NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2026

by | Jul 17, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 17, 2026

What’s the latest on the Red Wings? Will Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli sign an offer sheet? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MORE FALLOUT FROM THE RED WINGS’ MANAGEMENT CHANGE

TSN: What’s next for the Detroit Red Wings after Steve Yzerman moved out of the general manager role?

Questions persist over whether team captain Dylan Larkin will rescind his trade request. Meanwhile, the Minnesota Wild’s efforts to land the 29-year-old center have become more complicated.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I examined those issues in greater detail in the July 16 NHL Rumor Mill.

Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat (NHL Images).

The uncertainty over who replaces Yzerman will also affect the futures of winger Alex DeBrincat and center Andrew Copp. Both are slated to become unrestricted free agents next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Goaltender John Gibson, defenseman Justin Faulk, and forward Mason Appleton are also UFA-eligible next summer.

Those UFAs will become trade bait if the Red Wings are out of playoff contention by the March 2027 trade deadline.

DeBrincat will be the most valuable trade chip. He matched his career high of 41 goals last season and set a career high in points with 85. Even if those numbers dip in 2026-27, he will still draw plenty of interest from contenders seeking a scoring winger.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan listed his potential candidates to become the Red Wings’ new general manager.

They include Boston Bruins senior advisor Kevyn Adams, Carolina Hurricanes assistant GM Tyler Dellow, Red Wings assistant GM Kris Draper, Bruins assistant GM Evan Gold, Red Wings assistant GM Shawn Horcoff, New York Rangers assistant GM Ryan Martin, and Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau included former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and former New Jersey Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald among his five-man candidate list.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman included Buffalo Sabres associate GM Marc Bergevin, Dallas Stars GM Jim Nill, Florida Panthers assistant GM Brett Peterson, and Pittsburgh Penguins hockey ops consultant Brandon Pridham among his proposed list of candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adams and Pridham could be unavailable after being recently hired by their current clubs. Bultman admits Nill is a heavy long shot as he’s unlikely to leave his current job.

The Wings have indicated their search for Yzerman’s replacement will be conducted within and outside the organization. Draper and Horcoff could be suitable options if they can’t find better options from other teams, but they might not deviate very much from the “Yzerplan”.

Gold could be the best option if they prefer a fresh approach. He’s reportedly widely respected around the league. Peterson could be another good “new blood” choice. Still, the Panthers might be reluctant to part with him after letting Sunny Mehta depart to become the New Jersey Devils’ general manager.

THE LATEST ON BLUE JACKETS CENTER ADAM FANTILLI

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Brian Hedger reports the Leo Carlsson offer sheet has made the cost of re-signing Adam Fantilli more expensive for the Blue Jackets.

Hedger believes that getting Fantilli’s signature on a contract with an average annual value between $10 million and $12 million is no longer possible. “Now, it’s anyone’s guess how much it might take to keep him.”

The Blue Jackets have $23.2 million in cap space, but Fantilli’s next contract will take a significant chunk out of it.

Meanwhile, the scheduled salary arbitrations for goaltender Jet Greaves and center Cole Sillinger will complicate efforts to re-sign Fantilli. AFP Analytics projects it will cost the Blues Jackets $4.3 million to keep Greaves and $4.2 million to retain Sillinger on one-year deals.

That would leave $14.8 million to re-sign Fantilli, which could be difficult if his asking price exceeds that amount.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have indicated that they are prepared to match any offer for Fantilli, but a rival club with cap space and the need for a first-line center could test that theory, especially if he’s still unsigned after Greaves and Sillinger receive their new contracts.

It was assumed the Flyers would use Fantilli as their “Plan B” once the Ducks matched their offer sheet to Carlsson. However, reports emerged claiming they’re not going that route after failing to land Carlsson.

