NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2025

by | Dec 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2025

The latest on Canucks captain Quinn Hughes and winger Kiefer Sherwood in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: Darren Dreger said that the Vancouver Canucks got calls from rival clubs after they sent out their memo indicating they were willing to entertain offers for their pending unrestricted free agents. Some of those teams, such as the New Jersey Devils, also inquired about their non-UFAs like Quinn Hughes, but not much more than that.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Pierre LeBrun believes the big decision facing the Canucks is whether to move Hughes before the March 6 trade deadline, or wait until the offseason and attempt to re-sign the 26-year-old superstar defenseman, or peddle him at the draft.

LeBrun thinks it would be a cleaner process for the Canucks to move Hughes before the trade deadline. That means the blueliner’s agent doesn’t have to get involved, and they wouldn’t have the Hughes camp basically picking their team in July. A selling point in moving him by the trade deadline is that a team would have him for two playoff runs.

Chris Johnston said the Canucks don’t want to trade Hughes. However, their struggles this season will make it difficult for them to convince him to stay. With the standings compressed, there’s still time to save their season, but that means trying to bolster their roster.

SPORTSNET: During his latest “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said he believed the Canucks and the Detroit Red Wings discussed Hughes. He thinks that there could be a deal to be made if they want to do one.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of these clubs seemed to be conducting due diligence regarding Hughes. The Canucks don’t appear to be shopping him at this point, and it doesn’t seem like they’re open to offers for him.

That could change later in the season if the Canucks fail to improve and Hughes is noncommittal about signing an extension next summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Meanwhile, Michael Russo and Joe Smith reported the Minnesota Wild have “significant interest” in Kiefer Sherwood. The 30-year-old Canucks winger is UFA-eligible in July.

The Wild reportedly offered the Canucks a good young prospect to suit their asking price, but the cost has been raised. They now want a good roster player and are also seeking a first-round pick.

It’s rumored the Canucks remain interested in sidelined Wild center Marco Rossi, but Russo and Smith don’t see them trading Rossi for Sherwood.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A roster player and a first-rounder is a high price for Sherwood. It’s doubtful that any club will pony up that much to get him.

The Canucks were interested in Rossi during the offseason. During his podcast on Monday, Elliotte Friedman said the Wild asked about Aatu Raty, but the Canucks didn’t want to move him because they wanted to give him a chance.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman said the Canucks asked the Philadelphia Flyers about Owen Tippett in a return for Sherwood. However, he thinks the Flyers want to hang on to the 26-year-old winger. The trade rumors may have bothered Tippett, and Friedman thinks they’re trying to tell the winger that it’s not their doing.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tippett’s been the subject of trade conjecture since the summer. However, the Flyers believe the three-time 20-goal scorer has 30-goal potential. He’s got another six seasons remaining on his contract, so they think he can elevate his game to another level.










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.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 7, 2025

by | Dec 7, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 7, 2025

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the Devils reportedly spoke to the Canucks about Quinn Hughes, and the Oilers could be interested in Penguins goalie Tristan Jarry.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the New Jersey Devils are looking around to see what’s in the trade market.

Friedman believes they had a conversation with the Vancouver Canucks about Quinn Hughes soon after the Canucks informed the rest of the league that they’re open for business. He doesn’t believe that anything is imminent or how far those discussions went, but thinks that there was a conversation about where things stand and where they might be going.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes’ contract expires at the end of next season. The 26-year-old defenseman has been the subject of conjecture suggesting he could be reunited with his brothers, Jack and Luke, who both play for the Devils.

Hughes was asked about the report following the Canucks’ win over the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. He said that he wasn’t part of a call involving Canucks president Jim Rutherford and Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald, but stated that he was aware that things like that might happen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils may have been conducting due diligence regarding Hughes, such as asking the Canucks to keep them in mind if they decide to trade the superstar blueliner. He’s reportedly not among the players the Canucks are willing to move before the March 6 trade deadline, focusing more on those who are eligible to become unrestricted free agents next July.

Nevertheless, this is only going to stoke speculation that Hughes will be traded if he remains noncommittal about signing a contract extension next summer. He lacks no-trade protection, giving the Canucks a broad field of potential trade partners.

The move could take place during the summer, when teams have more cap space and a willingness to make blockbuster deals. However, as we saw with Mikko Rantanen last season, we can’t dismiss the possibility of a major move occurring before the March trade deadline.

Two of their trade targets also include Nashville Predators forwards Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly. Stamkos, 35, has a full no-movement clause. The 34-year-old O’Reilly lacks no-trade protection, but Friedman said the veteran center has been promised verbally by Predators management that he will have a say.

The Devils are pressed against the salary cap. Friedman believes any move they make will have to be a dollar-in, dollar-out situation, meaning they must move salary in any deal they make. He also has nothing from the New Jersey side about what it would take to get Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes is a superstar, and that means parting with multiple assets. The Canucks will likely want a multiplayer return, including promising blueliner Simon Nemec, at least one of their top prospects, and a couple of draft picks (including a first-rounder).

