Notable NHL Trades and Signings – June 28, 2025

by | Jun 28, 2025

Notable NHL Trades and Signings – June 28, 2025

The Anaheim Ducks trade goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings in exchange for goaltender Petr Mrazek, a 2026 second-round pick and a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Anaheim Ducks trade goaltender John Gibson to the Detroit Red Wings (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson, 31, had been a fixture in the trade-rumor mill for the past two seasons. The sticking point had been his contract with its $6.4 million average annual value. However, he has only two years remaining on his deal. With the salary cap rising significantly over that period, his contract became more palatable for a club like the Red Wings, which went through five goalies last season.

Gibson will be expected to help the Red Wings end their franchise-record nine-year playoff drought. He’s spent the past several seasons backstopping the rebuilding Ducks, but with a potentially more competitive team in front of him in Detroit, he has a chance to prove he’s still a reliable starting goalie.

This move solidifies Lukas Dostal as the Ducks’ starting goaltender. The 25-year-old had outplayed Gibson for the job last season. Mrazek will support him in the backup role.

The Ottawa Senators acquire defenseman Jordan Spence from the Los Angeles Kings in exchange for a third-round pick in 2025 and a sixth-round pick in 2026.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators were in the market for a right-shot defenseman to replace Nick Jensen, who recently underwent hip surgery with no timeline for his return. Spence, 24, carries an affordable $1.5 million cap hit for 2025-26. He netted 28 points in 79 games last season with the Kings.

The Calgary Flames signed defenseman Kevin Bahl to a six-year contract with an average annual value of $5.35 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bahl was acquired from the New Jersey Devils as part of the return in the Jacob Markstrom trade. He quickly established himself among their top-four blueliners, logging over 21 minutes of ice time per game.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 24, 2025

by | Jun 24, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 24, 2025

The latest on Brock Boeser plus updates on the Islanders, Oilers and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BRUINS, SENATORS AMONG CLUBS REPORTEDLY INTERESTED IN BROCK BOESER

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that an NHL source claims the Boston Bruins are among multiple teams interested in Brock Boeser. The 28-year-old Vancouver Canucks winger is expected to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Boeser has been on the radar of Bruins general manager Don Sweeney going back to last summer. The Bruins made it clear that they want a scoring winger if they can’t find a top-six center.

Vancouver Canucks winger Brock Boeser (NHL Images).

The Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, Utah Mammoth, Detroit Red Wings and Montreal Canadiens are also believed among the other possible suitors for Boeser.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators could also get into the bidding for Boeser. They were 18th in the league in goals last season (243) and want to address that issue.

The Senators have roughly $10.75 million in cap space for 2025-26, which doesn’t leave much room unless they shed some salary. They’re also in the market for a right-shot defenseman.

Garrioch also believes the Bruins, Wild and Kings could be interested in Boeser, and included the Chicago Blackhawks and Buffalo Sabres on his list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Boeser has a bit of an injury history and can be a streaky scorer, but he has netted 20-plus goals six times (including a career-best 40 in 2023-24) and reached or exceeded 45 points in each of his eight NHL seasons.

Boeser might have to wait until Mitch Marner signs his new contract. The soon-to-be former Toronto Maple Leafs winger is expected to take several days fielding offers before reaching a decision.

THE LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears reports that the recent report of Noah Dobson seeking $11 million annually in contract talks with the Islanders has made the 25-year-old defenseman the subject of rampant trade speculation. He’s a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

Sears pointed out that Mathieu Darche, the Islanders’ new general manager, has indicated he wants to re-sign Dobson. It’s believed Darche isn’t actively shopping the blueliner, but that doesn’t mean teams aren’t calling or that option isn’t closed off.

Defenseman Alexander Romanov is in the same situation as Dobson and his situation appears equally volatile. The possibility they could select Matthew Schaefer in the upcoming draft would create a logjam of left-shot defensemen, which could result in Romanov or Adam Pelech being considered expendable.

