NHL Rumor Mill – March 20, 2025

by | Mar 20, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 20, 2025

The latest on the Penguins and some potential offer sheet targets in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST PENGUINS SPECULATION

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski is on record suggesting the possibility of Penguins general manager (and former Toronto Maple Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas pursuing Mitch Marner if the latter goes to free agency this summer.

He believes it depends on how far and fast Dubas thinks his team hits rock bottom and bounces back. If the Penguins GM flips some draft picks for younger players and feels good about the direction, pursuing Marner could be on the table.

However, Kingerski doubted that Dubas could sell his picks as quickly or easily as he might hope. The rising salary cap means more teams will have cap space, making it difficult to weaponize the Penguins’ cap room.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Anything can happen, but Marner to the Penguins seems like a long shot. The Athletic’s Josh Yohe recently cited team sources claiming Dubas intends to wait until the 2026 offseason to take a swing at landing a big-ticket player.

Kingerski thinks Dubas could use his cap space and depth in draft picks to pursue a restricted free agent with an offer sheet. He considers Buffalo Sabres forward JJ Peterka a prime target.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres have almost as much projected cap space for next season ($24.1 million) as the Penguins ($26.3), with Peterka and Bowen Byram as their notable RFAs. Nevertheless, they’re in a good position to match any offer sheet for Peterka unless it’s ridiculously expensive (over $10 million annually). Dubas will have to target clubs with much less cap room to make an offer sheet worthwhile.

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jason Mackey believes the Penguins should attempt to trade Erik Karlsson and Tristan Jarry this summer to free up as much salary-cap space as possible and recalibrate.

Mackey doesn’t see them trading Kris Letang if next season is the last one for center Evgeni Malkin. Karlsson, however, is a different story.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Letang and Malkin have spent their entire NHL careers with the Penguins and want to finish their careers in Pittsburgh. Some observers aren’t sure Letang wouldn’t accept a trade, but that’s unlikely to happen with Malkin heading into his final season. And with Sidney Crosby signed for two more seasons, Letang could ride things out until his captain hangs up his skates.

Karlsson hasn’t worked out as the Penguins hoped when they acquired him two years ago. However, his puck-moving abilities and solid performance for Sweden during last month’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament saw him emerge in the rumor mill leading up to the recent trade deadline. Dubas could find a trade partner for the 34-year-old defenseman this summer if the Penguins are willing to retain some of his salary.

POTENTIAL OFFER SHEET TARGETS

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston was asked which players he felt were viable offer-sheet targets this summer.

Johnston believes mid-tier or emerging players to be the most vulnerable because contending teams are most worried about not overpaying those types of players. He cited the St. Louis Blues signing away Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg from the Edmonton Oilers last summer as examples.

Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque could be a target. The Stars have already made some significant investments for next season.

Florida Panthers forward Mackie Samoskevich could be another. Johnston’s colleague Peter Baugh suggested Will Cuylle and K’Andre Miller of the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dallas has $5.33 million in cap space with Jamie Benn, Matt Duchene and Mikael Granlund eligible for unrestricted free-agent status. Florida has $19 million in cap space but must re-sign or replace pending UFAs Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad. That could make Bourque or Samoskevich prime options for offer sheets.

The Rangers have $10.6 million available with Cuylle and Miller as their notable free agents. However, management is expected to attempt to shake up its roster via trades and free agency, which could make one or both players potential free-agent targets.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 18, 2025

by | Mar 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 18, 2025

A look at the potential offseason plans for the Hurricanes, Flyers and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

HURRICANES TO BE AGGRESSIVE IN THIS SUMMER’S FREE-AGENT MARKET

THE ATHLETIC: In an interview with Pierre LeBrun, Carolina Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky indicated that his club intends to use its salary-cap space to be aggressive in this summer’s free-agent market.

Tulsky also said that he’d be willing to gamble again on acquiring a big-name rental player without assurances of a contract extension. He made a splash two months ago in the trade market by acquiring Mikko Rantanen from the Colorado Avalanche, only to trade him to the Dallas Stars before the March 7 trade deadline because he wouldn’t commit to an extension.

