NHL Rumor Mill – October 10, 2025

by | Oct 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 10, 2025

Check out the latest on Rangers winger Artemi Panarin, Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Sabres forward Alex Tuch, and Avalanche forward Martin Necas in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN: With the top of next summer’s free-agent market already thinning out, Pierre LeBrun believes the focus will shift toward New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin.

The recent signings of Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov, Edmonton Oilers center Connor McDavid, Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, and Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel leave Panarin as the biggest name worth monitoring.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin is the oldest among that group of stars, turning 34 on Oct. 30. The play-making winger is coming off a seven-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.642 million.

Panarin won’t get another long-term contract. However, another solid season on his part could ensure he receives at least a three or four-year deal with an AAV close to his current number.

This situation could make things interesting for Panarin’s contract discussions with the Rangers. He reportedly rejected their offseason proposal of a short-term deal with a hometown discount. Both sides are staying silent about the subject as they await the outcome of this season.

LeBrun is also focused on Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch, and Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas. He believes the recent re-signings have affected the Kempe and Tuch negotiations.

Contract negotiations have been ongoing between Kempe and the Kings, with Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander’s contract ($11.5 million annual average value) brought up in those discussions. Connor’s new contract with the Jets ($12 million AAV) could also be mentioned, leaving LeBrun to suggest that Kempe’s next contract could be between $11 million and $12 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The case can be made that Kempe isn’t on the same skill level as Nylander and Connor and thus not worth between $11 million and $12 million. However, with the salary cap rising, his camp’s asking price would be less than 12 percent of next season’s $104 million salary cap, which would subsequently decline each year as the cap continues to rise.

LeBrun said there’s been good dialogue between Tuch and the Sabres, but nothing’s imminent. Meanwhile, Necas wanted to start this season and see how it goes, as it’ll be his first full one with the Avalanche. However, he could soon get his agent to open talks with them. LeBrun thinks Necas will eventually re-sign with the Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch told reporters last month that he’d love to sign a long-term extension with the Sabres. However, there could be another front-office housecleaning if the Sabres missed the playoffs again, which could leave Tuch facing an uncertain future in Buffalo.

As for Necas, RG.Org’s James Murphy cited an NHL source casting doubt on his finishing the season with the Avalanche, citing the club’s salary-cap crunch and the need to prioritize re-signing superstar defenseman Cale Makar.

Murphy listed the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Anaheim Ducks as possible playoff-rental destinations. The Philadelphia Flyers and San Jose Sharks could be clubs that trade for him with an extension in place.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2025

by | Oct 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 9, 2025

The Flyers are monitoring the trade market, an update on Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov, and the latest on the Oilers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLYERS SHOPPING FOR A DEFENSEMAN

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating that the Philadelphia Flyers are monitoring the trade market for a defenseman.

The Flyers are short two top-four defensemen with Cam York and Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve to open the season. James also pointed out that their third pairing is a serious weak spot.

James noted that the Flyers have $6.6 million in salary-cap flexibility after trading permanently sidelined blueliner Ryan Ellis to the San Jose Sharks earlier this week.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco also believes that the Flyers intend to use their newfound cap space to bolster their blueline. He cited sources who felt they would use it to improve their top-four defense positions.

Philadelphia Flyers winger Owen Tippett (NHL Images).

The Flyers had an interest in Bowen Byram before he signed a two-year contract extension with the Buffalo Sabres. He wondered if they might revisit their interest in Byram by dangling forward Owen Tippett and young defenseman Emil Andrae. Di Marco also mused about the possibility of pursuing Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes, citing Hughes’ good relationship with Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet.

Di Marco stated that he was merely spitballing with those suggested trade targets, adding that the Flyers have nothing imminent in the works to address their defense issues. However, if or when they do, it’ll be for an impact player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers might not get Byram or Hughes during this season. They might become available at the trade deadline at the earliest if their respective clubs are out of playoff contention by March 6. However, by that point, other options may become available that prove more realistic.

CHINAKHOV A HEALTH SCRATCH FOR THE BLUE JACKETS

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Yegor Chinakhov is expected to be a healthy scratch when the Columbus Blue Jackets open their season in Nashville on Thursday.

Chinakhov, 24, requested a trade in July, citing a lack of opportunity under head coach Dean Evason. The two sides seemed to have smoothed things over after having a meeting at the start of training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chinakhov recently changed agents, but he hasn’t rescinded his trade request. His situation will continue to be worth monitoring as the season progresses.

OILERS TALKING CONTRACT WITH KULAK

TSN: Ryan Rishaug reports the Edmonton Oilers have had some contract extension talks with defenseman Brett Kulak, but nothing is imminent.

