NHL Rumor Mill – October 3, 2025

by | Oct 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 3, 2025

How much could it cost the Canadiens to re-sign Lane Hutson? What’s the latest on Lukas Reichel, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT WILL LANE HUTSON’S NEXT CONTRACT LOOK LIKE?

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu and Pierre LeBrun examined what effect Luke Hughes’ new contract with the New Jersey Devils could have on the Montreal Canadiens’ efforts to re-sign Lane Hutson.

Hughes, 22, signed a seven-year deal with an average annual value of $9 million with the Devils.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

Basu noted that Hutson will have little leverage because he’s coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights. As a 10.2.c restricted free agent, he’ll be ineligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club. Like Hughes, the only leverage Hutson will have is when training camp starts next fall.

LeBrun believes Hughes’ contract sets the bar for young defensemen coming out of their entry-level deals. He also thinks the Canadiens, like the Florida Panthers, are trying to build a salary-cap culture that fosters a better ability to contend long term.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes Hutson is worthy of a salary higher than the $9 million AAV being earned by Hughes and what Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe will earn on his new eight-year extension starting in 2026-27.

Proteau pointed to Hutson’s 60 assists last season, his ice time, his ability to get in front of the puck (123 blocked shots), and his Calder Trophy win could put him in line for $10 million annually.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico suggested that Hutson’s limited leverage could keep the AAV on his next contract closer to $9 million annually than $10 million. The Canadiens could also offer up hefty signing bonuses and retirement compensation agreements that could boost Hutson’s after-tax earnings. Even if the AAV matches that of Hughes and LaCombe on paper, Hutson could net more in real dollars.

TVA SPORTS: Nicolas Cloutier doesn’t consider LaCombe as a good comparable for Hutson, suggesting Hughes is the better one. He also believes another dominant performance by the young Canadiens defenseman this season will give the youngster more negotiating power.

Cloutier wondered if the Canadiens could find a way to get Hutson extended as quickly as possible and integrate him into their salary structure for under $10 million annually.

Meanwhile, Renaud Lavoie reported further on how Hutson could use a tax break called the retirement compensation agreement, allowing a market like Montreal to offer financial gain to foreign-born players like Hutson.

For example, he would save up to $1.14 million on a contract with an AAV of $8 million. However, he would have to place 50 percent of his salary in trust to obtain the tax relief.

Lavoie cited sources who claim the Canadiens intend to use this leverage with the Hutson camp. It would enable the American-born blueliner to earn more money than Hughes with the Devils or LaCombe with the Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These reports make interesting reading on what Huston’s next contract could look like, and its potential effects on other young defensemen coming out of their entry-level deals. D’Amico’s goes into great detail on what the Canadiens could do to keep the cap hit closer to $9 million.

Canadiens management has done a good job in signing their rising young stars to reasonable contracts with little difficulty. They possess most of the leverage in negotiations with the Hutson camp, but it could still be their biggest challenge given his uniqueness. It will take a significant sell job on their part to convince Hutson’s representatives to accept less than $10 million annually.

How the Canadiens handle Hutson’s contract negotiations could set the template for talks with promising winger Ivan Demidov when he becomes eligible to sign a contract extension next July.

COULD THE OILERS PURSUE LUKAS REICHEL?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Jim Matheson reports Oilers general manager Stan Bowman is “kicking tires” on Chicago Blackhawks winger Lukas Reichel. Where the struggling youngster would fit within the Oilers is a thorny issue.

When Bowman was GM of the Blackhawks, he selected Reichel 17th overall in the 2020 NHL Draft. However, the 23-year-old winger has spun his wheels the last two seasons, and the Blackhawks no longer see him as a top-nine winger.

Bowman has done well thus far with reclamation projects such as Ty Emberson and Vasily Podkolzin. He also acquired Jake Walman and Connor Ingram. However, trying to fit Reichel’s $1.2 million AAV within their limited cap payroll could be challenging, as well as finding a suitable role for him within their current roster.

THE LATEST ON CARTER HART AND MICHAEL MCLEOD

THE ATHLETIC: Citing sources, Chris Johnston reports the Carolina Hurricanes will not sign goaltender Carter Hart or forward Michael McLeod.

