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.