The threat of an offer sheet could be meaningless if Fantilli isn’t interested in signing one.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2026

by | Jul 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 10, 2026

What’s next for the Ducks and Flyers now that the Leo Carlsson offer sheet saga is over? Which players could become offer-sheet targets? What’s the latest on Canucks center Elias Pettersson? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE DUCKS AND FLYERS?

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens wondered if the Anaheim Ducks could build a Stanley Cup contender around an $18 million player.

On Thursday, the Ducks matched the five-year, $90 million offer sheet that Leo Carlsson signed with the Philadelphia Flyers last Friday. His $18 million AAV is the highest in NHL history, taking up 17.30 percent of the Ducks’ salary cap for this season.

“Now the Ducks will try to ice a winner with a top-heavy financial structure in the same vein that the Minnesota Wild will proceed with Kirill Kaprizov and his eight-year, $136 million ($17 million AAV) contract taking effect in the coming season,” Stephens wrote.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

The Ducks’ next task is signing restricted free-agent winger Cutter Gauthier, who tallied a team-leading 41 goals and 69 points last season. The 22-year-old Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet, but that probably won’t stop him from seeking an AAV over $10 million.

With just over $9 million in cap space, the Ducks will have to shed salary to create room for Gauthier’s new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It could take the Ducks most of the offseason to hammer out a new contract with Gauthier. They still hold leverage because of the winger’s lack of arbitration rights, but playing hardball probably isn’t a good idea after making Carlsson the highest-paid player in the league for this season.

Their cost-cutting trade candidates could include wingers Chris Kreider or Alex Killorn (15-team no-trade clauses). Frank Vatrano (seven-team NTC) is the more likely option, but his declining play and injury history could make him harder to move.

Another concern is their defense corps, which lost two experienced blueliners with the departures of Jacob Trouba and John Carlson. Apart from the 35-year-old Nick Jensen, the rest of their top-six rearguards are 25 and younger. They might’ve had sufficient room to add one or two veteran defensemen if not for the Carlsson offer sheet, but that’s out the window now.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz doesn’t expect Philadelphia Flyers general manager Daniel Briere to target another player with an offer sheet after his effort to land Leo Carlsson was matched.

The Flyers’ glaring need for a first-line center remains. However, a Flyers team source indicated that the offer sheet for Carlsson was as much about circumstances as it was about the player. Their offer was well-planned, designed to put economic pressure on the Ducks to let Carlsson go.

Kurz expects the Flyers will likely turn to adding some depth players to support their promising youngsters. They must also re-sign winger Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale, who filed for salary arbitration on Sunday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some folks might suggest the Flyers pursue Dylan Larkin, but that’s not happening unless the Detroit Red Wings center is willing to expand his list of destinations to include Philadelphia. So far, he’s only added the Dallas Stars to his list, which also includes the Minnesota Wild (his prime destination), Vegas Golden Knights (who lack suitable tradeable assets) and the Florida Panthers (ditto, because they won’t part with Anton Lundell).

WHAT OTHER POTENTIAL OFFER SHEET TARGETS ARE AVAILABLE THIS SUMMER?

THE SCORE: Michael Bradburn listed the restricted free agents who are eligible to receive offer sheets this summer.

Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks and Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets headline the forwards. Bedard is sidelined for four months, recovering from shoulder surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks and Blue Jackets also have plenty of salary-cap space, meaning a club will have to overpay significantly to have any chance of successfully signing Bedard or Fantilli. Based on Kurz’s report, the Flyers aren’t looking at going the offer-sheet route again this summer.

Bradburn singled out Simon Edvinsson of the Detroit Red Wings and Arber Xhekaj of the Montreal Canadiens as the most intriguing options among the defensemen.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forget about landing Edvinsson unless you’re willing to offer him well over $12 million annually. That’s the amount the Red Wings have reportedly set aside in case someone signs the 21-year-old blueliner. As for Xhekaj, a rival club could pursue him, but that might be more through a trade than an offer sheet.

