NHL Rumor Mill – November 25, 2025
NHL Rumor Mill – November 25, 2025
A look at the goalie market, the Canucks could become sellers, and an update on Jets center Brad Lambert in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
WHICH GOALIES COULD BECOME TRADE OPTIONS?
SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at some goaltending options for clubs (like the Edmonton Oilers and Montreal Canadiens) that could look to level up their goaltending.
Nashville Predators goaltender Juuse Saros (NHL Images).
The St. Louis Blues’ early-season struggles have led to Jordan Binnington resurfacing in the rumor mill. However, his stats are among the league’s worst.
Juuse Saros of the Nashville Predators has also been suggested as a trade target, but his full no-movement clause makes him unlikely to be moved.
Jonathan Quick could be an option if the New York Rangers are out of playoff contention by the March 6 trade deadline. He’s having a strong final chapter to his NHL career as Igor Shesterkin’s backup.
The Toronto Maple Leafs could become sellers if their current woes persist. With Anthony Stolarz under contract for four more years and the Leafs entering a possible transitional phase, Dixon suggested that Joseph Woll could be moved for the right return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dixon cautioned that adding any of those goalies is no guarantee that they’re going to turn into Scott Wedgewood, whose career was rejuvenated after being acquired last season by the Colorado Avalanche.
Binnington carries a 14-team no-trade list. His $6 million annual cap hit could also be a deal-breaker unless the Blues retain part of it.
It’s doubtful that Saros will be going anywhere after the Predators re-signed him to a lucrative long-term contract, especially after they traded away promising Yaroslav Askarov to the San Jose Sharks in August 2024.
Quick might be a quick fix for a playoff contender, and seems the most likely on the list to get traded. Still, he’s turning 40 and is now best in a supporting role. As for Woll, if the Leafs trade him, they’re just making their situation worse. If they’re in transition, it would make sense to keep that tandem of Woll and Stolarz together to maintain some semblance of stability between the pipes.
Meanwhile, Dixon’s colleague Elliotte Friedman proposed two goalies that might be of interest to the Montreal Canadiens. He indicated that some people wondered if the Detroit Red Wings might move Cam Talbot.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings are in the thick of the playoff race in the Atlantic Division. Talbot’s their best goaltender. They’re not trading him to a divisional rival, and have no intention of moving him unless they’re out of playoff contention by the March deadline.
Friedman suggested Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen could be an interesting name to watch. He thinks the Canadiens are among the teams “doing their research” on the Buffalo Sabres netminder.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Luukkonen came up because he was sidelined by an early-season injury and struggled a bit during his return. Meanwhile, backup Alex Lyon and call-up Colten Ellis were playing well, prompting some observers to wonder if the Sabres might peddle their starter.
However, it’s doubtful the Sabres will move Luukkonen. They don’t know for certain what they’ve got in Ellis, who isn’t waiver-exempt. For now, they appear content to stick with three goalies.
ARE THE CANUCKS ABOUT TO BECOME SELLERS?
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman cited several sources indicating that the Vancouver Canucks have let it be known that they’re willing to entertain trade offers for veteran players.
Friedman stated that the list of veterans they’re willing to listen on doesn’t include defenseman and team captain Quinn Hughes. It’s also unlikely that blueliner Filip Hronek is available.
It appears the Canucks are willing to listen to offers for pending unrestricted free agents or players with a year or two remaining on their contracts. However, they don’t wish to engage in a full roster rebuild.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those pending UFAs include forwards Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger, Kiefer Sherwood, and David Kampf, and defensemen Derek Forbort. Those with one or two years remaining on their contracts include forwards Filip Chytil and Drew O’Connor, and defenseman Tyler Myers.
Of those, Sherwood could be the most enticing. He carries an affordable $1.5 million cap hit, had a career-best 40-point performance in 2024-25, and has 12 goals and 16 points in 23 games this season.
THE LATEST ON BRAD LAMBERT
THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates reports the Winnipeg Jets have no interest in trading Brad Lambert to acquiesce to his trade request. They hold plenty of leverage, with the 21-year-old forward waiver-exempt until next season.
Ates believes GM Kevin Cheveldayoff won’t move Lambert unless it benefits the Jets. He speculates that the youngster could be bundled with draft capital at the trade deadline to acquire an impact player. If no sensible offers come their way, they’re content to retain Lambert until he’s NHL-ready.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James observed that NHL insider Frank Seravalli included the Flyers among his list of four clubs that could be a good fit for Lambert. The others were the Calgary Flames, Vancouver Canucks, and Montreal Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on Ates’ comments, the Flames or Canucks could be the more likely trade partners as they are likely to be among the sellers at the trade deadline, if not sooner. The Canadiens and Flyers aren’t parting with an impact player for a prospect and a draft pick.