They won’t have to part with as much for aging stars like Stamkos or O’Reilly. Nevertheless, it will mean moving a salaried player as part of the return. And no, that doesn’t mean Jack Hughes, Jesper Bratt, Timo Meier, Nico Hischier, or Luke Hughes would be moved. Dougie Hamilton surfaced during the summer in the rumor mill, but he has a 10-team trade list and insists he wants to stay in New Jersey.

Friedman believes there is legitimate interest by the Edmonton Oilers in Pittsburgh Penguins goaltender Tristan Jarry. However, it would be extremely complicated and might not be possible.

Jarry is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5.375 million. However, the Penguins will not retain salary, and the Oilers are cap-strapped and would have to shed salary. It would not be a Jarry for Stuart Skinner situation, as they’d prefer to pair Jarry with Skinner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That sounds like a move that might have to happen during the offseason, when the Oilers will have more cap room to work with. However, by that point, the situation could change. Jarry could struggle again, or a better goalie might become available.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 6, 2025

by | Dec 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 6, 2025

Could the Devils attempt to acquire Predators winger Steven Stamkos? Were the Canucks scouting Canadiens forward Zach Bolduc? What’s the latest on Alex Formenton? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols weighed in on a recent rumor suggesting the Devils may be interested in Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos.

Nichols noted that the Devils were among the few suitors for Stamkos when he went to free agency in July 2024. While his production has declined with the Predators, it could improve playing with the Devils, where he’d have playmakers such as Jesper Bratt and a healthy Jack Hughes to set him up.

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

Nevertheless, a Stamkos trade would be a risky move. He’s 35, with two years remaining on his contract, which carries an average annual value of $8 million. A potential trade would require the Predators to retain some salary, which means increasing the compensation going to Nashville.

Nichols wondered if a prospect such as Seamus Casey and two second-round draft picks would be enough to land Stamkos.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have been struggling to score lately, partly because Hughes is sidelined with an injured hand. Once he returns, they could still seek a reliable scorer.

Stamkos probably isn’t the only one they’re considering, assuming he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause to go to New Jersey. Management will likely remain patient and see what other options emerge in the trade market as more teams fall by the wayside in the playoff chase.

TVA SPORTS: CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal claimed the Montreal Canadiens and Minnesota Wild are two teams with an interest in Kiefer Sherwood. The 30-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July, and the two sides aren’t any closer to a contract extension.

The Canucks recently scouted the Canadiens during their game against the Ottawa Senators on Tuesday. They’re interested in getting a young player in exchange for Sherwood, and Dhaliwal wondered if they might target someone like Canadiens winger Zack Bolduc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are interested in adding to their forward line, preferably a second-line center. However, giving up the 22-year-old Bolduc (who was acquired from the St. Louis Blues last summer) for the 30-year-old Sherwood goes against the Habs’ habit of bringing in players in their twenties with term remaining on their contracts.

The Canadiens probably prefer to offer up a draft pick or prospect for Sherwood. If the asking price is Bolduc, they might look elsewhere for help at forward.

TSN: Darren Dreger believes Alex Formenton could become an offer-sheet candidate next summer.

The 26-year-old Ottawa Senators forward is a restricted free agent who is now ineligible to play in the NHL this season because he wasn’t signed by the Dec. 1 deadline for an RFA contract.

In September, Senators general manager Steve Staios said Formenton would not be returning to the club, as both sides believed it was best for him to have a fresh start elsewhere. Staios attempted to trade Formenton this fall, but couldn’t find any takers.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 5, 2025

by | Dec 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 5, 2025

Are the Devils interested in Predators forward Steven Stamkos? Could the Stars pursue Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood or Flames forward Blake Coleman? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

STEVEN STAMKOS LINKED TO THE DEVILS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils are believed to have internally discussed Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos, among several other trade targets.

Stamkos, 35, is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $8 million and a full no-movement clause. LeBrun doubts that he’s going anywhere this season, but indicated that the Predators “would definitely listen to calls on him.”

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

The Devils were among the suitors for Stamkos when he was an unrestricted free agent in 2024. LeBrun suggests this is something to keep an eye on as we get closer to the March 6 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Stamkos’ production since 2023-24 likely means the Devils won’t have to put together a significant offer to pry him away from the Predators, assuming he’ll waive his NMC.

Cap space will be a sticking point. The Devils have a projected $3.6 million in trade deadline cap room. Even if they convince the Predators to retain salary (which will raise their asking price), they still must free up more cap space to acquire Stamkos.

HOW WILL THE STARS REPLACE TYLER SEGUIN?

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the recent injury to Tyler Seguin could turn the Dallas Stars into more aggressive buyers by the trade deadline.

