NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 5, 2026

by | Mar 5, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – March 5, 2026

Recapping Wednesday’s games and notable trades in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF WEDNESDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Nikolaj Ehlers tallied a hat trick as the Carolina Hurricanes defeated the Vancouver Canucks 6-4. Sebastian Aho, Andrei Svechnikov, and Sean Walker each had a goal and an assist for the 39-16-6 Hurricanes, who are 11-1-2 in their last 14 games and hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 84 points. Filip Hronek had a goal and two assists for the 18-36-7 Canucks.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, defenseman Tyler Myers waived his no-movement clause, accepting a trade to the Dallas Stars. In exchange, the Canucks received a second-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft and a fourth-rounder in 2029.

Myers will likely slot in on the Stars’ blueliner as the right-shot defenseman on their third pairing. The Canucks got a decent return for the 36-year-old Myers.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer made 34 saves to help his club hold off the Seattle Kraken by a score of 3-2. Brayden Schenn collected three assists, and Robert Thomas had a goal and an assist for the 23-29-9 Blues. Jaden Schwartz and Vince Dunn scored for the Kraken (29-23-9), who hold the final Western Conference wild-card berth with 67 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a deal in place with the Buffalo Sabres that would reportedly send defenseman Colton Parayko to the Sabres in exchange for prospect blueliner Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick. However, they’re waiting for Parayko to decide if he’ll waive his no-trade clause. As of publication, they’re still awaiting his decision.

The New Jersey Devils got a shootout goal from Paul Cotter to beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-3. Arseny Gritsyuk and Nico Hischier each had two points for the 31-29-2 Devils. Anthony Stolarz stopped 44 shots for the Maple Leafs, who dropped to 27-24-11.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs held forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson out of the lineup for roster management purposes, which means that management is having trade talks involving those players. At least one of them could be on the move by Friday’s trade deadline.

McMann and Laughton are due to become unrestricted free agents on July 1 and lack no-trade protection. Ekman-Larsson has two years left on his contract and a 16-team no-trade list.

Before this game, the Maple Leafs announced that defenseman Chris Tanev is done for the season after undergoing core muscle surgery. He is expected to fully participate in training camp in September.

The Vegas Golden Knights overcame a 3-1 deficit to defeat the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 on an overtime goal by Tomas Hertl. Ivan Barbashev and Mitch Marner scored in the third period to tie the game, with Marner finishing the night with three points. Alex DeBrincat and Simon Edvinsson each had a goal and an assist for the Red Wings (35-20-7), who sit third in the Atlantic Division with 77 points. The 29-19-14 Golden Knights remain in first place in the Pacific Division with 72 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings had a scare when team captain Dylan Larkin left the game late in the third period after being cross-checked in the ribs by Golden Knights defenseman Brayden McNabb. He returned for the overtime period.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier tallied twice, and goaltender Ville Husso kicked out 42 shots in a 5-1 victory over the New York Islanders. Beckett Sennecke had a goal and an assist to take over the lead among this season’s rookie scorers with 51 points as the Ducks (34-24-3) sit one point behind the Golden Knights. Anders Lee replied for the 35-22-5 Islanders, who are in third place in the Metropolitan Division with 75 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders defenseman Ryan Pulock missed this game with an upper-body injury.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: The Calgary Flames traded defenseman MacKenzie Weegar to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for blueliner Olli Maatta, prospect center Jonathan Castagna, and three second-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was no salary retention by the Flames, meaning the Mammoth takes on the full remaining value of the 32-year-old Weegar’s contract. He’s signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $6.25 million.

Weegar will bring valuable depth and experience to the Mammoth’s blueline as they jockey for a playoff berth in the Western Conference. He will likely skate on the right side of their second defense pairing, but can move up into a first-pairing role if required.

Daniel Austin of the Calgary Sun believes the Flames got a good return for Weegar, considering that the blueliner’s production is down this season. One of those second-round picks belonged to the Rangers, meaning it’ll be near the top of that round. They also get a veteran replacement for Weegar in Maatta, who carries a more affordable $3.5 million AAV through 2027-28. Castagna brings more center depth to the Flames’ prospect pool.

