NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2026

by | Jul 15, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – July 15, 2026

Check out the latest on Sharks center Macklin Celebrini, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Senators forward Claude Giroux, Flames defenseman Simon Nemec, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini is the cover athlete for EA Sports’ NHL 27 video game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Notable stars who’ve graced the cover of previous EA Sports NHL games include Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers (NHL 18), Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs (NHL 20, NHL 22), Alexander Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals (NHL 21), and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche (NHL 24).

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

Celebrini is in the final season of his entry-level contract and is eligible to sign a contract extension. His next deal will most likely make him one of the NHL’s highest-paid players, but he told ESPN that he’s not necessarily going to seek every available dollar.

“Obviously, guys want to get paid – as they should, because you’ve got to make a living,” Celebrini said. “There are guys that deserve those numbers that are getting them, but of course, you want to put your team in the best possible spot, where you give a team the ability to make moves necessary to win. I think all that goes into the decision.”

Celebrini also said that there’s no rush to get a deal done because he has a year left on his contract. “I think it’s just whenever it makes sense for both sides.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum average annual value for 2027-28 (the first season of Celebrini’s next contract) is $22.7 million. He could become the league’s first $20 million man after Leo Carlsson got $18 million on a five-year deal from the Anaheim Ducks after they matched the Philadelphia Flyers’ offer sheet last week.

However, it sounds like Celebrini’s open to leaving a little money on the table to give the Sharks some salary-cap flexibility to bolster the club’s overall depth. He could seek an AAV between $18.5 million and $19.5 million on a four- or five-year contract, enabling him to sign a more lucrative deal when he enters the prime of his career.

TSN: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell continued to downplay the trade rumors that swirled around superstar defenseman Zach Werenski last month.

Waddell claimed the media reports regarding his talks with the Werenski camp were different than what was actually discussed. He pointed out that the two sides cannot discuss a contract extension until next summer, but that was mistaken as the Blue Jackets wanting to trade him and him wanting to be traded.

“It was always discussed that, if there was something that made some sense, I would bring it to him,” Waddell said, referring to a trade offer.

Waddell said it was well known that the Blue Jackets were talking with the Dallas Stars about a trade when he called Werenski’s agent. “Within an hour, I got a call back saying that Zach doesn’t want to go anywhere and he wants to be a Blue Jacket.”

According to Waddell, he subsequently had “a great meeting” with Werenski, who said he’s been with the Blue Jackets for 10 years, wants to get the team back into the playoffs, and is fully committed to the team.

“What the future holds, we’ll figure that out when the time comes,” Waddell said. “But for now, he’s very excited about staying here and taking the team where we need to get back to: the playoffs.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The media wouldn’t have gotten involved if somebody from the Blue Jackets management or the Werenski side hadn’t spoken to them about the situation. The same goes for the trade talks with the Stars. These stories don’t get reported without a reliable source from one side or the other leaking it to a pundit.

Since those stories broke, Waddell and Werenski issued statements claiming the situation was blown out of proportion by the media, stressing the blueliner’s desire to stay in Columbus and help the Blue Jackets win.

I’m not questioning Waddell’s version of events or Werenski’s sincerity about staying in Columbus. However, questions about his future with the Blue Jackets will resurface next June, leading up to his eligibility to sign a contract extension starting on July 1, 2027.

OTTAWA SUN: Claude Giroux said his return to the Senators for another season was a family decision. The 38-year-old forward recently signed a one-year, $2 million contract.

“We just had to talk it over and make sure that we were doing the right thing here,” Giroux said. “When you’ve got three boys, it’s not just about me anymore.”

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson believes Simon Nemec’s contract is one of the biggest gambles by Craig Conroy as the Flames’ general manager.

Conroy acquired the promising but inconsistent Nemec from the New Jersey Devils last month, giving up two conditional first-round picks as part of the deal. He subsequently signed the 22-year-old defenseman to a five-year contract with an average annual value of $7.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy is betting on Nemec blossoming into the top-pairing, puck-moving blueliner he was projected to become when the Devils chose him second overall in the 2022 NHL Draft.

The Nemec trade could become Conroy’s best move if the young rearguard develops as hoped. It could also cost him his job if Nemec fails to pan out.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: The Penguins avoided salary arbitration with Nick Robertson, signing the 24-year-old winger to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.25 million.

The Penguins also hired Brandon Pridham as a hockey operations consultant. Pridham spent 12 seasons as an assistant general manager with the Toronto Maple Leafs. He’s reuniting with Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas, who was GM of the Leafs for most of Pridham’s tenure in Toronto.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: The Bruins hired former Buffalo Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams as a Senior Advisor to Bruins GM Don Sweeney.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The New York Islanders’ third-jersey competition for 2027-28 surpassed 65,000 entries from creative fans.