Both were among the five former Hockey Canada players acquitted of sexual assault stemming from an incident in 2018 in London, Ontario. The Hurricanes were interested in Hart and McLeod, but they couldn’t reach agreements that both sides would be comfortable with.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hart is reportedly close to signing a two-year contract with the Vegas Golden Knights. The deal would be made official on Oct. 15, and the earliest he can play for them is Dec. 1, when his NHL suspension is lifted.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 16, 2025

by | Sep 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 16, 2025

Sidney Crosby addresses trade and “tanking” talk, the latest Islanders and Canadiens news, Drew Doughty hopes to play for Canada in the 2026 Olympics, remembering Hall of Famer Ed Giacomin, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Penguins captain Sidney Crosby directly addressed recent speculation suggesting he might welcome a trade out of Pittsburgh.

“This is where I want to be. I love it here,” Crosby said. “I can’t keep having to answer the same questions over again (just) because of these narratives. If people want to write about that or say that, that’s fine. I can’t really control that.”

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Crosby also dismissed the notion that the Penguins should tank the season to improve their chances of winning the 2026 Draft Lottery. “You play to win,” he said. “That’s how I view it, and you’re not going to convince me otherwise. If you’re one of the people that believe that, then you’re entitled to believe that, but that’s not why I signed up to play the game. That’s not the game I know.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The trade buzz about Crosby arose from a comment made last week by his agent, Pat Brisson, acknowledging the possibility of his client asking for a trade one day. Some observers took his comments to mean that Crosby wouldn’t want to stick around if the rebuilding Penguins continue to miss the playoffs.

Crosby is in the first season of a two-year contract. He could decide at some point that he wants one last shot at playing for the Stanley Cup and could request a trade to a contender. However, it doesn’t sound like he’s currently considering that possibility.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: The impending return of former Penguins goaltender Marc-Andre Fleury for a preseason practice on Sept. 26 and a preseason game on Sept. 27 has led to a surge in ticket prices for both events.

Prices for Penguins preseason games are typically between $20 and $25. For the Fleury game, the prices range from $235.00 to $2,975.00 on Ticketmaster.

Fleury formally retired after last season, but his return for those two events will allow him to retire as a Penguin.

NEW YORK POST: Islanders forward Mathew Barzal said he is good to go entering training camp after missing the end of last season with a kneecap injury. He indicated that it has fully healed, and now it’s a matter of getting back to being the player he was mentally.

CBS SPORTS: Barzal’s teammate, Bo Horvat, will be ready for the upcoming start of training camp. He had suffered an ankle injury playing for Canada at the 2025 IIHF World Championship in May, but has indicated he’s feeling great and is ready for the start of this season.

DAILY FACEOFF: Islanders winger Anthony Duclair revealed he tore his groin muscle right off the bone five games into last season, which sidelined him until late December, but he admitted he returned too soon.

The injury hampered Duclair’s performance, prompting head coach Patrick Roy to publicly criticize his play as “god awful” following a loss to Tampa Bay in early April, prompting Duclair to take a season-ending leave of absence.

Duclair said Roy personally visited him following the season to apologize for his comments, and they worked things out.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson walked back his father’s comments regarding his son being passed over for Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp.

Rob Hutson raised the possibility of Lane, who has dual citizenship, playing for Canada. However, Lane shot that down, saying he’s a proud American and loves USA Hockey. While he loves playing in Canada, he stated that he’s a USA Hockey Player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson could still be selected for Team USA’s final Olympic roster. Otherwise, he’ll get more opportunities to play for his country in the World Championships, the 2028 World Cup of Hockey, and the 2030 Winter Olympics.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Jeff Gorton, the Executive VP of Hockey Operations for the Canadiens, said Kirby Dach has made good progress in his recovery from a season-ending knee injury.

“He looks great,” Gorton said. “He feels great, he’s healthy. We have a plan in place to have him ready for opening night. So, that’s what we’re going to try to do.” However, he stopped short of guaranteeing that the 24-year-old center will be ready to go by then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Back-to-back knee injuries have hampered Dach’s efforts to secure the Canadiens’ second-line center role.

SPORTSNET: Speaking of Gorton, the Canadiens are in contract extension talks with him and general manager Kent Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s not a surprise considering the pace of the Canadiens’ rebuild. The club wants to ensure both men stick around to complete the job.