The Chicago Blackhawks traded forwards Jason Dickinson and Colton Dach to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for winger Andrew Mangiapane and a conditional first-round pick (top-12 protected) in the 2027 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reports the Blackhawks retained half of Dickinson’s $4.25 million cap hit. He’s UFA-eligible in July.

The Oilers dealt with two needs with this trade. The underrated Dickinson should address their need for a reliable third-line center, and they got Mangiapane’s burdensome contract off their books. They also get a young forward in Dach, the younger brother of Kirby Dach of the Montreal Canadiens. Colton played a fourth-line role in Chicago.

This move gives the Blackhawks two first-rounders in next year’s draft. As for Mangiapane, he gets another chance to see if he can regain the scoring touch he had with the Calgary Flames several years ago. He’ll have an opportunity for more playing time with the rebuilding Blackhawks.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired defenseman Nick Blankenburg from the Nashville Predators in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blankenburg is a puck-moving defenseman who has 21 points in 49 games this season, averaging over 17 minutes of ice time per game. It’ll be interesting to see how much playing time he’ll get on the right side of the Avalanche defense corps.

Blankenburg is the third player traded by the Predators this week. They already shipped out forward Michael McCarron to the Minnesota Wild for a 2028 second-round pick and Cole Smith to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2028 third-rounder. General manager Barry Trotz could have more moves in store by tomorrow’s deadline, even though his team is battling for a playoff berth.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks signed winger Kiefer Sherwood to a five-year, $28.75 million contract. He’ll earn an average annual value of $5.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sherwood has cashed in well with this deal. His current AAV is $1.5 million. He’s also getting a full no-trade clause for next season, followed by a 16-team no-trade list for 2027-28, a 13-team list in 2028-29, a 10-team list in 2029-30, and a five-team list in 2030-31.

The Sharks can afford it, but it remains to be seen if Sherwood can maintain the level of performance from the past two seasons that earned him this deal.

TSN: The Washington Capitals signed forward Ethen Frank to a two-year, $4 million contract.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: The Panthers placed defenseman Tobias Bjornfot on waivers and signed goaltender Louis Domingue to a one-year, two-way contract.










NHL Rumor Mill (Part 2) – March 4, 2026

by | Mar 4, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill (Part 2) – March 4, 2026

The latest on Blues center Robert Thomas, Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, Flames center Nazem Kadri, and more in Part 2 of today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ROBERT THOMAS TRADE TALKS BETWEEN BLUES & SABRES FALL THROUGH

TSN: Darren Dreger reports it’s believed the Buffalo Sabres and St. Louis Blues went the distance to hammer out a trade involving Blues center Richard Thomas. However, it sounds like the Sabres weren’t willing to part with the necessary pieces of prospects, a player, and a first-round pick.

Other clubs remain interested, but the Blues remain firm with their asking price.

Dreger also reported the Blues and Sabres discussed defensemen, with the latter expressing interest in right-hand shots Justin Faulk and Colton Parayko.

**UPDATE** TSN reports the Blues and Sabres are finalizing a deal that would send Parayko to Buffalo. Darren Dreger believes prospect Radim Mrtka and a first-round pick will be heading to St. Louis.

DOBBER HOCKEY: mentioned Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting the proposed deal could have seen Thomas and Parayko going to Buffalo, with defenseman Owen Power or Bowen Byram as part of the return to the Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s believed the Sabres pushed back against moving Power. They’re reluctant to shake up their current roster too much because they don’t want to disrupt the successful chemistry they’ve had since December.

PANTHERS WILLING TO ENTERTAIN OFFERS FOR SERGEI BOBROVSKY

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Florida Panthers are going into sell mode as they sit 10 points out of a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. They’re willing to entertain offers for their UFA-eligible players, including starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (NHL Images).

LeBrun stated this doesn’t mean the 37-year-old Bobrovsky will be moved. He has a 16-team no-trade list. Nevertheless, the Panthers are willing to listen.

THE ATHLETIC: In his latest column, LeBrun suggested the Vegas Golden Knights and Carolina Hurricanes as two clubs that should inquire about Bobrovsky. He thinks the Edmonton Oilers would be on Bobrovsky’s no-trade list. As for the Montreal Canadiens, if they were to trade for a goalie, LeBrun doesn’t see them pursuing a rental player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bobrovsky also has a $10 million cap hit this season, but his actual salary is $5 million. Still, taking on the remainder of that cap hit could be difficult for cap-strapped clubs seeking an upgrade between the pipes.

