful cap space (hello there, Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings) who can afford to take on either forward, but they could balk at the asking price. For example, the Blues reportedly want a stud top-six forward who is 22-24 years old as part of the return for Thomas.

TRADE RUMORS STILL SWIRLING AROUND SHANE WRIGHT

SPORTSNET: Shane Wright recently told reporters that he’s focusing on hockey, rather than the trade rumors flying around him. The Seattle Kraken are reportedly listening to offers for the 22-year-old center, who they chose fourth overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently claimed the Kraken could use Wright as trade bait to add a dynamic scorer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Once a highly-touted young center, Wright seemed poised for a breakout after tallying 44 points last season. However, his production and his playing time have declined this season.

Given his youth, he still has time to develop into a reliable middle-six center, but the Kraken might have to bundle him with a first-rounder or a top prospect if they hope to land a dynamic scorer.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2026

by | Jan 2, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – January 2, 2026

Are the Wild planning another big trade? What’s the biggest need for the Red Wings? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith believe Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin isn’t done making moves following last month’s blockbuster acquisition of Quinn Hughes.

Russo and Smith believe Guerin wouldn’t have given up four huge pieces (Marco Rossi, Zeev Buium, Liam Ohgren, 2026 first-round pick) for Hughes if the Wild weren’t trying to win right now.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin (NHL Images).

They believe Guerin will take another big swing in the trade market, “probably for a center”, drawing on their draft picks and prospects as bait. The Wild also has an estimated $12.9 million in trade-deadline cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild haven’t won a playoff round since 2015. The furthest they ever went in the playoffs was the Western Conference Final in 2003. Their current roster has the potential to become a Stanley Cup contender for the next few years, making this an opportune time to bolster their depth accordingly.

Finding a good center won’t be easy in the current trade market.

Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames, Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues, and Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators are the most notable centers mentioned in trade rumors this season.

However, the Flames insist they’re not interested in moving Kadri, the decline in Schenn’s performance this season could make him less enticing than he was last season, and O’Reilly’s reported unwillingness to be traded could force Guerin to shop around.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman believes the Detroit Red Wings must bolster their defense before the March 6 trade deadline.

They have a strong first pairing with Moritz Seider and Simon Edvinsson. Meanwhile, Ben Chiarot has played well this season on the second pairing along with rookie Axel Sandin-Pellikka.

However, Sandin-Pellikka has been playing somewhat sheltered minutes. He might not be up to the task of being a second-pairing defenseman in postseason action when the play becomes more physical.

Bultman suggested adding an experienced No. 4 or 5 defenseman before the deadline. Possibilities could include Justin Faulk of the St. Louis Blues, Connor Murphy of the Chicago Blackhawks, and Brett Kulak of the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Rasmus Anderson of the Calgary Flames is the biggest name for defensemen in the trade market. However, the Red Wings aren’t likely to get into a bidding war for an expensive postseason rental player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are currently flying high in the standings, sitting first in the Eastern Conference. GM Steve Yzerman isn’t under any pressure right now to make a move, but he could go shopping for a blueliner by the deadline.

Yzerman caught flak from Detroit fans, pundits, and Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin for his inactivity at last season’s trade deadline. It’s doubtful he’ll sit on his hands this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 22, 2025

by | Dec 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 22, 2025

Check out the latest speculation on the Avalanche, Islanders, and Kings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE DENVER POST: Corey Masisak believes the first-overall Colorado Avalanche will “almost certainly” add another defenseman before the March 6 trade deadline. However, adding a third-line center is a more pressing need.

The Avalanche could stick with Ross Colton in that role. Bednar recently praised Colton’s efforts in his first game in that role. They could stick with him if the cost of finding other options proves expensive.

Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).

Masisak suggested former Colorado centers such as Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators and Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames as possibilities. However, the cost for both makes them unlikely trade targets for the Avalanche.

Other options include Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks, Jason Dickinson of the Chicago Blackhawks, and former Av Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: O’Reilly reportedly isn’t considering a trade at this time. Kadri’s contract and the Flames’ asking price are too expensive. The Sharks won’t part with Wennberg if they remain in playoff contention.

Dickinson and Coyle could be more affordable if the Blackhawks and Blue Jackets go into sell mode. However, the Avs could be forced to overpay if other clubs get into the bidding, and they’ve already sacrificed future assets in recent years.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders have a steady, left-shot defenseman and a top-six winger near the top of their Christmas wish list to replace sidelined blueliner Alexander Romanov and winger Kyle Palmieri.

If the Islanders become buyers, they could get salary-cap relief by placing Romanov and Palmieri on long-term injury reserve. San Jose Jose Sharks defensemen Mario Ferraro and former Islander Nick Leddy could be blueline targets, while Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks or Matias Maccelli of the Toronto Maple Leafs might make sense as a replacement for Palmieri.

