NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2025

by | May 28, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 28, 2025

Check out the latest on Jonathan Marchessault, Connor Murphy, Morgan Rielly, Thatcher Demko, Bo Horvat and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli updated his offseason 20-player NHL Trade Targets list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many of the names are familiar ones (JJ Peterka, Bowen Byram, Erik Karlsson, Rasmus Andersson, Chris Kreider, Marco Rossi) that have frequently appeared in the rumor mill since the end of the regular season. Seravalli provides a useful synopsis of the recent news and rumors for each of those players who have already been noted on this site.

Seravalli has added some new names to his list that are worth examining. Read on…

Jonathan Marchessault of the Nashville Predators sits fifth on this list. Seravalli believes the 34-year-old winger might welcome a trade after a disappointing season with the Predators. He has four years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million.

Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun included Marchessault among his list of trade and free-agent targets for the Maple Leafs. Given the winger’s contract, he believes the Predators would have to retain some salary to facilitate a deal. They’d likely have to do the same to send him to other NHL clubs.

Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Connor Murphy checks in at No. 8. With promising young defensemen Alex Vlasic, Sam Rinzel and Artyom Levshunov patrolling the Chicago blueline, the 32-year-old could be on the move this summer. He has a year left on his contract with an AAV of $4.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks could use Murphy as a trade chip to add depth up front. However, his experience and leadership would be of greater value to this youthful defense corps this season. If they attempt to move Murphy, it could be at next year’s trade deadline if he decides to become a UFA next summer.

Morgan Rielly holds the No. 15 spot. Seravalli believes the 31-year-old is no longer an effective puck-moving defenseman for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rielly has five years left on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million. Seravalli wonders if they should try to move Rielly’s contract before it becomes oneous.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I don’t see Rielly going anywhere this summer. He has a full no-movement clause until 2027-28. If he’s willing to waive it, the Leafs would probably have to retain a healthy chunk of his cap hit to make a deal happen.

Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha and Morgan Geekie share the No. 16 spot. Seravalli noted that the Bruins are in transition and must decide which players they will keep. Geekie is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who is a year away from UFA eligibility. Zacha has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $4.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I concur with Seravalli that both would have value in the trade market. Geekie appears the most likely to move if his contract extension talks with the Bruins become difficult.

Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko sit at No 18. He’s a year away from UFA eligibility. Kevin Lankinen played well filling in for the sidelined Demko this season, earning a five-year extension. Seravalli wonders if the Canucks might consider moving Demko this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks may have tipped their hand by inking Lankinen to that long extension. They could keep the goalie tandem intact for this season to see how things shake out, and peddle Demko at the trade deadline if they can’t re-sign him or if they’re out of playoff contention by then.

DAILY FACEOFF: Seravalli was asked if the idea of New York Islanders center Bo Horvat being available is hot or cold. He considers it “lukewarm”, suggesting they’ll need his experience and skills if they hope to stage a quick turnaround under new GM Mathieu Darche. He also thinks they should be patient to see what he might fetch in a market thin on quality centers this year.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see what Darche has in store for the Islanders. A rebuild seems unlikely with core players like Horvat, Mathew Barzal and Ilya Sorokin under expensive long-term contracts, with RFA defenseman Noah Dobson likely to join them.

We can’t rule anything out, and Darche could be tempted if he receives a substantial offer for Horvat. Nevertheless, the betting here is he’ll consider other moves to shake up his roster before asking Horvat about waiving his full no-trade clause.

TVA SPORTS: Nicolas Cloutier observed that Montreal Canadiens goaltender Cayden Primeau has backstopped their AHL affiliate in Laval into the AHL Conference Finals. The 25-year-old is a restricted free agent this summer who’s a year away from UFA eligibility.

Primeau struggled during his tenure with the Canadiens. Despite his strong performance with Laval this season, Cloutier expects he won’t receive a qualifying offer from the Habs, enabling him to become a UFA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens could also attempt to shop Primeau’s rights or include him in a package deal for a center before July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2025

by | Jan 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 6, 2025

Could the Senators shop for a goaltender or claim Kings winger Arthur Kaliyev off waivers? Should the Leafs trade prospect Easton Cowan? Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Bruce Garrioch believes the Senators should be scouring the trade market for a goaltender with starter Linus Ullmark sidelined indefinitely with an upper-body injury.