NHL.COM: Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty remains determined to secure a place on Canada’s Men’s Olympic hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

“I expect to be on the team,” Doughty said. “I know it’s going to be hard for me to make it, but personally I expect to be on that team. I do think making the best team in the world at 36 years old is quite an accomplishment. That would be amazing. I’ve honestly been thinking about this way too much and it’s still so far away.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Doughty won gold with Canada in the 2010 and 2014 Olympics, and he was part of their gold-medal team in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

NEW YORK POST: Hall of Fame goaltender Ed Giacomin passed away on Sunday at age 86.

Giacomin spent most of his 13 NHL seasons with the New York Rangers (1965-66 to 1975-76), becoming one of the league’s top goaltenders. A fan favorite in New York and a skillful puckhandler, he was a First Team All-Star in 1966-67 and 1970-71, and shared the Vezina Trophy with teammate Gilles Villemure in 1970-71. He and Villemure backstopped the Rangers to the 1972 Stanley Cup Final.

Claimed off waivers by the Detroit Red Wings on Oct. 31, 1975, Giacomin got the start for the Wings against the Rangers at Madison Square Garden two days later, where the Rangers fans chanted his name throughout the game, moving him to tears.

Giacomin played with the Red Wings from 1975-76 to 1977-78 before retiring. He had a career record of 290 wins, 209 losses, and 96 ties in 690 regular-season games with a 2.82 goals-against average, a .902 save percentage, and 54 shutouts. Giacomin was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1987.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Giacomin’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Rangers organization. I remember watching him play during the early-70s and was impressed by his acrobatic style and his ability to handle the puck. He played a big role in turning the Rangers into a Stanley Cup contender during those years.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2025

by | Sep 7, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 7, 2025

Condolences pour in honoring Ken Dryden, plus the latest on Golden Knights center Jack Eichel, Oilers winger Zach Hyman and defenseman Mattias Ekholm, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Condolences from across Canada poured in Saturday as Canadians remembered the life and legacy of Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden, who died of cancer on Friday at age 78.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney cited Dryden’s career as a player, author, and public servant, saying he was the reason he became a goaltender in his youth. Former PM Justin Trudeau expressed his admiration for Dryden, citing his commitment to social justice and his early work on a national daycare program while serving as a member of the Canadian parliament from 2004 to 2011.

Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender Ken Dryden.

Montreal mayor Valeri Plante, Quebec premier Francois Legault, and Conservative Party of Canada leader Pierre Poilievre were among other Canadian and Quebec politicians who honored Dryden’s life and legacy.

Fellow players took to social media to express their condolences.

Former Canadiens goaltender Carey Price thanked Dryden for his support during his early career. Hall-of-Famers Martin Brodeur and Chris Pronger praised Dryden for revolutionizing the goaltending position and showing how a player can make an impact following their playing careers.

Hall of Fame defenseman Larry Robinson expressed shock and sadness over his friend and teammate’s passing, saying he had no idea Dryden was ill. Speaking about their playing days, Robinson praised Dryden’s goaltending, reliability, and intellect.

RDS: Hall of Fame blueliner and former Canadiens captain Serge Savard also remembered Dryden’s career and impact on the sport, calling him “ahead of his time.” He considers Dryden’s book, “The Game”, to be the best book ever written about sports.

Savard said Dryden knew two years ago that he had cancer and had been informed for several months that it was incurable. He said Dryden wanted to keep the news of his health within his family circle.

TSN: Former Canadiens forwards Vincent Damphousse and Guy Carbonneau praised Dryden as a great role model and a true Canadian.

RG.ORG: Russian legend and Hall of Fame goaltender Vladislav Tretiak called Dryden a remarkable person, calling him one of Canada’s greatest goalies and a man of integrity, kindness, and intelligence. “Ken Dryden was more than a rival. He was my friend,” Tretiak said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The reaction to Dryden’s passing is a testament to his remarkable life. He was an inspirational, modern-day Renaissance man. As I wrote on Saturday, the hockey world never saw anyone like Dryden before, and we haven’t seen another like him since. He will be missed by those who love this sport and strive to make it better.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported Friday that Vegas Golden Knights general manager Kelly McCrimmon said re-signing Jack Eichel remains a priority. The 28-year-old center is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

“He’s been a great player for our organization. I think our organization has been great for him,” McCrimmon said. “So, lots of interest, obviously, I think from both sides to make something work.”