TSN: LeBrun said he expects the Hurricanes will pursue Mitch Marner if the Toronto Maple Leafs winger heads to the free-agent market on July 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Before trading Rantanen to Dallas, the Hurricanes offered him to the Leafs straight up for Marner. Leafs management took the offer to Marner, stressing their priority was to re-sign him but there was an opportunity to send him to the Hurricanes if he wasn’t sure about staying with the Leafs. Marner decided not to waive his no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes won’t be the only team to pursue Marner this summer if he tests the market. However, they could be the only playoff contender with deep enough pockets to land him.

WHICH PLAYERS SHOULD THE FLYERS TARGET THIS SUMMER?

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: A reader recently asked William James which players he believes the Philadelphia Flyers should target in free agency this summer.

James believes they need a reliable backup goaltender, suggesting Alex Lyon of the Detroit Red Wings as an option. He also thinks they should consider signing Washington Capitals defenseman Jakob Chychrun to upgrade their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What do you think, Flyers fans? Which players would you like to see your club add via free agency or trades this summer? Let me know in the comments section below.

WILL THE CANUCKS USE TRADE OR FREE AGENCY TO ADD A FORWARD?

THE PROVINCE: A reader asked Patrick Johnston if he felt the Vancouver Canucks would use this summer’s free-agent market to add a top-tier or second-tier forward to their roster.

Johnston cited Mitch Marner as the top potential unrestricted free agent but wondered if he’ll even make it to market. Nikolaj Ehlers is the next most exciting player out there but questioned if the Canucks need to add another small forward.

Ultimately, Johnston thinks they’ll go the trade route this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks have a projected cap space of $14 million for next season with 20 active players under contract. Brock Boeser and Pius Suter are their notable pending UFAs this summer. They won’t have enough to land Marner and could consider more affordable options besides Ehlers.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 17, 2025

by | Mar 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 17, 2025

Check out the latest Mitch Marner speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner didn’t immediately respond when asked about waiving his no-movement clause to go to the Carolina Hurricanes. Instead, he slept on it before declining the invitation to be dealt to the Hurricanes in exchange for Mikko Rantanen.

Simmons believes this is indicative that Marner’s actions don’t match his words about wanting to remain a Maple Leaf. The 28-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1 but has declined to discuss extending his contract during this season. That’s why the Leafs explored the possibility of acquiring Rantanen when the opportunity presented itself.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Simmons also believes the Hurricanes leaked the story that they and the Leafs were discussing a Marner-Rantanen swap before the trade deadline. He also cited a hockey insider claiming Marner is tired of being the public pinata of the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I forewarned everyone that we’d start seeing more speculation about Marner’s future after Rantanen was traded to Dallas, where the latter signed an eight-year contract extension. That made the Leafs winger the biggest name in this summer’s free-agent market.

It was reported the Leafs told Marner their priority was signing him when they approached him about the Hurricanes’ offer. If he was uncertain about signing, they let him know there was an opportunity to go to Carolina.

Marner and his agent are the only ones who know what he intends to do and they’re keeping silent on the matter as is their right. Rejecting the chance to go to Carolina suggests he wants to remain in Toronto. Then again, maybe they weren’t the right fit.

Whether Marner remains a Leaf beyond this season depends on two things: the club’s performance in the upcoming playoffs, and how much it’ll cost to keep him in Toronto. Everything else is irrelevant.

THE ATHLETIC: A reader asked Josh Yohe if the Pittsburgh Penguins will attempt to sign Marner if he tests the free-agent market on July 1.

Yohe acknowledged the connection between Marner and Penguins general manager (and former Leafs GM) Kyle Dubas, the Penguins’ plentiful cap space next season, the winger’s friendship with Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, and how Marner would fit into the Pens’ desire to add younger talent to their aging roster.

However, Yohe doesn’t see Marner coming to Pittsburgh. He cites sources suggesting Dubas doesn’t intend to make a major move until next summer. It’s also unlikely that Marner will want to sign with a rebuilding team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stranger things have happened, but Yohe is correct in his assessment that it is unlikely that Marner will end up with the Penguins this summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Fluto Shinzawa suggested Marner could be an ideal candidate to fill the No. 2 right-wing position on the Boston Bruins. He also suggested Nikolaj Ehlers of the Winnipeg Jets would be the ideal candidate for the left-wing position on their second line.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins probably have a better chance of landing Ehlers than Marner, who’ll likely want to join a playoff contender where he’ll see first-line minutes, something he won’t get on the Bruins with David Pastrnak in that role.

