NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2025

by | Jul 9, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 9, 2025

Did the Islanders attempt to trade Ilya Sorokin at the draft? What’s the latest on Dougie Hamilton and Marco Rossi? Will the Capitals explore the trade market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE THE ISLANDERS CONSIDERING TRADING ILYA SOROKIN?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski cited Frank Servalli of Daily Faceoff claiming the New York Islanders considered the possibility of trading Ilya Sorokin. Seravalli made the remarks during an appearance on the Kevin Karius Show.

New York Islanders goaltender Ilya Sorokin (NHL Images).

The 29-year-old goaltender is in the second year of his eight-year contract with an average annual value of $8.25 million. Seravalli said he’d heard of speculation that the Isles had discussed a deal with the Utah Mammoth for the fourth-overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No reaction yet from those who cover the Islanders regarding this report. Any attempt to trade Sorokin would need the goaltender’s blessing. He has a full no-movement clause through 2027-28.

THE LATEST ON DOUGIE HAMILTON

B/R OPEN ICE: Daily Faceoff’s Frank Seravalli also believes the New Jersey Devils explored the trade market for Dougie Hamilton.

The 32-year-old defenseman is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $9 million. He carries a 10-team trade list for the remainder of his deal.

Seravalli doesn’t believe the Devils are intent on trading Hamilton. However, they’ll need to find some flexibility with their blueline going forward. If not, they’ll have to make some tough decisions with some of their younger defensemen, like Simon Nemec.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Utah Mammoth and Dallas Stars were believed to be among the clubs interested in Hamilton. While the Devils are getting trade calls for the puck-moving blueliner, he’s not expected to be moved anytime soon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hamilton’s cap hit and trade list will limit the potential suitors, in turn meaning few options for the Devils to get a suitable return.

The signing bonuses in his contract will also be a factor. Murphy pointed out Hamilton will receive a base salary of $1 million for this season and next, with a $7.4 million signing bonus due on July 1, 2026, and $5.25 million in actual salary for the final season with no bonus payments.

Interested clubs may have been waiting for the Devils to pay Hamilton his signing bonus for this season before expressing interest. Some might prefer waiting until next summer after his final bonus payment is made.

AN UPDATE ON MARCO ROSSI

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report that there were teams interested in acquiring Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi. However, they were offering up futures or top-six forwards, which the Wild didn’t want.

The Vancouver Canucks offered the 15th overall pick in this year’s draft, but Russo and Smith aren’t sure there was a player the Wild would’ve wanted with that pick. “If you look at Carolina, who would the Hurricanes offer other than Jesperi Kotkaniemi?”

As for Rossi’s stalled contract negotiations, they could stretch into training camp and beyond unless he signs an offer sheet. Wild general manager Bill Guerin has said he would match any offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Until a rival club steps up with a significant trade offer, it seems Rossi won’t be going anywhere this summer. If no one’s pitching an offer sheet, the 23-year-old center could have little choice but to re-sign rather than risk missing training camp and regular-season playing time that will adversely affect his performance after he inevitably re-signs with the Wild.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE CAPITALS?

NHL.COM: Tom Gulitti recently reported Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick indicated he intends to explore the trade market after plans to make a significant addition in free agency fell through.

Gulitti indicated the Capitals hope to add a top-six forward.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Capitals were among the clubs bidding for Nikolaj Ehlers before the UFA winger signed with the Hurricanes last week.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2025

by | Jul 8, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 8, 2025

Oilers winger Zach Hyman could miss the start of this season, the Hurricanes considered an offer sheet for Evan Bouchard, Matias Maccelli hopes to rebound with the Maple Leafs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPORTSNET: Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman is hoping his fractured wrist won’t keep him out of the lineup when the 2025-26 regular season begins in October.

Hyman, 33, suffered the playoff-ending injury during Game 4 of the Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. He is still wearing a cast from the surgery on his wrist.

Edmonton Oilers winger Zach Hyman (NHL Images).

The Oilers forward said he doesn’t have a timeline for the completion of his recovery, but didn’t rule out the possibility of missing the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman’s absence from the Stanley Cup Final contributed to the Oilers being beaten by the Florida Panthers for the second straight year.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Kurt Leavins cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claiming that the Carolina Hurricanes were a factor in the Oilers signing Evan Bouchard to a four-year, $42-million contract extension last month.