LeBrun indicated that there have been a few discussions between the two sides, but the negotiations are still in the early stages. While he doesn’t believe a deal is imminent, he wouldn’t be surprised if they get it done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s the consensus among the hockey punditry. Some believe Eichel will get between $13 million and $14 million annually on a long-term extension before July 1.

SPORTSNET: Zach Hyman remains uncertain if he’ll be ready to return to action at the start of this season.

The 33-year-old Edmonton Oilers winger is still fully engaged in rehab after surgery to repair the dislocated wrist and damaged ligament suffered during the 2025 Western Conference Final against the Dallas Stars. He admitted he hasn’t reached the stage yet where he can shoot the puck.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hyman pointed out that there’s still another month to go before the season begins. Nevertheless, it doesn’t sound like he’ll be fully recovered in time.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Speaking of the Oilers, Mattias Ekholm said he’d love to stay in Edmonton. The 35-year-old defenseman said he’s recovered from the lower-body injuries that hampered him during the final months of their season.

Ekholm is in the final year of his contract and UFA-eligible next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal praised Ekholm’s steadiness and reliability as a top-pairing defenseman when healthy. However, he’s concerned that the veteran blueliner is now at an age when his career is on a “steep, slippery slope.”

RG.ORG: Lane Hutson being passed over from the Team USA Olympic orientation camp didn’t sit well with his father, Rob. He made a tongue-in-cheek comment suggesting his son could find a taker with Team Canada because he has dual citizenship.

However, Lane’s agent indicated that his client remains committed to the United States. The Canadiens blueliner last week stated he’d be honored to play for Team USA at the Olympics.

TSN: Former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton signed a contract with HC Ambri-Piotta in Switzerland. He is among the five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior team who were recently found not guilty of sexual assault following a 2018 incident in London, Ontario. However, the five remain ineligible to play in the NHL.

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports this season’s NHL trade deadline will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026.

DAILY FACEOFF: Derek Ryan announced his retirement after 10 NHL seasons. The 38-year-old center had 82 goals and 127 assists for 209 points in 606 regular-season games with the Carolina Hurricanes, Calgary Flames, and the Oilers from 2015-16 to 2024-25. He also had 10 points in 60 playoff games.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 31, 2025

by | Aug 31, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 31, 2025

An update on Luke Hughes’ contract talks with the Devils, plus the latest on Canadiens defensemen Lane Hutson, Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald remains confident of getting Luke Hughes under contract soon.

The 21-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He is ineligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival team.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (NHL Images).

With training camp on the horizon, the lack of a new contract for Hughes has raised questions about the status of the negotiations. However, Fitzgerald seems unperturbed by the situation.

“We’ll just continue to talk and present each other with ideas,” Fitzgerald said. “Eventually, this will get done. The 11th hour is training camp, right? A lot of times, a lot of the stuff doesn’t get done until the 11th hour. We’re hoping we can get something done here in quick fashion, and both sides are working at it; that’s for sure.

Fitzgerald acknowledged that both sides hope to avoid a contract standoff like that of Devils’ forward Dawson Mercer last year. That deal wasn’t settled until after training camp began.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Murphy cited NJ.COM’s Ryan Novozinsky reporting the Devils sought a maximum eight-year contract or a two-year bridge deal. However, the Hughes camp prefers a five-year deal that would take him to 2030, making him eligible for UFA status at the same time as his brother and teammate, Jack Hughes.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson said he and his teammates want to elevate their performance this season, especially after exceeding expectations by reaching the playoffs last season.

“We all know that it’s going to be hard, but there’s a lot of work to be done,” Hutson said.

The 5’9”, 162-pound Hutson won the Calder Memorial Trophy as NHL Rookie of the Year last season. He’s not concerned about adding weight, saying that he feels good where he is. Hutson indicated he has been trying different things during his offseason training to improve his play, including working on his shot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson said he’s not feeling any additional pressure following his Calder win and the club’s playoff appearance last year. Nevertheless, it will be there for him and his teammates. How they handle it will factor into whether they can build on last season’s promising performance.

THE PROVINCE: Jake DeBrusk found himself in an awkward position during his first season with the Vancouver Canucks, sitting between then-feuding centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller in the dressing room.

DeBrusk admitted Miller’s leave of absence for personal reasons last November was difficult. “That was the most intense. As a guy who had just met him, you hope he’s OK. You don’t know what’s going on. But everything happens for a reason.”

