NHL Rumor Mill – November 12, 2025

by | Nov 12, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 12, 2025

The latest speculation on the Blues, Oilers, Rangers, and Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford confirmed a recent report by NHL insider Frank Seravalli claiming that St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong has told his peers that he’s “open for business.” However, Rutherford points out that Armstrong has done that in previous seasons and made no significant subtractions from his roster.

A league source told Rutherford that one NHL club contacted the Blues about Jordan Kyrou after the winger was a healthy scratch against the Buffalo Sabres last week. It’s not known if the Blues are shopping the 28-year-old Kyrou, who was the subject of trade speculation last summer before his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1.

St. Louis Blues captain Brayden Schenn (NHL Images)

Rutherford suggested Brayden Schenn as another trade possibility. He drew plenty of interest leading up to last season’s trade deadline, but told the Blues he wanted to stay. However, he might reconsider given the way this season is going.

Finding a suitable trade partner will be difficult at this stage of the season because most clubs are still settling into the season and aren’t sure what type of deals they want to make.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli doesn’t expect Kyrou will be the first player out the door if the Blues become sellers. He believes it’ll be Schenn, based on the limited number of available centers in the trade market and the interest in the 34-year-old Blues captain at last season’s trade deadline.

Seravalli believes the Blues should bolster their defense corps if they make a foray into the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Armstrong is willing to listen to offers, but it’s still too early to consider him a seller. He’s seen this club dig itself out of deep holes in the standings before with many of the current players, and he’ll likely allow them to do so again. They’re only four points out of a wild-card berth in the Western Conference.

However, if the Blues continue to struggle and fall further out of contention, Armstrong could become more motivated to shake things up. Schenn could be easier to move than Kyrou, given the latter has full no-trade protection while the former has a 15-team no-trade list.

LATEST ON THE OILERS, RANGERS, AND MAPLE LEAFS

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli wondered how the Edmonton Oilers would improve their goaltending given their limited salary-cap space and trade capital. He noted that some observers have suggested that they attempt to acquire Juuse Saros from the Nashville Predators.

However, Seravalli doesn’t consider Saros the answer for the Oilers. He pointed out that the 30-year-old Predators goalie carries an eight-year contract to age 38, his stats haven’t been good, and his size and ability to win in the playoffs remain a big question.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Saros suggestion is coming from some desperate Oilers followers. Some of them are the same group that thought Connor Ingram was the answer to their goaltending woes.

Seravalli made good points about why Saros is unattainable for the Oilers and why he’s not much of an improvement over their current starter Stuart Skinner. What’s overlooked is the fact that Saros has a full no-movement clause, which he probably doesn’t want to waive because he wants to stay in Nashville. He wouldn’t have signed that eight-year deal if he didn’t.

Seravalli believes the New York Rangers’ poor early-season home record is merely an aberration, pointing out that they have a strong road record. He indicated how much their defense has improved in front of goaltender Igor Shesterkin and believes they could become a Stanley Cup contender if they can boost their scoring and improve their depth among their bottom-six forwards.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s a long season, and the Rangers are still adjusting to the system of new head coach Mike Sullivan. General manager Chris Drury has been tinkering with his roster since last December. He could become a buyer if the Rangers move up among the top-four clubs in the Eastern Conference when January rolls around.

Seravalli reports that David Kampf continues to evaluate his options. The Toronto Maple Leafs have given the 30-year-old center permission to seek a trade, terminate his contract to seek a deal with another NHL team, or terminate his deal and head to Europe.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 9, 2025

by | Nov 9, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – November 9, 2025

The latest on the Oilers’ goaltending situation, David Kampf’s standoff with the Maple Leafs, and the Senators’ trade options in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Mark Spector believes the Edmonton Oilers are done with Stuart Skinner as their starting goaltender after watching the Oilers fall 9-1 to the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

“Either they quit on him or they quit on themselves, but either way, what we saw Saturday tells us they are done with this netminder as their unchallenged No. 1,” wrote Spector.

Spector acknowledged the number of opposition goals scored by undefended players right in front of Skinner. Nevertheless, he believes Oilers general manager Stan Bowman must stage a full-court press in the trade market to find a suitable replacement.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I understand cousin Mark’s frustration over the current status of the Oilers’ goaltending. However, finding someone who will do a better job than Skinner in this trade market is easier said than done. The pickings are slim and aren’t likely to improve as the season progresses.

That’s why Bowman acquired Connor Ingram last month from the Utah Mammoth, who is now toiling with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield. The fact that he’s still there speaks volumes about his readiness to supplant Skinner.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports David Kampf has made it clear to the Toronto Maple Leafs that he doesn’t want to play in the AHL anymore.

