NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2025

by | Dec 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – December 4, 2025

The latest speculation regarding Canucks defenseman Quinn Hughes, plus the latest on the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHERE COULD QUINN HUGHES GO IF HE LEAVES THE CANUCKS?

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma noted the uncertainty over Quinn Hughes’ future with the Vancouver Canucks has led to a growing line of suitors for the 26-year-old superstar defenseman.

Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Hughes has a year remaining on his contract and will be eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, 2027. If an extension isn’t in the works, Kuzma believes the Canucks could move him for a multiplayer return to get younger and eventually better.

Kuzma thinks any team acquiring Hughes will want assurances he’ll be more than a one-year rental player. He thinks ties to certain teams could determine where the former Norris Trophy winner could land.

The Detroit Red Wings could be an option, given that Hughes spent his formative years in Michigan with the US National Team Development Program and the NCAA Wolverines. Kuzma speculated the Canucks could push for winger Lucas Raymond, rookie defenseman Axel Sandin-Pellikka, rookie center Nate Danielson, and a 2026 first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: To which Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman will reply, “Well, thanks for the call, and the best of luck in your future endeavors”. Giving up Raymond would blow a big hole in their forward lines. It’s also unlikely he’d give up both Sandin-Pellikka and Danielson.

Kuzma also noted the obvious tug for Hughes to head to New Jersey, where his brothers (Jack and Luke) play for the Devils. There’s also the Philadelphia Flyers, who are coached by former Canucks bench boss Rick Tocchet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The asking price for the Devils would be defenseman Simon Nemec and a first-round pick in 2026 for sure. Center Dawson Mercer and rookie winger Arseny Gritsyuk would also likely be part of it.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reported a Flyers source claimed the team hasn’t had any conversations with the Canucks about Hughes, but they are interested in him.

Di Marco speculated that winger Tyson Foerster and top prospect Porter Martone could be part of the Canucks’ asking price. He thinks the Flyers would prefer sending a package to Vancouver centered around a defenseman like Jamie Drysdale or Cam York.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks would likely hold firm to their projected offer rather than one centered around Drysdale or York. The Flyers probably won’t get into the bidding for Hughes, based on Di Marco’s comment that they don’t want to gut their roster in a trade.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently looked at which members of the Toronto Maple Leafs were most likely to be traded and those who are not.

Of the most likely trade candidates, Dixon listed forwards Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann, and Matias Maccelli as those who might have more value to another team than the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s been a fixture in trade rumors since the summer of 2024. He shows flashes of scoring potential, but he remains unable to establish himself as a reliable top-six forward.

McMann had a promising 20-goal performance last season, but has just six in 26 games thus far this season. The Leafs hoped Maccelli might regain the 57-point form of his 2023-24 season, but he has only nine points in 22 games and was a healthy scratch in three of the Leafs’ last four games.

TORONTO STAR: Nick Kypreos suggested the Leafs might be able to draw on their goaltending depth at the trade deadline.

If Anthony Stolarz can establish himself as a 1A or 1B goalie with Joseph Woll once he returns from injury, Kypreos suggested dangling a goalie prospect such as Dennis Hildeby or Artur Akhtyamov as a trade chip. If Hildeby shows he’s ready for a larger role, that could make Stolarz a trade candidate, though they’d have to work around his 16-team no-trade list.

Kypreos believes the Maple Leafs’ biggest need is finding a puck-moving defenseman to take some of the burden off of Morgan Rielly.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 17, 2025

by | Nov 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 17, 2025

Check out the latest on the Maple Leafs and Senators in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau noted the recent report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicating the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t willing to trade their core players.

He also believes they won’t part with defensemen Jake McCabe and Oliver Ekman-Larsson, and forwards Nicolas Roy, Scott Laughton, and Steven Lorentz. “They all possess the combination of skill and snot that coach Craig Berube is looking for.”

Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly (NHL Images).