After getting to know and like Miller and Pettersson, DeBrusk sometimes felt like he was almost the middleman. He thinks it was unfortunate that the situation led to Miller’s trade to the New York Rangers in January.

DeBrusk acknowledged the club still hasn’t found a suitable replacement for Miller at center. However, he pointed out they should be stronger defensively with goaltender Thatcher Demko now healthy and an improved blueline.

PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW: The Penguins announced last week that they’re relaunching their Hall of Fame with 10 new members over the next three seasons.

Players Tom Barrasso, Ron Francis, Jaromir Jagr, Chris Kunitz, Larry Murphy, and Kevin Stevens, and builders Scotty Bowman, Eddie Johnston, Jim Rutherford, and Ray Shero were selected for the honor.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin listed the Colorado Avalanche, Edmonton Oilers, Los Angeles Kings, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Winnipeg Jets as the five teams that got noticeably weaker during the offseason.

Limited cap space saw the Avalanche shed depth from their roster. The Oilers are shallower than last season after parting ways with several experienced depth players. Blueline depth remains a concern for the Kings with the departures of Vladislav Gavrikov and Jordan Spence. The Leafs will feel the loss of all-star right winger Mitch Marner, while the Jets will miss winger Nikolaj Ehlers.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2025

by | Aug 24, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2025

The top remaining unrestricted free agents, plus the latest on Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and winger Max Pacioretty are among the notable players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Goaltenders James Reimer, Ilya Samsonov, and Alexandar Georgiev, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov are among the other noteworthy UFAs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic was linked to the Vancouver Canucks earlier this summer, but recent reports indicate he’s no longer on their radar. It’s also rumored that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in signing him once they free up sufficient cap space.

The Leafs have reportedly left the door open for Pacioretty’s return, but that could depend on whether they land Roslovic.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports a source claims Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was excluded from Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp partly because he skipped playing in the 2025 World Championships. However, the 21-year-old Calder Trophy winner could still make their Olympic roster if he has a strong start to this season.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki was passed over for Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team for the same reason.

The main reason why Hutson didn’t get an invite is likely the depth of the USA’s defense. Zach Werenski, Adam Fox, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson were on their 4 Nations team. Quinn Hughes was also part of that roster, but was sidelined by an injury.

All seven have more NHL experience and international experience involving pro talent. That matters more. If healthy, all of them will likely be part of their Olympic roster.

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is open to contract extension talks with management. The two sides have yet to begin those discussions, but that could change once the calendar flips to September and training camp draws near.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gustavsson is entering the final season of his three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million. The Athletic’s Michael Russo noted that promising netminder Jesper Wallstedt’s future is murky following a disappointing 2024-25 performance. He speculated that might prompt Wild management to get a jump on re-signing the 27-year-old Gustavsson.

TSN: Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong recently indicated there will be an open competition to fill the goaltending positions for their Olympic squad.

Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens were the only goalies invited to Canada’s orientation camp. The trio served as Canada’s netminders in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.

Other potential goalie options include Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington appears to be a lock for the starter’s role after backstopping Canada to gold in the 4 Nations tournament. However, strong early-season performances by Thompson, Kuemper, or Skinner could earn them a place on Canada’s Olympic team if Hill or Montembeault struggle.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: With the Red Wings finally retiring Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91, Bob Duff looked at other Wings greats who could receive a similar honor by the club.

Hall-of-Famer Pavel Datsyuk (No. 13) tops the list. He won two Stanley Cups (2002, 2008) with the Red Wings, along with multiple Selke and Lady Byng trophies.

Henrik Zetterberg (No. 40) could be another. He had 960 points in 1,082 games with the Wings and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008, leading them to their last Stanley Cup.

Chris Osgood (No. 30) was a three-time Cup champion with the Wings. The underappreciated goaltender was twice their go-to starter for two Cup runs. He’s 13th all-time in regular-season wins with 401, ninth in playoff wins (74), and tied for fifth in postseason shutouts with 15.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Datsyuk is the favorite among those three, given his Hall-of-Fame credentials. He was the top defensive forward in the league from 2007-08 to 2009-10 and one of the dazzling puckhandlers in NHL history.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2025

by | Aug 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 16, 2025

I’m back from vacation and catching up on some of the notable trade and free-agent speculation involving the Oilers, Canadiens, and Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE OILERS

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Dan Powers of the “Empty Netters” podcast raising the scenario of another “King’s Ransom”, in which Oilers captain Connor McDavid followed the path of Wayne Gretzky by getting traded to the Los Angeles Kings.