Notable NHL Free Agent Signings and Trades – July 1, 2026

by | Jul 1, 2026

Notable NHL Free Agent Signings and Trades – July 1, 2026

The Edmonton Oilers sign goaltender Frederik Andersen to a one-year contract with a $1 million base salary and $1.8 million performance bonus.

The Winnipeg Jets signed defenseman Mario Ferraro to a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $4 million

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the New Jersey Devils have signed Utah Mammoth restricted free agent forward Barrett Hayton to a one-year offer sheet worth $4.775 million. The Mammoth will receive the Devils’ 2027 second-round pick as compensation if they don’t match the offer within seven days.

The Utah Mammoth signs winger Anders Lee to a three-year contract worth an average annual value of $5.4 million.

The Edmonton Oilers sign defenseman Ryan Shea to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $4 million.

The New York Rangers trade defenseman Will Borgen to the Boston Bruins in exchange for a 2027 second-round pick and a conditional third-rounder in 2028.

The New York Rangers acquire defenseman Marcus Pettersson from the Vancouver Canucks in exchange for a 2030 first-round pick (top-10 protected).

The Edmonton Oilers trade defenseman Darnell Nurse to the San Jose Sharks in exchange for defenseman Shakir Mukhamadullin and prospect blueliner Zack Sharp. The Oilers did not retain salary in this deal.

The New York Rangers trade center Vincent Trocheck to the Utah Mammoth in exchange for defenseman Sean Durzi, prospect center Cole Beaudoin, and a 2027 third-round draft pick.

The Washington Capitals sign Boone Jenner to a four-year contract with an average annual value of $5.75 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs trade goaltender Dennis Hildeby, a 2027 fourth-round pick, and a 2028 third-round pick to the Tampa Bay Lightning in exchange for forward Nick Paul.

The Boston Bruins trade goaltender Joonas Korpisalo to the New York Rangers for a fourth-round pick in 2028.

The Pittsburgh Penguins signed winger Andrei Kuzmenko to a one-year, $5 million contract.

The New York Rangers signed forward Oliver Bjorkstrand to a one-year, $4.5 million contract.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sign center Colton Sissons to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $4.25 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sign goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky to a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $7 million.

The San Jose Sharks sign defenseman Jacob Trouba to a four-year contract worth an average annual value of $8.25 million.

Toronto Maple Leafs sign goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (NHL Images).

The Winnipeg Jets sign goaltender Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract worth an average annual value of $3.75 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs sign forward Jack Roslovic to a two-year contract with an AAV of $4 million.

The Colorado Avalanche sign forward Jaden Schwartz to a three-year contract worth an AAV of $3.25 million

The Florida Panthers re-sign forward Eetu Luostarinen to an eight-year contract worth an AAV of $5 million.

The Vegas Golden Knights re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson to a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.

The San Jose Sharks signed winger Mason Marchment to a five-year contract worth an average annual value of $7 million.

The Detroit Red Wings sign winger Viktor Arvidsson to a two-year contract worth an AAV of $5 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign winger Mats Zuccarello to a one-year contract worth $1 million in base salary, along with a $5.5 million performance bonus. 

The Montreal Canadiens sign winger Ivan Demidov to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9.125 million.

The Chicago Blackhawks sign defenseman Bowen Byram to a six-year, $75 million contract extension with an average annual value of $12.5 million.

The New Jersey Devils sign center Nico Hischier to a five-year, $58.5 million contract extension with an average annual value of $11.7 million.

The Dallas Stars trade forward Mavrik Bourque and defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin to the Nashville Predators in exchange for a second-round pick in 2027 and a third-round pick in 2028.

The Florida Panthers sign Radko Gudas to a six-year contract with an AAV of $1.5 million.

The Toronto Maple Leafs trade winger Nick Robertson to the Pittsburgh Penguins for a fourth-round draft pick (year TBD).

Buffalo Sabres re-sign defenseman Olen Zellweger to a three-year, $9 million contract with an AAV of $3 million.

