NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2025

by | Aug 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2025

Suggested trade destinations for Ducks center Mason McTavish, and an update on free-agent forward Jack Roslovic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently suggested six trade destinations for Mason McTavish. The 22-year-old center is a restricted free agent and a frequent subject of trade speculation.

Dixon noted that McTavish’s contract negotiations with the Ducks could drag into October before an agreement is reached on a new deal. The same thing happened to Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale in 2023, but both players were later traded.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The Ducks’ depth at center has also stoked the McTavish trade conjecture. It could make them the rare club that would consider moving a promising young center for the right return.

Dixon listed the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers as potential landing spots for McTavish.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has a long friendship and work relationship with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman going back to their playing days. Wings defense prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka might interest Verbeek if Yzerman is willing to part with him.

The Hurricanes still have around $10 million in cap space and a willingness to make bold moves. However, they could find it difficult to scrape together a suitable trade package.

McTavish could address the Canucks’ need for a reliable, healthy second-line center. They have pieces they could ship out, but cap space would be an issue.

Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson might be enticing for the Ducks, provided they’re not on his six-team no-trade list, and he is willing to sign an extension.

Dixon wondered if the Canadiens would part with a projected top-four defenseman like David Reinbacher to bring in McTavish to address their second-line center issue. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Flyers have a recent trade history with the Ducks, having acquired Drysdale and Zegras from Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The silence from the Ducks and the McTavish camp regarding the status of their contract talks is fueling trade rumors at a time when there’s little real hockey news. Some observers interpret their silence as a sign that those negotiations are contentious, but it could also be that they’re unwilling to negotiate through the media.

Whatever the reason, the McTavish speculation isn’t going away.

As for the teams on Dixon’s list, the Canadiens, Red Wings, and Flyers could have a better chance at acquiring McTavish, but that depends on their willingness to part with one of their top prospects. The Canadiens are reportedly unwilling to move Reinbacher or young center Michael Hage, which would take them out of the running unless Verbeek lowers his asking price.

The Ducks are hoping to become a playoff contender this season. Verbeek may be reluctant to accept a return of draft picks and prospects unless a promising NHL player is included in the deal.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance reports the Vancouver Canucks might be cooling off on their rumored pursuit of free-agent forward Jack Roslovic.

Drance noted the Canucks were considering their options on what remained in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market, but they didn’t view those players as the answer to their significant needs at center.

The Canucks believe a healthy Filip Chytil and the late-season emergence of Aatu Raty could give them enough at center to maintain control of the situation in the short term without turning to what’s left in free agency.

Drance claims the Canucks are still in the market for a center, but the trade market is the more likely route to address that need.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2025

by | Aug 19, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 19, 2025

How Jeremy Swayman’s contract dispute last summer may be affecting this summer’s RFAs, and the Oilers might be interested in a Bruins winger. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy recently reported that an NHL executive believes Jeremy Swayman’s contract dispute with the Boston Bruins last summer might be affecting current restricted free agents as the market remains quiet.

Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)

The 26-year-old goaltender missed all of training camp and the preseason before signing a new contract in October. He struggled throughout the 2024-25 campaign, which contributed to the Bruins missing the playoffs.

This summer’s notable unsigned RFAs include Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish, Minnesota Wild center Marco Rossi, New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes, Calgary Flames forward Connor Zary, and Nashville Predators winger Luke Evangelista.

McTavish and Rossi have become the focus of trade rumors, with recent speculation suggesting Rossi could follow Swayman’s example and sit out training camp until the Wild meet his contract demands or compromise more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A contract standoff that carries over into training camp and preseason rarely ends well. Once an agreement is reached, the player tends to struggle after missing the opportunity to prepare for the coming season with his teammates in practice and in game situations. Depending on that player’s importance, it can adversely affect the club’s performance.

For now, there’s no indication that Rossi, McTavish, Hughes, Zary or Evangelista will end up going that route. Training camps open in mid-September, leaving plenty of time for them to be signed to new deals.