There’s been talk of contract termination, but one of the issues is the 30-year-old center’s signing bonus for this season. If his contract is terminated, the question is whether he has to return some of his signing bonus. It’s hoped that this issue will be resolved by Monday.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Kampf and his agent are exploring their options and will decide by Monday. Technically, he remains suspended by the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If they agree to a contract termination, Kampf will be a free agent and can sign with another NHL team or perhaps a European club.

SPORTSNET: Alex Adams was asked if he thought the Ottawa Senators were calling around for help. He’s heard and seen reports that they’re aggressively seeking to bolster their roster, but they don’t have a first-round pick and limited prospects outside of Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler.

Adams believes Senators GM Steve Staios would like to add another winger and a right-side defenseman. He felt the Pittsburgh Penguins might have been a possible trade partner, but their strong start to this season may dash any trade chances for now.

Asked about possible trade candidates for the Senators, Adams thinks Fabian Zetterlund, Nick Jensen, or Dylan Cozens would make sense in a hockey trade to improve the team.

Zetterlund is in the first season of his three-year contract with an AAV of $4.275 million. He has one goal and three points in 15 games and isn’t a fit in Ottawa playing on the fourth line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A roster player like Zetterlund seems a more likely trade candidate than Cozens, Jensen, or one of the Senators’ top prospects. He’s a former 20-goal scorer who might flourish in a second-line role elsewhere. Whether he’d fetch something in a hockey trade to provide the Senators with immediate help remains to be seen.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2025

by | Nov 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 6, 2025

Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin reaches 900 goals, Flames center Nazem Kadri plays his 1,000th game, Sharks center Macklin Celebrini moves up in the scoring race, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin tallied his 900th career NHL regular-season goal in a 6-1 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Ovechkin is the first player to reach that milestone. Tom Wilson and Anthony Beauvillier tallied twice, and Jakob Chychrun collected three assists for the 7-5-1 Capitals, ending a four-game losing skid. Alexey Toropchenko replied for the Blues (4-8-2), who’ve lost eight of their last nine contests.

Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin entered this season needing only three goals to reach the 900-goal plateau. It’s an impressive achievement, but it seems anticlimactic after he surpassed Wayne Gretzky last season as the all-time goal-scoring leader.

Regardless, it will be a long time before anyone comes close to Ovechkin’s record of 900 goals and counting. The active player closest to him is 38-year-old Sidney Crosby of the Pittsburgh Penguins, sitting 16th among the all-time scorers with 634. Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews has the best chance, with 409 goals in 643 games, but he’s battled injuries that have hampered his production.

Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington attempted to steal the historic puck for himself by tucking it down the back of his goalie pants for some reason. Official Michael Cormier convinced Binnington to turn over the puck.

Earlier in the day, the Capitals activated defenseman Rasmus Sandin off injured reserve for this game. Sandin missed the previous five games with an upper-body injury.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri scored in his 1,000th career NHL regular-season game as his club defeated the Columbus Blue Jackets 5-1. Dustin Wolf kicked out 42 shots for the 4-9-2 Flames as they picked up their second straight win. Columbus forward Kirill Marchenko scored to extend his points streak to five games as his club dropped to 7-6-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This game was among the few highlights in what’s been a disappointing start to this season for the Flames. Kadri has become the subject of frequent trade speculation, but the club isn’t giving up on the season, and he hasn’t requested a trade. It’ll be interesting to see if the Flames can overcome this poor start and climb back into the playoff chase.

The San Jose Sharks got a goal and two assists from Macklin Celebrini in a 6-1 win over the Seattle Kraken. Yaroslav Askarov made 28 saves as Tyler Toffoli, Will Smith, and John Klingberg each had a goal and an assist for the 5-6-3 Sharks, who’ve won three of their last four contests. Ryan Winterton scored his first NHL goal as the 6-3-4 Kraken have dropped three of their last four.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Celebrini has 21 points, tying him with Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid for the scoring lead. The 19-year-old is the first teenager in NHL history to lead the league in scoring (tied or outright) at this stage of his career (217 games played).

Celebrini is also the second-fastest player in Sharks history to reach 20 points in a season (14 games played), behind Joe Thornton (13 games played) in 2005-06.