The Los Angeles Kings sign forward Erik Haula to a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.6 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – April 25, 2026

by | Apr 25, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – April 25, 2026

Check out the latest on possible changes for the Maple Leafs, Rangers, and Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS

TORONTO SUN: Lance Hornby reports former Arizona Coyotes general manager John Chayka and Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White are reportedly emerging as the finalists for the job of Maple Leafs general manager.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports White and Chayka are subject to further diligence, with Chayka holding an edge.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hornby acknowledged Chayka’s messy departure from the Coyotes, but pointed out that he’s done ground-breaking analytics work, which would suit the Maple Leafs’ search for a data-driven general manager.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

Terry Koshan believes the first order of business for whoever becomes the next Maple Leafs general manager is speaking with team captain Austin Matthews about the club’s plans going forward and what his role would be.

If Matthews balks at those plans, Koshan believes the Maple Leafs must trade him. The 28-year-old superstar center could fetch a return of top draft picks, top prospects, or players who are either stars or on the cusp of becoming ones.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We already know that Leafs ownership wants to retool the roster rather than stage a rebuild. How that retooling will be done will be of interest to Matthews because it will determine the outcome of next season and of his decision whether to sign a contract extension next summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel recently examined which Maple Leafs will go and which ones will stay this summer.

Among the notables most likely to move are forwards Max Domi and Nick Robertson, and defensemen Brandon Carlo and Oliver Ekman-Larsson.

WHICH RANGERS COULD BE MOVED THIS SUMMER?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano looked at some of the biggest questions facing the New York Rangers during the offseason.

What happens to Vincent Trocheck topped the list. Rangers GM Chris Drury attempted to move the 32-year-old center at last month’s trade deadline, but found the offers were restricted by limited buyers and limited salary-cap space. Drury believes the market for Trocheck will improve in the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be surprising if Trocheck isn’t moved this summer. There was genuine interest in him at the trade deadline, especially from Eastern Conference teams that were not on his no-trade list.

Braden Schneider could also be moved. The 24-year-old defenseman is valued within the organization for his defensive skills, but the need for right-shot blueliners around the league could make him a valuable trade piece.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schneider recently said he’d love to remain a Ranger, but he seems resigned to his fate. Mercogliano stated that Drury is seeking a scoring forward and could target a team like the San Jose Sharks, who have plenty of young forwards but need blueline depth.

Alexis Lafreniere’s strong finish to this season should ensure he remains with the Rangers. Moving him wouldn’t make sense for a club that’s looking for forward depth. Mercogliano doesn’t rule out Lafreniere being moved as part of a trade package if a top trade target becomes available, but he thinks the young winger will be staying put.

WHAT CHANGES COULD BE IN STORE FOR THE DEVILS?

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols recently looked at what might be in store for the New Jersey Devils under new GM Sunny Mehta.

It remains to be seen if head coach Sheldon Keefe will be back, but the fact that he was in attendance at Mehta’s introductory press conference suggests he could return behind the Devils’ bench next season.

Mehta must decide what happens with defenseman Dougie Hamilton, who has been the subject of frequent trade speculation since last summer. He could decide to move Hamilton and his $9 million cap hit, or see his 28 points in his last 37 games of this season and decide he’s worth retaining.

Whatever happens to Hamilton could determine Simon Nemec’s fate. The young blueliner is coming off his entry-level contract. He’s earned praise for his offense, but his defense game needs improvement.

Nichols also wondered whether Mehta will retain or trade the Devils’ 2026 first-round pick. He also mused about how aggressive the new GM will be to improve the roster, such as pursuing a big-name player like Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators or Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars if they were to become available.

Mehta must also open contract extension talks with team captain Nico Hischier, who is UFA eligible next July.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mehta’s coming into his new job with a lot on his plate. It will be interesting to see what he’s got in store for the Devils this summer.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2026

by | Jan 14, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – January 14, 2026

Oilers captain Connor McDavid extends his points streak, the Lightning set a franchise record, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid collected two assists to extend his points streak to 20 games, but his club dropped a 4-3 decision to the Nashville Predators on an overtime goal by Roman Josi, who finished the game with two goals. Juuse Saros stopped 28 shots for the 22-20-4 Predators. Zach Hyman tallied twice, and Leon Draisaitl had a goal and two points for the Oilers (23-16-8).

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers goaltender Tristan Jarry made 23 saves and defenseman Jake Walman logged over 17 minutes as both returned from lengthy absences due to injuries. Meanwhile, Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault missed his 13th straight game with a lower-body injury and was placed on injured reserve.

