NHL Rumor Mill – March 24, 2026

by | Mar 24, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 24, 2026

Check out the latest speculation on the Canucks and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

CANUCKS FACE A BUSY SUMMER

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston looked at what’s ahead for the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks in the off-season.

Johnston wondered what they would do with Elias Pettersson. He believes the Canucks would be smart to try to trade the 27-year-old center this summer and try to get something of value for him. Johnston felt that Pettersson himself would be smart to ask for a trade, as it’s clear he thinks he needs a fresh start.

Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s a market for Pettersson. Some general managers seeking offensive depth at center will look at his 102-point performance in 2022-23 and believe he can reach those numbers again in a different market with a better roster.

However, Petersson’s $11.6 million average annual value through 2031-32 is the main stumbling block in the path to a trade. Interested clubs will want salary retention as part of the deal, which the Canucks could be unwilling to do.

Pettersson also has a full no-movement clause, which will also hinder the Canucks efforts to get a decent return. The fewer his preferred destinations, the less likely they’ll get something back that can help their rebuild.

Johnston also pointed out that the Canucks’ biggest needs are a No. 1 center, a top-flight winger, and a big-time defenseman.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They won’t get immediate help for those issues in the trade market. The best they’ll get there are promising youngsters and draft picks that might one day blossom into stars, especially if they win the draft lottery in May.

Johnston’s colleague, Paul Chapman, noted that the Canucks won’t find much help in this summer’s shallow unrestricted free-agent pool. The top centers are an aging Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins and 34-year-old Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malkin wants to finish his career in Pittsburgh. If he becomes available, he’s not going to a rebuilding team. The Blue Jackets hope to re-sign Coyle, and he’s likely to stay with them given their impressive improvement this season. 

THE RED WINGS’ UNWILLINGNESS TO MOVE PROSPECTS COULD COST THEM A PLAYOFF SPOT.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports a source told him that Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman was unwilling to move any of his top prospects in a prospective trade before the March 6 deadline.

The Red Wings were rumored to have been among the clubs with an interest in St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas. It’s believed the Blues set a high asking price for the 26-year-old Thomas, but the Red Wings’ depth in prospects put them in a good position to meet that price.

Had Yzerman been willing to move a couple of his top prospects for Thomas, Di Marco felt the Blues might’ve been open to a return of a first-round pick, center Nate Danielson, and either Trey Augustine or Sebastian Cossa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Di Marco pointed out that the Red Wings did make a significant addition by adding right-shot defenseman Justin Faulk. However, they failed to acquire a reliable first or second-line center. Thomas would’ve been an excellent fit given his age (26) and offensive talent.

The Red Wings are struggling down the stretch again, dropping out of the final wild-card berth over the weekend. If they miss the playoffs again, critics will point to their inability (or unwillingness) to make a major move when they had the assets and the salary-cap space to do so.

Di Marco wonders if that could cost Yzerman his job. Missing the playoffs for 10 straight years, with the last seven seasons on Yzerman’s watch, could force ownership to consider a shake-up in the front office.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 8, 2025

by | Dec 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 8, 2025

The latest trade speculation about Canucks captain Quinn Hughes and Kings center Phillip Danault has become a trade target.

THE LATEST QUINN HUGHES CONJECTURE

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma believes trade speculation about superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes will ramp up as the Vancouver Canucks face the Detroit Red Wings on Monday and the New Jersey Devils on Dec. 14. Trade rumors linked both clubs to the 26-year-old Canucks captain.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Kuzma noted that the Canucks need a center in a possible trade package for Hughes. He spotlighted Red Wings rookie Nate Danielson and indicated that the Canucks also like Marco Kasper. As for the Devils, Kuzma suggested center Dawson Mercer and young blueliner Simon Nemec as possible trade options.

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal believes the Canucks have considerable leverage in a Hughes trade situation.

Hughes lacks no-trade protection, giving the Canucks a broad field of possible trade partners. They’re also under no obligation to ship him to any of his preferred destinations. Their priority will be maximizing his trade value.

The Canucks superstar has another season left on his contract at an affordable $7.85 million. Whoever owns his rights next summer will have a better chance of signing him to a long-term deal for significantly more money than he’d get elsewhere.

Citing former Florida Panthers assistant general manager Steve Werier, Hayal stated that there is a window that runs through Sept. 15, 2026, allowing players to sign extensions under the old CBA rules. That means Hughes could ink an eight-year deal next summer instead of a seven-year one as per the new rules.

Dayal also looked at the potential cost for the Devils to acquire Hughes. They’re already pressed for cap space and have over $37 million invested in their blueline. He noted that some mock trade proposals suggest the Devils include Dougie Hamilton in the return to the Canucks. However, he has a 10-team trade list and might not want to go to Vancouver, plus the Canucks would be taking on a 32-year-old blueliner with an AAV of $9 million through 2027-28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If it’s between the Red Wings and the Devils for Hughes, the former is in a better position, cap-wise.