Proteau can see the Maple Leafs attempting to peddle defenseman Morgan Rielly, even if he controls his exit with his full no-movement clause. “Would Toronto move Rielly to the Pittsburgh Penguins for Erik Karlsson? Or what about a Rielly to the New Jersey Devils swap in exchange for Dougie Hamilton?” Proteau asked, suggesting those moves could be sold to Rielly as going to a playoff contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Assuming Rielly would waive his NMC, it would take Karlsson to waive his, or for the Maple Leafs to be on Hamilton’s 10-team trade list. That’s assuming the Penguins or Devils would be interested in Rielly in the first place.

Max Domi could be a trade candidate. The 30-year-old forward has a 13-team no-trade list. Defenseman Brandon Carlo has an eight-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yes, Domi or Carlo could be trade candidates, but they likely won’t fetch returns that help the Leafs.

The Leafs have a glut of forwards to draw on for trade bait. They include Calle Jarnkrok, Nick Robertson, Bobby McMann, and Dakota Joshua. Proteau noted that Robertson is on a hot streak, but it may be time to sell high on him as an asset.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s been touted as a decent trade chip before, but it doesn’t appear as though anyone’s knocking down the door trying to get him. During the summer, the Columbus Blue Jackets reportedly rejected a swap of Robertson for Yegor Chinakhov.

McMann might have some value. He had a 20-goal performance last season.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports that an injury to Thomas Chabot and the departure of Donovan Sebrango have left the Senators shorthanded on the left side of their blueline. It’s forced general manager Steve Staios to scour the trade market for depth on defense.

The Senators aren’t seeking someone who can skate in their top six. At this point, they’d be happy to land a left-shot blueliner to help their AHL affiliate in Belleville, and be available for call-up should more injuries strike.

Garrioch suggested Ville Heinola of the Winnipeg Jets. He’s skating with the Jets’ AHL affiliate and has indicated he wouldn’t mind a fresh start.










NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2025

by | Nov 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – November 1, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have the latest on Predators forward Steven Stamkos and Sabres goaltender Devon Levi, and updates on the Wild and Blues.

COULD THE PREDATORS TRADE STEVEN STAMKOS?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau suggested trade speculation could arise about Steven Stamkos if the Nashville Predators don’t improve. They’ve started the season 4-6-2, and the 35-year-old forward has just two points in those 12 games.

Nashville Predators forward Steven Stamkos (NHL Images)

Proteau noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently said he could see a scenario where both sides meet to consider their options. Stamkos is in the second season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $8 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.

If Stamkos is willing to accept a trade, Proteau believes it’ll be to a veteran-laden Stanley Cup contender. He suggested the Carolina Hurricanes, Los Angeles Kings, and Toronto Maple Leafs as possible trade destinations.

THE PROVINCE: Paul Chapman referenced a report by CHEK-TV’s Rick Dhaliwal, where the latter claimed the Canucks had poked around on Stamkos.

Chapman observed that Stamkos is a shell of his former self. Given the Canucks injury status, however, it makes sense to kick tires on everyone.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos’ production has declined noticeably since his final season with the Tampa Bay Lightning two years ago. He’s getting plenty of playing time among the Predators’ top lines, but his scoring touch is no longer there.

A move to a better club might help Stamkos regain his form, but his contract makes him an expensive gamble. Interested teams could insist that the Predators retain up to half of his cap hit to facilitate a trade.

As for the proposed destinations, Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky is expected to make a big swing for a superstar this season. However, he has pursued superstars in their late-20s who are in the prime of their careers, such as Mikko Rantanen and Mitch Marner. Tulsky is unlikely to go after a declining star in his mid-thirties with an expensive contract.

Stamkos might welcome a trade to the Kings or the Maple Leafs, but they don’t look like Stanley Cup contenders. They lack salary-cap space, which is also an issue for the Canucks.

THE WILD ARE SHOPPING FOR HELP

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports a team source claiming that Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is in the market to bolster his club’s middle-six forward group.