Ullmark departed during the Senators’ 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Dec. 22. There is no timetable for his return. The Senators are currently using backup Anton Forsberg and call-up Leevi Merilainen.

Garrioch cited sources claiming the market for goaltenders isn’t great. Those who could be available include John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks, Cayden Primeau of the Montreal Canadiens, and James Reimer of the Buffalo Sabres.

Detroit Red Wings goaltender Ville Husso (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. If the Ducks were willing to retain part of his salary he might not accept a trade to Ottawa. It’s rumored the seven Canadian teams are on his no-trade list.

Primeau passed unclaimed through waivers last week. The Sabres claimed Reimer off waivers from the Ducks in November and will likely hang onto him for insurance.

A source told Garrioch the Detroit Red Wings would be willing to move Ville Husso. However, he carries a $4.75 million cap hit and the Wings aren’t willing to retain salary.

Garrioch also wondered if the Senators might claim Arthur Kaliyev off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings. He pointed out that general manager Steve Staios has a long history with the 23-year-old winger as they won the 2018 OHL championship with the Hamilton Bulldogs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll find out after the noon ET deadline on Monday. Kaliyev had a promising rookie season with the Kings in 2021-22 but struggled afterward to maintain a regular roster spot. He fractured his clavicle on Oct. 6 and only recently came off injured reserve.

SHOULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRADE EASTON COWAN?

YARDBARKER: Nick Matthews of Maple Leafs Daily cited former Sportsnet personality Sid Seixeiro suggesting the Leafs should trade top prospect Easton Cowan following his disappointing performance for Canada at the 2025 World Juniors.

“Contrary to what a lot of folks are saying, (Cowan) still has a lot of value. But Toronto might have to cash that chip sooner rather than later.”

Meanwhile, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman doesn’t believe the Leafs should give up on Cowan because of a couple of bad weeks at the WJC.

“I see people saying, oh, they should trade him. Number one, his value will never be lower than it is now. “Number two, I think it’s bananas to give up on someone you really think highly of based on two bad weeks.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Friedman. The Leafs are already near the bottom third with their prospect pipeline. Cowan is among the few prospects they have with the skills to become an NHL player. They’re in win-now mode but must maintain an eye on the future.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 28, 2024

by | Dec 28, 2024

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 28, 2024

Recapping Friday’s eight games and the notable news of the past four days in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

GAME RECAPS

NHL.COM: Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen tallied his first career hat trick in a 4-1 victory over the Utah Hockey Club. Nathan MacKinnon collected three assists to become the first player this season to reach 60 points while Mikko Rantanen netted his 20th goal as the Avalanche picked up their fourth straight win. Nick Schmaltz replied for Utah as they’re winless in three straight (0-2-1).

Colorado Avalanche forward Artturi Lehkonen (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche also announced on Friday that they signed Mackenzie Blackwood to a five-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $5.25 million. That’s a big raise over his current $2.35 million AAV. The 28-year-old goaltender was due to become an unrestricted free agent in July.

The Avalanche acquired Blackwood from the San Jose Sharks on Dec. 9. He’s won three of his four appearances for Colorado with a .931 save percentage. Nevertheless, this is a significant commitment by Avs management based on a short sample size of his work, raising skepticism among some observers.

In other Avs news, defenseman Cale Makar was the NHL’s first star for the week ending Dec. 22. Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander was the second star and Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine was the third star.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner scored a natural hat trick as his club clipped the Detroit Red Wings 5-2. John Tavares had two assists as the Leafs snapped a two-game losing skid. Lucas Raymond and Simon Edvinsson scored for the Red Wings, losing their fourth straight and the first under new head coach Todd McLellan.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McLellan replaced Derek Lalonde, who was fired as Wings head coach on Dec. 26. Assistant coach Bob Boughner was also relieved of his duties. McLellan has considerable NHL head-coaching experience but he’ll need some time to get the struggling Wings on a winning track.

Meanwhile, Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews missed this game. He remains hampered by a nagging upper-body injury that sidelined him for nine games in November. Matthews isn’t expected to be in the lineup for Saturday’s game against Washington.

