NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025

by | Feb 11, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 11, 2025

Check out the latest on Brad Marchand, Brock Nelson, Rickard Rakell, John Gibson, Jake Evans, Ryan Donato and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRUINS ARE GETTING CALLS ABOUT BRAD MARCHAND

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports an “NHL executive source” said the Boston Bruins are getting calls on captain Brad Marchand. The 36-year-old winger is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, raising speculation about whether he’ll be re-signed or moved by the March 7 trade deadline.

Murphy’s source claimed teams were wondering what the Bruins intended to do with Marchand. For now, they appear to be just listening rather than actively shopping him. He also noted that the Bruins haven’t squashed the rumors as they’ve done in the past. Another source close to the situation indicated they’re not shopping Marchand.

Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand (NHL Images).

The sources’ opinions vary on the price the Bruins could offer Marchand. One speculates it could be a first-round pick and a top prospect. Another believes it depends on which team is asking. The sources mentioned the Colorado Avalanche, Vegas Golden Knights, Edmonton Oilers, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild as possible suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand carries a cap hit of $6.125 million and an eight-team no-trade list. Interested clubs could ask the Bruins to retain some salary, which could raise their asking price. The Oilers and Wild are pressed against the $88 million cap, making them the least likely to land him. All five teams lack a first-round pick in this year’s draft.

BROCK NELSON BECOMES THE TOP TARGET IN THE RUMOR MILL

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias has a roundup of speculation from several insiders suggesting Islanders center Brock Nelson is the most coveted player in the trade market. Like Marchand, the 33-year-old is UFA-eligible on July 1. He carries a $6 million cap hit.

Macias cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, The Athletic’s Arthur Staple, and TSN’s Chris Johnston reporting the 33-year-old Nelson is garnering attention around the league. He claimed the Minnesota Wild, Winnipeg Jets, Colorado Avalanche, Toronto Maple Leafs and Tampa Bay Lightning are “very interested” in the veteran Isles center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The points I raised about the lack of a 2025 first-rounder for the Avalanche and Wild also apply here. The Wild currently have Kirill Kaprizov and his $9 million cap hit on long-term injury reserve but he’s expected to return from surgery in a few weeks. Like the Wild and Avs, the Leafs and Lightning don’t have first-round picks in this year’s draft.

The Jets have the advantage over those clubs, provided they’re not on his 16-team no-trade list. They’re first overall in the standings and in “win-now” mode, have over $12 million in projected trade-deadline cap space and a first-round pick in this year’s draft, and they can also draw on their prospect pipeline for trade bait.

RICKARD RAKELL COULD BE AVAILABLE BUT EXPENSIVE

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported the Pittsburgh Penguins aren’t in a hurry to trade Rickard Rakell. The 31-year-old winger is playing well alongside team captain Sidney Crosby. He’s also signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5 million.

Nevertheless, Yohe believes the Penguins would listen if a team made a truly significant package offer containing a first-rounder and a blue-chip prospect close to NHL-ready. He claims GM Kyle Dubas hasn’t told teams that Rakell is untouchable, only that the asking price is high.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell’s trade value is very high right now. If a suitable offer isn’t possible at the trade deadline, they might wait for the offseason when the rising cap could entice teams to spend more than they currently would.

COULD JOHN GIBSON BE A FIT WITH THE OILERS?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting he’d heard the Oilers and Carolina Hurricanes are the preferred trade destinations for John Gibson.

The 31-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. He’s been the subject of trade rumors for some time.

Friedman said he’d heard Gibson wants to go where he’d be “the guy”, as in the starting goaltender. However, he doesn’t know if partnering with Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner will work for him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staples doesn’t think Gibson would be a good fit for the Oilers. Even if the Ducks retained half his cap hit, he believes it would still take a hefty chunk out of their cap space. Meanwhile, Staples colleague Kurt Leavins doesn’t see Gibson as an improvement over Skinner, saying he’s been “very mediocre” over the past five years.

