NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025
NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025
Could the Maple Leafs attempt a reunion with Nazem Kadri? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRY TO BRING BACK NAZEM KADRI?
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan wondered if Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving would attempt to bring Nazem Kadri back to Toronto.
The Leafs traded Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019. In 2022, he signed a seven-year contract with the Calgary Flames, whose GM at the time was Treliving.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).
Koshan said he wasn’t suggesting anything was imminent trade-wise between the Leafs and Flames. He cited an NHL source claiming Kadri wouldn’t use his no-movement clause to block a return to Toronto. However, Kadri enjoys playing in Calgary and isn’t looking to be moved, nor has he been asked to waive his NMC.
THE SPORTING NEWS: cited TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated the Flames don’t want to trade Kadri, whose NMC remains in effect until next July, when it becomes a 13-team no-trade list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came close to making the playoffs last season, with Kadri playing a key role as their leading scorer. He’ll be a crucial part of their postseason hopes for 2025-26. They’re not parting with Kadri unless he demands to be traded, and there’s no indication he wants out.
Assuming Kadri would welcome a trade to Toronto, the retooling Flames would likely want a good young player as part of the return. That’s something the Leafs lack among their limited tradeable assets.
THE LATEST ON THE PENGUINS
THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently looked at trade speculation surrounding Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The 33-year-old Rust’s no-movement clause ended on July 1.
Yohe had a hunch that both players would be part of the Penguins’ starting lineup in October. However, he expects at least one of them will be playing elsewhere by the March 2026 trade deadline.
“They’re great players, great guys, and fairly paid,” wrote Yohe. “But they’re also valuable commodities who are in their 30s. Does keeping them make sense?” He thinks both players could command a first-round pick in return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has resisted moving Rust or Rakell this summer, possibly because he hasn’t received any suitable trade offers, or maybe because he wants to maintain some veteran depth to his rebuilding roster for the coming season.
Whatever the reason, one of them could indeed be on the move by the trade deadline if, as expected, the Penguins are out of playoff contention by then.
TVA SPORTS: cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes Sidney Crosby could be moved by the March 2026 trade deadline.
Kypreos noted that the 37-year-old Crosby is still performing at a high level. He thinks the Penguins’ captain is too good a player to be acting as a babysitter for young talent on a non-contending club.
“Leaving him in Pittsburgh would be a disservice to our game,” Kypreos said. He then deadpanned about Crosby possibly landing with the Montreal Canadiens following the Olympic break.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos is among several pundits who believe Crosby must be traded to a playoff contender “for the good of the game”. Some suggest the long-time Penguins superstar join the Canadiens, his boyhood team. Others openly salivate over the thought of him playing alongside his buddy (and fellow Cole Harbour, NS native) Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.
Folks, it’s up to Crosby to decide what he thinks is best for him. And if that means staying with the now-rebuilding Penguins until he retires, so be it. If he wanted out, he never would’ve signed that two-year extension last September. He would’ve let his contract expire and hit the open market this past Tuesday.
Crosby could change his mind if he feels that he wants one more shot at the Stanley Cup. Maybe he sticks around long enough for Evgeny Malkin’s farewell tour this season and decides he’s had enough.
Or maybe, just maybe, Crosby intends to remain loyal to the only NHL team he’s ever played for, and sticks around to provide guidance and leadership to the promising next generation of Penguins players. Either way, it’ll be what’s best for him, and it won’t hurt the integrity of the game at all.