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.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2025

by | Oct 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – October 17, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the Devils hope to re-sign Jacob Markstrom, Rangers winger Brennan Othmann is drawing some interest, and the latest on the Maple Leafs.

DEVILS TALKING CONTRACT WITH MARKSTROM

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the New Jersey Devils have had contract extension talks with the representatives for goaltender Jacob Markstrom.

The 35-year-old goaltender is in the final season of a six-year contract with an average annual value of $6 million. He is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

New Jersey Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom (NHL Images).

Dreger indicated the discussions were “healthy”, adding that negotiations are expected to continue. There is a mutual interest from both sides to get something done.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was a recent rumor claiming the Devils offered Markstrom an extension with a slightly lower AAV of $5 million. However, there’s been no confirmation about that.

Markstrom could draw a lot of attention if he goes to market next summer. Apart from himself, there aren’t many experienced starting goalies who could be available. They include Florida’s aging Sergei Bobrovsky, Carolina’s oft-injured Frederik Andersen, and Edmonton’s inconsistent Stuart Skinner.

RANGERS COULD CONSIDER MOVING OTHMANN

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports New York Rangers prospect winger Brennan Othmann is garnering some interest in the trade market. The 22-year-old was sent down to their AHL affiliate in Hartford, and there have been conversations with other clubs about his future.

Friedman indicates the Rangers have a lot of wingers. Othmann might benefit from a change of scenery.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano cited a league source claiming the Rangers are open to moving Othmann. There’s been no trade request from the young winger, but both sides feel he might benefit from a fresh start elsewhere.

Rangers general manager Chris Drury is believed to be gauging interest in Othmann, but he’s not in a rush to move him. It’s uncertain what type of return Drury would want.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Othmann was the Rangers’ first-round pick (16th overall) in the 2021 NHL Draft. He’s had 25 games with the Blueshirts since 2023-24, collecting two assists.

Drury has been steadily reshaping the Rangers’ roster since last December. Othmann would be the latest of several players to be shipped out in recent months. Given the young winger’s struggles, he might not fetch much of a return unless he’s included in a package deal.

LEAFS MANAGEMENT HAS THE GREEN LIGHT TO MAKE A MAJOR MOVE IF POSSIBLE

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports that Keith Pelley, the CEO and president of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE), feels that it’s “go time” for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

With the salary cap rising and the Maple Leafs having some cap flexibility, LeBrun believes Pelley has given the green light to general manager Brad Treliving to “take a swing” at a deal sometime before the March 6 trade deadline.

Treliving remains in the market for a top-six forward. Given the average age of the Leafs roster, there’s a sense of urgency to get over the hump this season.

LeBrun believes they’ll have to get creative given their limited trade assets. They don’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Drafts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how creative Treliving can get to land that elusive top-six forward before the trade deadline. And no, shopping Nick Robertson won’t be enough to get it done.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2025

by | Feb 7, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 7, 2025

Will the Islanders trade Brock Nelson or Noah Dobson? Could the Blues trade captain Brayden Schenn? Will the Blue Jackets become buyers at the trade deadline? Should the Rangers trade Brennan Othmann? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports some teams would love to get into discussions with the New York Islanders about pending free-agent center Brock Nelson. However, there’s no certainty whether he’ll be available at the March 7 trade deadline.

LeBrun cites several factors for this uncertainty. The Islanders have played themselves back into wild-card contention. General manager Lou Lamoriello doesn’t always trade his pending UFA players. The Isles GM could also try and sign Nelson to a contract extension, though LeBrun believes the 33-year-old center will test the free-agent market on July 1.

The Minnesota Wild, Dallas Stars, Winnipeg Jets and Toronto Maple Leafs could be among Nelson’s suitors if the Islanders shop him by March 7.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico cited a source suggesting Nelson could remain with the Islanders on a three-year contract with a raise over his current average annual value of $6 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lamoriello has consistently said his team’s performance by the trade deadline will determine if he’ll be a buyer or a seller. He could become a buyer if they’re still in the race a month from now. That could also mean Nelson finishes this season with the Isles. Stay tuned.

New York Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson (NHL Images).

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reported a source claiming Islanders defenseman Noah Dobson is available for trade. The 25-year-old defenseman is the piece they’re supposedly willing to part with to bring in the scoring presence they’ve been lacking the last three seasons.

D’Amico cited a rumor from The Hockey News’ Stefen Rosner suggesting the Islanders could be interested in Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. Dobson could be part of the package to get Pettersson, though the Canucks might have to retain part of the center’s $11.6 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Teams could be reluctant to trade for Dobson this season. He’s listed as week-to-week with a lower-body injury and on long-term injury reserve. The Isles’ recent additions of blueliners Scott Perunovich, Adam Boqvist and Tony DeAngelo suggest he could be out for the remainder of the regular season.

Moving Dobson in a package deal for Pettersson could address the Isles’ need for a scoring presence up front. However, it leaves them searching for a puck-moving defenseman to fill that void on their blueline.

Pettersson might not be the ideal trade target. His offensive struggles continue despite the trading away of J.T. Miller a week ago. It’s been reported the Canucks have taken Pettersson off the trade block as they’re hoping to let the dust settle and give him time to regain his form.

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias suggested Anaheim Ducks forward Trevor Zegras as a more affordable trade option for the Islanders than Elias Pettersson. He cited a rumor suggesting the Ducks would want a defenseman in exchange for the 23-year-old Zegras.

Macias wondered if the Isles could convince one of Scott Mayfield, Ryan Pulock or Adam Pelech to waive their no-trade clause. Failing that, he proposed a package of a rejuvenated Scott Perunovich and a second-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s unlikely Mayfield, Pulock or Pelech will waive their clauses to go to a rebuilding club. The Ducks probably won’t be tempted by an offer of Perunovich and a second-rounder. It’s believed they’ve set a high asking price for Zegras despite the decline in his production since last season due to injuries.

COULD THE BLUES PEDDLE BRAYDEN SCHENN?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports “there’s potential” for center Brayden Schenn to be traded by the St. Louis Blues. The 33-year-old Blues captain has a full no-trade clause this season. However, Dreger noted that Blues GM Doug Armstrong can be very aggressive in the trade market.

Dreger believes teams in the market for a center, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, could be interested in Schenn. However, the return would have to be mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Schenn wouldn’t be a rental player. He’s signed through 2027-28 with an AAV of $6.5 million. Not many teams will be comfortable taking on that contract during this season. If the Blues are gauging Schenn’s trade value, they might find it easier to move him after July 1, when his NTC becomes a 15-team no-trade list. The projected rise in the salary cap to $95.5 million for next season could also make a summer trade more likely.

BLUE JACKETS COULD BE BUYERS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets could be moderate buyers at the March 7 trade deadline. Despite being walloped by injuries, they’re still battling for a wild-card spot. GM Don Waddell believes he owes it to his team to try and add a top-nine forward as a rental player. He won’t sacrifice the Jackets’ long-term plans and won’t be pursuing the big-name players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jackets captain Boone Jenner is expected to make his season debut following the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off. He’s been sidelined since preseason by a shoulder injury. His return to action could be as good as acquiring a comparable player via the trade market.

WILL THE RANGERS TRADE OTHMANN?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks recently expressed concern that the Rangers will trade promising winger Brennan Othmann for a rental player to help them reach the postseason. He believes it would be a mistake to do so, preferring they attempt to move pending free agents Reilly Smith and Ryan Lindgren for draft picks.