Meanwhile, center Jean-Gabriel Pageau is a year away from UFA eligibility and could become a trade candidate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The threat of an offer sheet is also stoking speculation of Dobson or Romanov getting traded. If that happens, Dobson seems the least likely to get one. Any club willing to pay him $11 million annually would have to cough up two first-rounders, a second and a third. Anything over $11.7 million costs four first-rounders.

CAN THE OILERS FIND A GOALTENDER THIS SUMMER?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited ESPN’s Ray Ferraro pointing out that the Oilers are in a difficult spot in their efforts this summer to find a goaltender.

Jake Allen is available via free agency, but a few teams are competing to sign him. John Gibson of the Anaheim Ducks is mentioned in trade rumors, but it would be an expensive trade for both clubs in terms of dollars and assets.

Staples doesn’t want to see the Oilers trade away Skinner, but acknowledged his inconsistency and declining stats. He also pointed out that the Oilers have limited cap space and there are few goalies available this summer.

UPDATE ON THE CANADIENS

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports it doesn’t appear the Montreal Canadiens will use one or both of their two first-round picks (16th and 17th overall) in this year’s draft to bolster their top-six forwards.

The problem is that there is only one genuine seller (the Pittsburgh Penguins) in the trade market, with most clubs now hoping to be buyers.

An executive told Engels that nearly every team wants to acquire players this summer, but none really want to sell the ones they have. The executive believes there will be some trades now, “some hockey deals”, but the trade market could be quieter than expected.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a seller’s market this summer, meaning the Canadiens will have difficulty acquiring a good, established NHL center or winger from a rebuilding club looking to stock up on draft picks and prospects. The reference to “hockey deals” usually means a player-for-player swap.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka speculated over the possibility of the San Jose Sharks using their salary-cap leverage to pick up an asset.

He suggested a scenario where the Canadiens trade the contract of permanently sidelined goalie Carey Price ($10.5 million AAV for 2025-26) to the Sharks. The move would increase the Canadiens’ cap space to over $16.5 million for next season, while enabling the Sharks to reach the $70.6 million salary-cap floor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could be the most notable trade the Canadiens make this summer if the Sharks are willing to do it. The Habs would have to include a draft pick or a prospect in the deal, but it would give them sufficient cap room for other possible additions throughout the offseason or leading up to next year’s trade deadline. It would also allow them to accrue cap space throughout the season, something they usually can’t do with Price on LTIR.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 14, 2025

by | Jun 14, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 14, 2025

Which players could be traded this summer? Could Wild center Marco Rossi, Stars winger Jason Robertson, Avalanche forward Martin Necas and Kings defenseman Jordan Spence be among them? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHICH PLAYERS COULD BE TRADED THIS SUMMER?

THE SCORE: Sean O’Leary recently listed 10 players he believes could be traded during the NHL off-season.

William Karlsson of the Vegas Golden Knights topped his list, though he subsequently cited reports indicating they’re not shopping the 29-year-old center this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson made the list because of recent media speculation over which players the Golden Knights might trade in a cost-cutting deal.

Brayden Schenn of the St. Louis Blues and Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild were next on O’Leary’s list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Scheen seemed a potential trade candidate after he surfaced in the rumor mill leading up to the March deadline. His full no-trade clause drops to a modified NTC on July 1. However, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic recently indicated the Blues’ biggest need was adding depth at center. As a result, they could hang onto him for next season.

Rossi completed his entry-level contract, making him a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. He and the Wild are believed to be at an impasse in negotiations. The 23-year-old center is reportedly seeking a contract comparable to teammate Matt Boldy’s seven-year, $49 million deal, putting him at risk of becoming a trade or offer-sheet candidate.

Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)

However, The Athletic’s Michael Russo and Joe Smith believe trading Rossi wouldn’t be in the Wild’s best interest.

The best replacement for him via free agency was Brock Nelson, and he recently signed an extension with the Colorado Avalanche. Toronto’s John Tavares, Florida’s Sam Bennett, and Ottawa’s Claude Giroux all hope to re-sign with their current clubs. Jonathan Toews is 37 and mounting a comeback, while the Wild aren’t believed to be interested in Matt Duchene.