UPDATE ON NAZEM KADRI

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun thinks the Montreal Canadiens will keep tabs on Nazem Kadri. He doesn’t think they’ll force anything before the deadline, but could be open to acquiring a top-six forward for a price they’re comfortable with. He also thinks they’ve at least checked in on Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers.

LeBrun believes Kadri returning to the Colorado Avalanche makes the most sense, but the Flames would have to retain salary to make it happen. That’s something the Flames probably aren’t willing to do.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri to the Canadiens would likely also involve salary retention, as they probably don’t want a 35-year-old center with an AAV of $7 million on their books for three more years.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports forwards Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton are the players most likely to be traded by theToronto Maple Leafs. Both are UFA-eligible this summer and carry affordable salary-cap hits.

Chris Johnston subsequently reported that the Maple Leafs have scratched Mann, Laughton, and defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson for roster management reasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekman-Larsson has two more years left on his contract with an affordable average annual value of $3.5 million. He also carries a 16-team no-trade list.

CANUCKS WINGER CONOR GARLAND DRAWING MORE INTEREST

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Vancouver Canucks winger Conor Garland is garnering more attention in the trade market of late compared to his teammates. The 29-year-old Garland is in the final season of his current contract that lacks no-trade protection, but his six-year, $36 million extension (with a full no-movement clause) begins on July 1.

Dreger claimed the Boston Bruins and New York Islanders have shown some interest. He believes there will be other clubs looking at him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The recurring issue about Garland is that teams love his style of play, but not his new contract. Don’t expect the Canucks to retain salary to facilitate a deal.

BLUE JACKETS NOT MOVE KENT JOHNSON

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported Tuesday that teams have called the Columbus Blue Jackets about Kent Johnson after his recent scratch. However, the Jackets have no interest in moving the 23-year-old winger.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 4, 2026

by | Mar 4, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 4, 2026

The trade deadline is Friday. Check out the latest on Robert Thomas, Jordan Binnington, Brady Tkachuk, Simon Nemec, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ROBERT THOMAS RUMORS HEATING UP

TSN: Darren Dreger reports trade discussions between the St. Louis Blues and Buffalo Sabres involving Blues center Robert Thomas are heating up. While there are other teams interested in the 26-year-old Thomas, the Sabres appear to be the frontrunners.

Chris Johnston said the Blues are seeking three or four premium assets for Thomas. It’s believed the discussions with the Sabres have reached the point where they’re talking about a package of picks, players, and prospects that gets to about four players.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).

Pierre LeBrun believes the Blues’ high asking price will be too expensive for the Montreal Canadiens. They’ve inquired about Thomas, but the asking price would involve top prospects such as Michael Hage, David Reinbacher, and other assets. It doesn’t make sense from the Canadiens’ perspective to get into that kind of move unless the price comes down.

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun also reports the Utah Mammoth is among the clubs linked to Thomas.

Meanwhile, Jeremy Rutherford and Matthew Fairburn looked at what it might cost the Sabres to land Thomas.

The Sabres might have to part with Owen Power or prospect defenseman Radim Mrtka. The Blues would also want a young center in the deal, which could cost the Sabres Zach Benson or a prospect such as Konsta Helenius or Noah Ostlund. Fairburn wondered if the Blues might be interested in prospect goaltender Devon Levi.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It certainly sounds like the Sabres are the favorites in the bidding for Thomas. Whether the two sides can close the deal by Friday is another matter. Thomas has a full no-trade clause, and he might not be keen to go to Buffalo. However, it would provide a big boost to the Sabres’ roster if he’s willing to make that move.

WILL THE BLUES FIND A TAKER FOR JORDAN BINNINGTON?

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes the Blues have been talking to other teams about goaltender Jordan Binnington, defensemen Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk, and winger Jordan Kyrou.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reported that Friedman believes there’s a chance that Binnington gets traded to the Oilers, Canadiens, or Vegas Golden Knights.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s a change from what Friedman said over the weekend, when he claimed the Oilers were going to stick with their current goalies and focus on addressing other roster needs.

THE ATHLETIC’s Jeremy Rutherford reports a source said he doesn’t see Binnington moving until the summer. The 32-year-old goalie has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $6 million and a 14-team no-trade list.

