Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 27, 2025

by | Jul 27, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 27, 2025

The Penguins are the team to watch in this summer’s trade market. Find out why and whether there’s a market for goaltender Tristan Jarry in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Matt Larkin recently discussed why the Pittsburgh Penguins have the chance to make some trades before the regular season begins in October.

Larkin believes they have trade chips that a lot of teams could use. He noted the offseason narrative suggests they’re the one team committed to rebuilding and tanking the season to win the draft lottery, with top prospect Gavin McKenna being the prize in the 2026 draft.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

Two of those trade chips are forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Some clubs need a top-six forward (Toronto, Winnipeg, Buffalo) if they can make the money work.

Erik Karlsson is the intriguing name for Larkin. He thinks he could become a bargain if the Penguins retain half of his cap hit. The Detroit Red Wings could benefit from his veteran savvy and puck-moving skills on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust, Rakell and Karlsson are the most mentioned players in this summer’s trade rumors. One of them could be moved before the regular season begins.

It’s believed that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is willing to listen to trade offers, but he’s not in a hurry to move those players. They remain under contract beyond next season, so there’s no immediate fear of losing them for nothing to free agency.

Karlsson is the bigger name, but his contract is a sticking point. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value through 2026-27. After receiving his signing bonus earlier this month, he’s owed $11.5 million in actual salary over the next two seasons.

Some teams are carrying over $10 million in cap space for this season. One of them could take on the Penguins’ share of his cap hit, but the contract is still difficult to move.

Karlsson’s no-movement clause remains in effect, giving him full control over where the Penguins could trade him. His age (35) and declining performance are additional stumbling blocks.

Rust ($5.125 million AAV through 2027-28) and Rakell ($5 million AAV through 2027-28) are a little younger and more affordable. Still, the Penguins could be pressured to retain part of their salary to facilitate a deal.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato wondered if the Penguins’ recent addition of goaltender Arturs Silovs might lead to them trading Tristan Jarry. The 31-year-old starting goaltender has struggled in recent years and spent part of last season in the minors.

Amato noted the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to Jarry in the rumor mill. Given the netminder’s performance, the Oilers would be taking a chance on him. However, they wouldn’t have to give up much to get him, and the Penguins might retain part of his $5.375 million AAV.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski also noted the conjecture tying Jarry to the Oilers. He suggests the Penguins could get a second and a fourth-round pick for him, or perhaps a third rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The lack of quality goalie depth in the trade and free-agent markets would make the acquisition of Jarry feel like a desperation move by the Oilers. Management indicated they would look at improving their goaltending, but didn’t rule out retaining their current tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

Cap space is an issue for the Oilers. They have just over $225,000 remaining, meaning they must move salary out to acquire Jarry even if the Penguins retained half of his AAV.

The Oilers could stick with Skinner and Pickard to start the season and see how things unfold in the trade market.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2025

by | Jul 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 25, 2025

The latest on Pittsburgh’s Erik Karlsson, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell, and potential trade targets for the Penguins in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Sonny Sachdeva recently listed five potential trade destinations for Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson.

The Penguins carry $10 million of the 35-year-old Karlsson’s $11.5 million cap hit. Sachdeva noted that Karlsson was paid his $5 million signing bonus on July 1, meaning he’s owed $11.5 million in actual salary over the remaining two years of his contract.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, but he could be open to waiving it to join a contender. The Penguins also have a logjam of right-shot defensemen after acquiring Matt Dumba from the Dallas Stars earlier this month.

The Vegas Golden Knights topped Sachdeva’s list, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes, Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Ottawa Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: All five teams have been previously mentioned as trade destinations for Karlsson if he agrees to waive his NMC. Whether any of them are interested remains to be seen.

Any deal involving Karlsson could mean the Penguins retain part of his annual salary-cap hit to facilitate a trade. Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas could be keen to get as much of Karlsson’s cap hit off his books, but he won’t just give him away. He’ll want a return that also helps with the rebuilding of his roster.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe believes trading a forward like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell will sting for the Penguins, but it’s the right move for this rebuilding club to make.