Some of them could receive offer sheets, except for Hughes, as he’s ineligible. However, the Ducks, Wild, Flames, and Predators have sufficient cap space to match, making such an attempt pointless.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited a rumor suggesting “the Boston Bruins and Edmonton may be cooking up a deal” that would send winger Fabian Lysell to the Oilers.

Staples noted that Lysell, whom the Bruins chose 21st overall in the 2021 NHL Draft, has struggled to crack their roster. He dismissed the possibility that the Oilers would part with promising Matt Savoie or winger Vasily Podkolzin to get him. Staples doesn’t see Lysell as a fit with the Oilers unless he’s a ferocious backchecker and forechecker like Savoie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The only way this makes sense for the Oilers is if the cap-strapped club is trying to shed salary by moving out Podkolzin’s $1 million cap hit. However, acquiring Lysell and his $863K cap hit isn’t much of a savings.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2025

by | Aug 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2025

Could the Red Wings and Ducks swing a trade involving Mason McTavish? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy recently reported that an NHL executive claimed that the Detroit Red Wings were among the teams with an interest in Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The 22-year-old McTavish is a restricted free agent who has yet to re-sign with the Ducks. Murphy indicated the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens are among the teams keeping tabs on the young center.

Murphy’s source suggested the longstanding relationship between Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could help to facilitate a deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek and Yzerman worked together for years with the Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nevertheless, the Ducks GM isn’t under pressure to trade McTavish, and he also has the cap space to match any offer sheet from a rival club.

Verbeek will set a high price for McTavish if he decides to trade him. The asking price will likely include a good young roster player and perhaps a top prospect.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski believes there is still much left undone in Pittsburgh and around the league during this offseason. Penguins fans are still waiting for general manager Kyle Dubas to make the trade that reshapes the roster and allows him to plant his flag on a rebuild.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers cannot continue with their goaltender malaise, the Detroit Red Wings still need to get over the playoff hump, and the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have replaced the departed Mitch Marner with Nick Robertson.

In Boston, the Bruins need more talent to rebound from a disappointing season, while the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders are “stuck amongst the junior varsity in the East, but have much bigger hopes.”

Speaking of the Penguins, Kingerski recently cited Dubas telling the “Cam & Strick” podcast that teams are calling him to reacquire their second and third-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. “And you know why,” said Dubas. “So that’s their business. If they want to pay a fair price, we probably talk about it.”

Kingerski pointed out the Penguins own the St. Louis Blues’ and Winnipeg Jets’ second-rounders, and the San Jose Sharks’ third rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those clubs could want those picks back because next year’s draft is considered a deep one talent-wise. However, they could also want them back because it would enable them to pursue one of the few remaining notable restricted free agents with offer sheets. Let your imagination run wild in the comments section below.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 6, 2025

by | Aug 6, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 6, 2025

Check out the latest on the notable unsigned restricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: From Aug.7 to 15, I’m taking a much-needed vacation while the site undergoes maintenance for several days. Barring the unforeseen, I’ll return with regular updates on Aug. 16.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at the recent scuttlebutt surrounding several noteworthy unsigned RFA players.

Starting with Luke Hughes, Fox observed that New Jersey Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said his top priority is signing the 21-year-old defenseman to a team-friendly deal.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Luke Hughes (NHL Images).

Fox suggested Brock Faber as a comparable, citing the eight-year contract ($8.5 million average annual value) he signed with the Minnesota Wild. However, that would elevate his annual salary over his brother Jack’s $8 million AAV.

Signing Luke to a bridge contract of $5.5 million annually would save money in the short term, but it would result in a massive raise when Hughes is UFA eligible and the salary cap is much higher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: James Nichols of New Jersey Hockey Now also wondered if Jack’s contract could be affecting Luke’s current negotiations. He pointed out that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman shared that opinion.

Friedman doesn’t think there will be any issue getting Luke signed, but believes finding the sweet spot for player and team is the current issue.