The Buffalo Sabres got their second straight win by defeating the Chicago Blackhawks 6-2. Alex Tuch led the way with a hat trick while Jack Quinn and Dylan Cozens each had a goal and an assist. Tyler Bertuzzi and Seth Jones scored for the Blackhawks, who pulled goaltender Petr Mrazek following the first period after giving up four goals on 11 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres ended a 13-game winless skid on Dec. 23 by crushing the New York Islanders 7-1. Chicago has lost three in a row.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski collected four assists in a 6-2 upset of the Boston Bruins. Dmitri Voronkov scored two goals and had an assist while Sean Monahan tallied twice for the Blue Jackets, who are 3-0-1 in their last four. Pavel Zacha and Charlie Coyle were the Bruins’ goal scorers as their five-game points streak (4-0-1) ended.

A four-goal third period powered the Vegas Golden Knights over the San Jose Sharks 6-3. Alex Pietrangelo had three assists while Jack Eichel and Mark Stone were among four players with a goal and an assist each for the Golden Knights, who’ve won nine of their last 10 to take over first place in the overall standings with 51 points. Will Smith and Fabian Zetterlund each had two points for the Sharks, who are winless in their last six (0-5-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game marked Tomas Hertl’s return to San Jose for the first time since the Sharks shipped him to the Golden Knights at last season’s trade deadline. He was held off the score sheet but received a video tribute from the Sharks before the game. Injuries kept Sharks forward William Eklund and defenseman Jake Walman out of the lineup for this contest.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom stopped 29 shots in a 4-2 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes. Luke Hughes had a goal and an assist as the Devils won for the sixth time in their last seven contests, sitting atop the Eastern Conference with 51 points. Eric Robinson and Brent Burns replied for the Hurricanes as they’ve dropped four of their last five.

The Minnesota Wild overcame a 2-0 deficit to nip the Dallas Stars 3-2 on an overtime wraparound goal by Brock Faber. Jonas Brodin and Marcus Foligno also scored for the Wild while Filip Gustavsson made 27 saves for the win. Evgenii Dadonov and Wyatt Johnston scored for the Stars as they’ve lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wild superstar Kirill Kaprizov missed this game with a lower-body injury. Stars forward Mason Marchment was taken to a Dallas hospital after being struck in the face by a shot in the first period. There was no update regarding his condition.

St. Louis Blues defenseman Cam Fowler had a goal and two assists in a 7-4 victory over the Nashville Predators. Robert Thomas tallied twice while Jordan Kyrou and Dylan Holloway each had two points for the Blues. Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault each had a goal and an assist for the Predators, who pulled goalie Juuse Saros after he gave up five goals on 15 shots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: On Dec. 23, the Predators placed forward Cole Smith (lower body) on injured reserve. He’s expected to miss four-to-six weeks.

HEADLINES OF THE PAST WEEK

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This is a brief look at some notable news during my holiday break (Dec. 24-27).

The NHL’s holiday roster freeze ended at 12:01 am on Dec. 28.

NHL.COM: Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby collected his 1,030 career NHL assist in a 7-3 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Dec. 23. He’s tied with Mario Lemieux for the most assists in franchise history.

SPORTSNET: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin) skated on his regular line with Dylan Strome and Aliaksei Protas for a portion of Friday’s practice. Sidelined by a fractured fibula since Nov. 18, he could return to the lineup against Toronto on Saturday.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes and center Elias Pettersson missed practice on Friday due to injuries. They could miss Saturday’s game against the Seattle Kraken.

OTTAWA CITIZEN: Senators starting goaltender Linus Ullmark could miss the next five games after experiencing tightness in his back in a Dec. 22 game against the Edmonton Oilers.

THE ATHLETIC: The New York Rangers raised eyebrows by scratching winger Chris Kreider from their Dec. 23 games against the Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That led to speculation that Kreider could be traded once the NHL’s holiday roster freeze ended. So far, there’s no indication a deal is afoot.