Pickings are also slim in the trade market. It’s believed the Vancouver Canucks want to retain Elias Pettersson, the New York Islanders aren’t interested in moving Bo Horvat or Mathew Barzal, and the Seattle Kraken will likely hang onto Jared McCann. Meanwhile, the New York Rangers’ Mika Zibanejad and the Calgary Flames’ Nazem Kadri have full no-movement clauses.

Unless something changes in either market, the Wild will have to continue working with the Rossi camp to hammer out some kind of deal before July 1 to avoid a rival club tempting him with an offer sheet.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram and winger JJ Peterka were fourth and fifth on the list. Both are restricted free agents, with Byram carrying arbitration rights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabre management is reluctant to part with either player, but it’s believed they would trade Byram if he’d fetch a scoring forward or a top-four, right-shot defenseman.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson and Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault are sixth and seventh.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson and the Flames reportedly started contract talks this week. The 28-year-old blueliner is a year away from becoming an unrestricted free agent, and can sign an extension with the Flames as early as July 1.

The Flames could move Andersson if he proves too expensive to retain. However, they don’t have to rush into doing so, and could retain him for next season if they don’t find any suitable trade offers during the summer.

Marchessault is said to be open to a trade after a disappointing season with the Predators. However, his age (34) and the remaining four years on his contract (with an average annual value of $5.5 million) could make him a tough sell.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, Anaheim Ducks goaltender John Gibson, and Toronto Maple Leafs blueliner Morgan Rielly round out this list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson’s production has dropped off over the past two seasons. The Penguins will have to retain a big chunk of their share ($10 million) of his $11.5 million AAV to facilitate a trade for the 34-year-old.

Gibson’s been a fixture in the rumor mill over the past two offseasons. He has two years left on his deal with an AAV of $6.4 million. Maybe the Ducks retain half of that cap hit to entice a rival club to take the 31-year-old netminder off their hands.

Rielly’s performance as a puck-moving defenseman noticeably declined this season. He’s got a full no-movement clause with five years left on his contract at an AAV of $7.5 million. Good luck moving him.

THE LATEST ON JASON ROBERTSON, ELIAS PETTERSSON, MARTIN NECAS AND JORDAN SPENCE

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes everything that was reported about the possibility of the Dallas Stars being willing to listen to trade offers for Jason Robertson was true. However, a source recently told him that they were “dialing this back a little.”

Part of the reason for the trade speculation surrounding Robertson was attributable to the Stars’ shock over their loss to the Edmonton Oilers in the Western Conference Final, particularly in the final game. Friedman believes they let it be known that they would be considering some options.

If Robertson gets traded, Friedman thinks it’ll be for a “great player” or to recoup what they gave up to the Carolina Hurricanes in the Mikko Rantanen trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Dallas Morning News reports the Stars aren’t prioritizing trading Robertson, adding that the reports were “completely overblown”.

Friedman believed Robertson’s future with the Stars could depend on what he seeks in his next contract. The 25-year-old winger is a year away from becoming an RFA with arbitration rights, and would be UFA-eligible in 2027 unless signed to a long-term deal.

Friedman believes the Vancouver Canucks will only trade Elias Pettersson if it addresses their problem at center. The 26-year-old Pettersson’s no-movement clause begins on July 1. He also noted that the center returned from Sweden to meet with new head coach Adam Foote, which was appreciated by Canucks management.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s hefty contract (signed through 2031-32, $11.6 million AAV) and the troubling decline in his performance last season will likely ensure he remains with the Canucks even if they were willing to move him.

Recent Colorado Avalanche speculation suggests they could consider trading Martin Necas to free up some cap space. However, Friedman dismissed the idea, saying he doesn’t believe they necessarily have to free up cap room, and isn’t sure the Avs feel they need to.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have $1.2 million available for 2025-26 with 19 active roster players under contract. However, Logan O’Connor ($2.5 million AAV) is out for at least five months following hip surgery. He’s likely headed for long-term injury reserve to start the season.