Injuries to Mats Zuccarello and Nico Sturm have hurt the Wild’s depth among those forwards. Guerin’s priority is to add offensive depth to their middle six regardless of the position.

Di Marco suggested Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri and Boston Bruins centers Pavel Zacha and Casey Mittelstadt as possible trade targets.

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith and Michael Russo also weighed in on the Wild’s early-season struggles. They don’t see an impact trade available that could provide immediate help.

Smith and Russo pointed out that it’s difficult to make in-season trades, especially with the salary cap rising and most teams wanting to improve, not sell. They also don’t see acquiring fourth-line players, such as Toronto’s Nick Robertson, as providing a jolt to their lineup.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The problem is that the few players mentioned as trade candidates aren’t being moved yet, if at all. The Flames and Bruins haven’t given up yet on their seasons.

By the time the trade market improves, it could be too late to help the Wild. Smith and Russo believe it’s up to the current Wild players to get themselves out of the hole they’ve dug.

IS SABRES GOALIE DEVON LEVI AVAILABLE?

SABRES NOISE: Tim Daniels linked to a report from the Sabres podcast “After The Whistle” (hosted by former Sabres Craig Rivet and Andrew Peters) claiming that goaltender Devon Levi requested a trade.

“Rumor has it that Devon Levi asked to be moved prior to returning to Rochester,” Rivet and Peters reported.

RATINGS: James Murphy reported that requests from the Sabres and Levi’s agent to confirm the report were not returned. Nevertheless, he cited a source claiming the 23-year-old goalie’s name was out there in the trade market after he failed to crack the Sabres lineup following training camp.

Murphy’s source mentioned the Utah Mammoth, Philadelphia Flyers, Edmonton Oilers, and Carolina Hurricanes as clubs seeking goalie depth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres are overloaded at the goalie position right now. Levi was once seen as their future starter, but his inability to secure a place among their goalie tandem is one reason why they loaded up with more experienced options.

Levi won’t fetch much of a return if the Sabres peddle him. He could bring in at most a third-round pick.

LATEST ON THE BLUES

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford recently pondered what St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong would do to help his struggling team. They have a 3-6-2 record after 11 games, and as of Oct. 31, they were winless in their last six contests (0-4-2).

Whatever Armstrong has in mind, it’s unlikely to involve the roster core. That includes Jordan Kyrou, Richard Thomas, Brayden Schenn, Pavel Buchnevich, and Colton Parayko. He observed they’re all under long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would mean peddling depth players on short-term deals, but such moves likely won’t do much to change their fortunes.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 31, 2025

by | Oct 31, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 31, 2025

Updates on where contract talks sit for the Rangers’ Artemi Panarin and the Stars’ Jason Robertson, a look at several centers drawing interest in the trade market, and the latest on the Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

UPDATES ON PANARIN AND ROBERTSON

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun believes the New York Rangers want to see how this season unfolds before opening contract extension discussions with Artemi Panarin. The 34-year-old winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

Contract term could be the issue in those talks. LeBrun doubts that Panarin will be interested in a short-term deal, which would probably be the Rangers’ preference. The Panarin camp will seek the longest term possible, because this will be their client’s last big contract in his NHL career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers’ performance this season, and that includes Panarin’s, will determine whether he has a future in New York beyond this season. Given his age, the Blueshirts could be reluctant to sign him for longer than three years. They could consider it if he’s willing to accept a substantial pay cut, but he was reportedly unwilling to do so this summer.

LeBrun reports the Dallas Stars’ focus has shifted to Jason Robertson after signing defenseman Thomas Harley to an extension earlier this week. The 26-year-old winger is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July, and will be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility.

Robertson surfaced in the offseason rumor mill. The Stars weren’t shopping him, but wanted to see what teams were offering when they came calling.

The two sides decided to wait to open contract talks. LeBrun speculated they might begin in January, or they could wait until the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is no longer on the top line following the Stars’ acquisition of Mikko Rantanen at the March 2025 trade deadline. However, he’s settling in on the second line, scoring nine points in 11 games.

