NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2026

by | Apr 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 8, 2026

What’s next for the Devils after firing general manager Tom Fitzgerald? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE DEVILS

NHL.COM: Mike G. Morreale looked at five things on the to-do list for the next general manager of the New Jersey Devils.

Among them will be figuring out the defense corps, specifically, where Dougie Hamilton and Simon Nemec fit into their plans. Hamilton has two years left on his contract, and his production improved after being scratched from a mid-January game against the Winnipeg Jets. Meanwhile, Nemec is completing his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

They must also determine the Devils’ future in goal. Jacob Markstrom, 36, starts his two-year contract extension next season, while 35-year-old Jake Allen is on a five-year deal. However, they must consider strengthening their depth at that position for the future. Nico Daws, 25, is slated to become an RFA with arbitration rights this summer.

Morreale noted the Devils are in win-now mode, and all their free agent and trade acquisitions must be treated as such.

TSN: Devils head coach Sheldon Keefe faces uncertainty after Tom Fitzgerald was fired earlier this week. Hired in 2024, he guided the Devils to the playoffs last season, but they’ve been eliminated from contention this season, partly because superstar Jack Hughes missed five weeks with an injured thumb.

Former Toronto Maple Leafs president Brendan Shanahan has been linked to the Devils. Possible management options could include former Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, and Florida Panthers assistant GMs Sunny Mehta and Brett Peterson.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh believes determining if Keefe remains as head coach will be among the decisions the next Devils GM faces.

Evaluating the Devils’ core talent will be another decision. Jack and Luke Hughes won’t be going anywhere. Timo and winger Jesper Bratt both have full no-movement clauses for the next three seasons. Finding a way to unlock Meier’s offense will be a priority. They must also improve the Devils’ bottom-six forwards.

Baugh noted that team captain and two-way center Nico Hischier will be eligible to sign a contract extension on July 1. Figuring out his next contract will also be high on that list.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes Hischier was being noncommittal when asked if he would sign an extension under a new general manager.

“I’m focusing on playing hockey here,” Hischier said. “I still have one more year. I’m with the Devils right now, and then we’ll see what happens.”

If there is any hesitancy about re-signing by Hischier, Nicholls believes the next Devils GM must explore trade options. He suggested dangling Hischier to the Minnesota Wild for Quinn Hughes, or to the Ottawa Senators for Brady Tkachuk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils will be a team worth watching this offseason. It’ll be interesting to see who they bring in as general manager, and whether they intend to tinker or make some bold moves.

Hischier’s future will be the biggest decision facing the next Devils GM. The 27-year-old center is among the best two-way players in the league. He has a 10-team no-trade list and a cap hit of $7.25 million for next season.

Teams will line up to acquire Hischier if he becomes available in this summer’s trade market. The Wild and Senators could certainly use him, but it’s doubtful the former will part with Quinn Hughes or the latter with Brady Tkachuk.

Hamilton and Nemec frequently surfaced in the trade rumor mill this season. It’s believed the latter drew more interest given his youth and potential. It’s believed his camp will seek a new contract comparable to teammate Luke Hughes’ seven-year, $63 million contract ($9 million AAV). That would explain why the Devils were reportedly shopping Hamilton ($9 million AAV) last summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 28, 2026

by | Mar 28, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 28, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we look at some of this summer’s notable restricted free agents.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently listed the latest rumors and reports regarding this summer’s notable NHL restricted free agents.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The limited talent in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market has some observers suggesting some teams could attempt to poach away a top restricted free agent with an offer sheet. Some of the players on this list could also become trade targets if their contract negotiations stall.