SPORTSNET: Jets defenseman Haydn Fleury is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Conor Geekie is day-to-day with an upper-body injury.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The Canadiens called up goaltender Jakub Dobes and intend to place Cayden Primeau on waivers Saturday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Primeau was expected to share the goaltending duties this season with starter Sam Montembeault. However, his shaky performance led to Montembeault starting the last 10 games. The Canadiens carried three goalies last season because they were concerned a rival club would pluck Primeau off waivers. This move indicates they’ve lost confidence in him as a backup.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2024

by | Sep 19, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2024

Check out the latest on Jeremy Swayman and Mitch Marner plus the latest on the Canucks and the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill. 

LATEST ON SWAYMAN’S NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE BRUINS

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Christopher Hurley reports Bruins general manager Don Sweeney responded to a report by “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcaster Paul Bissonnette regarding his contract negotiations with goaltender Jeremy Swayman. 

Bissonnette claimed the Bruins GM ignored calls from Swayman. “I think it’s bullshit that somebody says I wouldn’t return a call for three weeks,” said Sweeney. 

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (NHL Images).

Sweeney declined to go into detail regarding the negotiations with the Swayman camp. “I have respect for the position that Jeremy and his camp have taken,” he said. “And we continue to try and find common ground.”

The Bruins GM said he’s disappointed but remains optimistic that a deal can be reached before Dec. 1. He also scoffed at reports claiming he refused to offer Swayman an eight-year contract or was unwilling to compromise with the netminder. 

“That’s far from the truth,” said Sweeney, adding that there’s been constant dialogue and communication between the two sides. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dec. 1 is the deadline for Swayman to be under contract or he’ll be forbidden to play for the rest of this season. That’s not a scenario either side wants. It would cost Swayman a year of his playing prime while robbing the Bruins of their promising starter. 

The last notable standoff involving a restricted free agent was in 2018 when last-second negotiations led to an agreement between William Nylander and the Toronto Maple Leafs before the 5 pm ET deadline on Dec. 1. 

It’ll be interesting to see how long this saga goes. It could drag on for weeks or a breakthrough could happen within days. 

MARNER DECLINES TO DISCUSS CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS. 

SPORTSNET: Mitch Marner met with the media on Wednesday but indicated he wouldn’t discuss his contract situation. The 27-year-old winger is in the final season of his deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs and can become an unrestricted free agent next July. 

Leafs GM Brad Treliving has also declined to publicly discuss Marner’s contract status until there’s news to announce. 

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel believes Marner and the Leafs are holding contract talks despite their public unwillingness to discuss it with the media. He cited Marner’s agent Darren Ferris releasing a statement earlier this week indicating he preferred to keep “ongoing negotiations” confidential. 

TORONTO STAR: Rosie DiManno believes Marner’s contract situation could fester if it remains unresolved during the coming season. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner and Treliving won’t discuss this with the media, but the latter abhors a vacuum, leaving this situation ripe for speculation the longer this goes. 

CANUCKS UNCERTAIN IF THEY’LL NEED TO ADD A GOALIE

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Vancouver Canucks GM Patrik Allvin doesn’t know when sidelined starting goaltender Thatcher Demko will return to action. It could be a talking point that dogs the club for weeks or months. 

Allvin was asked if he would need to add another goaltender before the start of the season. “I don’t know,” he replied, adding he’ll see how Demko comes along rehabbing his injury and how well their young netminders perform over the next two weeks in training camp. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adding a goaltender won’t be easy. There are few available in the trade market while the free agent market has been mostly picked clean. 

The Canucks reached out to former Predators backup Kevin Lankinen. It’s rumored they offered him a one-year deal for less than $1 million but he’s seeking more than that.

LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

RDS.CA: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Kris Letang laughed off a rumor from earlier this summer claiming he requested a trade to the Montreal Canadiens. 

“People were talking about that? They weren’t talking to me!”, replied Letang. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming Letang wanted a trade to Montreal, I doubt the rebuilding Canadiens would be interested in a 37-year-old defenseman who’s past his prime carrying an annual cap hit of $6.1 million through 2027-28. 

TVA SPORTS: Eric Fichaud doesn’t expect Cayden Primeau to finish the season with the Canadiens. The 25-year-old netminder will serve as Samuel Montembeault’s backup this season. 