Yohe commends Dubas for not rushing into trading either player, especially when the offers weren’t that great. However, he thinks both forwards could command a first-round pick or a top prospect. Moving them would also clear considerable cap space for the next three seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A lot of clubs remain flush with cap space this summer. Some of them could use experienced top-six wingers like Rust and Rakell.

Nevertheless, they might still be with the Penguins when their season opens in October. Interested parties could also remain patient, assessing their early-season roster needs before pulling the trigger.

They could also prefer waiting to see how well the 33-year-old Rust and 32-year-old Rakell perform this season. Any decline in their play could scare off potential suitors, especially considering they’re each averaging at least $5 million annually through 2027-28.

Speaking of Rust, David Staples of the Edmonton Journal recently reported on some speculation tying him to the Oilers. However, they lack the cap space to take on his contract even if the Penguins retained half of his $5.125 million AAV.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently looked at a couple of trade targets for the Penguins.

The first is winger Yegor Chinakhov, who has requested a trade from the Columbus Blue Jackets. Kingerski suggested the 24-year-old could be a reclamation project akin to their acquisition of Philip Tomasino last season from the Nashville Predators.

Kingerski also suggested acquiring the contract of permanently sidelined goaltender Carey Price from the Montreal Canadiens. The Penguins have the cap space to take on his full $10.5 million cap hit, while only paying $2.5 million actual salary once his $5 million bonus is paid on September 1.

The Canadiens would like to move Price off their books, enabling them to accrue cap space this season. Kingerski suggests the Habs might be willing to include a second-round pick in the deal, if not more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season is the final one for Price’s contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

by | Jul 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

The latest on Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and an update on Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON, BRYAN RUST AND RICKARD RAKELL

THE SPORTING NEWS: Sam Bernardi cited Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli claimed recently that the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams that spent some time investigating Erik Karlsson.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

The 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.5 million, of which the Penguins carry $10 million. However, in actual salary, he’ll be paid $11.5 million over the remainder of his deal.

Seravalli also suggested the Penguins might have to retain salary to entice clubs to pursue Karlsson. Bernardi believes the Hurricanes would have to move Sean Walker or Jalen Chatfield to make room for Karlsson on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson could be moved this summer if he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause, and if the Penguins agree to eat a chunk of his AAV in the deal.

Karlsson is more likely to be moved near the March trade deadline, depending on his performance this season and how much salary the Penguins are willing to retain.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski calculated the trade values of Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. He indicated that the Penguins have set a “sky-high” asking price for both forwards.

Kingerski doesn’t expect Rust or Rakell would fetch anything comparable to what the Buffalo Sabres received for JJ Peterka or what the New York Islanders got for Brock Nelson.

Rakell might be worth a good B+ level prospect or player, a draft pick in the range 25th to 48th overall, and a depth NHL player. The “sky-high” asking price for Rust might be a guaranteed first-rounder and a promising young player who might become a first-line forward within a couple of seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with all speculation over the trade value of a player, Rust and Rakell could bring in returns that are better or worse than predicted. Much depends on their performances this season and the level of desperation of the clubs interested in acquiring them.

AN UPDATE ON THE DOUGIE HAMILTON TRADE SPECULATION.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: If the Devils intend to trade Dougie Hamilton this summer, James Nichols believes it could hinge on what happens with several other defensemen in the rumor mill.

Hamilton, 32, has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million and a 10-team trade list. He could become a salary-dump trade candidate if the cost of re-signing restricted free agent (RFA) blueliner Luke Hughes exceeds $7 million annually. The Devils currently have around $6.9 million in cap space for 2025-26.

One is Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old blueliner is eligible for unrestricted free agent (UFA) status next July. It’s believed he’d like a change of scenery and he carries an affordable $4.5 million cap hit this season.

The other, of course, is Erik Karlsson of the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson would be the more desirable of the two in the trade market given his age, all-around skill and cap hit. The Flames are believed to be willing to entertain offers but they aren’t shopping him. General manager Craig Conroy said he’s fine with Andersson being in the lineup this season.

If Andersson and Karlsson are holding up the trade market for defensemen, and if Hughes’ next contract exceeds their current cap space, the Devils might have to consider moving someone other than Hamilton to become cap-compliant.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

by | Jul 20, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

Recent updates on Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Erik Karlsson and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently released his updated offseason trade board.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of this is a rehash of previously reported rumors by Kypreos. However, it’s been a slow weekend for rumors, so I’m including them as a recap.