THE LATEST ON ELIAS PETTERSSON

CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal reports there’s been lots of trade talk about Elias Pettersson. However, the Vancouver Canucks have not asked the 27-year-old center to waive his no-movement clause.

“Lots of chatter but don’t believe anything is close,” Dhaliwal tweeted.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As always, Pettersson’s expensive contract and the decline in his play over the past two years remain significant sticking points that are difficult to surmount.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2026

by | Jul 9, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2026

Could the Penguins pursue Jason Robertson or Elias Pettersson? Could the Flyers pursue Adam Fantilli if their offer sheet to Leo Carlsson falls through? What’s the latest with Morgan Rielly? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports the Pittsburgh Penguins are “very much open” to acquiring Jason Robertson. They see the Dallas Stars winger as a building block for general manager Kyle Dubas.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Yohe believes there’s a real chance that Robertson would agree to play for the Penguins. Acquiring his brother, Nick, from the Toronto Maple Leafs doesn’t hurt.

Sources say the Stars still hope to sign the 26-year-old Robertson to a long-term contract. Yohe believes the Penguins wanted to have trade talks with Stars GM Jim Nill, but those discussions never got serious. “Not yet, anyway,” Yohe said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson filed for salary arbitration on July 5. His hearing will be scheduled for sometime between July 20 and Aug. 1. The schedule will be released shortly.

It’s believed Robertson wants to stay in Dallas, but he’s reportedly seeking a long-term deal worth $14 million, while the Stars are reportedly offering $12 million.

If this goes to arbitration, Robertson will get a one-year contract that takes him to unrestricted free-agent eligibility next July. That could grease the skids for his departure, making a trade to Pittsburgh (or another club of his choosing) before next summer seem more likely.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski took note of Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting that Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson could be a good fit with the Penguins.

Kingerski indicated that Friedman was merely offering his opinion, but he disagreed that Pettersson would be a good addition to the Penguins. He cited the decline in the 27-year-old center’s performance and his hefty contract, which runs through 2031-32 with an average annual value of $11.6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “Pettersson-to-Pittsburgh” speculation seems more like wishful thinking than anything based in reality. Granted, anything can happen, but his contract is so unwieldy and his struggles so well documented that it’s difficult to envision Dubas taking that chance.

COULD ADAM FANTILLI BECOME THE FLYERS’ OFFER SHEET “PLAN B”?

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco was asked if the Philadelphia Flyers would attempt to sign Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli if the Anaheim Ducks match their offer sheet for Leo Carlsson.

According to Di Marco, his sources say that’s not in the cards. One reason is that the Flyers don’t view Fantilli as worth the same money and risk as Carlsson. If they attempted to sign the 21-year-old center to a lesser offer, the Blue Jackets would likely match it.

Di Marco also noted that Cam Briere, the son of Flyers GM Daniel Briere, is a video coach with the Blue Jackets. He believes that it could also play a factor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carlsson projects to have a higher ceiling than Fantilli. Both are excellent centers, but Carlsson has superstar potential, which explains why the Flyers are willing to take the risk in making him the highest-paid player in the league.

The Flyers might not pursue Fantilli with an offer sheet, but another club could. The Blue Jackets must closely monitor his situation to avoid being blindsided like the Ducks were with Carlsson. Even if they match an expensive offer, it could mess up their salary cap plans.

UPDATE ON MORGAN RIELLY

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who recently reported the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t willing to add a big sweetener in their efforts to trade Morgan Rielly.

Friedman said he’d heard the Maple Leafs weren’t going to pay a high price to move Rielly. The 32-year-old defenseman is coming off two difficult seasons. He carries an AAV of $7.5 million for the next four seasons, along with a full no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly isn’t keen to leave the Maple Leafs, but he submitted a list of acceptable trade destinations to management. It was assumed the San Jose Sharks would be interested, but they instead acquired Darnell Nurse from the Edmonton Oilers.