Fichard believes the Canadiens need a more experienced veteran backing up Montembeault. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens had that with Jake Allen and they shipped him to the New Jersey Devils at the March trade deadline. They wouldn’t have made that move if they didn’t have faith in Primeau. They spent most of last season carrying three goalies because they didn’t want to risk losing Primeau to another club via waivers.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 2, 2023

by | Dec 2, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – December 2, 2023

Could the Maple Leafs be the Flames’ next trade partner? Could the Bruins pursue Noah Hanifin? What next for the Canadiens after re-signing Sam Montembeault? Is Jakub Vrana playing his way out of St. Louis? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE LEAFS PURSUE CHRIS TANEV?

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Toronto Maple Leafs could make Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev a trade target. Tanev, who turns 34 on Dec. 20, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He carries a cap hit of $4.5 million and a 10-team no-trade clause.

Friedman isn’t sure how hard the Leafs will pursue pure rentals this season. However, Tanev is what Friedman called “a Toronto guy”, noting that Leafs general manager Brad Treliving signed him to his current contract when he was the Flames GM. He also feels they’re “pretty confident” that they could keep him beyond this season.

Calgary Flames defenseman Chris Tanev (NHL Images).

The Flames’ resurgent play in recent weeks prompted some to wonder if they might pump the brakes on any trade talk. However, Friedman thinks trading Nikita Zadorov earlier this week to the Vancouver Canucks indicates they’re willing to entertain strong offers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: With John Klingberg, Mark Giordano and Timothy Liljegren sidelined by injuries, the Leafs’ battered blueline needs shoring up. If Klingberg is out of the season, that will provide Treliving with sufficient wiggle room to acquire a suitable replacement. The question then becomes how much they’re willing to part with to make it happen.

The Flames only got a 2024 conditional fifth-round pick and a 2026 third-rounder from the Canucks for Zadorov, but the latter punched his ticket out of Calgary with a public trade request that reportedly didn’t sit well with some of his Flames teammates. They could seek more for Tanev, who has gone about his business without making any demands (that we know of) for a trade.

COULD THE BRUINS STILL PURSUE HANIFIN?

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: James Murphy wondered if a report by TSN’s Pierre LeBrun suggesting the Flames could agree to a sign-and-trade scenario involving Noah Hanifin might tempt Bruins GM Don Sweeney into pursuing him.

Like Tanev, the 26-year-old Hanifin is eligible for UFA status next summer unless the Flames re-sign him. LeBrun indicated the two sides were close to an eight-year contract extension worth $7.5 million annually but the deal was pulled by the Flames after Hanifin indicated he wanted to wait and see how the season unfolded.

An NHL source close to the situation told Murphy that the Flames would be willing to do a sign-and-trade with Hanifin. He also thinks the Bruins could be interested if that came to pass.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins GM Don Sweeney has been interested in Hanifin for some time. His club will have the cap space to take on Hanifin after this season but they currently lack the space to absorb his $4.95 million AAV for this season unless they shed a comparable salary in the deal or in a separate trade.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE CANADIENS AFTER SIGNING MONTEMBEAULT?

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: That’s the question posed by Marc Dumont specifically aimed at their goaltending situation. They’re currently carrying three netminders in the recently re-signed Sam Montembeault, veteran Jake Allen (who has a year remaining on his contract) and young Cayden Primeau who continues to struggle at the NHL level.

One way to address this is to place Primeau on waivers and send him back to their farm team in Laval. The risk of losing him to another club is the reason the Canadiens are still carrying him on their roster. However, his sporadic starts and .875 save percentage might not be that enticing to other teams.

The Canadiens could trade Allen but he won’t fetch much of a return for him at this career stage. Dumont also suggested the possibility of trading Montembeault now that he’s under an affordable three-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As I mentioned in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines, I don’t believe the Canadiens intend to trade Montembeault. They signed him to that extension to bring stability between the pipes for their rebuilding roster over the next three years

I think it’s between Allen and Primeau, neither of whom has much trade value. At this point, I believe the Canadiens will take the risk and put Primeau on waivers.

ARE VRANA’S DAYS NUMBERED IN ST. LOUIS?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently pondered Jakub Vrana’s future with the St. Louis Blues. He’s been a healthy scratch in four games (five since Rutherford’s piece was published) and has just six points in 17 games.