WILL JAKE EVANS STAY IN MONTREAL OR MOVE ON?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan reports Canadiens center Jake Evans knows he’s facing a murky future. The 28-year-old is due to become a UFA this summer and could be shopped by the March 7 trade deadline.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported Sunday that the Canadiens and the Evans camp exchanged contract numbers. However, the two sides remain far apart, suggesting he’ll be traded by March 7.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie claims Evans’s re-signing with the Canadiens is a real possibility despite the reported gaps in their contract negotiations. However, he didn’t go so far as to guarantee his signing.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports it’s “common knowledge” Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald is in the market for a third-line center. He believes Evans would fit the bill.

However, the Canadiens’ asking price would be at least a second-rounder and there are plenty of suitors. Nichols noted the Devils have three second-rounders but lack a first-rounder, which would put them out of the bidding if the price goes up.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Evans is the Canadiens’ best trade chip and could fetch a first-round pick if enough teams are interested leading up to March 7. They won’t hesitate to trade him if the two sides don’t agree to a new contract by then.

UPDATES ON RYAN DONATO AND PAT MAROON

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers recently reported that it is expected the Chicago Blackhawks could trade pending UFA forward Ryan Donato by March 7. However, it’s not a certainty that he’ll be moved as management hasn’t ruled out re-signing him.

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek reports Blackhawks forward Pat Maroon is drawing some attention in the trade market. Marek suggests the Florida Panthers and Maroon’s former club, the Tampa Bay Lightning, as possible fits.

LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports injuries to forwards Sean Monahan and Kirill Marchenko has GM Don Waddell shopping for a top-six forward. “We had some irons in the fire,” Waddell told Portzline. “But no action yet.”

Waddell is willing to move one of his club’s two first-rounders in this year’s draft but it would only be for a player with term on their contract. He also wouldn’t rule out moving one of his extra mid-round picks for a player on an expiring contract.

The Blue Jackets GM also said talks continue with pending UFAs Ivan Provorov and Mathieu Olivier. He also wants to re-sign defenseman Dante Fabbro.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline noted the Blue Jackets have two second-round picks in the 2027 draft, two third-rounders in 2026 and two in the 2027 draft, and two fourth-rounders in this year’s draft and three in 2026.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 10, 2025

by | Feb 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 10, 2025

Check out the latest on the Canadiens and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WILL THE CANADIENS BECOME TRADE DEADLINE SELLERS?

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu recently wondered what type of return the Montreal Canadiens would receive if they package checking-line forward Jake Evans and Joel Armia. They are considered the best penalty-killing duo in the league this season.

Basu also cited TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reporting Evans and the Canadiens are not close to an agreement on the new contract. LeBrun believes it’s more likely that he will be moved by

Montreal Canadiens center Jake Evans (NHL Images).

the March 7 trade deadline, adding that the Canadiens are getting an increasing number of calls from rival clubs about the 29-year-old center.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico also reported on the increasing interest in Evans and Armia. A source told D’Amico that he doesn’t believe the Canadiens will hang onto Evans if he’s unsigned by the trade deadline. Habs defensemen David Savard and Mike Matheson are also garnering interest. Savard is UFA-eligible on July 1 while Matheson has a year left on his contract.

D’Amico also cited sources saying Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes will be looking for young NHL players over draft picks and prospects. They’ve reportedly had interest in Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens. It’s believed they’re also keeping tabs on New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Two weeks ago, when the Canadiens had won 13 of their previous 17 games and moved briefly into a wild-card spot, there was talk they might hang onto their pending UFAs as “own rentals” for a playoff run. Some observers suggested they might be modest buyers in the trade market.

Those ideas vanished after their 1-7-1 slump sent them sliding down the standings heading into the 4 Nations Face-Off. Hughes will be a seller by March 7 with Evans, Armia and Savard the most likely to be moved.

The combination of Evans and Armia could be enticing for a contender seeking penalty-killing depth. They might fetch a promising NHL player but no certainty that will happen. Hughes could end up having to accept draft picks and prospects but he can add those to his stockpile and draw on them for trade capital in the offseason.

WHAT WILL THE ISLANDERS DO AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports the Islanders are still stuck in limbo as the trade deadline nears. They’re four points from a playoff berth, leading Sears to conclude GM Lou Lamoriello won’t be a seller unless the club slides further out of contention.