The Leafs are gauging the trade market for Rielly, but it doesn’t seem like they’re desperate to move him this summer. It wouldn’t be surprising if he’s still on their blueline when the regular season opens in October.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2026

by | Jul 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2026

A look at some potential offer-sheet targets, plus the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHICH RFA PLAYERS COULD BE OFFER-SHEET TARGETS?

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at possible offer sheet targets in the wake of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet signing.

Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks are the two biggest potential targets among this summer’s restricted free agents.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Dixon wondered if any team that had contemplated an offer sheet for Carlsson would pivot to Fantilli. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks paid a heavy price to acquire and sign defenseman Bowen Byram. Dixon believes now is the time for them to lock down their franchise center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said on Monday that his club is in a position to match any offer for Fantilli. I said he wasn’t expecting the 21-year-old center to receive an offer sheet, but didn’t rule it out.

The word out of Chicago is that Bedard’s shoulder injury might put any offer sheet talk on hold. It’s believed that he remains committed to the Blackhawks and isn’t interested in signing with another team.

Dixon also looked at how the Carlsson offer sheet could affect 2027 RFA-eligible players such as Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Kirill Marchenko of the Blue Jackets, and 2028 RFAs such as Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of re-signing Celebrini and Schaefer could exceed $20 million annually. They’re superstar franchise players and will seek top dollar on their next contracts.

Michkov isn’t expected to get an extension this summer while Marchenko reportedly isn’t interested in signing one. Depending on their performances this season, their asking prices could exceed $10 million.

Sennecke’s case will be intriguing. He finished second in points (62) among last season’s rookie class and was third among voters for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He could command up to $15 million annually if he has a strong sophomore season. However, that will take a huge chunk out of the Ducks’ cap space if they match Carlsson’s offer sheet and re-sign Cutter Gauthier for at least $10 million annually this summer.

DID THE AVALANCHE LOOK INTO ACQUIRING CONNOR HELLEBUYCK?

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who claimed “a couple of teams” told him that they wondered if the Avalanche attempted to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

Friedman didn’t indicate that there were any negotiations between the Avalanche and Jets. He wasn’t sure how that deal would work between the two clubs, or what the Avs could offer, or if the Jets would be interested.

Any deal to take on Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million average annual value would mean the Avalanche would have to move out some salary in the deal or in a separate cost-cutting trade. They also lack the tradeable assets to tempt the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche management may have contacted the Jets to inquire about Hellebuyck’s availability. However, as Deen pointed out, they lack the cap space and trade capital to make it work.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

DAILY FACEOFF: cited Helene St. James of the Detroit Red Press, who reported that Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has not expanded his three-team trade list.

The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers are Larkin’s destinations of choice. St. James stated those clubs have not made offers that have intrigued the Red Wings, who seek value-now players for a first-line center with a very favorable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers made their big moves this summer by acquiring Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom. Their unwillingness to part with young two-way center Anton Lundell takes them out of the running.

Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently pointed out why the Golden Knights can’t afford Larkin. Put simply, they lack the cap space and the assets to meet the Red Wings’ asking price. They traded away their best trade chip (Pavel Dorofeyev) to the Rangers last month.

The Wild also lack cap space, but could move some money in the deal for Larkin or in a separate trade with another team. They also have some promising young players in their system. However, it’s rumored that the Wings want one of the Wild’s best players (Matt Boldy) in return, which obviously isn’t happening.

Unless one of those three teams can get a third team involved to acquire the necessary assets to acquire Larkin, he will remain with the Red Wings when next season begins, for better or for worse.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 6, 2026

by | Jul 6, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 6, 2026

The ongoing effect of the Carlsson offer sheet plus the latest on Shane Wright and Vladimir Tarasenko in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ONGOING FALLOUT FROM THE CARLSSON OFFER SHEET

THE ATHLETIC: Shayna Goldman looked at the effects the offer sheets for Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson from the Philadelphia Flyers and Utah Mammoth center Barrett Hayton from the New Jersey Devils are having around the league.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

One of the ripples is how Carlsson’s offer sheet could affect the contract negotiations for Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson. Like Carlsson, they are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts and lack arbitration rights.