Friedman claimed the threat of an offer sheet from the Hurricanes spurred the Oilers to move quickly on re-signing Bouchard. Leavins sees this as proof of what other teams (especially an elite club like the Hurricanes) think of the puck-moving Edmonton blueliner, who often faces criticism from Oilers fans for his defensive miscues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing Bouchard to the Hurricanes through an offer sheet, nearly a year after the St. Louis Blues signed away Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, would’ve left Oilers management facing a firestorm of criticism. Re-signing him is also critical to their hopes of convincing franchise player Connor McDavid to sign an extension before his free-agent eligibility next July.

TORONTO SUN: Matias Maccelli is hoping to regain his scoring touch with the Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old winger was acquired from the Utah Mammoth last month. Maccelli tallied a career-high 57 points in 2023-24, but his production dropped to 18 points in 55 games last season, making him a frequent healthy scratch over the second half of the schedule.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Leafs management is also hoping Maccelli can bounce back. They’re trying to replace the offense of playmaking winger Mitch Marner, who was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights last week.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of the Mammoth, they signed Jack McBain to a five-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $4.25 million.

McBain is a physical forward who plays center or left wing. In a statement following the signing, Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong praised the 25-year-old forward’s versatility, toughness and competitiveness.

This signing comes a day after the Mammoth had filed to take McBain to salary arbitration.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McBain fills the third-line center position with the Mammoth. His play is comparable to a young Nick Bjugstad.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: The Flyers signed defenseman Cam York to a five-year contract with an AAV of $5.15 million. Despite some inconsistency in his play, the 25-year-old York plays big minutes skating alongside Travis Sanheim on the Flyers’ top defense pairing. Given the club’s limited depth on the left side of their blueline, re-signing York was critical.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s hoped that the stability of a new long-term contract and the presence of Rick Tocchet as the Flyers’ new head coach can improve York’s performance going forward.

SPORTSNET: Gavin McKenna is reportedly planning to play for Penn State University for the 2025-26 season.

The presumed top prospect in the 2026 NHL Draft, the 17-year-old winger spent last season with the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Hockey League, netting 129 points in 56 games. The Tigers were the WHL champions, and McKenna was named the CHL’s Player of the Year for 2024-25.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings hired former NHL goaltender Michael Leighton as their new goalie coach. Now 44, Leighton spent 10 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, Nashville Predators, Carolina Hurricanes and Philadelphia Flyers from 2002-03 to 2016-17. For the past three years, he served as goaltending coach for the OHL’s Windsor Spitfires.

NHL.COM: The Dallas Stars named Toby Petersen as head coach of their AHL affiliate, the Texas Stars. From 2000-01 to 2012-13, Petersen spent nine seasons as an NHL forward with the Stars, Pittsburgh Penguins and Edmonton Oilers. Over the past two years, he served as a skills coach for the Colorado Avalanche.

TAMPA BAY TIMES: The Lightning named Jeff Tambellini as their new assistant general manager. He spent the past three seasons as player development director for the Seattle Kraken. Tambellini is also a former NHL player, having spent six seasons with the Los Angeles Kings, New York Islanders, and Vancouver Canucks from 2005-06 to 2010-11.

Speaking of the Lightning, two-time Stanley Cup champion Tyler Johnson announced his retirement after 13 NHL seasons. The 35-year-old is calling it a career after battling injuries in recent years.

Johnson began his NHL career with the Lightning, spending nine seasons with them from 2012-13 to 2020-21. He spent three seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks and played briefly for the Boston Bruins last season. Johnson finishes with 433 points in 747 regular-season games and 65 points in 116 playoff contests.