Fox also pointed out that eight-year contract extensions will be nonexistent starting on July 1, which could provide an incentive to get these players under contract before then.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. He’ll also be a year away from UFA eligibility if he and the Stars settle on a one-year contract.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

Fox indicated that Stars general manager Jim Nill reportedly explored Robertson’s value in last summer’s trade market, but he prefers to retain the 26-year-old winger. Nill also claimed the trade rumors were overblown. Robertson leads the Stars in scoring this season, which ensures his value will rise. A maximum eight-year extension could match teammate Mikko Rantanen’s average annual value of $12 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s situation will draw the most attention among this summer’s RFA class. The Stars have a projected $14.9 million in salary-cap space for 2026-27 with 18 active roster players under contract.

A $12 million extension would leave little room for Nill to fill out the remainder of his roster for next season. If he intends to re-sign Robertson to that much, he’ll have to shed salary to free up more cap room.

It will be interesting to see how Leo Carlsson’s contract talks progress this summer. The 21-year-old center has played a pivotal role in the Anaheim Ducks’ improvement this season, with 61 points in 60 games. He could be poised to become the Ducks’ highest-paid player, but he’s also coming off his entry-level contract and lacks arbitration rights.

Carlsson’s teammate, Cutter Gauthier, is in the same boat. The 22-year-old winger is the Ducks’ leading scorer with 36 goals and 63 points in 71 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ducks GM Pat Verbeek usually plays hardball with players completing their ELCs, as Mason McTavish found out last summer, and former Duck Trevor Zegras in 2023. If Verbeek does the same with Carlsson and Gauthier, their negotiations could carry over into training camp before they’re resolved, which could also tempt some rival clubs to check their availability via trade or offer sheet.

Salary-cap constraints could affect the Vegas Golden Knights’ efforts to re-sign Pavel Dorofeyev. The versatile 25-year-old winger has arbitration rights this summer. Fox speculates he could get a two-year extension, taking him up to UFA eligibility at $5.6 million AAV, while an eight-year deal could cost around $8 million annually.

However, the Golden Knights already have five forwards earning between $5 million and $13.5 million. They must also re-sign UFA-eligible defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights usually find some creative way to retain their best player whilst staying within the boundaries of the CBA. They could get $8.8 million in cap relief if Alex Pietrangelo remains on long-term injury reserve, which could create sufficient wiggle room to retain Dorofeyev or Andersson. However, they must free up more room to keep both.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Simon Nemec surfaced in the rumor mill before the March 6 trade deadline. Fox believes he’ll either be traded for a nice return or sign a nice bridge deal. He noted that the Devils were rumored to have turned down an offer of winger William Eklund from the San Jose Sharks at the deadline.

After the trade deadline, Devils GM Tom Fitzgerald hinted that he might draw from his blueline depth to bring in some help for his forward lines, like a top-six winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils could try to trade veteran Dougie Hamilton, but his inconsistent play, hefty salary, and 10-team trade list have made him difficult to move. Nemec seems the more likely trade candidate. Some have suggested sending him to the Toronto Maple Leafs as part of a package deal for power forward Matthew Knies.

Other notable players among this summer’s RFA class include Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli and goaltender Jet Greaves, Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke, Philadelphia Flyers forward Trevor Zegras and defenseman Jamie Drysdale, and Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I didn’t bother breaking down their individual situations because I don’t expect their teams to have any difficulty re-signing them. It’s unlikely those players will sign offer sheets, and if they did, their teams have the cap space to match such offers.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 27, 2026

by | Mar 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 27, 2026

Check out the latest on Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies and Canucks center Elias Pettersson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently looked at what it might cost the Devils if they were to acquire winger Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).

Knies, 23, was the subject of trade speculation before the March 6 trade deadline. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported the Devils were among a handful of suitors with “serious interest” in the young Maple Leafs power forward.

Knies would be the perfect complementary winger to skate alongside Devils center Jack Hughes. It could cost the Devils defenseman Simon Nemec, who would immediately move up the Maple Leafs’ blueline depth chart.