A hat trick by winger Tyler Bertuzzi lifted the Chicago Blackhawks over the Vancouver Canucks by a score of 5-2. Spencer Knight stopped 43 shots for the Blackhawks, who snapped a three-game losing skid and improved to 6-5-3. Aatu Raty and Evander Kane scored for the Canucks, who dropped to 7-8-0.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks winger Conor Garland returned to the lineup after missing the previous three games with an upper-body injury.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares netted his 501st career regular-season goal as his club downed the Utah Mammoth 5-3, handing the latter their third loss in their last four games. Tavares, William Nylander, Matthew Knies, and Matias Maccelli each had a goal and an assist for the Maple Leafs (8-5-1), who picked up their third straight victory. Michael Carcone, Mikhail Sergachev, and Dylan Guenther scored for the Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Maple Leafs sent forward Easton Cowan to their AHL affiliate.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 5, 2025

by | Nov 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 5, 2025

Check out the latest on the Penguins, Flames, Hurricanes, Capitals, Sabres, and Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RUMOR MILL GOES QUIET ON SIDNEY CROSBY

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the trade rumors about Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby have quieted down since the start of the regular season. Their surprisingly strong start to the season is largely responsible for that.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

General manager Kyle Dubas said he had “very clear communications” since the end of last season with Crosby and his agent about the club’s plans going forward. While attempting to build for the long term, the Penguins also intended to be competitive this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun wonders whether the Penguins can maintain that strong start throughout the season, but for now, it has stopped the media chatter about possible trade destinations for Crosby.

They’re not the only Penguins who aren’t featuring as prominently in the rumor mill as they once did. Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos pointed out that it’ll take Evgeni Malkin, Bryan Rust, and Rickard Rakell out of the trade-rumor talk if the Penguins can sustain their winning ways.

THE LATEST ON NAZEM KADRI

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos reports Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy could move Nazem Kadri if he gets a suitable offer. The 35-year-old center has been linked to multiple teams, but Kypreos suggested the Carolina Hurricanes as a possible destination because they’ve been relentlessly pursuing a top player in the trade market. However, they’re believed to be on Kadri’s 13-team no-trade list.

The Vancouver Canucks and Montreal Canadiens have been mentioned as destinations for Kadri, and they’re not on his list. They’ve also been linked to the Bruins’ Pavel Zacha.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams can ask for permission to speak to the player or his agent to see what it would take to convince them to waive their no-trade list.

The Canucks have a more pressing need for help at center than the Canadiens. It’s also been frequently pointed out that acquiring the aging Kadri would go against the Canadiens’ habit of acquiring younger talent.

Zacha would probably be more to the Canadiens’ liking. However, it’s rare for the Habs and Bruins to make deals together, given their longstanding rivalry.

BLEACHER REPORT: Speaking of the Hurricanes, Frank Seravalli reports they’re seeking stop-gap defensemen to replace their injured blueliners.

UPDATE ON THE CAPITALS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there is no quick fix for the Washington Capitals to replace sidelined center Pierre-Luc Dubois. He won’t be out for the season, but is expected to miss a significant period of time.

Dreger believes the Capitals will explore the trade market, but must be careful when moving out current or future assets, being mindful of when the post-Alex Ovechkin era begins.

For now, they’ll attempt to address Dubois’ absence internally. It’s expected that Connor McMichael will get a long look in the second-line center role.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals would be joining a long list of NHL clubs that are believed to be in the market for second-line center help. However, there isn’t much available, and they are either aging and expensive (hello there, Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames) or playing on struggling clubs that aren’t giving up on the season, like Pavel Zacha with the Boston Bruins.

THE LATEST ON THE SABRES AND MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos believes this season could be Lindy Ruff’s last as head coach of the Buffalo Sabres. He’s in the final season of his contract, and could move to a different role within the organization if he doesn’t retire.

The Toronto Maple Leafs would like to add a scoring winger. However, they don’t have many assets that would entice rival clubs. Many teams are calling about Easton Cowan, but that suggestion is a non-starter for now.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 4, 2025

by | Nov 4, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – November 4, 2025

Oilers captain Connor McDavid reaches a notable points milestone, the three stars of the week are revealed, injury updates, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected two assists to reach 1,100 career points in a 3-2 loss to the St. Louis Blues. Jack Roslovic and Andrew Mangiapane gave the Oilers (6-5-3) a 2-0 lead, but the Blues (4-7-2) rallied on goals by Dalibor Dvorsky, Robert Thomas, and Pius Suter to end their seven-game losing skid.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McDavid is the fourth-fastest player in NHL history to reach the 1,100-point milestone, doing so in 726 games. Wayne Gretzky holds the record at 464 games, followed by Mario Lemieux (550) and Mike Bossy (725 games). Meanwhile, Blues rookie Dvorsky tallied his first NHL goal.

The Toronto Maple Leafs overcame a 3-0 deficit to defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3. William Nylander tallied twice, and Bobby McMann netted the winning goal for the 7-5-1 Maple Leafs. Ben Kindel scored two goals for the 8-4-0 Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins forward Noel Acciari left this game in the first period with an upper-body injury.