TSN: NHL journeyman forward Zac Dalpe has retired. From 2010-11 to 2022-23, the 35-year-old spent 12 seasons in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Buffalo Sabres, Minnesota Wild, Columbus Blue Jackets and Florida Panthers, mostly spent bouncing between those respective clubs and their AHL affiliates. He had 32 points in 168 regular-season games and one goal in 16 playoff games.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2025

by | Jul 4, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 4, 2025

The Hurricanes land former Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers, the Sharks add defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Nick Leddy, the notable remaining UFAs, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NOTABLE UFA SIGNING NEWS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Carolina Hurricanes landed the last remaining star in the NHL unrestricted free-agent market (UFA), signing winger Nikolaj Ehlers to a six-year contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $8.5 million.

The Carolina Hurricanes signed former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: You can read my reaction to this among my live grades of this summer’s top UFA signings at Bleacher Report.

Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky was happy to add Ehlers among his top-six forwards. The cap hit is a little high, but the term isn’t bad, and it doesn’t bust their budget. With over $10.6 million in cap space, the Hurricanes will have plenty of room for other additions before the March 2026 trade deadline.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks signed UFA defensemen Dmitry Orlov and claimed blueliner Nick Leddy off waivers from the St. Louis Blues. Orlov got a two-year deal with an AAV of $6.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Orlov replaced long-time defenseman Marc-Edouard Vlasic, whom the Sharks bought out last month. He’ll be a short-term upgrade over Vlasic, whose performance declined in recent years.

Leddy became the odd man out on the Blues’ defense corps. The writing was on the wall following their acquisition of young blueliner Logan Mailloux earlier this week. Leddy is in the final season of his contract with an AAV of $4 million.

Both defensemen will provide significant experience to the rebuilding Sharks’ blueline. Their combined AAV of $10.5 million also helped the club reach the salary-cap minimum of $70.6 million.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Washington Capitals signed winger Anthony Beauvillier to a two-year contract with an AAV of $2.75 million.

DAILY FACEOFF: Center Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk and winger Max Pacioretty and Jeff Skinner are among the notables remaining in this year’s UFA market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ve quickly reached the bargain bin level of this summer’s UFA market. Some decent depth talent remains, but it’ll take several weeks (or most of the offseason) before they end up signing cost-effective short-term deals.

IN OTHER NEWS…

NEW YORK POST: Islanders head coach Patrick Roy regrets the disparaging remarks he made about the performance of struggling winger Anthony Duclair in April. He intends to apologize to the 29-year-old winger directly. Duclair took a leave of absence from the Islanders over the incident.

RG.ORG: Speaking of the Islanders, former KHL star Maxim Shabanov revealed the reasons why he chose to sign with them over other clubs earlier this week. He prioritized his role, potential linemates, and power-play systems.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens forward Kirby Dach has resumed skating. The 24-year-old center played 57 games last season before undergoing surgery on his right knee in February for the second straight year. He is reportedly ahead of schedule in his recovery and is expected to be ready for the start of the regular season.

KSL SPORTS: The Utah Mammoth has opened contract extension talks with young star Logan Cooley. He’s in the final season of his entry-level contract. Meanwhile, contract talks continue with restricted free agent (RFA) Jack McBain.

SPORTSNET: Rogers Communications Inc. has become the majority owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2025

by | Jul 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 2, 2025

Mitch Marner reveals why he left the Leafs for the Golden Knights, reaction to the biggest moves during the opening day of free agency, and much more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MITCH MARNER SHEDS LIGHT ON HIS DECISION TO LEAVE THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner was formally introduced as the newest member of the Vegas Golden Knights during a press conference in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old winger was part of a sign-and-trade agreement between the two clubs on June 30, agreeing to an eight-year, $96-million contract. Speaking with the media for the first time since the deal, he revealed the reasons why he changed teams.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Marner said Vegas was his first choice. Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said the trade between the two teams was agreed to during the first round of the 2025 NHL Draft last Friday. He said they wanted the sign-and-trade to get the eighth year on his new contract, as it slightly lowered the average annual value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Under the existing CBA, a team can re-sign its own player to a maximum eight-year contract. Had the Golden Knights waited until free agency opened on July 1 to sign Marner, the deal would’ve been a maximum of seven years.

Under the next CBA, the maximum contract will be seven years for re-signing a player, and six years if they become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) starting in 2026-27.