The Stars want to keep Robertson, but it’ll depend on his asking price. His arbitration rights and his UFA eligibility the following year give him leverage whenever the two sides finally begin negotiating.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports the trade market for centers appears to be heating up ahead of the American Thanksgiving (Nov. 27).

The Calgary Flames’ poor start to this season has made Nazem Kadri the subject of growing trade conjecture. However, his status reflects the Flames’ uncertain direction. They’re trying to right the ship but face mounting pressure to rebuild if things don’t improve by December.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kadri no longer has full no-trade protection, but he does have a 13-team no-trade list. His age (35) and average annual value ($7 million) through 2028-29 could make him difficult to move if he wants to be traded. So far, all reports claim he loves living in Calgary.

Meanwhile, teams are eyeing Alexander Wennberg of the San Jose Sharks. He’s UFA-eligible next July, and multiple clubs see him as a good middle-six trade option.

In Boston, the Bruins remain undecided on Pavel Zacha’s future as they consider competing and retooling. The 28-year-old forward has a year remaining on his contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: TSN’s Pierre LeBrun recently reported that the Bruins believe Zacha fits into their long-term plans. He suggested it wouldn’t be surprising if the versatile forward signs a contract extension next summer.

Bo Horvat has also surfaced in recent trade speculation. However, Murphy claims the 30-year-old New York Islanders center is untouchable unless the club collapses in the standings. Even then, it would take a significant offer to pry him away from the Isles.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Horvat is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.5 million. He also has a full no-trade clause. If, and that’s a big if, he’s willing to waive that clause, it’s unlikely that sort of trade takes place during the season. That seems more like an offseason move.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Toronto Maple Leafs continue to explore the idea of trading forwards David Kampf and Nick Robertson.

Kampf is now with the Leafs’ AHL affiliate, and they’d like to move his contract. The 30-year-old center is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value of $2.4 million and a 10-team no-trade clause for this season.

The Leafs have time for the 24-year-old Robertson, but he’s been up and down the Leafs’ lineup. They’d move him if they could get back a player of a similar age, but that’s what makes moving him so difficult, so they’re not in a rush to move him out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s been a fixture in the rumor mill since the summer of 2024, and yet he remains with the Maple Leafs. As I’ve mentioned before, either the Leafs have set a ridiculously high asking price, or he’s not as valuable a trade chip as some observers seem to believe.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025

by | Oct 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2025

The latest on the Flames, plus updates on the Leafs’ Nick Robertson, the Blue Jackets’ Yegor Chinakhov, and the Rangers’ Brennan Othmann in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports the trade market is stagnant right now because so many teams began this season targeting a playoff berth.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

It’s become a seller’s market, with the Calgary Flames being the only club in the cellar. They possess what Fox considers “two of hockey’s most moveable assets”: minute-munching defenseman Rasmus Andersson and two-way center Nazem Kadri

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames are off to a rough start with just two wins in their first 10 games. Nevertheless, general manager Craig Conroy is reportedly shopping around for additional scoring for his offensively anemic team.

Andersson and Kadri have frequently appeared in early-season trade rumors, but Conroy isn’t moving either guy at this stage unless he gets a mind-blowing offer, which isn’t likely. He’ll hang onto both of them and see how the season unfolds.

If the Flames remain bottom-feeders when the calendar flips to January, that’s when Conroy will likely go into sell mode.

The Chicago Blackhawks got a fourth-round pick when they shipped winger Lukas Reichel to the Vancouver Canucks last week.

Fox believes that’s set the trade market for Toronto Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson and Columbus Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov. A fourth-round pick doesn’t help either club when they’re trying to ice a better product now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That means Robertson and Chinakhov will likely be sticking with their current clubs for the time being.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano reports Brennan Othmann is aware his name recently surfaced in trade rumors. It’s believed New York Rangers general manager Chris Drury is willing to move the 22-year-old left winger for another young player with upside.