The big question regarding Jason Robertson is whether the Dallas Stars are willing to sign him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old left winger is among the Stars’ top scorers and is a restricted free agent next summer.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley as RFA-eligible with arbitration rights next summer. However, they have over $27 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to re-sign both to expensive new contracts if they choose.

Robertson was mentioned in trade rumors after the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. However, it doesn’t appear as though there was any serious effort on their part to move him. That could change if they fail to stage a Cup run next spring.

Three members of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson) are on the list. It doesn’t include Sidney Crosby but Kypreos suggests keeping a close eye on the Penguins captain.

Kypreos claimed there’s “a ton of interest” in Rust. The 33-year-old wing has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Rakell also has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million, but carries an eight-team no-trade list. He could interest teams that are still seeking top-six scoring depth.

Karlsson is now owed a total of $11.5 million in actual salary over the final two years of his contract. If the Penguins retained part of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million cap hit, the 34-year-old defenseman could become an appealing trade target.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Pittsburgh claim Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t shopping Rust and Rakell but is willing to listen to offers. There has been little indication that he’s willing to retain any part of Karlsson’s salary; he’ll have to if he intends to move the aging blueliner at some point.

As for Crosby, he’s in the first season of the two-year extension he signed last fall. All the speculation about him leaving the Penguins isn’t originating from Pittsburgh. Indeed, the local media is constantly reminding everyone that Crosby wants to stay put.

That could change, of course, but until it does, there’s nothing to see here.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri was added to the list. Given how thin the depth is for centers and his performance last season, the 34-year-old’s stock has never been higher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos claimed that Kadri was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Toronto and Montreal. Previous reports indicate Kadri hasn’t requested a trade and the Flames aren’t willing to move their top center and leading scorer. If they were, the Maple Leafs lack the trade assets to acquire him, and the Canadiens aren’t giving up assets for a center who turns 35 in October with an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29.

Speaking of the Flames, Kypreos believes Rasmus Andersson will most likely be playing on a new team by the March trade deadline. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and there’s no indication he’ll sign an extension before then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’ll definitely be moved if the Flames are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline.

Kypreos wondered if Morgan Rielly might waive his no-movement clause for a fresh start elsewhere. The 31-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m guessing Rielly has no intention of waiving his NMC.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, Kypreos adding Brandon Carlo to the list. While it’s hard to believe the Leafs could trade the recently acquired defenseman, a lack of sufficient trade assets to acquire a scoring forward could make Carlo expendable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos published this list before the Leafs acquired checking-line forward Dakota Joshua. He won’t address that need for a scoring winger, which suggests they’re shoring up depth elsewhere in the lineup instead. That would mean the current makeup of their top-six forwards is what we’ll likely see to start the season in October.

According to Kypreos, the Jordan Kyrou trade rumors won’t go away. St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong would like to make more changes to his roster, and he could move the 27-year-old winger for a big return. Kyrou is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.l25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kyrou rumors died away on July 1, when his full no-trade clause kicked in.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 32-year-old carries a $9 million AAV for the next three seasons with a 10-team no-trade list. Kypreos wondered if they might move Hamilton for a return that brings back a solid contributor. He thinks we could get a clearer picture once the Devils re-sign blueliner Luke Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out, especially with a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space this summer. That doesn’t mean Hamilton is certain to be traded, but it could make it easier if one of the teams not on his no-trade list is interested in him.

The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the latter the subject of trade conjecture. Wild GM Bill Guerin said he’ll match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center. Kypreos believes there could be clarity on this once the Wild sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos suggests Guerin could be unwilling to part with Rossi until he knows for certain how much it’ll cost to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wild GM recently insisted that his club wants to retain Rossi.

The Colorado Avalanche must sort out Martin Necas’ future. The 26-year-old forward is a year away from UFA status and could seek around $10 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $26 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. There’s plenty of room to re-sign Necas, but they must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Cale Makar to the hefty raise that he’ll seek when his contract expires in 2027.