Nichols also wondered whether the Leafs would be interested in a trade package including center Dawson Mercer, or perhaps a deal that includes prospect defenseman Seamus Casey and the Devils’ 2026 first-round pick. He doesn’t anticipate Devils veteran blueliner Dougie Hamilton being involved in this type of deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Earlier this month, James Mirtle of The Athletic expressed his belief that the Maple Leafs shouldn’t trade Knies unless it’s for an elite first-line center or a top-pairing defenseman.

Mercer would not fill that need at center. However, Nemec has the potential to become a top-two blueliner. If the Devils make a pitch, the 22-year-old defenseman would have to be part of the return to draw any interest from the Leafs.

Meanwhile, Adam Proteau of The Hockey News considers Knies among a handful of untouchables on the Maple Leafs. If they’re going to rebuild, they need someone like Knies on their roster.

CANUCKS ARMY: Stephan Roget recently looked at several teams that might be willing to take struggling center Elias Pettersson off the Vancouver Canucks’ hands this summer.

The Carolina Hurricanes seem the most obvious choice, as it’s well-known that they attempted to acquire him from the Canucks. It was rumored that the two sides were close to a Pettersson-for-Martin Necas swap two years ago. They still need skilled scoring depth at center, and they have the cap space to take on Pettersson’s expensive contract.

Pettersson was also linked to the Detroit Red Wings before the March 6 trade deadline. Like the Hurricanes, they need additional scoring depth at center. The Los Angeles Kings could be in the market for a top-six center with Anze Kopitar retiring at the end of this season.

The New York Islanders could be a possibility as it would reunite Pettersson with former Canucks teammate Bo Horvat, especially with Mathew Barzal becoming more of a winger. The rebuilding Philadelphia Flyers also need help at center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some interesting possibilities here, but Pettersson’s recent performance and his contract remain major sticking points in trade negotiations. He’s struggled to meet the lofty expectations that come with his hefty deal, failing to come anywhere close to his career-high 102 points in 2022-23.

Pettersson carries an average annual value of $11.6 million for six more years with a full no-movement clause, giving him full control over potential trade destinations. Even teams with a lot of salary-cap space could insist on the Canucks retaining salary to facilitate a trade.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 11, 2026

by | Mar 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 11, 2026

Were the Devils shopping Dougie Hamilton at the trade deadline? What would it have cost the Bruins to acquire Rangers center Vincent Trocheck? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DEVILS WEREN’T SHOPPING DOUGIE HAMILTON BEFORE THE TRADE DEADLINE

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reports multiple reports linked Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton to other teams leading up to last Friday’s trade deadline.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald said he wasn’t shopping Hamilton before the deadline, but he acknowledged a couple of teams called about the 32-year-old defenseman.

Hamilton appeared in trade rumors in mid-January after being a healthy scratch from a game against the Winnipeg Jets. At the time, Fitzgerald said it was performance-related, but the defenseman’s camp believed the club was trying to force Hamilton to waive his 10-team trade list going back to last summer’s draft.

Since then, however, Hamilton’s performance has improved, with 17 points in his last 20 games. Fitzgerald downplayed the January incident as a misunderstanding.

Hamilton is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $9 million. He is due for a $7.4 million signing bonus on July 1, which reportedly hindered the Devils’ efforts to move him in a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils will be a team to monitor in the offseason. They were reportedly listening to offers for young defenseman Simon Nemec, who is in the final season of his entry-level contract and will be a restricted free agent lacking arbitration rights. It’s believed he could seek a contract comparable to the seven-year, $63 million deal signed by teammate Luke Hughes last October.

The Devils can’t afford to shell out $27 million annually for three defensemen. They could face a choice between moving Nemec or Hamilton.

THE RANGERS’ PRICE FOR TROCHECK WAS TOO EXPENSIVE FOR THE BRUINS

THE BOSTON GLOBE: Kevin Paul Dupont reported Sunday about what the New York Rangers may have sought from the Bruins in exchange for Vincent Trocheck.

Dupont cited multiple sources claiming Rangers general manager Chris Drury set a high price for the 32-year-old center. It was rumored that the Boston Bruins were among the suitors for Trocheck.