The Blackhawks have sufficient salary-cap space to match any offer for Bedard. However, Goldman noted the Ducks are in the same position with Carlsson, and the Flyers’ offer sheet has thrown a wrench into their salary-cap outlook.

Goldman wondered if Carlsson’s $18 million average annual value raises the ask for Bedard and Fantilli. She also mused over what it might cost the San Jose Sharks to re-sign Macklin Celebrini next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The ripples from the Carlsson offer sheet will be wide-reaching.

It remains to be seen if Bedard, Fantilli, or Edvinsson are interested in receiving offers from rival clubs. Even if they’re not, Carlsson’s league-leading AAV sets the bar for comparable talent. For example, if Bedard feels he’s worth more, the Blackhawks could have little choice but to sign him rather than risk a protracted contract standoff that could grease the skids for his departure.

The Sharks can sign Celebrini to a contract extension now and were reportedly working toward doing so. They don’t have to worry about an offer sheet, but Carlsson’s new AAV could push the cost of re-signing him much higher than the Sharks anticipated.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Blue Jackets continue to negotiate with Fantilli, hoping to sign him before another team steps forward with an offer sheet.

Portzline wondered if the Flyers might pursue Fantilli if the Ducks match their offer to Carlsson by Friday. General manager Don Waddell said his club has the cap space to match any offer. “I don’t expect it, but you never know in this business,” Waddell said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline believes Waddell and the Blue Jackets will match any offer for Fantilli. Nevertheless, they might want to see if they can speed up negotiations to get the young center signed under their terms, rather than those set by a rival club.

UPDATES ON SHANE WRIGHT AND VLADIMIR TARASENKO

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols wondered if the Devils would turn to the trade market to acquire Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright if their offer sheet to center Barrett Hayton is matched by the Utah Mammoth.

The Devils signed the 25-year-old Hayton to a one-year, $4.775 million offer sheet last Wednesday. If the Mammoth fail to match it, Hayton will slot in as the Devils’ third-line center.

If the Mammoth match, the Devils will have to continue searching for a third-line center. Nichols suggested the 22-year-old Wright as a trade option. He’s struggled in Seattle, and he and the Kraken have agreed that a change of scenery will benefit both sides.

Nichols acknowledged it would cost more to acquire Wright from the Kraken than the 2027 second-round draft pick they would have to give to the Mammoth as compensation for a successful signing of Hayton. Nevertheless, he believes it would be a worthwhile and affordable fallback without overpaying for a one-year rental player while buying a handful of restricted free-agent years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll know by Wednesday at the latest if the Devils will need a “Plan B” option and if Wright would be on their radar in the trade market.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins and Jim Matheson disagree over whether Vladimir Tarasenko would be a good fit with the Oilers. The 33-year-old right wing is among the few notable players remaining in this summer’s thin unrestricted free-agent market.

Leavins suggested Tarasenko as a possible answer to the Oilers’ need for a top-six winger. However, Matheson noted his footspeed has declined, and he didn’t think he’d be willing to accept a low-money $2 million deal.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 5, 2026

by | Jul 5, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 5, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the effect of Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet on the contract negotiations for Connor Bedard and Adam Fantilli, what it could mean for future RFAs, plus the latest on Dylan Larkin and Claude Giroux.

HOW WILL CARLSSON’S OFFER SHEET AFFECT BEDARD AND FANTILLI?

CHICAGO SUN-TIMES: Ben Pope reports Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, and Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson were waiting to see which one would set the market for their new contracts.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

The trio are restricted free agents coming off their entry-level contracts. On Friday, Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers worth a league-leading average annual value of $18 million.