The Golden Knights have been interested in Marner for some time. They attempted to acquire him at the March trade deadline in a three-way deal involving the Carolina Hurricanes. However, his wife was pregnant and he didn’t want to leave Toronto at that time. “And I was still very committed to playing in Toronto, and wanted to focus on being there and finishing a job there,” Marner said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner released a statement thanking the Leafs and their fans, acknowledging that he came up short trying to end their long Stanley Cup drought.

It’s a sad end to Marner’s nine seasons in Toronto. He was one of the greatest players in franchise history, sitting fourth all-time with 520 assists and fifth with 741 points. However, his postseason struggles drew the wrath of Leafs Nation, greasing the skids for his inevitable departure.

Marner will add more offense to the Golden Knights’ forward lines, and his elite two-way game will also help them defensively. However, his hefty new contract leaves them top-heavy with expensive forwards, leaving little cap space to address their lack of overall roster depth that has prevented them from repeating as Stanley Cup champions since winning the Cup two years ago.

REACTION TO SOME OF THE NOTABLE MOVES OF THE OPENING DAY OF FREE AGENCY

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I listed most of yesterday’s notable signings and trades here. However, I was unable to post my reactions as I was busy grading the biggest UFA signings for Bleacher Report. You can read those by following this link.

The New York Rangers traded defenseman K’Andre Miller to the Carolina Hurricanes in exchange for defenseman Scott Morrow, a conditional first-round pick in 2026, and a 2026 second-round pick. The Hurricanes signed Miller to an eight-year, $60-million contract with an average annual value (AAV) of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Miller struggled with consistency during his tenure with the Rangers. The Hurricanes are betting he’ll blossom under head coach Rod Brind’Amour’s system.

The Vancouver Canucks signed goaltender Thatcher Demko to a three-year contract extension with an AAV of $8.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Demko has a year left on his current deal with a cap hit of $5 million. The 29-year-old netminder was a finalist for the Vezina Trophy in 2023-24, but a nagging lower-body injury limited him to 23 games last season.

The Canucks hope Demko’s injury woes are in the past. His new cap hit is among the league’s highest for goaltenders, but the short term suggests the injury issue remains a concern.

The Hurricanes also re-signed forward Logan Stankoven to an eight-year, $48 million contract. The AAV is $6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stankoven was acquired from the Dallas Stars as part of the return in the Mikko Rantanen trade in March. A versatile forward who can play center or wing, the 22-year-old had 38 points in 78 games last season between the Stars and Hurricanes, and five goals and eight points in 18 playoff games.

The Hurricanes are betting on Stankoven’s potential to become a second-line forward. They will be hoping this gamble pays off better than the one they made in Jesperi Kotkaniemi, who hasn’t played up to expectations as a second-line center.

The Los Angeles Kings signed forwards Corey Perry and Joel Armia, defensemen Cody Ceci and Brian Dumoulin, and goaltender Anton Forsberg.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This would be quite a haul for the Kings if most of those players were five years younger. It appears they’ve gotten older, not better.

The Boston Bruins acquired winger Viktor Arvidsson from the Edmonton Oilers for a 2027 fifth-round pick, and signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a five-year contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins did the Oilers a favor by taking Arvidsson and his $4 million cap hit off their books. However, the 32-year-old winger hasn’t been the same since back surgery sidelined him for most of the 2023-24 campaign. They brought in Jeannot to bolster their toughness, but the deal is too long and too expensive for a fourth-line forward.

The Edmonton Oilers signed winger Andrew Mangiapane to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mangiapane had a career-best season (35 goals, 55 points) in 2021-22, but his production has dropped off since then. He’s part of the Oilers’ efforts to offset the gaps in their forward lines following the departures of Arvidsson, Perry, Evander Kane and Connor Brown.

The Montreal Canadiens traded defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This deal should benefit both clubs. The Canadiens drew from their depth in young defensemen to get a promising middle-six forward who tallied 19 goals as a rookie last season. The Blues added a mobile young blueliner with top-four potential to their defense corps.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed Dan Vladar to a two-year, $6.8 million contract with an AAV of $3.4 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers’ goalie depth was dreadful last season. Vladar should be a reliable backup for young starter Samuel Ersson.