Besides, the Bruins would have to pay Marner more than what they’re paying Pastrnak ($11.25 million), and we know they’re not doing that for a second-line right wing.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 16, 2025

by | Mar 16, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 16, 2025

Recent updates regarding this summer’s top unrestricted free agents in this Sunday’s NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined the status of this summer’s top unrestricted free agents

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner tops the list. If he goes to market, he could become the highest-paid player in the league. The 28-year-old winger has previously expressed a desire to re-sign with the Leafs but has rebuffed the club’s attempts to negotiate during the season.

Fox noted that the Carolina Hurricanes offered Mikko Rantanen for Marner before the trade deadline. Leafs general manager Brad Treliving took the idea to Marner, who declined to waive his no-movement clause.

“So, here we are: A team unsure if its star wants to stay, and an in-demand talent who holds all the power over his future.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The longer Marner remains unsigned, the more his future will be the subject of growing media speculation leading up to July 1.

All is quiet regarding contract talks between the Winnipeg Jets and Nikolaj Ehlers. The 29-year-old winger was the subject of trade speculation last summer, with one report suggesting he’d welcome a change of scenery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers popped up a few times in the rumor mill this season as some pundits speculated whether the Jets would move him before the trade deadline. Don’t expect to hear anything more about his contract situation until after the Jets’ playoff run is over.

Defenseman Jakob Chychrun has been a good fit with the Washington Capitals since his acquisition last summer from the Ottawa Senators. Both sides are reportedly willing to keep the relationship going.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if the 27-year-old Chychrun doesn’t re-sign with the Capitals. He’s recently bounced around a bit and is keen to settle down with a winning club.

Toronto Maple Leafs center John Tavares (NHL Images).

The Maple Leafs have had preliminary contract discussions with John Tavares. The 34-year-old center wants to stay in Toronto, but the Leafs are letting things play out for now because they’re focused on other priorities.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tavares knows he must accept a pay cut, but there might not be enough cap space left after they’ve addressed their “other priorities” (Marner). The cost of keeping him will be determined by the cost of re-signing Marner or replacing him.

Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito has been working hard to get Sam Bennett signed to a contract extension. Fox believes it’ll come down to whether the 29-year-old center prefers life in South Florida over earning top dollar.

Fox’s colleague Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that Zito has re-opened contract extension talks with the Bennett camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers have $19 million in projected cap space for 2025-26. They must re-sign or replace Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Nate Schmidt and Vitek Vanecek. They have enough to re-sign Bennett, but how much of a raise he seeks will determine whether he has a future in Florida beyond this season.

The Vancouver Canucks tried and failed to trade Brock Boeser for a decent return. The Carolina Hurricanes were one club with a measure of interest in the 28-year-old winger. Canucks GM Patrik Allvin claimed the offers he received were underwhelming.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could bend and re-sign Boeser, but he seems destined to depart as a UFA on July 1.

Defenseman Aaron Ekblad is the second-longest-serving Florida Panther player. However, the recent addition of right-shot blueliner Seth Jones raises an eyebrow. Fox also wondered if the recent 20-game suspension for violating the league’s PED policy could affect the 29-year-old Ekblad’s efforts to remain with the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Adding Jones provides more right-side depth on the Panthers’ blueline. He’s also an insurance policy if Ekblad heads to market on July 1.

Brad Marchand’s future with the Panthers appears to be in wait-and-see mode. They acquired the 36-year-old winger from the Boston Bruins at the trade deadline. “How does Marchand fit? And how far can Florida’s repeat bid go?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This seems like a rental situation. The Panthers had the opportunity to bolster their roster with Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve for the rest of the regular season. Marchand will likely end up as a UFA on July 1, even if he helps the Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

The Colorado Avalanche acquired Brock Nelson at the trade deadline. The 33-year-old’s future with the club could depend on how well he fits as their second-line center over the remainder of this season and into the playoffs. The Avs have the cap space to extend him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given Nelson’s age, he’ll have to accept a short-term deal for around his current AAV ($6 million) to stay with the Avalanche.