Pope doubted that Bedard would be targeted with an offer sheet for several reasons, including the center’s frequent communication with Blackhawks management and his intention to remain with the franchise for the long term. Still, nothing can be ruled out after Carlsson signed with the Flyers.

Before the Carlsson offer sheet, a new contract for Bedard might have cost the Blackhawks between $13 and $16 million, assuming it went the maximum of eight years. Now, the Bedard camp could seek $18 million or more, up to the league maximum of $20.8 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sam Carchidi wondered if Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli might be the Flyers’ next target if the Ducks match the offer sheet for Leo Carlsson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell just came off a difficult week, during which he nearly traded Zach Werenski to the Dallas Stars amid reports that the defenseman wouldn’t sign a contract extension next summer, plus he had to deal with a similar contract situation with winger Kirill Marchenko.

While those situations have been resolved, at least for now, the effect of the Carlsson offer sheet on his contract negotiations with Fantilli could be another headache for Waddell.

Whatever figure Waddell was offering the Fantilli camp, he will likely have to raise it significantly if he hopes to re-sign the 21-year-old center, and now there’s the possibility that Fantilli could sign an offer sheet from a rival club.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner believes the Carlsson offer sheet likely means the New York Islanders won’t wait to sign Calder Trophy-winning defenseman Matthew Schaefer to a contract extension when he becomes eligible to do so next July 1.

Rosner wondered how high Schaefer’s next contract would be because of the Carlsson offer sheet. He speculated around $20 million annually on a seven-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It must be remembered that a player must be willing to sign an offer sheet. If Schaefer becomes a restricted free agent in two years, he could tell his agent that he’s not interested in any offers from other teams, giving him and the Islanders the breathing space necessary if contract negotiations take longer than expected to hammer out a deal over the summer.

Nevertheless, the Carlsson situation will likely force teams with rising young stars to sign them to contract extensions as soon as possible, rather than risk them becoming offer-sheet targets when they become restricted free agents.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND CLAUDE GIROUX

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Danny Webster explains why it would be difficult for the Golden Knights to acquire center Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings.

Larkin, 29, requested a trade a month ago, with the Golden Knights among the clubs on his three-team trade list.

Webster doesn’t think the Golden Knights have sufficient tradeable assets to acquire Larkin. They do possess two first-round picks in 2028, unless the one they received from the New York Rangers in the Pavel Dorofeyev trade lands in the top-10, in which case, it becomes a 2029 first-rounder.

However, the Red Wings aren’t seeking futures for Larkin; they want a return that will help them immediately, preferably a center. Webster doesn’t see the Golden Knights gutting their roster to accomplish this.

The Golden Knights aren’t giving up Jack Eichel, who has full no-trade protection. William Karlsson is in the final season of his contract and isn’t going anywhere. Hertl has a three-team trade list, but he prefers playing for teams in warm-weather climates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Minnesota Wild is Larkin’s primary trade target. They are reportedly keen to get him, but meeting the Red Wings’ asking price has proven difficult thus far.

For those folks who might still be wondering why Karlsson isn’t going anywhere or why he wouldn’t be a good fit with the Red Wings: He’s 33 years old, often injured, and the Red Wings are likely on his 10-team no-trade list.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch noted a report on Friday claimed the Philadelphia Flyers were poised to sign Claude Giroux. However, the 38-year-old forward has not made a decision yet on which club he’s signing with for next season.

The Flyers and Giroux’s former team, the Ottawa Senators, are still in the mix for Giroux. Garrioch claimed the Toronto Maple Leafs have reached out and remain “keenly interested.” The Edmonton Oilers made a pitch, but they’re reportedly no longer interested.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers’ signing of Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet on Friday likely paused their discussions with the Giroux camp until they learn whether their efforts to land the Ducks’ center have been successful. Whether Giroux’s willing to wait remains to be seen.