If that were to happen, Powers believes it would be “the greatest thing to happen to the NHL in 50 years. It would be the greatest story of all time.”

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Two things. First, the Gretzky trade was the biggest thing to happen to the NHL since the 1967 expansion. Trading McDavid to the Kings today wouldn’t eclipse the Gretzky trade.

Second, and most importantly, with all due respect to the Kings, the Gretzky trade occurred during different times and circumstances. History will not repeat itself.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli reported on Aug. 12 that it’s still early in the negotiation process between McDavid and the Oilers. While numbers haven’t been exchanged yet, neither side is expressing nerves, fear, or panic about this situation. Servalli anticipates the process will pick up in the coming weeks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation abounded at this time last August about Leon Draisaitl’s contract status with the Oilers. He signed an eight-year extension in September, and McDavid could do the same this year.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Staples cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer suggesting the Oilers could make a cost-cutting trade before the start of the regular season, accrue salary cap space, and use that cap room to acquire a top-nine forward at the March trade deadline.

Stauffer mentioned forward Mattias Janmark as a trade candidate. Staples pointed out he carries a $1.45 million cap hit through 2026-27 with a 10-team no-trade list.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell listed Boston Bruins goaltender Michael DiPietro and St. Louis Blues netminder Colten Ellis as possible trade targets for the Oilers.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens are playing the waiting game when it comes to adding talent during this offseason.

He cited an NHL source saying Canadiens management isn’t interested in parting with top prospects like defenseman David Reinbacher and center Michael Hage, seeing both players as key pieces in their long-term plans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers believe the Canadiens could be interested in Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish. If so, Reinbacher and/or Hage would be part of the Ducks’ asking price. If the Habs aren’t willing to part with them, it’s doubtful they can come up with a more enticing offer for McTavish.

Meanwhile, there’s ongoing speculation that the Canadiens could attempt to trade Carey Price’s contract on September 1, after he’s been paid his $5.5 million signing bonus. He has a $10.5 million average annual value, but in actual salary, he’ll be $2 million after he receives that signing bonus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored the Canadiens could try to ship Price’s contract to a rebuilding team, enabling the latter to remain cap-compliant should they dump salary by the March trade deadline. The San Jose Sharks and Chicago Blackhawks have been mentioned as possible trade partners, but it remains to be seen if either club has an interest in taking on that contract.

D’Amico also reported that contract talks between the Canadiens and defenseman Lane Hutson are in the early stages. Thus far, the discussions have been “amicable”.

Hutson, 21, won the Calder Memorial Trophy last season, becoming the first Canadien to do so since Ken Dryden in 1971-72. He’s slated to become a restricted free agent next summer and is ineligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club.

Noah Dobson’s new eight-year contract with the Canadiens(with a $9.5 million AAV) has been cited by some as a comparable. However, D’Amico suggested that Luke Hughes’ next contract with the New Jersey Devils could be more of a determining factor in Hutson’s negotiations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Luke Hughes…

SOME RECENT DEVILS CONJECTURE

SPORTSNET: During a recent appearance on the Halford & Brough radio show, Luke Fox said that Luke Hughes and the Devils have agreed to negotiate a long-term deal.

The 21-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. He is ineligible to receive an offer sheet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers wonder if the rising salary cap would result in Hughes getting a deal with an AAV that exceeds his brother Jack’s $8 million. That could be the sticking point in their negotiations.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald has more work to do during what remains of this offseason.

Nichols pointed out that the Devils have over $6.1 million in cap space, meaning they’ll have to shed some salary to make room for Luke Hughes’ new contract.

The Devils still need to add a second-line winger and a third-line center. Nichols believes they should attempt to reacquire Tyler Toffoli from the San Jose Sharks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Toffoli might not be willing to leave the lowly Sharks. He’s slated to skate on their top line with Macklin Celebrini and William Eklund this season. The 33-year-old winger is signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $6 million and a full no-trade clause until the final season of the deal, when it becomes a 15-team approved trade list.