The Blues have to make the best deal they can. However, general manager Doug Armstrong will give Binnington some consideration in his preferred destination.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Binnington trade could happen by Friday, but it seems more likely that it’ll occur in the offseason.

BRADY TKACHUK SURFACES IN THE RUMOR MILL

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reported that Keith Yandle of the “Spittin’ Chiclets” podcast speculated that Senators captain Brady Tkachuk could be traded to the Dallas Stars for Jason Robertson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch was quick to dismiss Yandle’s conjecture, pointing out that Tkachuk indicated last week that the thought of leaving the Senators hasn’t crossed his mind. He has two more years left on his contract, and management has no intention of moving him.

Garrioch also noted TSN’s Jeff O’Neill said he wouldn’t be surprised if Tkachuk and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews go to their respective clubs at the end of this season and request to be traded this summer. O’Neill cited the criticism both players have received in their respective markets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As noted earlier, Tkachuk said he’s given no thought to leaving the Senators. Meanwhile, recent reports from Toronto indicated that the Maple Leafs received assurances from the Matthews camp that he’ll be back next season.

Next summer, however, could be a different story. By then, both players will be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. Much will depend on the performances of both clubs during 2026-27. If they make little or no improvement over this season, one or both players could have second thoughts about signing extensions, which could force their clubs to move them next summer rather than lose them to free agency in 2028.

DEVILS TAKING CALLS ABOUT SIMON NEMEC

TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils are taking calls about Simon Nemec. The Devils are happy to keep the 22-year-old defenseman, but they’re willing to listen if there’s a deal that upgrades their forward lines in a real way. LeBrun claimed there’s no shortage of interest.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Draft picks and prospects won’t cut it. The Devils want a hockey trade that fetches a good forward. 

If the Devils are willing to move Nemec, it suggests they’re not getting much interest in veteran Dougie Hamilton, who was a hot topic in the rumor mill last summer and in January. However, most of that speculation has faded in recent weeks.

FLAMES INTERESTED IN XHEKAJ

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE’s Herb Zurkowsky said he’s heard the Calgary Flames have an interest in Arber Xhekaj.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Xhekaj is a big, heavy-hitting defenseman who is a fan favorite in Montreal, but has seen his playing time reduced this season because of the growing depth on the Canadiens’ blueline. He’s a restricted free agent this summer with arbitration rights.

The Canadiens could move the 25-year-old Xhekaj if they get a solid return. However, they’ll likely hang onto him for the playoffs when his physical style will be of greater use.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 3, 2026

by | Mar 3, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 3, 2026

As the trade deadline draws closer, check out the latest on Vincent Trocheck, Adam Fox, and Robert Thomas, plus updates on the Oilers, Bruins, and Capitals in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON VINCENT TROCHECK AND ADAM FOX

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker reports Vincent Trocheck confirmed that West Coast teams are on his 12-team no-trade list. The 32-year-old New York Rangers center has three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.65 million.

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)

Trocheck said it was no secret that those teams were on his list, saying he wants to stay as close to the East Coast as possible for family reasons. He also acknowledged that a trade could be coming, and if it does, he wants it to be to a team where he has a chance to win, rather than joining a club that’s in the same situation as the Rangers.

Walker noted that Trocheck has been linked to the Minnesota Wild. If he wants to remain in the Eastern Conference, the Detroit Red Wings and Carolina Hurricanes could be suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sarah McLellan of The Minneapolis Star-Tribune believes Trocheck would “fit the bill” for the Wild, who are in the market for a center. However, they could have difficulty meeting the Rangers’ asking price after trading away several top assets to the Vancouver Canucks for Quinn Hughes in December.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano reported a league source claimed there were multiple meetings in recent weeks between Rangers defenseman Adam Fox and general manager Chris Drury.

Another source said Fox wants to see how Drury handles the coming months and assess the roster this summer before making a full commitment to sticking it out with the rebuilding Rangers. That doesn’t mean he’s unwilling to endure a transition period, but he wants evidence that management has a path out of its current plight.