There is no indication of contract extension talks between the Jets and defenseman Neal Pionk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The latter expressed little concern about that situation, recently telling Daily Faceoff he was comfortable with how things were going. The Jets could end up re-signing the 29-year-old blueliner.

Matt Duchene is completing his second straight one-year, $3 million contract with the Dallas Stars. Given how well he fits with them, the 34-year-old center could accept another one-year deal to stay in Dallas.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2025

by | Mar 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – March 10, 2025

The latest on Mitch Marner plus updates on the Rangers and Sabres in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LEAFS GM HOPES MARNER REMAINS WITH THE LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving addressed reports claiming the club spoke to Mitch Marner about a possible trade to the Carolina Hurricanes for Mikko Rantanen, who was later dealt to the Dallas Stars.

The reports stated the Leafs offered prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten, plus two first-round picks to the Hurricanes for Rantanen. The Hurricanes countered by pitching a swap of Rantanen for Marner. Treliving is believed to have told the winger that their priority was to re-sign him, but there was an opportunity to be traded to Carolina if he preferred. Marner is said to have stated he wanted to stay in Toronto.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Treliving said he wouldn’t get into questions about contract talks with the Marner camp. However, he claimed they wanted to keep the winger in Toronto for a long time, dismissing the possibility of the trade request becoming a distraction. He also praised Marner for how well he handled this situation.

Marner said he was focused on this season, adding he wants to play for the Leafs. Nevertheless, Koshan believes plenty of teams will line up to sign the 27-year-old winger if he becomes an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner will seek a substantial raise over his current $10.3 million annual cap hit. He might accept slightly less than Leafs captain Auston Matthews’ team-leading $13.25 million AAV to stay in Toronto, but he could get more than that on the open market.

The reports indicated that Leafs management stressed to Marner that they wanted to re-sign him when they informed him of the trade offer from the Hurricanes. They didn’t ask him to waive his no-movement clause but left it up to him to decide what he wanted to do.

Taken at face value, it doesn’t seem like this situation will adversely affect their contract negotiations. Nevertheless, with the trade deadline having passed, we’ve reached the point where speculation over the future of pending UFA stars like Marner will begin to dominate the rumor mill.

WHAT WILL THE RANGERS DO WITH ZIBANEJAD, PANARIN & KREIDER?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks briefly looked ahead at what could be in store in the offseason for forwards Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. Both players surfaced in trade rumors this season.

Zibanejad has a full no-movement clause throughout his contract, which expires in 2029-30. Brooks believes any discussions with the 31-year-old forward will be held this summer and won’t be allowed to carry over into training camp in September. The same goes for any possibility of a trade for Kreider.

THE ATHLETIC: Arthur Staple also believes any discussions regarding the futures of Zibanejad and Kreider will be relegated to the offseason. He speculated that Kreider could become a buyout candidate if no one wants to take on his $6.5 million AAV for the next two seasons.

Staple suggested looking into whether Artemi Panarin will waive his NMC. The 33-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Panarin carries an AAV of $11.6 million for next season, but he’s due to earn $8 million in actual salary, of which $7 million will be paid out on July 1 as a signing bonus. That could make him enticing for cost-conscious clubs, assuming he’s willing to accept a trade to one of them.

Zibanejad has an AAV of $8.5 million but has five more years left on this deal. Factor in his age (he turns 32 in April) and declining production, and he won’t be an easy sell in the trade market. The 33-year-old Kreider and his recent injury history could also affect his trade value. Buying out his contract will count as $3 million against the Rangers’ salary cap for 2025-26, $4 million for 2026-27, and $1.5 million annually for the following two seasons. 

LATEST ON THE SABRES

THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports the trade of Dylan Cozens to the Ottawa Senators for Josh Norris on Friday wouldn’t have happened if Sabres owner Terry Pegula was planning to fire general manager Kevyn Adams. However, Harrington believes Adams is getting one last chance from Pegula.

Meanwhile, Adams denied there was any truth to a rumored move of pending restricted free agent JJ Peterka to the New York Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are about to extend their league-record playoff drought to 14 seasons. Adams will have a projected $22.4 million in offseason cap space to make additions to his roster.