Lamoriello remains focused on his club’s performance, which explains the defensemen he’s brought in. Sears also believes the Isles GM could attempt to re-sign pending UFA center Brock Nelson, saying any thought of moving him before the trade deadline has gone by the wayside.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple also reports Nelson isn’t on the trade block yet, citing sources who say Lamoriello is trying to extend the 33-year-old center.

Staple also cited people around the league saying Nelson doesn’t appear ready to commit to a deal making him an Islander for life. “While it may not truly be the worst-kept secret in hockey that Nelson and the (Minnesota) Wild would have mutual interest, it’s an obvious fit.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staple thinks Lamoriello will move Nelson by the trade deadline if the center isn’t interested in a contract extension. If that happens, he’ll be among the most coveted players in the trade market.

Staple also touched on recent rumors regarding Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson. While he doesn’t fully dismiss the possibility, he thinks trading Dobson would set the Isles up for further mediocrity.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule out Dobson getting traded but it seems like a long shot. He’s struggled this season but so have most of his teammates. The 26-year-old remains their best puck-moving defenseman. Trading him would leave a big hole on their blueline that will be difficult to fill.

Dobson is currently listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury. Some see the Isles recently loading up on defensemen is seen by some as an indication he could miss the remainder of the regular season. He’s also a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 9, 2025

by | Feb 9, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 9, 2025

Check out all the latest speculation on Vladimir Tarasenko, Brock Nelson, Brayden Schenn, Brad Marchand, Scott Laughton, Alex Tuch, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE LATEST ON TARASENKO, NELSON, SCHENN AND DONATO

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports Vladimir Tarasenko has recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 33-year-old Detroit Red Wings forward is in the first year of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $4.75 million and has a full no-trade clause for this season.

Detroit Red Wings forward Vladimir Tarasenko (NHL Images).

Friedman said he’s heard “some noise” around Tarasenko. He also pointed out the Red Wings are playing better and are in the race for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Most of their players are performing well of late but he’s “kind of struggled to be a fit.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tarasenko is no longer the perennial 30-goal scorer he was during his long tenure with the St. Louis Blues. However, he reached 55 points last season split between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers, and 50 points in 2022-23 between the Blues and New York Rangers. He’s managed just 22 points in 53 games with the Wings.

Friedman also indicated that a lot of people are waiting to see what happens with New York Islanders center Brock Nelson. He believes the Isles will attempt to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello could peddle the 33-year-old Nelson if they fail to agree to a new contract. Then again, he could hang onto him if they’re holding onto a wild-card spot by March 7. He has done that sort of thing before.

The St. Louis Blues are willing to talk about a lot of their players with other teams. However, they’ve set “a very, very high price” for team captain Brayden Schenn.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn’s versatility, leadership, playoff experience, and physical two-way play would make him enticing for any playoff contender. The 33-year-old forward signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $6.5 million and he has a full no-trade clause for this season.

Friedman’s colleague Luke Fox noted that the Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to Schenn and Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens. Their limited salary-cap space makes acquiring either player difficult without some salary retention by the Blues or Sabres. Fox believes they’ll have to part with their 2026 first-rounder and a promising youngster like Fraser Minten or Easton Cowan as part of the return.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato could draw plenty of interest. He’s UFA-eligible this summer and carries a $2 million cap hit. The 28-year-old center is playing well in his contract year, with a career-high 19 goals and 37 points. Friedman believes the Edmonton Oilers are looking at him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Donato’s performance this season and his low cap hit could make him a valuable trade chip this season for the Blackhawks.

The Athletic’s Scott Powers is interested to see what the Blackhawks do with Donato. He expects they’ll move him closer to March 7 to maximize his trade value.

Powers doesn’t expect pending UFAs Alec Martinez and Pat Maroon to ask to be traded. He considers defensemen Seth Jones and Connor Murphy to be long shots as trade candidates.

THE LATEST BRUINS SPECULATION

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports teams are watching the Boston Bruins closely to see what they intend to do by the March 7 trade deadline. Last month, team president Cam Neely said they would be buyers or retool a bit depending on where they were in the standings by deadline day. GM Don Sweeney recently reiterated Neely’s comments.