Based on his sources, Dupont believed it could have had Drury asking Bruins GM Don Sweeney for Fraser Minten and a first-round pick, “or perhaps Minten, Mark Kastelic, and a first or second-rounder”.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If that’s what Drury was seeking, it’s not surprising Sweeney passed. It would also explain why another club didn’t land Trocheck.










NHL Rumor Mill – March 9, 2026

by | Mar 9, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 9, 2026

The trade deadline has passed, but the rumor mill keeps churning as the focus shifts toward offseason moves. Check out the latest on Evgeni Malkin, Erik Karlsson, Roman Josi, and Simon Nemec in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE PENGUINS PART WAYS WITH MALKIN AND KARLSSON THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently reported that Evgeni Malkin’s contract situation overshadowed the trade deadline for the Pittsburgh Penguins and could continue to do so over the remainder of this season.

Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin (NHL Images).

Malkin is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. The 40-year-old center has expressed his desire to return with the Penguins for another season. He’s had a solid bounce-back performance as the Penguins jockey for a playoff berth in the Metropolitan Division.

However, Penguins GM Kyle Dubas indicated contract discussions would be put off until the offseason, prompting Malkin to express his disappointment publicly. Dubas praised Malkin’s performance and acknowledged what he means to the club, but indicated that he has to do what’s best for the organization.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This issue will likely fade over the remainder of the season as the focus shifts to the Penguins’ efforts to clinch their first playoff berth in four years. However, it will flare up again in the offseason, especially as the July 1 opening date from free agency approaches.

Speaking of aging Penguins stars enjoying bounce-back efforts, Erik Karlsson has one more year left on his contract. However, Pierre LeBrun speculated that the 35-year-old puck-moving defenseman could be moved this summer if there’s an opportunity for Dubas to recoup some assets.

LeBrun acknowledged that Karlsson carries an expensive cap hit but believes there would be genuine interest if the Penguins agreed to retain half of it. The veteran blueliner would also have to waive his no-movement clause.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson has an average annual value of $11.5 million, of which the Penguins carry $10 million, and the San Jose Sharks carry $1.5 million. He’ll earn $1.5 million in actual salary next season once his $6 million signing bonus is paid on July 1.

KEEP AN EYE ON SOME OF THE PREDATORS’ STARS THIS SUMMER

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun cites a source saying it might be worthwhile to keep an eye on Nashville Predators captain Roman Josi this summer.

If the Predators deepen their rebuild by trading Ryan O’Reilly, Steven Stamkos, and Jonathan Marchessault, Josi would probably want to speak with management about the club’s direction.

LeBrun believes Josi would probably stay in Nashville. The 35-year-old defenseman is loyal to the team and has two years left on his contract. Nevertheless, LeBrun isn’t ruling out the possibility that he might consider moving on.

THE TENNESSEAN: Alex Daugherty reported Friday that Nashville Predators general manager Barry Trotz said he received calls about Stamkos, O’Reilly, and Erik Haula before the trade deadline.

Trotz indicates he told Stamkos and O’Reilly that he didn’t want to get rid of them, but if he got irresistible offers, he’d speak to them and give them the chance to decide if they want to accept a trade. He also indicated that he came “fairly close” to moving either guy, but “until it’s done, it’s not done.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators are expected to be under new management by this summer. Trotz’s successor could prove more aggressive in peddling veterans such as O’Reilly, Stamkos, and Marchessault, which in turn could prompt a conversation with Josi. It would indeed be something worth monitoring in the offseason.

DEVILS COULD CONTINUE SHOPPING SIMON NEMEC THIS SUMMER

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils were listening to trade offers for Simon Nemec. However, their asking price for the 22-year-old defenseman was a young, impact, top-six forward.

Nemec is slated to become a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract and has changed agents. LeBrun believes his camp intends to use teammate Luke Hughes’ contract (seven years, $9 million annually) as a comparable.