Mercogliano dismissed the possibility of Drury using Fox as a trade chip, pointing out he has a full no-movement clause through 2026-27, after which it drops to a 16-team no-trade list. The Rangers must avoid another situation where a player with a full no-movement clause limits where he can be moved, as Artemi Panarin did last month.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It would be surprising if Drury attempted to trade Fox by Friday’s deadline. As I mentioned over the weekend, that’s a move that seems more likely during the offseason. Nevertheless, Fox’s NMC would complicate things.

THE LATEST ROBERT THOMAS SPECULATION

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens are among a handful of teams interested in Robert Thomas. However, they’re wary of the St. Louis Blues’ high asking price for the 26-year-old center. He’s under contract for another five seasons with an AAV of $8.125 million and a full no-trade clause.

D’Amico’s sources claim the Blues covet the Canadiens’ top prospect Michael Hage. They’re also interested in defenseman Kaiden Guhle and several of their young blueline prospects. One source said they’re seeking a return comparable to what the Vancouver Canucks received in the Quinn Hughes trade, which was the equivalent of four first-round picks.

The Utah Mammoth and Detroit Red Wings are also believed to be among the other interested parties and could be better positioned to acquire Thomas. The Wings are said to be openly shopping high-end prospects for a top-six center, while Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong knows Thomas from his days with the Blues organization. They also have the depth in prospects to make a competitive bid.

TVA SPORTS: The Canadiens won’t part with Hage. Tony Marinaro would be fine with the Canadiens parting with prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky as part of the return for Thomas. He also suggested adding Oliver Kapanen to the deal to make room for Hage.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adding Thomas could accelerate the Canadiens’ rise into Stanley Cup contention, but it could also come at the expense of their top assets. That’s assuming he’ll waive his no-trade clause to go to Montreal.

Canadiens management has patiently built this roster largely with their promising young talent. They did make a bold move last summer by acquiring Noah Dobson, but that didn’t put much of a dent in their prospect pipeline. Moving Hage seems like a non-starter for them.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Cory Pronman looked at what a deal for Thomas with the Mammoth might look like. They believe it’ll cost the Mammoth “two A-level assets” and one or two B-level assets, with one of those being a current player.

They don’t see the Mammoth parting with Logan Cooley or Dylan Guenther because they’re already difference-makers for the Mammoth. Caleb Desnoyers and Dmitri Simashev are unlikely to move.

THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER: Andrew Knoll believes the Anaheim Ducks are well-positioned to be buyers at the trade deadline. They’re poised to make the playoffs for the first time in eight years and carry plenty of depth and draft capital to make a splash.

Knoll suggested Thomas as a big-name target for the Ducks. He noted they have plenty of salary-cap space for this season and beyond, and a nice stock of future draft picks, including their first-rounder and three second-rounders in this year’s draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are my dark horse approaching this trade deadline. They haven’t popped up much in the rumor mill, but that doesn’t mean GM Pat Verbeek isn’t quietly shopping around. He could prefer adding a good player in their twenties with term remaining on their contract.

MORE TRADES COULD BE COMING FOR THE OILERS

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples reports Oilers insider Bob Stauffer believes the club might not be finished making moves in the trade market after acquiring Connor Murphy from the Chicago Blackhawks on Monday.

Stauffer speculated the Oilers could make two more trades, suggesting a player could be moved out to create more salary-cap flexibility. Meanwhile, Frank Seravalli believes winger Andrew Mangiapane could be traded, despite clearing waivers and being demoted to the AHL affiliate. Staples colleague, Jim Matheson, raised the possibility of the Oilers pursuing Toronto Maple Leafs center Nicolas Roy.

Staples also noted that NHL insider Brian Lawton thinks the Murphy acquisition is the prelude to a bigger move by the Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers had to demote Mangiapane and Alec Regula, place forward Mattias Janmark on long-term injury reserve, and get the Blackhawks to retain half of Murphy’s $4.4 millon AAV to pull that deal off. They’re still pressed for cap space, meaning they’ll have to move more than Mangiapane if they’re planning another significant addition.