Friedman speculated that Los Angeles Kings defenseman Jordan Spence could be someone worth watching in the trade market. He thinks the Kings don’t feel that there is room for Spence and Brandt Clarke on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Spence has a year left on his contract worth an affordable $1.2 million. Given the need for right-shot defensemen around the league, the 24-year-old could be a valuable trade chip for the Kings.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 7, 2025

by | Jun 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – June 7, 2025

Check out the latest on Drake Batherson, John Gibson, Charlie Coyle, and Nicolas Hague in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SENATORS MANAGEMENT DISMISS BATHERSON TRADE RUMORS

OTTAWA SUN: Jason Duench reports Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer denied rumors claiming Drake Batherson was on the trade block.

“It’s not right,” said Andlauer. General manager Steve Staios added there was “no truth” to the speculation that he was shopping the 27-year-old winger, adding he’d spoken to Batherson to reassure him.

Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Most of the Batherson speculation was reported by Duench’s colleague Bruce Garrioch, who claimed earlier this week that there was “no shortage of talk” that the Senators were shopping the winger.

Andlauer and Staios won’t publicly admit to shopping Batherson or anyone else. Nevertheless, the fact that they dismissed the speculation before reporters started asking questions suggests that they wanted to nip this in the bud.

The Batherson trade rumors were puzzling because they would be trading away a reliable scorer carrying a team-friendly contract for the next two seasons. More than one critic felt the Senators had better be getting a significant return if they were serious about moving him.

Staios also indicated that contract extension talks continue with pending unrestricted free agent Claude Giroux and restricted free agent Fabian Zetterlund. He also said the Senators won’t be spending toward the projected $95.5 million cap ceiling for 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators have a projected $15 million of cap space with 16 active roster players under contract for next season. Giroux and Zetterlund should be affordable re-signings, but they will eat up at least $5 million of that cap room, leaving $10 million to fill out the remaining roster spots.

Their determination not to spend to the cap means they won’t be pursuing big-ticket talent in this summer’s free-agent market. They could go the trade route, but that could mean a player-for-player swap to manage the dollars, which could explain why Batherson surfaced in the rumor mill in the first place.

MORE SUGGESTED TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR JOHN GIBSON

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin proposed five trade destinations for John Gibson. The 32-year-old Anaheim Ducks goaltender has been a fixture in the rumor mill over the past two offseasons.

Larkin suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Columbus Blue Jackets, New Jersey Devils, Philadelphia Flyers and Pittsburgh Penguins as potential landing spots for Gibson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The significant increase of the salary cap, the lack of quality goaltending depth in this summer’s free-agent market, and Gibson having two seasons left on his contract could finally create the right conditions for a much-anticipated trade.

It was rumored the Hurricanes looked at acquiring Gibson last summer before opting to bring back Frederik Andersen on a one-year deal. The Blue Jackets, Flyers and Penguins lack reliable starters, while the Devils could need a replacement for 1B goalie Jake Allen if he hits the open market on July 1.

THE LATEST ON CHARLIE COYLE AND NICOLAS HAGUE

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes the Colorado Avalanche’s re-signing of Brock Nelson likely means Charlie Coyle will return to the trade market. The Avalanche acquired the 33-year-old forward from the Boston Bruins at the March trade deadline. He has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche has only $1.2 million of cap space after re-signing Nelson. They must shed salary to create more room for other signings. Coyle’s cap hit, his no-movement clause, and three-team trade list could make him a tough sell in the trade market.

The Vegas Golden Knights’ limited cap space could force them to move defenseman Nicolas Hague in a cost-cutting deal. Kypreos claims the Montreal Canadiens and Pittsburgh Penguins are “hot on the trail” to acquire him, potentially.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hague, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights. The 6’6”, 240-pound left-shot defenseman earned an AAV of $2.294 million on his previous contract.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2025

by | Mar 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 21, 2025

Speculation over the futures of Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and Kings GM Rob Blake, an update on Sam Bennett’s contract talks, and the latest on John Gibson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR SHANAHAN AND BLAKE?

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos believes Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan and Los Angeles Kings general manager Rob Blake are two executives to watch this summer.

Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan (NHL.com).

Shanahan’s contract expires at the end of this season. The Leafs’ performance in the upcoming postseason could determine his fate. The Buffalo Sabres and New York Islanders could be monitoring his situation.

Speculation suggests Blake could reassess his future with the Kings regardless of how far they go in the postseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres need someone to oversee its hockey operations while the Islanders could shake up their front office if Lou Lamoriello steps down as president of hockey operations and general manager.

UPDATE ON BENNETT’S CONTRACT TALKS

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos reports the contract talks between the Florida Panthers and Sam Bennett are going well. The 29-year-old center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Some believe Bennett will re-sign with the Panthers. Kypreos cites Bennett’s love of the team, head coach Paul Maurice’s love of the player, and a contract that could be around $60 million with no state tax.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The average annual value of a seven-year contract would be just over $8.57 million. If it’s eight years, it’s $7.5 million.

LATEST ON GIBSON

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes there’s some frustration John Gibson wasn’t moved at the trade deadline from the player, Ducks management and the teams interested in him. Friedman expects this could resume in the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gibson has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $6.4 million and a 10-team no-trade list. The Carolina Hurricanes reportedly looked into acquiring him last summer but opted to stick with their current goaltenders.

It’s believed the Ducks’ reluctance to retain salary hampered previous efforts to trade Gibson. With the salary cap rising significantly over the next three years, they could have better luck finding a suitor willing to take on his full cap hit. However, the rising cap could make the Ducks willing to retain some of his AAV to facilitate a trade and bring this ongoing saga to a close.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 6, 2025

by | Mar 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 6, 2025

The trade deadline is 3 PM ET on Friday, March 7. Check out the latest speculation on the notable trade candidates and the status of the notable buyers and sellers in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HURRICANES

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Carolina Hurricanes are conducting due diligence on Mikko Rantanen, checking out potential returns as a rental player or if he signs a contract extension with the acquiring team before July 1.

Friedman believes the Toronto Maple Leafs, Dallas Stars and Los Angeles Kings are among a long list of suitors. If the Hurricanes agree to retain half of their share of Rantanen’s $9.25 million cap hit ($4.625 million), the acquiring team would get him at the bargain rate of just over $2.3 million.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

If the Hurricanes don’t like the offers, they can retain Rantanen for the rest of the season and make a run for the Stanley Cup.

TSN: Darren Dreger believes the New Jersey Devils could kick tires on Rantanen. They reported yesterday that superstar center Jack Hughes underwent season-ending shoulder surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule out a Rantanen trade because of his offensive skills. However, the Hurricanes probably won’t move him if they don’t get a return that improves their chances of winning the Stanley Cup.

DEVILS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports the Devils contacted the Hurricanes about Rantanen. He expects they could also be in the mix for notable trade candidates like Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders and Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks, among others.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils have Jack Hughes and Jonas Siegenthaler on LTIR, giving them over $11 million in salary cap flexibility to pursue one or two of this season’s notable trade candidates.

ISLANDERS

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple reports sources said New York Islanders general manager Lou Lamoriello was still trying to hammer out a contract extension for Brock Nelson. That doesn’t necessarily mean he’ll remain an Islander, as some teams interested in acquiring him could also want to sign him.

Staple lists the Toronto Maple Leafs, Winnipeg Jets, Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild and Los Angeles Kings as clubs that would make pitches to Nelson if he doesn’t re-sign with the Isles. Some of those clubs could also be interested in Isles winger Kyle Palmieri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello could take this situation with Nelson up to Friday before deciding whether to sign or trade him. It could increase Nelson’s trade value, but there’s also a risk of waiting too long and finding out that other clubs have moved on.

PENGUINS

TSN: Darren Dreger doesn’t rule out the Pittsburgh Penguins trading Rickard Rakell. However, he thinks it will take a significant offer to tempt them into moving the 31-year-old scoring winger.