Jonathan Marchessault could become a trade candidate if the Nashville Predators decide to shed one of their expensive long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz shot down speculation that Marchessault was unhappy in Nashville and would welcome a trade. He’s got a full no-movement clause. Trotz said he wanted to allow his veteran core to rebound from last season’s poor performance.

The Florida Panthers must shed salary to become cap-compliant if Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t start the season on long-term injury reserve. Winger Evan Rodrigues could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to create some salary cap space by peddling defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Kypreos wonders if the Seattle Kraken’s addition of left-side defenseman Ryan Lindgren could make blueliner Jamie Oleksiak available.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2025

by | Jul 15, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 15, 2025

Will the Penguins trade Erik Karlsson or Tristan Jarry this summer? What does the future hold for Canadiens winger Patrik Laine and defenseman Mike Matheson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

TRIBLIVE.COM: Mark Madden believes the Pittsburgh Penguins’ recent acquisition of right-shot defenseman Matt Dumba “indicates that Erik Karlsson’s exit is pending and promising 19-year-old prospect Harrison Brunicke won’t make the team.”

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Madden thinks landing Dumba is the first domino. He believes Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is primed to make a flurry of trades.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since dealing for Dumba last Thursday, Dubas acquired promising goaltender Arturs Silovs from the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday. Other moves could be in the works, but whether they involve Karlsson remains to be seen.

TSN: Travis Yost wonders if Karlsson might land with a Canadian team like the Toronto Maple Leafs and Edmonton Oilers or reunite with his first NHL team, the Ottawa Senators. He believes the 35-year-old puck-moving defenseman would benefit under “the right structure, defense partner, and deployment insulation to reestablish himself as a difference-maker.”

Yost acknowledged Karlsson’s defensive shortcomings, but believes his offensive contributions remain significant at even strength and on the power play that he’s still a valuable contributor.

The Maple Leafs need to restore some of the offensive pop they lost by trading Mitch Marner. There are questions about defenseman Morgan Rielly’s long-term status in Toronto. Yost thinks Karlsson could be a fit there if the Penguins retain a big piece of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million annual cap hit through 2026-27.

Yost suggested that Oilers superstars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl can only benefit from adding another blueline playmaker. He also proposed the possibility of the Oilers moving Darnell Nurse and his $9.25 million cap hit as part of a bigger trade.

As for the Senators, Karlsson might be willing to return to Ottawa now that the club has new ownership. Their core players are no longer young, their window to contend is now, they have over $4 million in cap space, and Nick Jensen’s contract comes off their books at the end of this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything’s possible, but it seems unlikely that Karlsson will join one of those three clubs.

The Leafs could be the better fit, but it’ll still require some complicated salary-cap juggling to make it happen, something that might have to wait until closer to the trade deadline. They don’t have many tradeable assets (draft picks, prospects, young players) to use as trade bait.

Nurse was reportedly asked if he would waive his no-movement clause, but he declined. As for the Senators, they might not be among the teams Karlsson would accept being traded to. His career is winding down, and so are his chances of winning the Stanley Cup. It’s rumored he would waive his NMC to join a contender.

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek noted the Penguins’ acquisition of Silovs from the Canucks earlier this week. With Joel Blomqvist poised to take on a significant role this season, Marek wondered where starting goalie Tristan Jarry might end up and how much the Penguins will have to pay to move him.

“Could this be a deal for the Edmonton Oilers?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No. No, it couldn’t. Jarry is more inconsistent than Skinner, and he’s signed through 2027-28.

Granted, there aren’t many palatable options that could be considered upgrades for the Oilers’ goaltending position, but Jarry’s record over the last three years and his limited playoff experience don’t inspire confidence.

By the way, some fans have wondered if the Oilers might pursue former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart if he is found not guilty in the sexual assault trial involving members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team.

Daily Faceoff’s Jason Gregor stated that any report linking the Oilers to Hart is incorrect. They won’t be approaching him even if he’s found not guilty.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau wondered about the status of Patrik Laine. The 28-year-old Montreal Canadiens winger is in the final year of his contract with a cap hit of $8.7 million.