The most recent news on Marco Rossi is that his camp hasn’t had any contract discussions with the Wild since early June. Fox indicates the next pressure point will be the start of training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Missing camp over a contract dispute never ends well for the player or the team. It’ll be interesting to see which side blinks first, unless a rival club swoops in with an offer sheet.

Wild GM Bill Guerin repeatedly said his club isn’t interested in trading Rossi. He also has the cap space to match an offer sheet.

Nothing new to report on negotiations between Mason McTavish and the Anaheim Ducks. Fox suggested Toronto’s Matthew Knies ($7.75 million AAV), Utah’s JJ Peterka ($7.7 million), and Los Angeles’ Quinton Byfield ($6.25 million) as comparables.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks are probably looking at something closer to Byfield’s number than Knies and Peterka. So far, there is nothing but silence from Ducks management and the McTavish camp, sparking speculation over his willingness to remain in Anaheim.

Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy indicated last week that contract talks were continuing with Connor Zary, although progress has been slow.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Training camp starts in five weeks, so there’s plenty of time for the two sides to hammer out an agreement. The same applies to Hughes, Rossi, McTavish, and the other RFAs on Fox’s list.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 5, 2025

by | Aug 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 5, 2025

Could the Canadiens have an interest in Ducks center Mason McTavish? Will the Oilers re-sign Jake Walman to a long-term extension? What kind of extension could Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli receive? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: In a recent mailbag segment, Anthony Di Marco indicated he’s curious about what happens with Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

Di Marco said he can’t imagine McTavish wanting to remain with the Ducks after they traded Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. If there is an eventual path to the 23-year-old center getting moved, he believes there will be no shortage of clubs lining up to acquire him.

The Montreal Canadiens could be among the suitors. They have questionable depth at center beyond Nick Suzuki, and Di Marco thinks they’re keeping close tabs on McTavish.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Plenty of speculation coming from pundits outside Anaheim suggests McTavish might want a change of scenery because he might be tired of the constant losing in Anaheim or a perceived unhappiness over the Zegras trade.

However, there has been no comment from the McTavish camp or the Ducks regarding his status or future with the club. That silence is providing fodder for trade and offer sheet conjecture, but there hasn’t been anything from the player, team, or local media to substantiate it.

McTavish is a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights. A club like the Canadiens could attempt to sign him to an offer sheet, but the Ducks have over $21 million in cap space and would easily match it. He’s a very good second-line center, but it’ll be shocking if a rival club signed him to a deal with a cap hit of over $7 million, especially given the hefty compensation prices.

The Canadiens have depth in draft picks and prospects (especially defensemen) to make an enticing trade offer to the Ducks, but the latter hopes to become a playoff contender this season. They’ll likely want a good, young roster forward in return, meaning the asking price could be Juraj Slafkovsky or Ivan Demidov, which will be non-starters for Montreal.

For all we know, McTavish has spurned offer sheets from rival clubs as his representatives continue to negotiate a new contract with the Ducks, who may have no interest in trading him. Until we hear something different from either side, the expectation is he’ll be re-signed before training camp opens in mid-September.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited Oilers insider Bob Stauffer speculating the club could be eyeing an eight-year contract extension for Jake Walman. The 29-year-old defenseman is in the final season of his three-year contract ($3.4 million annual cap hit) and will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Stauffer suggested Walman might receive an eight-year extension, as that’s something no other club can give him, especially with contract lengths shortening in the next CBA, which goes into effect for the 2026-27 season.

Staples considered it a stretch that the Oilers would offer Walman an eight-year deal, given his age and the fact that performances tend to drop off quickly for defensemen in their mid-30s. He anticipates something in the range of four or five years.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline examined what Adam Fantilli’s next contract might look like. The 20-year-old center is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He enjoyed a solid sophomore season with 31 goals and 54 points in 82 games.