BRUINS WOULD LIKE TO GIVE THEIR ROSTER A BUMP

NESN: Keagan Stiefel reports Boston Bruins GM Don Sweeney said he’d like to give his roster a bump as they jockey for a playoff berth. He indicated that such a move would be an eye on the present and for the future.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, Sweeney wants a player signed beyond this season instead of a pending UFA who could walk this summer.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the Bruins have been tracking Vancouver Canucks wingers Conor Garland and Brock Boeser. Multiple sources suggested Garland is more likely to be dealt, given that the no-movement clause on his new contract begins on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks are reportedly open to offers for Garland and Boeser, but they’re not actively shopping them. It’s been said that teams like Garland’s style of play, but not his new six-year, $36-million contract. If the Canucks aren’t willing to retain salary on Elias Pettersson’s contract to facilitate a deal, they probably won’t do so for Garland. Six years is a long time to carry dead cap space, even with the salary cap rising.

CAPITALS LOOKING TO ADD BUT NOT AT ANY COST

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Sammi Silber recently reported Washington Capitals GM Chris Patrick would like to add a scoring winger. However, he’s not keen to part with his young players or prospects, and isn’t going all-in on a short-term rental player.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 2, 2026

by | Mar 2, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 2, 2026

As the Friday trade deadline approaches, check out the latest on Vincent Trocheck, Robert Thomas, Auston Matthews, Nazem Kadri, Sergei Bobrovsky, Patrik Laine, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON TROCHECK, THOMAS, MATTHEWS, AND KADRI

NHL ON TNT: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports Vincent Trocheck has let it be known that he wants to stay as close to the East Coast as possible. The 32-year-old New York Rangers center has a 12-team no-trade list and three years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.625 million.

Friedman thinks the Minnesota Wild are still in the Trocheck sweepstakes, sitting in the Central time zone. It’s believed the Wild have a standing offer for him, but we’ll have to wait and see what they do. Failing that, they could look at someone like Charlie Coyle of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

The Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings could also be among the suitors. It’s believed the Rangers have set a high asking price for him.

St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trocheck’s salary, two-way play, and modified NTC make him the center most likely to move by the trade deadline, depending on what the Rangers want in return. His contract also works to the Rangers’ advantage. If no one is willing to meet their price, they can wait until the offseason for the market to improve.

The teams that are in on Trocheck could also be pursuing Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues. The 26-year-old center has a full no-trade clause, giving him full control over this situation. Friedman thinks the Red Wings and the Utah Mammoth could be linked to Thomas, but he doesn’t put stock into rumors linking him to the Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thomas’ NTC and his $8.125 million AAV are significant stumbling blocks in the path to a trade, as is the Blues’ asking price. They reportedly seek “three first-half-of-the-first-round” assets.

The Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t looking to move Auston Matthews or William Nylander. Matthews’ representatives met with Leafs management before the Olympics, and there’s no issue with him returning next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs will attempt to move pending UFAs like Bobby McMann and Scott Laughton. They could also look at moving some players with term on their contracts, such as Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Friedman is skeptical that the Colorado Avalanche will bring back Nazem Kadri from the Calgary Flames. He pointed out that the club has to re-sign Cale Makar before his contract expires in 2027. Taking on Kadri’s $7 million cap hit through 2028-29 would complicate efforts to re-sign Makar.

Friedman said the Flames aren’t interested in retaining part of Kadri’s salary. He thinks the Avs could look more toward adding an affordable rental center, such as Scott Laughton of the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I thought a Kadri reunion with the Avalanche was possible, but Friedman’s comments about the cost of re-signing Makar make that unlikely if the Flames won’t retain salary.

COULD THE PANTHERS MOVE SERGEI BOBROVSKY?

NHL ON TNT: Elliotte Friedman reports he’s heard it’s been challenging for the Florida Panthers to re-sign Sergei Bobrovsky, giving rise to rumors that they might trade the 37-year-old goaltender.

Bobrovsky has a 16-team no-trade list. Friedman said he’s heard speculation linking the netminder to the San Jose Sharks, but he can’t currently can’t confirm that.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato thinks the Panthers should try to trade Bobrovsky. He suggested they try to get younger and deeper in goal while getting some kind of asset for Bobrovsky at the trade deadline. They could also look at trading him now and re-signing him in the offseason, though that sort of thing rarely occurs.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards recently reported that Bobrovsky wants to stay with the Panthers despite the lack of negotiations for a contract extension. “I’m fine with that, to be honest,” Bobrovsky said.

According to Richards, it would be very surprising if the Panthers trade Bobrovsky. The general feeling around the team is that he remains a big part of their future plans, and he wants to be part of it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless something radically changes leading up to Friday, expect Bobrovsky to remain with the Panthers when the trade deadline has passed.

LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports the Canadiens are actively working on moving Patrik Laine before the trade deadline. The 27-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status in July. He carries an $8.7 million cap hit for this season. Management has permitted Laine’s agent to speak with other teams about a trade.

Basu thinks the Canadiens are trying to include Laine in a trade that frees up some cap space while also bringing back a useful player. The other option is including a sweetener in the deal to convince another club to take on the remainder of his contract, or half of it.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie doubts there’s much of a market for Laine. Otherwise, he wouldn’t be with the Canadiens now. He wouldn’t be surprised if he’s still with the Habs after the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes has a well-earned reputation for pulling off deals that few would’ve thought possible. However, trading Laine could prove to be a challenge too difficult to pull off. 

NHL ON TNT: Friedman touched on the growing interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen following his solid performance for Finland in the Olympics. He’d heard the Montreal Canadiens looked into it, but it didn’t go very far. The Toronto Maple Leafs were linked to Ristolainen, but the Leafs are more of a seller than a buyer.

UPDATE ON THE OILERS

NHL ON TNT: Elliotte Friedman said he recently looked into whether the Edmonton Oilers might make another foray into the goalie market. He said the answer was no, that they’re going to stick with what they’ve got.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There really wasn’t a lot for the Oilers to get in the trade market this season. They sent Stuart Skinner to Pittsburgh for Tristan Jarry, but that hasn’t really improved things. So, they’ll have to stick with Jarry, Connor Ingram, and Calvin Pickard and hope for the best.

Friedman also reported that the Oilers need to move Andrew Mangiapane and his $3.6 million cap hit. However, they found it difficult to do, which is why they placed him on waivers.

He also said that the Oilers were interested in St. Louis Blues defenseman Justin Faulk. Unless the Blues are willing to retain salary, it would be too difficult to acquire him. Faulk carries an AAV of $6.5 million through next season. They’ve also looked at Oliver Ekman-Larsson of the Maple Leafs, but he would have to agree to go to Edmonton.

TSN: The Oilers can forget about trying to trade Adam Henrique to free up cap space. Darren Dreger reports he hasn’t told them that he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup (Part 1) – March 1, 2026

by | Mar 1, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup (Part 1) – March 1, 2026

The annual trade deadline is March 6. Check out the latest on Robert Thomas, Vincent Trocheck, Ryan O’Reilly, Nazem Kadri, Elias Pettersson, Bobby McMann, Tyler Myers, and more in Part 1 of the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE CENTERS OF ATTENTION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports centermen are drawing a lot of attention in the rumor mill, referring specifically to Robert Thomas of the St. Louis Blues, Vincent Trocheck of the New York Rangers, Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators, and Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames.

Friedman admitted being skeptical about the Thomas trade rumors when they first appeared, but now believes it could happen before the March 6 trade deadline. He thinks the Utah Mammoth is among the interested teams, pointing out that Mammoth general manager Bill Armstrong drafted Thomas when he was working for the Blues.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco reports sources say Thomas is a player the Boston Bruins really like. The Blues have set a high asking price for the 26-year-old center, but Di Marco indicates the Bruins have four first-round picks in the next two drafts and are willing to part with prospects such as Matthew Poitras and Dean Letourneau.

New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck (NHL Images)

Friedman mentioned that Trocheck’s preference is to stay in the Eastern Conference. A couple of far-west teams expressed interest in the 32-year-old center, but were told he’s not going out there. The Minnesota Wild have been linked to Trocheck. Friedman thinks “they’re a maybe.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Vincent Z. Mercogliano of The Athletic reported Friday that the Wild are considered the favorite to land Trocheck. However, his colleague Michael Russo wondered if general manager Bill Guerin is willing to part with the necessary assets to get it done after giving up so much to acquire Quinn Hughes in December.

Mercogliano also noted the Carolina Hurricanes and Detroit Red Wings have also been rumored to be interested in Trocheck, but he’s not sure if they’ll part with their top assets.

Friedman said O’Reilly has no desire to leave the Predators in the middle of a playoff race. Nevertheless, he thinks teams will still try to tempt the Predators into moving O’Reilly. The veteran center lacks no-trade protection, but he’s been told he’ll have the final say over his situation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Score’s Josh Wegman observed that Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic recently reported the Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, and Dallas Stars were among the clubs believed to be interested in O’Reilly.