Sears doesn’t see general manager Mathieu Darche parting with a first-round pick to get any of those players.

For now, it’s too early to tell which path Darche might choose. Sears noted that a couple of bad weeks could knock them out of playoff contention in the tightly packed Eastern Conference.

If Darche buys early, he could be parting with future assets that he’ll need to recoup if things go sideways. If he waits too long, he’ll end up in sell mode with UFA-eligible forwards Jean-Gabriel Pageau and Anders Lee.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Darche will remain patient for now, especially given how few sellers there are in the trade market. The Isles’ performance in January will likely determine which path he takes, especially if more teams become sellers.

The Sharks aren’t likely to part with Ferraro and Leddy if they remain in playoff contention. Sherwood is available, but the Canucks’ asking price could be too high for Darche. Maccelli should be an affordable addition, but his struggles this season don’t make him an enticing trade target.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens believes the Los Angeles Kings have more work to do after trading center Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday. He noted they didn’t get a roster player back in the deal, and the club continues to struggle offensively.

Stephens pointed out that the draft pick they got in the Danault deal would look good if the Kings were rebuilding. However, the club is built to win right now, and they still believe they can reach the playoffs and make some noise.

That second-round pick will only be valuable if it can be turned into a player (like Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators or Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues) who makes the Kings better.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings GM Ken Holland probably isn’t done making moves. Stephens pointed out that they shed Danault’s $5.5 million cap hit for this season and next, giving the Kings $9.2 million in current cap space, and a projected deadline cap space of $26 million.

As mentioned earlier, O’Reilly isn’t prepared to consider a trade right now. Meanwhile, the Blues intend to seek full value for any player they trade, meaning they’ll want a young NHL player for Schenn instead of draft picks.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2025

by | Dec 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 20, 2025

The holiday roster freeze is in effect until 12:01 am ET on Dec. 28. However, the NHL Rumor Mill churns on. Check out the latest on the Sabres and Blues.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato looked at the most important issues that Jarmo Kekalainen must resolve as the new general manager of the Buffalo Sabres. Kekalainen took over the role after Kevyn Adams was fired on Monday.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Alex Tuch’s contract situation tops the list. The 29-year-old winger is due to become an unrestricted free agent next July, and the Sabres can’t afford to lose him for nothing if the two sides fail to agree to a contract extension. That means he could become available by the March 6 trade deadline.

It’s rumored that the Tuch camp seeks a long-term contract worth slightly more than the $10.625 million average annual value that winger Adrian Kempe will earn with the Los Angeles Kings starting next season.

SPETOR’S NOTE: Amato speculated that the Sabres might have to overpay to keep Tuch. He believes they afford the optics of moving on from another talented player, especially one who’s a native Western New Yorker.

However, Kempe plays a more valuable role with the Kings as their leading scorer, which is why he got that expensive long-term deal. Tuch doesn’t play the same role with the Sabres.

Amato also believes they must sort out their current three-goalie system. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen’s stats aren’t as good as they were last season, Alex Lyon is a veteran stopgap who can’t handle a starter’s workload, and Colten Ellis appears to have some upside.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres had to bring in Ellis when Luukkonen was sidelined earlier this season. All three goalies must clear waivers before being sent to their AHL affiliate. Given the limited goaltending depth in the trade market, they don’t want to risk losing one of them to waivers.

The Sabres could prefer retaining Ellis, making Luukkonen or Lyon potential trade chips. Amato wondered if the Kings would view Lyon as a short-term replacement for sidelined starter Darcy Kuemper. He also wondered if the Montreal Canadiens would be interested in Luukkonen if young Jacob Fowler can’t solve their goaltending woes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings picked up a 2026 second-round pick when they traded center Phillip Danault to the Montreal Canadiens on Friday before the holiday roster freeze went into effect. They could use that pick as trade bait for a goalie.

The Canadiens’ addition of Danault suggests that they’re not yet ready to go goalie shopping. However, that might change if starter Sam Montembeault continues to struggle and if Fowler and Jakub Dobes can’t hold the fort.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Chris Johnston examined which big-name players on the St. Louis Blues could become trade candidates. Here’s a look at those considered the most likely:

Goaltender Jordan Binnington is one possibility. He’s got a year left on his contract and could be moved if they’re out of contention in the New Year. The Montreal Canadiens and Detroit Red Wings were mentioned as possible suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington has an annual cap hit of $6 million and a 14-team no-trade list. The Canadiens and Red Wings could be on it. Both teams seem willing to stick with their current goaltenders, though that could change if they struggle in the coming weeks.