Murphy cited an NHL source suggesting Bruins captain Brad Marchand could be in play but doesn’t think they’ve reached that stage yet. The 36-year-old winger is eligible for UFA status on July 1. Teams could also inquire about defenseman Brandon Carlo but the Bruins aren’t currently shopping him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins head into the 4 Nations Face-Off break sitting one point out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card spot. A lot could depend on whether they can gain ground in games leading up to March 7.

LEAFS AND JETS REPORTEDLY INTEREST IN LAUGHTON

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports trade talks are “heating up” around Scott Laughton. The 30-year-old Philadelphia Flyers forward is signed through next season with an AAV of $3 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Di Marco cited sources claiming the Toronto Maple Leafs and Winnipeg Jets are interested in Laughton. He added they are among several teams in the mix.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton is a feisty, hard-working two-way forward with leadership skills who can play center or wing. The Flyers were reportedly reluctant to part with him because of what he brings to their team. Nevertheless, he’s slated to become a UFA at the end of next season. It’s rumored the Flyers seek a first-round pick as part of their asking price.

SHOULD THE DEVILS PURSUE ALEX TUCH?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes the New Jersey Devils should look into acquiring Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, provided they’re not on the 28-year-old’s five-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres GM Kevyn Adams wants to add to his team rather than subtract. That’s why he hasn’t shipped out Dylan Cozens as he wants a hockey trade if he were to part with him. The same thing would apply to Tuch, who is UFA-eligible at the end of next season.

Brooks mentioned Devils forward Dawson Mercer is struggling this season. Maybe they’d pitch the 23-year-old forward to the Sabres if they take an interest in Tuch.










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.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 25, 2025

by | Jan 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 25, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller, a look at potential Blackhawks trade candidates, and updates on the Islanders and Canadiens.

LATEST ON PETTERSSON AND MILLER

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston cited TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reporting the Vancouver Canucks and Carolina Hurricanes were close to a deal. In the end, the Hurricanes opted for Mikko Rantanen, acquiring him on Friday night in a blockbuster three-team trade with the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

Based on what the Hurricanes gave up for Rantanen (forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury, two draft picks), Johnston believes the rumored deal with the Canucks had to involve Elias Pettersson. He pointed out the Hurricanes inquired into Pettersson’s availability last season before he signed his eight-year contract extension.

Meanwhile, Johnston reports the offers for Canucks center J.T. Miller are currently weak, despite his 103-point performance last season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Kierszenblat cited CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal indicating the Canucks called the Hurricanes about Martin Necas.

According to Dhaliwal, the trade would’ve involved J.T. Miller. However, the Hurricanes declined and sent Necas to the Avalanche in the Rantanen deal.

Meanwhile, Remy Mastey reports Miller hasn’t made a formal trade request, but there’s a sense that the 31-year-old center’s time with the Canucks is coming to an end.

Mastey cited Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli reporting the Canucks and Miller have reached the point where it’s time to move on from each other.

The New York Rangers have been in discussions with the Canucks about Miller. However, the holdup is the Canucks want to get maximum value in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller and Pettersson have dominated the rumor mill for a month after reports of a rumored rift between the two made the rounds. It’s believed the Canucks prefer to move Miller and retain Pettersson, who is five years younger and has more productive years ahead of him.

It’ll be interesting to see what effect the Rantanen trade will have on the Canucks’ efforts to move Miller. The Rangers, Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, New York Islanders and Dallas Stars have been linked to the Canucks veteran but the Rangers are believed the only team to make an offer. The Hurricanes are out while the Devils, Isles and Stars are rumored to be mildly interested.

POTENTIAL BLACKHAWKS TRADE CANDIDATES

THE ATHLETIC: Before the Chicago Blackhawks traded Taylor Hall to the Hurricanes in the Rantanen deal, Scott Powers examined their potential trade candidates.

Powers indicated the Blackhawks received calls about defenseman Seth Jones but nothing out of the ordinary. They’re unlikely to move anyone who isn’t on an expiring contract.