Kulak, 31, is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July. He’s in the final season of a four-year, $11 million contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since signing superstar Connor McDavid to a short-term extension at a considerable bargain, the Oilers have wasted little time re-upping other key players, such as defensemen Mattias Ekholm and Jake Walman. They also inked UFA forward Jack Roslovic to a one-year deal.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2025

by | Oct 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 8, 2025

The potential effect of Connor McDavid’s new contract on the UFA market, the latest on Jack Eichel’s contract talks with the Golden Knights, Lane Hutson’s negotiations with the Canadiens, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HOW MCDAVID’S CONTRACT COULD AFFECT THE UFA MARKET

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes the Los Angeles Kings would’ve attempted to sign Connor McDavid had he gone to free agency next July. He also thinks the Toronto Maple Leafs, New York Rangers, and Dallas Stars would’ve been among the suitors for the 28-year-old center, who signed a two-year extension with the Edmonton Oilers on Monday.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes all eyes will be on Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar as the next big contract explosion. He claims the Avalanche have prepared for it and could just hand him a blank check. Quinn Hughes of the Vancouver Canucks could be another.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July 2027. The earliest their teams can attempt to re-sign them is July 1, 2026.

The recent signings of McDavid and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov convinced Friedman that there will be more players earning eight-figure salaries. He singled out Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor, Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe, Colorado Avalanche forward Martin Necas, and Buffalo Sabres power forward Alex Tuch.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been speculation suggesting that some NHL teams might point to McDavid accepting well below market value to stay with the Oilers to get their own superstars to do the same. However, most player agents will simply say that McDavid’s case was a unique one that has no bearing on their clients’ contract situations.

For example, Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been underpaid for years, partly because of his superstition about his No. 87, and partly because his previous contract was an extremely long one (12 years). Those deals no longer exist due to the implementation of contract term limits since 2013.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

Today, 45 players carry a higher AAV than Crosby. Not all of them are superstars.

UPDATE ON JACK EICHEL’S CONTRACT TALKS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports contract negotiations are ongoing between the Vegas Golden Knights and Jack Eichel. The 28-year-old center doesn’t want to go anywhere, and both sides are focused on an eight-year deal. LeBrun also said that Kirill Kaprizov’s $17 million average annual value with the Wild isn’t much of a factor in these negotiations.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman also noted it’s a happy marriage between Eichel and the Golden Knights, and he expects they’ll get a new deal done. He claimed the club would prefer to get Eichel and Mitch Marner for a combined $25 million. Marner is already earning $12 million annually on an eight-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Eichel is earning $10 million annually on his current contract. The Golden Knights might be offering $13 million, but he could be seeking something between $14 and $15 million.

THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens made an eight-year contract extension offer to Lane Hutson. He believes it had some salary deferral, which the Hutson camp wasn’t interested in. Both sides are taking some time now to let things cool down before resuming discussions.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman felt that Hutson was hoping to sign an extension before the start of this season. He cited several sources claiming it was “slightly below 8 x $9 million”, including some deferral to lower the cap hit. The Canadiens also pitched a Canadian retirement compensation arrangement (RCA), which many players use to soften the tax burden. Hutson’s representatives were slightly above the $9 million AAV but weren’t interested in salary deferral or the RCA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman indicated that the Canadiens still want to keep Hutson, and he still wants to stay. General manager Kent Hughes said the club’s fans shouldn’t be worried, pointing out that the 21-year-old defenseman isn’t eligible for unrestricted free-agent status until July 2031.

Hughes also acknowledged the recent new contracts for New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes and Anaheim Ducks blueliner Jackson Lacombe. He considers Hughes a better comparable for Hutson than Lacombe.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico believes the Canadiens are preparing to make a big trade during this season.

Instead of icing a 23-man roster to start this season, the Canadiens are using 22 players. In this way, they save about $775K in early-season salary obligations, which could compound into several million dollars by the trade deadline.

The Canadiens could be targeting a move before the December trade freeze (Dec. 20-27), as some teams could be pushed into becoming early sellers in the trade market. They’ll have around $14.5 million in prorated cap space by then, giving them a potential advantage over other teams.

UPDATE ON ROSLOVIC

TSN: Chris Johnston believed free-agent forward Jack Roslovic might not have to wait too long to land with an NHL team. He indicated that the Minnesota Wild and Columbus Blue Jackets are among several clubs already looking for forwards.

OTHER NOTABLE RUMORS FROM FRIEDMAN’S LATEST “32 THOUGHTS”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Philadelphia Flyers are “definitely checking” to see what’s available on defense in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: William James of Philly Hockey Now pointed out that defenseman Cam York is joining fellow Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen on injured reserve to start the season. They have over $6.6 million in cap space after trading away Ryan Ellis’ contract to San Jose earlier this week, giving them cap flexibility to add a defenseman.