Defenseman Justin Faulk’s stock is currently high, making him a likely trade candidate. His $6.5 million cap hit through next season is manageable for contending teams. The Florida Panthers, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Utah Mammoth might be interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Faulk’s cap hit is manageable if you’ve got the cap room. The Panthers and Maple Leafs do not, meaning it would have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out scenario, or freeing up cap space via separate cost-cutting trades.

The Mammoth are a more likely option, provided they’re not on Faulk’s 15-team no-trade list. They currently have over $8 million in cap space and a projected $23 million at the trade deadline.

Center Brayden Schenn has frequently come up in trade rumors since last season. His full no-trade clause changed to a 15-team no-trade list this season, but it’s expected the Blues would treat their captain with the respect he deserves. The lack of quality centers in the trade market makes him a tempting target, but there might not be as much interest as there was a year ago.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this week, Blues GM Doug Armstrong said he would want full value if he trades his notable players. Instead of draft picks, he wants a young NHL player who can contribute immediately.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2025

by | Dec 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 18, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Roundup, we have the latest on Sabres winger Alex Tuch, Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton, and winger Ondrej Palat, plus updates on the Blues and Oilers.

ALEX TUCH SEEKS A CONTRACT LARGER THAN ADRIAN KEMPE’S DEAL

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal referenced a report claiming that former Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams revealed that Alex Tuch seeks a contract bigger than that of winger Adrian Kempe of the Los Angeles Kings.

Kempe, 29, signed an eight-year extension with the Kings in November that was worth an average annual value of $10.625 million.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

During TSN’s Overdrive show, insider Darren Dreger said that the 29-year-old Tuch “is looking for money just beyond Adrian Kempe.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Tuch is actually seeking more than Kempe, he is overrating his value.

Since Kempe’s breakout performance in 2021-22, he’s been the Kings’ leader with 150 goals and 297 points in 351 games. He’s also their leader in shorthanded goals (10) and game-winning goals (26).

Over the same period, Tuch is second among Sabres scorers with 117 goals and third in points with 271 in 312 games. He also has a team-leading 10 shorthanded goals and 21 game-winning goals.

Kempe has played more games than Tuch, but he’s far more important to the offensively starved Kings than Tuch is to the Sabres. 

That said, Tuch can make a case for $10 million annually, but the Sabres were reportedly unwilling to go that high. If that remains the case after their management change, he’ll be playing elsewhere before the March 6 trade deadline.

THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON AND ONDREJ PALAT

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton and winger Ondrej Palat addressed recent rumors claiming the club was trying to move them in cost-cutting trades.

Hamilton repeated what he said during training camp when asked about rumors that surfaced during the summer, saying he signed with the Devils because he believes he can help them win the Stanley Cup. He brushed off a question about whether he’d waive his no-trade clause, saying it’s not something he thinks about.

Palat was more direct when he was asked about the rumors. He said that general manager Tom Fitzgerald hasn’t approached him about a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those rumors about Hamilton and Palat surfaced in the aftermath of the Vancouver Canucks trading Quinn Hughes to the Minnesota Wild last Friday. The Devils were among the clubs that made a legitimate offer, but they had to clear cap space to absorb Hughes’ $7.85 million cap hit. When they couldn’t, the Canucks jumped at the offer from the Wild.

Having lost out on the Hughes sweepstakes, it’ll be interesting to see what Fitzgerald does to bolster his roster and whether Hamilton or Palat would be part of it in one way or another.

BLUES READY TO CONSIDER ALL OPTIONS

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong is willing to consider all his options regarding his roster, including the possibility of trades.

Armstrong remains hopeful that his struggling team will go on a run to secure a playoff position. However, he’s realistic about his club’s current situation, saying he’s starting to field calls from other clubs that he wouldn’t entertain otherwise, admitting teams are kicking tires.

The Blues GM isn’t ruling out a December trade, but he’s most likely to be preparing for moves later in the season, either before the Olympic roster freeze in February or the March 6 trade deadline.

Some of the Blues mentioned in trade rumors (goaltender Jordan Binnington, center Brayden Schenn, defenseman Justin Faulk) are players Armstrong could have an incentive to move because they’re in their thirties with term left on their contracts.

Armstrong is open to offers for those players, each of whom has some form of no-trade protection. However, he stressed that he’ll want full value in any trade, hoping to add to his younger core of players rather than adding draft picks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong could start peddling players by mid-January if the Blues haven’t reversed their fortunes by then. Binnington has a 14-team no-trade list, while Schenn and Faulk have 15-team no-trade lists.

Teams could also be interested in some of the Blues’ younger players. Jordan Kyrou has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since June. However, he now has a full no-trade clause, and Armstrong would likely prefer hanging onto him.