As for Kadri, Friedman believes the Flames have been waiting patiently for a good offer to come.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Di Marco believes the Bruins like Kadri, but they’re not keen to take on an aging player with a $7 million average annual value through 2029. He also claimed the Bruins like Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, but the remaining term of his contract ($6.25 million through 2030-31) does cause some trepidation on their part.

Meanwhile, Bruce Garrioch of the Ottawa Sun believes the Montreal Canadiens and Colorado Avalanche could be among the interested parties. It’s doubtful that the Canadiens will add a 35-year-old center carrying that much term to their young roster. However, the Avalanche recently freed up some cap space by trading Samuel Girard to Pittsburgh for Brett Kulak, raising speculation that they could attempt to reacquire Kadri.

THE ATHLETIC: Cory Lavalette recently listed Trocheck, Thomas, and O’Reilly as potential trade targets for the Carolina Hurricanes. Of these, he considers O’Reilly as the most cost-effective move, provided he still has enough left in the tank to be effective for the playoffs.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports teams have been calling the Vancouver Canucks about Elias Pettersson. The 27-year-old center has six years left on his contract with an AAV of $11.6 million and a full no-movement clause.

Nevertheless, teams are still seeing if Pettersson might be available. Garrioch noted that the Detroit Red Wings are seeking a second-line center, and they have the tradeable assets and cap space to take on Pettersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It still seems like a Pettersson trade is something more likely to happen in the offseason rather than the trade deadline. Moving that hefty salary isn’t easy during the regular season, and there could be better options in the summer when teams have more cap space to work with.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Maple Leafs are considering moving players with term remaining on their contract, as well as pending unrestricted free agents. That doesn’t mean they’ll trade core players such as Auston Matthews or William Nylander, but perhaps someone like defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

Friedman believes Ekman-Larsson is on the Edmonton Oilers’ radar. He thinks they’re looking at adding a right-side defenseman (which Ekman-Larsson has done) or potentially a third-line center. They have to move on from Andrew Mangiapane.

As for UFA-eligible winger Bobby McMann, Friedman said it could go either way. He’s been told there is an extension that both sides know could happen. The fact that the 29-year-old winger remains a Maple Leaf suggests there’s nothing in the market that they would currently trade him for.

UPDATE ON TYLER MYERS AND MORE CANUCKS SPECULATION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports he believed (as of Saturday night) that the Detroit Red Wings’ offer for Vancouver Canucks defenseman Tyler Myers remains on the table. He thinks everyone involved was expecting a decision by Monday, but he doesn’t know where it currently stands. Friedman also doesn’t believe that the Canucks have a firm offer from another team for Myers.

Friedman also said things are quiet right now on Elias Pettersson. He stated that the Canucks are not interested in retaining any salary to facilitate a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s because six years is a long time to be carrying dead cap space, even with the salary cap rising. It can still hamper efforts to retain key players or add to the roster as salaries rise.

BRUINS LINKED TO THE BLUES AND FLYERS

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reported the Boston Bruins were interested in St. Louis Blues defensemen Colton Parayko and Justin Faulk. Parayko has a full no-movement clause and carries an AAV of $6.5 million through 2029-30. Faulk is signed through 2026-27 with the same AAV as Parayko and a 15-team no-trade list.

Di Marco reports the Bruins have moderate interest in Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen. However, they’ve checked in several times on Flyers winger Owen Tippett, who has six years left on his deal with an AAV of $6.2 million. The Flyers aren’t looking to move the 27-year-old Tippett, but are believed to be open to discussions, though their asking price could be significant.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins GM Don Sweeney tipped his hand with his failed attempt to acquire Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he was shipped to the Vegas Golden Knights in January. Parayko and Faulk would be expensive additions, though Faulk would cost less than Parayko.

As for Ristolainen, Kevin Kurz of The Athletic reported last week that the Flyers’ asking price would have to start with a first-round pick for GM Daniel Briere to consider it. Briere is looking at what the Boston Bruins got from the Toronto Maple Leafs last year for Brandon Carlo, which was a prospect (Fraser Minten), a 2026 first-round pick, and a 2027 fourth-rounder.