The Vancouver Canucks are continuing their search for a center. The Toronto Maple Leafs want to add a top-six forward, while the Carolina Hurricanes are “always lurking.” The Ottawa Senators could attempt to make a big move this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of the Hurricanes, Friedman reported they attempted to sign Evan Bouchard to an offer sheet this summer before he eventually re-signed with the Oilers. They instead acquired blueliner K’Andre Miller from the New York Rangers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 7, 2025

by | Oct 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 7, 2025

The regular season opens on Tuesday, reaction to the Oilers re-signing Connor McDavid, the Oilers also re-sign Jake Walman, the Bruins will retire Zdeno Chara’s number, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The 2025-26 regular season opens with a triple-header on ESPN on Tuesday.

It begins with the Florida Panthers raising their second straight Stanley Cup championship banner in a pregame ceremony before facing off with the Chicago Blackhawks. New York Rangers head coach Mike Sullivan faces his former club as his team hosts the Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Colorado Avalanche.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadian hockey fans can watch these games on Sportsnet1 or TVA Sports.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychowski believes Connor McDavid put his money where his mouth is when he signed a two-year contract extension with the Oilers worth an average annual value (AAV) of $12.5 million.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

McDavid’s contract is remarkably low as he maintains the same AAV of his current deal, illustrating his seriousness about winning a Stanley Cup with the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most NHL pundits shared that opinion. With the salary cap set to rise significantly over the next two seasons, McDavid has provided the Oilers with the cap flexibility to maintain a Stanley Cup contender. It’s now up to general manager Stan Bowman to do so.

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun believes some NHL teams will try to use McDavid’s new contract as an argument for why their best players should follow his example. However, it’s unlikely to have much of an effect.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby has been underpaid for years, partly because of his superstition about the number 87, but that didn’t prevent other superstars from seeking top dollar.

The McDavid contract wasn’t the only extension announced by the Oilers on Monday. They also signed defenseman Jake Walman to a seven-year deal worth an AAV of $7 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can already see the positive effect that McDavid’s contract is having on the Oilers’ cap space for 2026-27. Had he taken a more expensive deal, they might have had more difficulty re-signing Walman.

Acquired by the Oilers at the March trade deadline, the 29-year-old Walman quickly established himself as an invaluable member of their blueline.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins will retire Zdeno Chara’s No. 33 in a ceremony before their game against the Seattle Kraken on Jan. 15, 2026.

Chara becomes the 13th player in Bruins history to have their number retired. He spent 14 of his 24-season NHL career with the Bruins, captaining them to the 2011 Stanley Cup and the 2013 and 2019 Stanley Cup Finals. He won the James Norris Memorial Trophy in 2008-09 and will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2025.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A fitting tribute for one of the greatest defensemen in Bruins history.

NEW YORK POST: Rangers forwards Artemi Panarin and J.T. Miller are good to go for their season opener against the Penguins on Tuesday. Both players were nursing injuries during the preseason.

TSN: The Rangers also signed forward Conor Sheary to a one-year contract on Monday. He joined the team in training camp and preseason on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

CALGARY SUN: Forwards Jonathan Huberdeau and Martin Pospisil will miss the Flames’ season opener on Wednesday. Both players are on injured reserve.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders defenseman Matthew Schaefer earned a roster spot for the start of the regular season. Schaefer, 18, was chosen first overall by the Islanders in the 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders can return Schaefer to his OHL’s Erie Otters after nine games without those contests counting against his entry-level contract. However, it’s expected he’ll be a full-time part of the Isles’ lineup this season.

TSN: The Toronto Maple Leafs claimed goaltender Cayden Primeau off waivers from the Carolina Hurricanes and forward Sammy Blais from the Montreal Canadiens.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators made promising defenseman Carter Yakemchuk their final roster cut on Monday. He’ll start the season with their AHL affiliate in Belleville, Ontario.

They also placed sidelined forward Drake Batherson (upper body) and defenseman Tyler Kleven (ankle) on injured reserve.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Veteran forward Luke Glendening is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Devils after attending their training camp on a PTO contract.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers defenseman Cam York (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

NHL.COM: The department of player safety suspended Tampa Bay Lightning forward Scott Sabourin for boarding Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad during their preseason game on Saturday. Lightning defenseman JJ Moser received a two-game suspension for roughing Panthers forward Jesper Boqvist during that game.