Chris Johnston wouldn’t be surprised if they flip recently acquired defenseman Luke Schenn to another club by the trade deadline.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports Rakell has been made available in the trade market. He also believes it would take a substantial return to pry him away from the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell leads the Penguins with 29 goals and is second in points with 53. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $5 million. Pens GM Kyle Dubas will want a return that includes a first-round pick and a good young player who can join the roster immediately.

MAPLE LEAFS

TSN: Darren Dreger believes the Toronto Maple Leafs trade targets include St. Louis Blues center Brayden Schenn, New York Islanders center Brock Nelson, and perhaps Philadelphia Flyers forward Scott Laughton.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They are too expensive for the cap-strapped Leafs unless GM Brad Treliving can free up salary or swing a three-team deal to make the dollars work. They could pursue Rantanen if the Hurricanes agree to retain half his remaining cap hit but he won’t address their need for a third line center and another defenseman.

FLYERS

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz cited a report on Tuesday claiming as many as eight teams have called the Philadelphia Flyers about Scott Laughton. However, only a handful may have engaged in serious trade discussions. He speculates they could include the Maple Leafs, Devils and Winnipeg Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers remain reluctant about moving Laughton because of what he brings to the team in experience and leadership. Nevertheless, they could trade him if someone agrees to meet their high asking price, which could include a first-round draft pick.

BRUINS

TSN: Chris Johnston reports hearing that Boston Bruins defenseman Brandon Carlo’s name is out there in the trade market.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports that teams talking trade with the Bruins have shifted their focus from sidelined captain Brad Marchand to players like Carlo and Morgan Geekie. However, they won’t be moved unless the Bruins receive offers that “knock their socks off.” It’s expected they’ll be peddling pending UFAs like Justin Brazeau.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand was unlikely to be moved by the deadline, given his leadership role with the Bruins and his close relationship with GM Don Sweeney. His upper-body injury should silence that trade chatter.

CANUCKS

TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Vancouver Canucks have gauged the market on pending UFA winger Brock Boeser. They could also elect to hang onto him. He also indicated that any moves the Canucks make will be with an eye on next season.

CANADIENS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens are willing to trade pending UFAs David Savard or Joel Armia but not both. They don’t want to take away too much from their roster as they push for a wild-card spot. They could attempt a hockey trade to bring in a player who can help them for the long term. So far, nothing is imminent.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie doesn’t expect Armia to be traded. He believes the checking-line forward might fetch a second-round pick but he’d be more effective to the Canadiens now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens have played their way back into playoff contention since the 4 Nations Face-Off ended two weeks ago. GM Kent Hughes could prefer keeping his roster intact to allow them to battle for a wild-card berth.

Lavoie was the only pundit insisting the Canadiens had a path to signing Jake Evans to a contract extension, which they did earlier this week.

JETS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports that finding a second-line center is the priority for the Winnipeg Jets. Brock Nelson of the New York Islanders could be a really good addition here. They could also consider adding a bottom-six player who could play in the top six, like Montreal’s Joel Armia.

OILERS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun acknowledged the calls for the Edmonton Oilers to acquire a goaltender, but he doesn’t believe that’s their priority. He thinks they need another defenseman.

FLAMES AND SENATORS

TSN: Chris Johnston doesn’t see the Calgary Flames or Ottawa Senators making significant moves at the deadline. The Senators are hampered by salary-cap constraints. Meanwhile, the Flames seem intent on keeping their current group together as they try to nail down a playoff berth.

BLUE JACKETS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun doesn’t fully rule out the Columbus Blue Jackets trading Ivan Provorov. However, he thinks the 28-year-old defenseman will be staying put. The two sides remain apart in their contract extension talks but they’ve agreed to resume the discussion after the season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets are jockeying for a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Provorov is a key member of their blueline. Moving him could disrupt the solid team chemistry that has this club defying the odds this season.

DUCKS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes John Gibson will remain with the Anaheim Ducks.

The Edmonton Oilers need goaltending but they don’t see the 31-year-old Gibson as an improvement over their tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard. The Carolina Hurricanes had spoken with the Ducks about Gibson this season but Frederik Andersen’s return to action and the Ducks’ asking price likely rules out a possible deal there.