Seguin suffered what could be a season-ending knee injury earlier this week. The Stars currently have just over $3 million in cap space, but that’s with sidelined forwards Matt Duchene and Adam Erne and defenseman Nils Lundkvist on long-term injury reserve (LTIR)

If Seguin is out for the season (including the playoffs), he’ll go on season-ending long-term injury reserve (SELTIR). That would enable the Stars to spend up to the entirety of his $9.85 million cap hit to exceed the cap to another player.

On the other hand, if Seguin is expected to return later in the regular season or during the playoffs, the LTIR benefit is limited to last season’s average league salary, which was just over $3.8 million.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos goes into greater detail regarding the changes to the LTIR policy and how it would affect the Stars’ efforts to replace Seguin.

If Seguin’s gone for the season, she speculates the Stars could trade for a forward with an expensive cap hit to replace him on the roster. If he is to return later this season, the Stars will have to be more conservative in their efforts to add to their roster.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston noted that the Stars were reportedly among the clubs interested in Vancouver Canucks winger Kiefer Sherwood. His $1.5 million cap hit would make him a very affordable trade option.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Stars and the Toronto Maple Leafs are showing a strong interest in Blake Coleman. The 32-year-old Calgary Flames winger is signed through 2026-27 with an AAV of $4.9 million and a 10-team no-trade list.

Murphy claimed the Utah Mammoth, Minnesota Wild, and Carolina Hurricanes have also been linked to Coleman. He believes the Flames winger could be a cost-effective option who could move earlier than more expensive teammates such as Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Seguin goes on SELTIR, the Stars will be in a better position to pursue Coleman than the cap-strapped Leafs. The Mammoth, Hurricanes, and Wild would be in an even better cap position and could have more tradeable assets to work with.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2025

by | Dec 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2025

The latest speculation regarding Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, plus the latest on the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHERE COULD QUINN HUGHES GO IF HE LEAVES THE CANUCKS?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma noted the uncertainty over Quinn Hughes’ future with the Vancouver Canucks has led to a growing line of suitors for the 26-year-old superstar defenseman.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes has a year remaining on his contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, 2027. If an extension isn’t in the works, Kuzma believes the Canucks could move him for a multiplayer return to get younger and eventually better.

Kuzma thinks any team acquiring Hughes will want assurances he’ll be more than a one-year rental player. He thinks ties to certain teams could determine where the former Norris Trophy winner could land.

The Detroit Red Wings could be an option, given that Hughes spent his formative years in Michigan with the US National Team Development Program and the NCAA Wolverines. Kuzma speculated the Canucks could push for winger Lucas Raymond, rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, rookie center Nate Danielson, and a 2026 first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: To which Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman will reply, “Well, thanks for the call, and the best of luck in your future endeavors”. Giving up Raymond would blow a big hole in their forward lines. It’s also unlikely he’d give up both Sandin-Pellikka and Danielson.

Kuzma also noted the obvious tug for Hughes to head to New Jersey, where his brothers (Jack and Luke) play for the Devils. There’s also the Philadelphia Flyers, who are coached by former Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The asking price for the Devils would be defenseman Simon Nemec and a first-round pick in 2026 for sure. Center Dawson Mercer and rookie winger Arseny Gritsyuk would also likely be part of it.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reported a Flyers source claimed the team hasn’t had any conversations with the Canucks about Hughes, but they are interested in him.

Di Marco speculated that winger Tyson Foerster and top prospect Porter Martone could be part of the Canucks’ asking price. He thinks the Flyers would prefer sending a package to Vancouver centered around a defenseman like Jamie Drysdale or Cam York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks would likely hold firm to their projected offer rather than one centered around Drysdale or York. The Flyers probably won’t get into the bidding for Hughes, based on Di Marco’s comment that they don’t want to gut their roster in a trade.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently looked at which members of the Toronto Maple Leafs were most likely to be traded and those who are not.

Of the most likely trade candidates, Dixon listed forwards Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann, and Matias Maccelli as those who might have more value to another team than the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s been a fixture in trade rumors since the summer of 2024. He shows flashes of scoring potential, but he remains unable to establish himself as a reliable top-six forward.

McMann had a promising 20-goal performance last season, but has just six in 26 games thus far this season. The Leafs hoped Maccelli might regain the 57-point form of his 2023-24 season, but he has only nine points in 22 games and was a healthy scratch in three of the Leafs’ last four games.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos suggested the Leafs might be able to draw on their goaltending depth at the trade deadline.

If Anthony Stolarz can establish himself as a 1A or 1B goalie with Joseph Woll once he returns from injury, Kypreos suggested dangling a goalie prospect such as Dennis Hildeby or Artur Akhtyamov as a trade chip. If Hildeby shows he’s ready for a larger role, that could make Stolarz a trade candidate, though they’d have to work around his 16-team no-trade list.

Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs’ biggest need is finding a puck-moving defenseman to take some of the burden off of Morgan Rielly.