The Blackhawks are unlikely to re-sign UFA-eligible forward Ryan Donato. They don’t expect defenseman Alec Martinez to request a trade as he remains focused on helping them for now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forwards Pat Maroon and Craig Smith are the Blackhawks’ other pending UFAs.

CAPITALS INTERESTED IN BROCK NELSON

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner cites industry sources claiming the Washington Capitals have checked in on Brock Nelson. The 33-year-old New York Islanders center is eligible for UFA status on July 1.

Any potential team acquiring Nelson could prefer signing him to a contract extension. However, Rosner indicates the Capitals are believed to have no issue with him as purely a playoff rental.

Rosner pointed out the Capitals lack the cap space to take on Nelson’s $6 million cap hit. He speculates the Isles might be willing to retain part of his salary if an interested team is willing to pay more in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello insists he’s not focused on the trade deadline, centering instead on his club’s pursuit of a playoff berth. However, Nelson could become available if the Isles fail to gain ground in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

Nelson is a three-time 30-plus goal scorer with postseason experience. The Capitals won’t be the only team pursuing him if Lamoriello makes him available before the March 7 deadline.

SHOULD THE CANADIENS PURSUE SIDNEY CROSBY?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Jack Todd believes the rebuilding Canadiens should take the advice of Global’s Brian Wilde and look into acquiring Sidney Crosby from the Pittsburgh Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I defer to TSN’s Chris Johnston: “Unless something changes – and at this point I have ZERO reason to believe it will – Sidney Crosby isn’t being traded out of Pittsburgh. He’s an untouchable as far as the Pens are concerned, plus he’s got a no-movement clause and no desire to be dealt.”










NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2025

by | Jan 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 3, 2025

Check out the latest on the Flames and Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson examined whether Buffalo Sabres center Dylan Cozens would be a good fit for the Flames. They’ve been in the market for a big center with a right-handed shot.

The 6’3”, 210-pound Cozens seems to fit the bill. He’s two years removed from a career-best 31-goal, 68-point performance. The 23-year-old has been the frequent subject of recent trade speculation.

Buffalo Sabres forward Dylan Cozens (NHL Images).

With a growing pool of draft picks and prospects, the Flames could part with some of them to acquire Cozens. He could help them accelerate their rebuild.

However, Wilson also points out the decline in his production over the past two seasons, adding that he doesn’t drive the play or defend well. He’s employed as a second-line center against other teams’ second and third-liners.

Wilson also believes Cozens would be expensive to acquire and retain. He’s in the second season of a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $7.1 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are reportedly looking to add to their roster rather than subtract. If they were to trade Cozens (and that remains a big “if” right now) they’ll want a good young player who can provide immediate help in return, not draft picks and prospects. That’s what they got for Casey Mittelstadt last season, swapping him to Colorado for Bowen Bryam.

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Flames goaltender Dan Vladar wants to sign a contract extension. The 27-year-old has evenly split the goalie duties with promising rookie Dustin Wolf but he’s also drawn the bulk of the starts against difficult opponents.

Vladar is earning an annual salary-cap hit of $2.2 million. He is due to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll depend on how much Vladar seeks on his next contract and for how long. The Flames won’t want to invest in a big raise on a long-term deal when Wolf is considered their future between the pipes. However, finding a suitable replacement for Vladar could be difficult.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple believes the struggling New York Islanders face a reckoning this season as they hobble into the New Year. He believes the core group are good players, many of whom played key roles in the club’s “delightful run” from 2018 to 2021, “but it is so very over.”

Islanders center Brock Nelson is near the top of most NHL trade boards. However, Staple reports teams that are currently buyers are hearing that Isles general manager Lou Lamoriello isn’t interested in selling. Lamoriello has often said the team’s performance will dictate what he’ll do at the trade deadline. Staple believes the team is “sending a neon message to him now.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello has been running it back since 2021-22, hoping his core can regain the form that carried the Isles to consecutive conference finals in 2020 and 2021. Since then, however, they missed the 2022 postseason and were bounced from the first round over the following two seasons.

Islanders fans are calling for change, that it’s time for at least a roster retool. The team must take that opportunity to rebuild while their supporters are open to it.