The Red Wings currently have over $17 million in available cap space, with a projected $52.7 million in trade deadline cap space. The Wings also have over $41.8 million in projected cap room for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract.

Meanwhile, the Devils are already over the cap with defenseman Brett Pesce ($5.5 million) on long-term injury reserve, with just over $2.8 million in potential trade deadline cap room. They have a projected $10.9 million in cap space 2026-27 with 18 active roster players under contract.

IS PHILLIP DANAULT AVAILABLE?

NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported Saturday that sources said trade chatter was picking up around Los Angeles Kings center Phillip Danault. He said that multiple teams have contacted the King about Danault’s availability.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli cited the thin trade market for centers as the reason behind the interest in Danault. The 32-year-old center is seeing third-line duty with the Kings. He’s signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $5.5 million and has a 10-team no-trade list.

Danault reached a career-high 54 points in 2022-23, followed by 47 points in 2023-24 and 43 points last season. He has only five points in 28 games this season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2023

by | Jul 13, 2023

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 13, 2023

The latest on Matthew Tkachuk, Spencer Knight, and Nick Foligno, a roundup of notable contract signings, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is still recuperating from injuries received during the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He suffered a fractured sternum and four broken ribs.

The best-case scenery for Tkachuk’s recovery is he could begin some upper-body workouts at the end of July. Nevertheless, he’ll spend his offseason focused on healing and training once he’s medically cleared to do so and hopes to be ready for training camp in September.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the severity of Tkachuk’s injuries and his shortened offseason, Panthers fans should expect that his performance at the start of 2023-24 might not be at the same level that made him a Hart Trophy finalist last season.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of the Panthers, goaltender Spencer Knight spoke publicly on Wednesday for the first time since leaving the club in February for personal reasons. He received special permission from the NHL to participate in the club’s prospect development camp as he works toward returning to action in 2023-24.

Knight felt it was important for him to get back with the team and resume organized hockey activities. He declined to speak about why he left the club and entered the NHL/NHLPA Player Assistance Program but indicated he would do so when the time is right. It has been stressed that it was not due to drug or alcohol abuse.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It sounds like Knight needed time to deal with mental health issues. Here’s hoping he makes a full recovery and resumes his NHL career.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Former Bruins forward Nick Foligno was not happy about being a healthy scratch for Game 7 of their first-round series against the Panthers. The 35-year-old winger signed with the Chicago Blackhawks after they acquired his rights from the Bruins last month.

Foligno said he spoke with Bruins head coach Jim Montgomery about it. He indicated that the decision didn’t sit well with him. “It never will,” he said.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: The Anaheim Ducks signed Leo Carlsson to an entry-level contract. The 18-year-old center was the second-overall pick in the 2023 NHL Draft. He could play for the Ducks, their AHL affiliate in San Diego or return to Sweden next season.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Speaking of 2023 first-rounders signing entry-level deals, the Red Wings inked center Nate Danielson. He was chosen ninth overall by the Wings.

STLTODAY.COM: Oskar Sundqvist is returning to the St. Louis Blues, signing a one-year, $775K contract. The 29-year-old forward spent nearly five seasons with the Blues prior to being traded to Detroit in 2021-22.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins signed former New Jersey Devils forward Jesper Boqvist to a one-year, $775K contract.

DAILY FACEOFF: Goaltender Thomas Greiss has announced his retirement after 14 NHL seasons with the San Jose Sharks, Arizona Coyotes, Pittsburgh Penguins, New York Islanders, Detroit Red Wings and St. Louis Blues. He finishes with a record of 162 wins, 130 losses and 37 overtime losses with a 2.77 goals-against average, a .911 save percentage and 16 shutouts.

LAS VEGAS SUN: The Golden Knights hired Dominique Ducharme and Joel Ward as their new assistant coaches. Ducharme is the former head coach of the Montreal Canadiens. Ward, an 11-year NHL veteran, spent the past two seasons as an assistant coach with the Golden Knights AHL affiliate in Henderson, Nevada.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Arizona Coyotes hired Blaine Forsythe as an assistant coach. He spent the past 17 seasons with the Washington Capitals.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Kenny McCudden has resigned as a Blue Jackets assistant coach. He’d been with the club since 2015.

THE PROVINCE: Former NHL player Brendan Leipsic has reportedly applied for Russian citizenship, according to the head coach and owner of KHL club SKA St. Petersburg. Originally from Winnipeg, Leipsic has played in the KHL since 2020 after being released by the Capitals for making misogynistic comments about women and disparaging current and former teammates on a private group chat that was leaked on Instagram.