Rutherford doesn’t see this ending well for Vrana, who is now on his third NHL club. He’s not a Craig Berube-type player and could eventually be moved if anyone’s interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vrana has shown the ability to score but not the consistency. In recent years he was plagued by injuries and spent some time last season in the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program.

Traded to St. Louis last season by the Detroit Red Wings, he had a strong finish with the Blues, netting 10 goals and 14 points in 20 games. However, he hasn’t followed that up this season as hoped.

Vrana, 27, is eligible for UFA status next July. The Blues could shop him if they become sellers by the March 8 trade deadline but there might not be much interest in him.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 4, 2023

by | Nov 4, 2023

NHL Rumor Mill – November 4, 2023

Does Nicklas Backstrom’s ongoing hip injury suggest the Red Wings should avoid Patrick Kane? What’s the latest on the Canadiens and Blue Jackets? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill

SHOULD THE RED WINGS PASS ON PATRICK KANE?

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff suggested that Nicklas Backstrom’s decision to step away from the Washington Capitals for health reasons should be taken as a note of caution if the Red Wings are seriously considering the pursuit of Patrick Kane.

Backstrom, 35, underwent a hip resurfacing procedure in 2022 but struggled to regain his form since returning to action in the middle of last season. Earlier this week, he announced that he was stepping away amid ongoing issues related to his hip.

Free agent winger Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Kane, 34, underwent a similar procedure in June and is expected to be ready to return to action by December. His camp is expected to begin fielding contract offers from interested clubs later this month. The Red Wings are rumored to be among those teams.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Duff raises a good point, one that interested teams could keep in mind. Backstrom isn’t the only NHL player who underwent this procedure. Those who have, like Ed Jovanovski, Ryan Kesler, Carl Hagelin were never the same. Indeed, Kesler never played again.

Kane is hoping for better luck in his return to play. He’ll likely only get one-year offers from clubs as they’ll want to evaluate his performance before committing to anything long-term.

LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

DAILY FACEOFF: Frank Seravalli believes Sean Monahan could be a good trade chip for the Montreal Canadiens if he remains healthy and maintains his current performance.

Seravalli noted Monahan had 17 points in 25 games last season before he was sidelined for the rest of the 2022-23 campaign. He believes a healthy Monahan, who recently turned 29, could have 20 goals by the time the March 8 trade deadline rolls around.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In 10 games this season, Monahan leads the Canadiens with six goals and sits second in points with nine. He also carries a very affordable $1.985 million on a one-year contract and lacks no-trade protection.

If Monahan remains healthy and productive the Canadiens could get a nice return for him by the trade deadline. That’s assuming they’re well out of playoff contention and he prices himself out of their market given his UFA status in July.

TSN: Darren Dreger noted the Canadiens continue to carry three goaltenders with Jake Allen, Sam Montembeault and Cayden Primeau sharing the duties. They can’t risk trying to send Primeau to their AHL affiliate because they know he won’t clear waivers.

Dreger believes there’s a decision coming. That could include attempting to trade one of their goalies.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Primeau seems the most likely candidate. Despite his struggles to crack the Canadiens lineup, there are reportedly some teams that feel the 24-year-old needs a change of scenery to reach his potential.

BLUE JACKETS’ KENT JOHNSON CHANGES AGENTS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman recently observed that Columbus Blue Jackets forward Kent Johnson is now represented by CAA. He also noted that the 21-year-old forward is trying to find his way with the Jackets.

Friedman doesn’t think there’s any reason for Columbus fans to panic but he pointed out that CAA also represented former Blue Jackets Pierre-Luc Dubois and Seth Jones.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnson was the Jackets’ first-round pick (fifth overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s in the final season of his entry-level contract and had a 40-point performance in 79 games as a rookie in 2022-23.

I don’t think the Jackets plan to move Johnson as they see him as a key part of their rebuilding process. However, they didn’t want to part ways with Dubois or Jones but Friedman noted that both players wanted out of Columbus. Dubois was traded to Winnipeg in January 2021 while Jones was shipped to Chicago in July.

Johnson won’t have any leverage over the Jackets as he’ll lack arbitration rights next summer. Unless they become disenchanted with his play I expect he’ll get a short-term bridge deal with them.