THE OILERS MIGHT NOT BE DONE ADDING TO THEIR ROSTER

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports Oilers insider Bob Stauffer believes the Oilers aren’t done making moves after trading goalie Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for netminder Tristan Jarry.

Stauffer thinks the Oilers could pursue a top-nine forward. He felt they could consider adding a player comparable to Vasily Podkolzin, who wasn’t initially considered a “sexy” addition but has since become a valuable role player.

Staples pointed out that the Oilers are in desperate need of offense from their third line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with the swap of Skinner for Jarry, salary-cap space will be an issue for the Oilers. It’ll have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out move, or a separate cost-cutting deal to free up room for that third-line forward.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 20, 2025

by | Nov 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 20, 2025

Check out the latest on the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin, the Flames’ Rasmus Andersson, the Blues’ Brayden Schenn, the Ducks’ Pavel Mintyukov, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON ARTEMI PANARIN AND RASMUS ANDERSSON

SPORTSNET: New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin and Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson top Luke Fox’s list of next summer’s top unrestricted free agents.

Panarin, 34, is in the final season of a seven-year contract with an annual cap hit of $11.6 million.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

Fox indicated that Panarin wasn’t willing to accept a pay cut to remain with the Rangers despite his age (34) and declining production. Meanwhile, the Blueshirts aren’t interested in maintaining the status quo with his paychecks into his late thirties.

Fox believes the Rangers could hang onto Panarin for the rest of this season if they’re holding a playoff berth by the March 6 trade deadline. If not, they could ask him to waive his no-movement clause to join a playoff contender.

According to Fox’s colleague, Nick Kypreos, the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild may be interested in acquiring Panarin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes might be interested in Panarin as a rental, given they’re in “win-now” mode. They acquired Mikko Rantanen last season, only to trade him weeks later when he wouldn’t sign an extension. They also attempted to acquire Mitch Marner before last year’s trade deadline.

However, their actions with Rantanen suggest they’d prefer adding a star in his prime who can be part of their lineup beyond this season. Panarin might not fit that profile.

Panarin could skate on the Wild’s second line at left wing, but they could prefer bolstering their depth at center. They could also favor a player who’d be more than a rental.

Andersson is a “talented, minute-munching, edgy right-shot defenseman with leadership skills.” That’s why his value in the trade market is high, and could be even higher if he’s willing to sign a contract extension.

Fox believes that “all signs point to the Vegas Golden Knights” as a trade destination, but he acknowledged they have limited cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights could find a way to make the cap dollars fit, but the real issue is their limited trade assets. They lack a first-round pick in the 2026 draft, and The Athletic ranked their prospect pool among the shallowest in the league, sitting 30th overall. Other clubs could outbid the Golden Knights for Andersson’s services.

TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman took note of the trade rumors starting to swirl about the St. Louis Blues. Regarding captain Brayden Schenn, he reports that teams that have spoken to the Blues over the past two years claim the price is very high for the 34-year-old center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn is signed through 2027-28 with a 15-team no-trade list. If he becomes available, it’ll likely be during the lead-up to the March 6 trade deadline.

Speaking of the Blues, Friedman said there are rumors that Alexandre Texier is considering terminating his contract. The 26-year-old winger is in the second year of a two-year contract with a cap hit of $2.1 million, but has only appeared in one game since Oct. 28. Friedman wondered if he’d be a fit with the Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens seek depth at center, but their recent injuries reportedly make them open to adding a winger. Whether Texier would interest them remains to be seen.

Friedman claimed that Anaheim Ducks defenseman Pavel Mintyukov would like to be traded if he’s not going to play. The 21-year-old blueliner was a healthy scratch for their last two games. He was the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft, so Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek won’t be rushed into anything.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman considers this situation something worth monitoring. Mintyukov projects to be a talented puck-moving defenseman, so he’s bound to draw interest if he becomes available. The Ducks could seek a good young player in return.

FEW SELLERS IN THE TRADE MARKET THUS FAR

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico indicates the tightly packed standings leave few true sellers in the trade market. Clubs seeking help, especially those looking for centers, would be forced to overpay.

The Calgary Flames are mired at the bottom of the standings. They have several players, such as Andersson and forwards Nazem Kadri and Blake Coleman, who have drawn interest in the trade market. However, they’re facing no urgency to move those players unless they get a significant offer.

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators are listening to offers. No-trade clauses are an issue for the Predators, and the Blues prefer making “hockey trades” rather than selling off talent for draft picks and prospects.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: D’Amico also considered the San Jose Sharks as a wild card, but they might not be sellers if they’re in the playoff race leading up to the trade deadline. This rebuilding team still has room for improvement (especially defensively), but they’re an increasingly competitive club this season.