The Pittsburgh Penguins traded goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic to the San Jose Sharks for a 2028 third-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Salary dump by the Penguins, clearing his $2.3 million cap hit from their books. Nedeljkovic will back up promising Yaroslav Askarov in San Jose.

IN OTHER NEWS…

DAILY FACEOFF: Winger Nikolaj Ehlers is the top player remaining in the UFA market. Other notables include defenseman Dmitry Orlov, center Pius Suter and winger Jack Roslovic.

RG.ORG: Utah Mammoth defenseman Mikhail Sergachev is pleased with the new CBA, singling out the elimination of escrow that annually withheld a portion of a player’s salary to balance potential revenue shortfalls. With league revenues more stable and predictable, escrow is being phased out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Escrow was an annoying issue for the players for years. They’re understandably happy that they won’t have to deal with those clawbacks.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Reports suggest Flyers forward Tyson Foerster suffered a biceps injury that could sideline him for some time. Flyers general manager Daniel Briere said Foerster suffered an injury during the 2025 World Championships and came down with an infection that required surgery. There’s been no timeline for his return.

TSN: Long-time hockey analyst and insider Bob McKenzie has retired after 48 years as a journalist. His long career included stops with The Globe & Mail, The Hockey News, and the Toronto Star before joining TSN.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenzie was the gold standard for hockey insiders. He was well-liked and highly regarded around the league, and was also the go-to source for information on top NHL prospects. I had only brief interactions with McKenzie, but he was always kind and helpful. Here’s to a long, happy and healthy retirement, Bobfather.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Former Red Wings star Alex Delvecchio passed away on Tuesday at age 93.

A skillful, disciplined and durable playmaker, Delvecchio spent his entire 24-year NHL career with the Red Wings from 1950-51 to 1973-74, winning three Stanley Cups and the Lady Byng Memorial Trophy three times. He’s among their franchise leaders with 1,550 games played, 456 goals, 825 assists and 1,281 points. Delvecchio also had 104 points in 121 playoff games. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1977.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Delvecchio’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Red Wings organization.










Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

Notable NHL Signings and Trades – July 1, 2025

 Anaheim Ducks sign unrestricted free-agent forward Mikael Granlund to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $7 million.

The New York Rangers signed winger Will Cuylle to a two-year contract with an average annual value of $3.9 million. Cuylle was a restricted free agent completing his entry-level contract.

Buffalo Sabres re-sign center Ryan McLeod to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5 million. McLeod was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

The San Jose Sharks signed John Klingberg to a one-year, $4 million contract. He was an unrestricted free agent.

 

Defenseman Ryan Lindgren signed a four-year contract with the Seattle Kraken with an average annual value of $4.5 million.

The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Nate Schmidt inked a three-year contract ($3.5 million AAV) and forward Brandon Tanev to a three-year contract ($2.5 million AAV).

The Los Angeles Kings signed defenseman Cody Ceci to a four-year contract with an AAV of $4.5 million, blueliner Brian Dumoulin to a three-year deal with a $4 million AAV, and winger Corey Perry to a one-year, $2 million contract.

Winger Jonathan Drouin agreed to a two-year contract ($4 million AAV) with the New York Islanders.

Forward Radek Faksa inked a three-year contract ($2 million AAV) with the Dallas Stars.

 

The Vancouver Canucks brought back Brock Boeser, signing him to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

The New York Rangers sign defenseman Vladislav Gavrikov to a seven-year deal with an AAV of $7 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Joel Armia to a two-year contract with a $2.5 million AAV.

The Boston Bruins signed forward Tanner Jeannot to a four-year deal with an AAV of $3.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign forward Connor Brown to a four-year contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Philadelphia Flyers sign goaltender Dan Vladar to a two-year contract with a $3.35 million AAV.

The San Jose Sharks sign winger William Eklund to a three-year deal with an AAV of $5.6 million. Eklund, 22, was a restricted free agent.

The Philadelphia Flyers signed center Christian Dvorak to a one-year, $5.4 million contract.

The Montreal Canadiens trade defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for forward Zachary Bolduc.

Logan Stankoven signs an eight-year contract extension ($6 million AAV) with the Carolina Hurricanes. The 22-year-old forward was slated to become an RFA next July.