GM Kent Hughes must decide if he’ll re-sign Laine for the same amount or less than market value, move him before the March deadline, or let him depart via free agency next July.

Proteau observed Hughes isn’t under pressure to move Laine imminently, but the longer he goes without a contract extension, the more likely his time with the Canadiens will come to an end.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine surfaced briefly in trade rumors this spring, but Hughes and Jeff Gorton (the Canadiens’ executive VP of hockey operations) shot them down.

Laine missed the first two months of the season with a knee injury. He scored 20 goals in 53 games, with a team-leading 15 power-play goals, but struggled at even strength and was banged up down the stretch.

His future in Montreal will be determined by his performance this season.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that Gorton believes Mike Matheson remains a key cog on the Canadiens’ blueline.

The 31-year-old defenseman was the subject of trade speculation after they acquired Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders last month. Like Laine, he’s a year away from UFA status.

However, Gorton praised Matheson’s overall play, experience and leadership. Murphy speculates he could end up on the top pairing alongside Dobson this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matheson’s occasional defensive gaffes made him the target of criticism from Canadiens fans, prompting some to suggest he be used as trade bait for a second-line center. However, the limited options in the trade market to address that need suggest they’ll hang onto him for this season. It wouldn’t be surprising if they sign him to an extension.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 12, 2025

by | Jul 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 12, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Erik Karlsson, and what the Oilers, Canucks and Senators have left to do this summer.

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson is willing to waive his no-movement clause to accept a trade. However, there are only a few teams he’d consider as acceptable destinations.

Johnston thinks Karlsson’s contract is easier to move now because there are only two years left. The 35-year-old defenseman is signed through 2026-27, with the Penguins carrying $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

If the Penguins move Karlsson, Johnston doesn’t think it’ll be strictly to shed salary. They view him as an asset that should fetch a reasonable return, especially if they were to retain part of his salary to facilitate a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johnston believes Karlsson could be tradeable, but he also thinks that it might not happen this summer. He didn’t say which teams the three-time Norris Trophy winner would agree to, but they could be those that he thinks would give him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup.

Karlsson agreed to sign his contract with the Sharks in 2019 because he thought they were Cup contenders after reaching the Western Conference Final that year. He accepted a trade to the Penguins because he felt that joining Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Kris Letang would give him a shot at hockey’s holy grail.

Of course, Karlsson was wrong on both counts, but as the old saying goes, the third time’s a charm.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector believes Edmonton Oilers general manager Stan Bowman will continue to explore the goaltender market in the hope of finding an upgrade between the pipes.

Spector doubts Bowman will find a suitable solution, but he also doesn’t see “a Jack Campbell-type acquisition by a desperate GM.” He suggests that something could emerge during the season, perhaps by the trade deadline, that could address this situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s little available via free agency or trade right now to improve the Oilers’ goaltending. However, that could change during the regular season as teams that fall out of playoff contention seek to shake up their rosters.

Meanwhile, in Vancouver, Iain MacIntyre believes the Canucks must remain patient and continue looking for depth at center. To create cap space to do so, he suggested winger Dakota Joshua (three years, $3.25 million AAV) and center Teddy Blueger (one year, $1.8 million).

MacIntyre also suggested looking at the market for third-string goaltender Arturs Silovs. The 24-year-old was the MVP of the AHL playoffs by backstopping the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford to the Calder Cup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a seller’s market for centers right now. The Canucks have little choice but to bide their time and hope that it improves during the season.

In Ottawa, Alex Adams believes the Senators are short of an elite top-six winger who can score. He thinks GM Steve Staios is perusing the league despite the limited options, the club’s lack of salary-cap space and assets at his disposal.

Adams suggested Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish as a possible trade target. He claims there’ve been rumblings out of Anaheim that McTavish and the Ducks aren’t a happy family.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There have also been reports dismissing the speculation about McTavish’s supposed unhappiness in Anaheim. The 22-year-old restricted free agent is coming off his entry-level contract and has little leverage in contract negotiations, but no reports suggest talks have become stalled or contentious.

One rumor this spring speculated the Ducks could move winger Cutter Gauthier off the top line and into the second-line center position, pushing McTavish down to the third line. However, there has been no indication that the Ducks are considering that option.