The Lightning was fined $100,000, and head coach Jon Cooper was fined $25,000 for their club’s actions during that game.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 6, 2025

by | Oct 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – October 6, 2025

The Flyers trade Ryan Ellis to the Sharks, an update on Jets forward Cole Perfetti, Matt Grzelcyk signs with the Blackhawks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW/SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Philadelphia Flyers traded defenseman Ryan Ellis and a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for winger Carl Grundstrom and defenseman Artem Guryev.

Former Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Ryan Ellis (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ellis has been on permanent long-term injury reserve (LTIR) since November 2021. He has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $6.25 million.

The Sharks have taken on the entirety of Ellis’ cap hit, while the Flyers are adding Grundstrom’s $1.8 million cap hit. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next July.

This move frees up $4.45 million in cap space for the Flyers, leaving them with over $7.2 million available. It enables them to accrue cap room throughout the season. Grundstrom was placed on waivers shortly after this trade was announced.

Meanwhile, this trade leaves the Sharks with 48 of 50 NHL contracts, freeing up room to add promising center Michael Misa and defenseman Jason Dickinson to their roster for the upcoming season.

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Jets winger Cole Perfetti is listed as week-to-week with a high ankle sprain. He suffered the injury during Friday’s preseason game against the Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Perfetti joins defenseman Dylan Samberg and center Adam Lowry on the sidelines. Samberg suffered a broken ankle during preseason, and Lowry is recovering from offseason hip surgery.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: Matt Grzelcyk signed a one-year contract with the Blackhawks. The 31-year-old defenseman earned the deal after attending training camp on a professional tryout offer (PTO).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates Grzelcyk will earn $1 million on this contract. He’ll provide experienced puck-moving ability to the rebuilding Blackhawks’ blueline. He’s coming off a career-best 40-point performance with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season.

DAILY FACEOFF: 43 players hit the NHL waiver wire on Sunday. Several goaltenders were among them, including Michael DiPietro of the Boston Bruins, Kaapo Kahkonen of the Montreal Canadiens, Nico Daws of the New Jersey Devils, Mads Sogaard of the Ottawa Senators, and Clay Stevenson of the Washington Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see if DiPietro and Stevenson clear. Both were frequently mentioned as potential waiver targets in the rumor mill.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers lost goaltender Brandon Bussi to the Carolina Hurricanes via waivers.

SPORTSNET: Tampa Bay Lightning centers Carter Schmidt and Gage Goncalves were fined for cross-checking Florida Panthers forwards Carter Verhaeghe and Evan Rodrigues during Saturday’s fight-filled preseason game.

Lightning winger Scott Sabourin will have a hearing for roughing Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad. Lightning defenseman JJ Moser will have one for boarding Panthers winger Jesper Boqvist.

CBS SPORTS: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Kyle Burroughs (upper body) was placed on injured reserve.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 23, 2025

by | Sep 23, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 23, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Luke Hughes’ contract talks with the Devils, potential suitors for free-agent goalie Carter Hart, and Alex Wennberg’s future with the Sharks. 

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes the wedge between the Devils and Luke Hughes is growing more concerning as training camp continues. 

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes, 22, is a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract. He’s missed nearly the entire first week of Devils training camp. Both sides seek a long-term deal, but cannot find common ground on the dollars. 

Nichols cited recent speculation by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman suggesting general managers around the league are doing their best to hold their ground so as not to be taken advantage of with the rising salary cap. 

Hughes’ agent, Pat Brisson, sees his client as a future No. 1 defenseman and believes he should be paid accordingly. He also doesn’t want to see Luke’s contract land on the “best bargain” list, like his brother, Jack Hughes. 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils also have $5.2 million in cap space, which would also explain why negotiations have stalled over money. 

They could get some short-term cap relief if sidelined defenseman Johnathan Kovecevic ($4 million average annual value) lands on LTIR to start the season. However, they must be cap-compliant when the season begins, which could lead to a cost-cutting trade if the AAV on Hughes’ new contract exceeds their current cap hit. 

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston reports sources are claiming the Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights are among several teams still in the mix for free-agent goaltender Carter Hart. 

Hart won’t be returning to his former team, the Philadelphia Flyers. He seeks a destination where he’ll have a clear path to playing time on a team built for success. 

It’s expected he’ll sign a two-year contract and could play some tune-up games in the AHL in mid-November before his first NHL start in early December. 

The Utah Mammoth had internal discussions about bidding for Hart, but is out of the process. The Edmonton Oilers have decided not to pursue him. 

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports Alex Wennberg faces an uncertain future with the San Jose Sharks. 

The 31-year-old center is in the second season of a two-year contract with the rebuilding Sharks. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. 

Pashelka noted that the Sharks have promising centers such as Will Smith, Michael Misa, and Filip Bystedt on their roster or within their system.