An overtime goal by Brock Boeser gave the Vancouver Canucks a 5-4 victory over the Nashville Predators. Boeser and Evander Kane each had two goals for the Canucks as they improved to 7-7-0. Filip Forsberg and Michael Bunting each had a goal and an assist for the 5-6-3 Predators, who overcame a 4-2 deficit to send the game to overtime.

The Seattle Kraken beat the Chicago Blackhawks 3-1. Joey Daccord stopped 29 shots and Jordan Eberle had a goal and an assist for the 6-2-4 Kraken, who moved into first place in the Pacific Division with 16 points. Andre Burakovsky scored for the Blackhawks as their record dropped to 5-5-3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before the game, the Blackhawks announced that forward Jason Dickinson (shoulder) has been placed on injured reserve.

HEADLINES

NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal, Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson, and San Jose Sharks forward Philipp Kurashev are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Nov. 2, 2025.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Dallas Stars will host an outdoor game at AT&T Stadium as part of the 2027 NHL Stadium Series on Feb. 20, 2027. Their opponent will be announced at a later date.

NEW YORK POST/OTTAWA SUN: Ottawa Senators forward Arthur Kaliyev has been accused of stealing thousands of dollars from his ex-girlfriend, model Lauren Mochen, to pay his gambling debts.

Mochen said she filed a report with the police in her Michigan hometown, and she is considering pressing charges against Kaliyev. No charges have been laid, and none of the allegations have been proven in court. A Senators spokesperson said the club is deferring all comment to the league.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Bruins center Elias Lindholm is listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Washington Capitals center Pierre-Luc Dubois will miss “an extended period of time” with a lower-body injury.

NBC SPORTS PHILADELPHIA: Flyers forward Tyson Foerster (lower body) was placed on injured reserve.

CBS SPORTS: The New York Rangers have shifted forward Matt Rempe (upper body) to injured reserve.

TSN: Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry will make his season debut on Tuesday against the Los Angeles Kings. He’d been sidelined by offseason hip surgery. Meanwhile, teammate Morgan Barron is week-to-week with an unspecified injury.

TSN: Former NHL forward Klim Kostin has signed a one-year contract with the KHL’s Omsk Avangard.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2025

by | Nov 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 3, 2025

Is Flames center Nazem Kadri not the right fit for the Canadiens? Could the Maple Leafs try to trade David Kampf? Will the Oilers attempt to move Troy Stecher? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Jack Todd isn’t buying into the recent media speculation linking Nazem Kadri to the Canadiens. While acknowledging that the 35-year-old Calgary Flames center could be on their list of potential trade targets, he doesn’t believe they’ll pursue him.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Todd cited Kadri’s lengthy suspension history for undisciplined play as one reason. He hasn’t been suspended since 2021, but his yearly penalty minutes remain at the same level.

Based on the way the Canadiens operate, Kadri is too old and too expensive to fit their need for a second-line center. Todd also pointed out that rookie Oliver Kapanen is currently filling that position, with promising Michael Hage on the way.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree that Kadri isn’t a fit for the Canadiens. Nearly every move that Canadiens management has made has been aimed at acquiring younger talent that will complement their young roster core.

Kadri is playing well now, but a decline is inevitable at his age. He’ll be poised for retirement by the time his contract expires in 2029.

The Canadiens prefer to add players who will perform well over the long term. If they’re going to part with assets for someone with an expensive contract, they want to ensure they will get their money’s worth.

Kapanen has done well thus far in the second-line center role, sitting fifth among this season’s leading rookie scorers with seven points in 12 games. If he can maintain or improve on that performance, the Canadiens won’t need to go shopping for a center by the March trade deadline.

Hage, meanwhile, sits fourth among NCAA scorers with 14 points in eight games. The 19-year-old center could crack the Canadiens’ lineup within the next two years.

SPORTSNET: On Saturday, Elliotte Friedman said David Kampf is taking a few days to consider his future with the Toronto Maple Leafs’ organization.

The 30-year-old center was sent down to their AHL affiliate before the start of this season because the Maple Leafs had a roster and salary-cap crunch.

Friedman mentioned that some observers brought up the possibility of Kampf seeking a mutual contract termination with the Leafs. That would enable him to sign with another NHL club. However, he’s still owed over $4 million by the Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs could try to trade Kampf. However, there isn’t much of a market for him at the moment.

Friedman also said that the Edmonton Oilers could try to move defenseman Troy Stecher. With sidelined players like Zach Hyman, Mattias Janmark, and Alec Regula returning soon, they must free up some roster and salary-cap room.