Othmann was sent down to the Rangers’ AHL affiliate in Hartford before the start of the season. However, his recent recall suggests the club still sees value in him and won’t give him away.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tony Ferrari pointed out that the aging Rangers have wasted a lot of their young talent of late, due to poor development or players not panning out. He believes they don’t have the luxury of wasting more young talent and need players like Othmann and other prospects to pan out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferrari believes a trade is the most likely option trending right now for Otthman. A lot will depend on how he performs during this call-up with the Rangers. However, the best they might get is a return comparable to what the Blackhawks got for Reichel.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2025

by | Oct 24, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2025

The Flames are seeking more offense, teams are calling about Blue Jackets forward Yegor Chinakhov, plus updates on the Canucks’ search for a center, the asking price for Rangers winger Brennan Othmann, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

FLAMES SHOPPING FOR SCORING PUNCH

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Calgary Flames are frustrated over their lack of production. They’re currently last in the league, averaging 1.5 goals per game.

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson (NHL Images).

General manager Craig Conroy is exploring the trade market in search of offensive help. However, it’s still very early in the season, and teams typically don’t make those kinds of moves yet.

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun also believes the Flames could become sellers if they don’t reverse their fortunes soon.

Rasmus Andersson would be their biggest trade chip. The 28-year-old defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, and there’s no indication he and the Flames are any closer to a contract extension.

Nazem Kadri could also be in demand. However, the 35-year-old center has a full no-movement clause until July 1, when it reverts to a 13-team no-trade list. So far, there’s no evidence that Kadri wants out of Calgary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unless Conroy can find a worthwhile deal to bolster his club’s scoring, he’ll become a seller later in the season. It won’t happen now because it’s unlikely he’ll find suitable returns for Andersson and Kadri (if he’s willing to move) at this point in the season.

BLUE JACKETS GETTING CALLS ABOUT YEGOR CHINAKHOV

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets are getting more calls about Yegor Chinakhov. The 24-year-old forward has played only three games this season, all of those on their fourth line.

Chinakhov hasn’t rescinded the trade request that he made this summer after being a healthy scratch for most of the Blue Jackets’ stretch run last season.

LeBrun said the Toronto Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, Florida Panthers, Buffalo Sabres, and Calgary Flames are among the clubs believed to have called or expected to check in. However, the Jackets are seeking a player in return rather than draft picks and prospects.

THE ATHLETIC: LeBrun noted the Maple Leafs are still trying to sort out Nick Robertson’s role, while New York Rangers winger Brennan Othmann is out there in the trade market. He believes the Jackets, Leafs, and Rangers could help each other out at some point.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Maple Leafs are investigating options for Robertson. He claimed they made a pitch for Chinkhov this summer, but it wasn’t to the Blue Jackets’ liking.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: How about a three-way deal involving those teams and players? Which club should get Chinakhov? Feel free to weigh in on this one in the comments section below.

TIDBITS FROM THE LATEST “32 THOUGHTS” COLUMN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes contract extension talks between the Los Angeles Kings and Adrian Kempe will resume soon…The Vancouver Canucks are searching for a center, but they don’t want to part with their 2026 first-round pick.

The San Jose Sharks are carrying nine defensemen and could move one of them. The Edmonton Oilers could also move a blueliner. The Detroit Red Wings have rearguard Erik Gustafsson in the AHL, and have some forwards who might need a change of scenery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No, the Sharks aren’t at the stage yet where they will move UFA-eligible defenseman Mario Ferraro…If the Oilers move a defenseman, it will be Ty Emberson, Troy Stecher, or Alec Regula…The forwards Friedman was referring to could be those with less than two years left on their contract. They included Jonatan Berggren and Elmer Soderblom.

The Blackhawks remain open to trade offers for winger Lukas Reichel…The Rangers have requested good AHL prospects in exchange for Brennan Othmann…Friedman believes that if the Ottawa Senators and Shane Pinto agree to a contract extension, it’ll likely be a three-year deal.