Jake Allen re-signed with the New Jersey Devils. The 34-year-old goaltender agreed to a five-year contract with an AAV of $1.8 million.

The Edmonton Oilers trade winger Viktor Arvidsson to the Boston Bruins for a fifth-round draft pick in 2027. This move frees up $4 million of salary-cap space for the Oilers.

Thatcher Demko signs a a three-year contract extension with the Vancouver Canucks worth an average annual value of $8.5 million. The 29-year-old goaltender was eligible for UFA status next July.

The Canucks also confirmed that Conor Garland signed a six-year contract extension with an AAV of $6 million. Like Demko, he was slated to become a UFA next July.

Martin Fehervary signed a seven-year contract extension with the Washington Capitals worth an AAV of $6 million. The 25-year-old defenseman was a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2025

by | Jul 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2025

The NHL’s annual free-agent market opens at noon ET today. Check out the latest free-agent and trade speculations in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON NIKOLAJ EHLERS

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Monday that the Carolina Hurricanes are considered the favorites to land Nikolaj Ehlers. The 29-year-old former Winnipeg Jets winger is among the few notable players potentially available in the unrestricted free-agent market.

NBC SPORTS BOSTON: Nick Goss believes the Bruins should pursue Ehlers. He cited the winger’s offensive consistency as a top-six forward.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Vancouver Canucks and New York Islanders could also attempt to sign Ehlers. He could still re-sign with the Jets, but it appears he’s heading to market today.

COULD THE JETS TARGET BROCK BOESER?

THE CHRIS JOHNSTON SHOW: Johnston yesterday suggested Brock Boeser could be “Plan A” to replace Nikolaj Ehlers if the latter goes to market on Tuesday. The Jets have over $23 million in cap space, and Johnston indicated he wouldn’t be surprised if they pursue the former Vancouver Canucks winger today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored the Oilers might attempt to sign Boeser. However, that seems unlikely without shedding significant salary after their recent signings of Evan Bouchard and Trent Frederic.

CANADIENS AMONG TEAMS INTERESTED IN JORDAN KYROU

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens remain interested in Jordan Kyrou. The 27-year-old St. Louis Blues winger is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.125 million. His no-trade clause begins on July 1.

LeBrun indicated the Blues had spoken with several teams to determine his value in the trade market before deciding if they’d move him or retain him after his NTC began. It would take multiple assets for the Canadiens to acquire him, and they’d have to free up more cap space to take on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kyrou’s NTC could prevent the Blues from shipping him to Montreal. The Canadiens are in the market for a top-six forward this summer, but they might have to consider other options.

UPDATE ON RASMUS ANDERSSON

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the thinning free-agent market for defensemen could rekindle trade interest in Rasmus Andersson. The 28-year-old Calgary Flames defenseman will be UFA-eligible next July and isn’t expected to re-sign with the Flames.

Teams like the Vegas Golden Knights, Ottawa Senators, Columbus Blue Jackets and Los Angeles Kings are interested in Andersson. They would like assurances that he’d sign an extension with them, but the only club he’s willing to do that for is the Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames aren’t feeling pressured to trade Andersson this summer. They’re reportedly fine with going into this season with him still in the lineup. It remains to be seen if the Golden Knights remain interested after their expensive acquisition of Mitch Marner on Monday.

RANGERS STILL EYEING GAVRIKOV

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports the Rangers remain interested in signing Vladislav Gavrikov if the 29-year-old Los Angeles Kings defenseman becomes a UFA today. However, their inability to move blueliner K’Andre Miller complicates their pursuit of Gavrikov, who could command between $7 million and $8 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gavrikov was seen as the Rangers’ replacement for Miller, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. They have around $13 million in cap space. Adding Gavrikov would eat up over half of it.

WILL JAKE ALLEN REMAIN WITH THE DEVILS?

DAILY FACEOFF’s Frank Seravalli reports the New Jersey Devils and Jake Allen remain in negotiations. He claimed the Devils had made progress, suggesting the 34-year-old goaltender could be re-signed before noon today.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Edmonton Oilers and Philadelphia Flyers could be closely watching Allen’s situation.