It would make more sense for the Devils to retain Nemec and move veteran defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million. However, it’s proven difficult to move Hamilton. Given the interest in Nemec, LeBrun believed the latter is more likely to be moved.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether the Devils can get a young impact forward in return for Nemec remains to be seen. There’s a better chance of landing that type of player in the offseason, but that doesn’t mean it’s a certainty. Devils management will have to sell Nemec’s potential as a No.1 defenseman.

NBC SPORTS BAY AREA: Following Friday’s trade deadline, Sheng Peng reported San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier shot down a rumor claiming he offered up winger William Eklund to the Devils for Nemec.

“I think that was more Twitter stuff,” Grier said. “It’s something where you call and see if someone’s available and then see what the asking price is. That was really about the extent of it. There wasn’t any real getting into it.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s worth pointing out that the Sharks were reportedly interested in Hamilton last summer, but he declined to waive his no-trade clause.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 8, 2026

by | Mar 8, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – March 8, 2026

Check out the ongoing fallout from Friday’s Trade Deadline in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHY DIDN’T THE DEVILS MOVE NEMEC OR HAMILTON AT THE TRADE DEADLINE?

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols reported Friday that the Devils were open to moving Simon Nemec if the 22-year-old defenseman would fetch a return that improved their top-six forwards.

Adding a winger for Jack Hughes’ line has been a longstanding need. However, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported that they were hoping to add a top-six center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes and Nico Hischier currently fill the top-six center roles on the Devils. Adding another top-six center doesn’t make sense unless they intend to move Hischier or Hughes.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton (NHL Images).

Trading Dougie Hamilton proved to be a difficult task for the Devils. One reason is the $7.4 million signing bonus that the 32-year-old defenseman is scheduled to receive on July 1. He also carries an average annual value of $9 million for the next two seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It seemed like Hamilton and the Devils would part ways back in January as he was upset over being a healthy scratch for a game against the Winnipeg Jets. Some Toronto pundits pondered the possibility of the Maple Leafs acquiring him, but that’s assuming they’re on his 10-team trade list.

The Devils could try again during the offseason, but will likely find that any interested clubs will prefer to wait until he gets his signing bonus before agreeing to acquire him.

SENATORS TRIED TO ACQUIRE WEEGAR

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports sources claimed MacKenzie Weegar was the Senators’ top trade target. However, the Calgary Flames traded the 32-year-old puck-moving defenseman to the Utah Mammoth.

It was expected that general manager Steve Staios would acquire a right-shot top-four defenseman or some additional scoring punch. However, they lacked a 2026 first-round pick to use as a trade chip, which hampered the Senators’ efforts to bolster their roster at the trade deadline.

Teams were asking Staios for young forward Ridly Greig and top prospects Carter Yakemchuk and Logan Hensler. However, the Senators weren’t parting with those players. Staios said he was looking at all options, including his goaltending.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Staios added winger Warren Foegele, who could help the Senators’ offense if he can regain the scoring touch that he lost this season with the Los Angeles Kings. He scored for them in Saturday’s 7-4 win over the Seattle Kraken.

Goaltending options were few and far between for the Senators and everyone else in this trade market. The best names out there were Sergei Bobrovsky of the Florida Panthers and Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues. The Panthers are trying to re-sign Bobrovsky, while the Senators could be on Binnington’s no-trade list.

WHY DID THE FLAMES RETAIN COLEMAN AND WHITECLOUD?

SPORTSNET: Eric Francis reports Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy admitted that he received strong offers for winger Blake Coleman and recently-acquired defenseman Zach Whitecloud. He chose to retain them because they wanted to remain in Calgary and would help mentor their younger players.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin reports it seemed almost certain that Coleman would be traded.

The 34-year-old winger has one year remaining on his contract. Austin considers it inevitable that his name will surface in the rumor mill again.