Adams complained last December of the difficulty he faced last summer trying to attract quality players via free agency or the trade market. If his offseason moves fail to improve the Sabres, he won’t be in his current job by this time next season.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 9, 2025

by | Mar 9, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 9, 2025

The Leafs and Hurricanes discussed a Mitch Marner-for-Mikko Rantanen swap, the Oilers were interested in Rantanen, the reason why Brad Marchand was traded to the Panthers is revealed, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

LEAFS, HURRICANES DISCUSSED MARNER-FOR-RANTANEN SWAP

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos reported Friday that the Toronto Maple Leafs offered up prospects Easton Cowan and Fraser Minten and two first-round picks to the Carolina Hurricanes for winger Mikko Rantanen before the latter was traded to the Dallas Stars.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

Multiple sources indicate the Hurricanes instead asked for Mitch Marner in return. Leafs management spoke with Marner, telling the 27-year-old winger that their priority was to re-sign him, but a trade to the Hurricanes was possible if he was more interested in that.

Marner has a full no-movement clause this season. He declined to move, reiterating his intent to stay in Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would’ve been a major deal for both clubs. The Leafs probably would have signed Rantanen long-term, though that contract likely would’ve been more expensive than the eight-year deal (at $12 million annually) he signed with the Stars. The Hurricanes would’ve received a return that, if they re-signed Marner, would’ve had a more positive, immediate impact than the one they got from Dallas.

OILERS HAD INTEREST IN RANTANEN

TSN: Ryan Rishaug reports the Edmonton Oilers spoke with the Hurricanes about Rantanen before he was traded to Dallas.

Rantanen, 28, was interested in going to the Oilers. There were talks about a contract extension that would’ve been worth more than the deal he signed with the Stars. The deal fell through because the Oilers lacked the trade assets to get it done.

Rishaug indicated they were also interested in Chicago Blackhawks forward Ryan Donato and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ratanen on the same team as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl would’ve been something to see. It wouldn’t have addressed the Oilers’ roster weaknesses, but watching those three play together would’ve been very entertaining.

MONEY GAP LED TO MARCHAND TRADE

ESPN.COM: Emily Kaplan reports the Boston Bruins offered winger Brad Marchand a three-year contract extension. However, the two sides couldn’t agree on the money, prompting the Bruins to trade him to the Florida Panthers on Friday.

The Bruins initially offered the 36-year-old Marchand a two-year deal. They got approval from ownership to make it three years, but he didn’t believe the money was equal to his value.

When the Bruins decided to trade Marchand, they worked on getting him to a location of his choice. Marchand had family considerations and wanted to stay on the East Coast if he couldn’t stay in Boston.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaplan didn’t indicate how much Marchand sought from the Bruins. He’s completing an eight-year contract with an AAV of $6.13 million.

CANUCKS SOUGHT A FIRST-ROUND PICK FOR BOESER

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Vancouver Canucks sought a first-round pick in exchange for Brock Boeser. However, no clubs were willing to meet their asking price.

CANUCKS, PREDATORS AND CANADIENS WERE INTERESTED IN NORRIS

YARDBARKER: The Ottawa Sun’s Bruce Garrioch told TSN that the Canucks were interested in center Josh Norris before the Senators traded him to the Buffalo Sabres.

He also claimed the Nashville Predators had spoken to the Senators about swapping Ryan O’Reilly for Norris.

CANADIENS KICKED TIRES ON COZENS.

TVA SPORTS: The Montreal Canadiens kicked tires on Dylan Cozens, but they lacked the available roster players necessary to make the deal worthwhile for the Sabres.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE PENGUINS AFTER THE TRADE DEADLINE?

PITTSBURGH POST-GAZETTE: Jason Mackey believes trading Erik Karlsson in the offseason becomes more plausible for the Pittsburgh Penguins. With the salary cap rising significantly next season, opposing teams can more easily manipulate their cap payrolls to absorb his $10 million cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mackey acknowledged Karlsson must be involved in that process because of his full no-movement clause. The Penguins will likely still be asked by interested clubs to retain part of his cap hit.

Mackey also believes some of the draft picks acquired by the Penguins could be used as trade assets in the offseason to bring in more immediate help.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins have 11 picks in this year’s draft, including two first-rounders, three third-rounders, and two fifth-rounders.

They also have three second-round picks and two third-rounders in 2026 and two second-rounders, three third-rounders, and two fourth-round picks in 2027.

That’s plenty of draft capital to draw on for trade chips.