The Tampa Bay Lightning won a franchise-record 11th straight game by nipping the Pittsburgh Penguins 2-1 on a shootout goal by Nikita Kucherov. J.J. Moser scored in regulation, and Andrei Vasilevskiy stopped 26 shots for the Lightning (29-13-3), who hold first place in the Eastern Conference with 61 points. Evgeni Malkin replied for the Penguins (21-14-10), who are winless in their last three games (0-2-1).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both clubs were missing a key player in this contest. Lightning center Brayden Point is week-to-week with an injured knee. It is not considered season-ending, but his participation in next month’s Winter Olympics for Canada’s men’s hockey team is in question. Meanwhile, Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson missed this game with an undisclosed ailment that has landed him on injured reserve. He will be reevaluated in two weeks.

Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman turned aside 24 shots as his club picked up its fourth consecutive win, and the second straight by shutout, as they blanked the Detroit Red Wings 3-0. Pavel Zacha, Fraser Minten, and Mark Kastelic were the goal scorers for the 26-19-2 Bruins. Cam Talbot stopped 38 of 40 shots for the Red Wings (28-16-4) as their four-game win streak ended.

The Columbus Blue Jackets picked up their first win under new head coach Rick Bowness by defeating the Calgary Flames 5-3. Boone Jenner snapped a 3-3 tie while Zach Werenski and Charlie Coyle each had a goal and two assists for the 20-19-7 Blue Jackets. Morgan Frost and Mikael Backlund each had a goal and an assist as the Flames dropped to 19-23-4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames winger Blake Coleman missed this game with an undisclosed injury and was placed on IR. The Flames sent forward Martin Pospisil to their AHL affiliate in Calgary for a conditioning stint as he works his way back into the lineup from an undisclosed injury that has sidelined him from this season. Blue Jackets defensemen Denton Mateychuk (upper-body injury) and Damon Severson (illness) missed this game.

St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer collected his fourth shutout of the season with a 33-save performance to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. Nick Bjugstad, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Jimmy Snuggerud scored for the Blues (18-21-8) as they snapped a three-game losing skid. Brandon Bussi turned aside 28 shots for the 28-15-4 Hurricanes, who hold first place in the Metropolitan Division with 60 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Before this game, the Blues announced the signing of defenseman Logan Mailloux to a one-year, $850,000 contract extension. Hurricanes blueliner Jaccob Slavin missed this game due to injury rehab protocol, meaning they want him to avoid playing back-to-back after returning from a lengthy injury on Monday.

The Washington Capitals overcame a 2-0 deficit for a 3-2 victory over the Montreal Canadiens. Ethan Frank tallied twice to tie the game in regulation before Connor McMichael won it in overtime for the 24-17-6 Capitals. Josh Anderson and Brendan Gallagher scored for the Canadiens (26-14-7), who are 4-1-1 in their last six contests.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens scratched Kaiden Guhle from this game. Like Slavin, they wanted him to avoid playing in back-to-back games so soon after returning from a long absence due to an injury.

Winnipeg Jets forwards Adam Lowry and Kyle Connor each had a goal and an assist as their club held off the New York Islanders 5-4. Mark Scheifele collected two assists for the 18-22-5 Jets as they picked up their third straight victory. Emil Heineman had a goal and an assist for the Islanders (25-16-5).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Islanders got a scare when rookie defenseman Matthew Schaefer was injured twice during this game, including taking a Luke Schenn slapshot off his right knee in the second period. He’d also been taken off the ice by a concussion spotter in the first period, but was cleared to return. Schaefer missed the post-game interview because he was having his knee evaluated by team doctors.

The Toronto Maple Leafs’ 10-game points streak ended with a 6-1 loss to the Utah Mammoth. Dylan Guenther tallied two goals and an assist, and Jake McBain had a goal and two assists for the Mammoth, who improved to 23-20-4. Calle Jarnkrok replied for the 23-16-7 Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson missed this game as he’s day-to-day with a lower-body injury.

Anaheim Ducks goaltender Lukas Dostal made 24 saves as his club snapped a nine-game winless skid (0-8-1) by downing the Dallas Stars 3-1. Chris Kreider, Beckett Sennecke, and Jacob Trouba scored for the 22-21-3 Ducks. Roope Hintz tallied for the Stars (27-11-9).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks were already short on forwards as Frank Vatrano and Tory Terry were sidelined with upper-body injuries. Center Leo Carlsson (upper-body injury) and winger Cutter Gauthier (illness) also missed this game. Stars defenseman Miro Heiskanen was absent due to a personal family matter.

First-period goals scored 15 seconds apart by Artem Zub and Jordan Spence lifted the Ottawa Senators to a 2-1 win over the Vancouver Canucks, snapping a four-game losing streak and improving their record to 21-19-5. Elias Pettersson replied for the Canucks (16-25-8), who are 0-6-2 in their last eight games.










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.