An eight-year offer from the Blue Jackets could be attractive to Fantilli, especially since contract terms will be shortened under the next CBA. However, he could be unwilling to lock himself into a lengthy deal when the salary cap is projected to rise significantly in the coming years.

Portzline suggests a short-term deal, one that ensures Fantilli will be a restricted free agent on completion, might make the most sense. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell indicated he’s open to a bridge contract.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2025

by | Aug 3, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 3, 2025

A theory behind the lack of offer sheets this summer, Lane Hutson reportedly passed over for Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp, the Maple Leafs avoid arbitration with Nick Robertson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RG.ORG: James Murphy examined the lack of offer sheets thus far for this summer’s restricted free agents.

The rise in the salary cap to $95.5 million for 2025-26 left several clubs flush with cap space. Factor in the St. Louis Blues signing away Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers last summer, and there was anticipation of more offer sheet signings this year.

However, one NHL player agent theorized that some team owners may be reluctant to drive up the market value by overpaying players with expensive offer sheets. Another factor is that there are clubs with plenty of cap room that can easily match any offer for one of their restricted free agents.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates 10 teams have over $10 million in cap space for 2025-26. Some of those teams, like the Carolina Hurricanes, could target another team’s RFAs to bolster their roster for a future Stanley Cup run.

However, there are also teams with the cap room to match an offer sheet. For example, Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks is frequently mentioned as a possible target, but the Ducks have over $21 million in cap space. It’s a waste of time to target McTavish when his club can quickly and easily match it.

It’s been suggested that teams should test that theory by offering McTavish a contract with a cap hit of $9 million or more. However, all that accomplishes is driving up the value of comparable players, which is great for them, but not for the teams that have to pay them.

The compensation for signing a player like McTavish to a grossly inflated cap hit is also costly to the team making that signing. Anything between $9.36 million and $11.7 million costs two first-round picks, a second-round pick, and a third-round pick. Anything over $11.7 million is four first-rounders.

McTavish, 22, is a very good player with considerable upside, but he’s not worth over $9.3 million annually, nor is he worth the cost in futures a club would have to pay for a successful signing.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: cited a report by Tony Marinaro of “The Sick Podcast” claiming Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson will not be invited to attend Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp.

Hutson, 21, won the Calder Memorial Trophy last season as NHL Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Canadien to do so since Ken Dryden in 1971-72. However, the Americans already have a defenseman of comparable size and skills in Vancouver Canuck captain Quinn Hughes, who also has more NHL experience than Hutson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hutson will get more opportunities to represent his country on the international stage in future tournaments, including the 2030 Winter Olympics. The Americans already have a deep, experienced defense core with Hughes, Zach Werenski, Brock Faber, Adam Fox, Jaccob Slavin, Charlie McAvoy, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson. Most of those blueliners were part of Team USA in February’s 4 Nations’ Face-Off.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs avoided salary arbitration with winger Nick Robertson. Both sides agreed to a one-year contract worth $1.85 million on Saturday.

The Robertson camp sought $2.25 million while the Leafs offered $1.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That concludes this summer’s arbitration period. The 11 players who filed and the two who were to be taken to arbitration ultimately agreed to new contracts before their scheduled hearings.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Center James Hagens looks forward to starting his NHL career with the Bruins as soon as possible. However, it appears he’s committed to returning to Boston College this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins selected Hagens with the seventh-overall pick in this year’s draft. It’ll do the 18-year-old center good to spend at least one more season in the NCAA to develop his skills before making the jump to the pro ranks.

RDS.CA: Anaheim Ducks prospect Roger McQueen is reportedly leaving Canadian junior hockey to join the NCAA’s ranks this season. Rather than return to the WHL’s Brandon Wheat Kings, the 18-year-old center is expected to join Providence College.

McQueen was chosen 10th overall by the Ducks in this year’s draft. He’ll join Chicago Blackhawks prospect center Julius Sumpf, who has also joined Providence after spending the last two seasons with the QMJHL’s Moncton Wildcats.