NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2025
NHL Rumor Mill – July 3, 2025
The top players still available in the UFA market, an update on Bowen Byram, and the latest on the Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
TOP REMAINING UFAs
DAILY FACEOFF: Winger Nikolaj Ehlers remains atop the list of the best available players in this summer’s crop of unrestricted free agents (UFAs).
Defensemen Dmitry Orlov and Matt Grzelcyk, forwards Jack Roslovic, Victor Olofsson, Max Pacioretty and Jeff Skinner, and goaltender Ilya Samsonov are among the remaining notables.
SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently indicated the Washington Capitals, Anaheim Ducks and Tampa Bay Lightning were among the clubs reportedly interested in Ehlers.

Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers (NHL Images).
Potential landing spots for Orlov include the Winnipeg Jets, San Jose Sharks, and his former club, the Capitals.
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving said the door remains open for Pacioretty’s return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ehlers was expected to decide on Wednesday, but nothing happened. Perhaps we’ll get the answer on Thursday.
A significant number of teams have the money to sign Ehlers to a lucrative contract. Puckpedia indicates that 14 clubs have over $10 million in cap room this season. Not all of them are pursuing him, but it wouldn’t be surprising if several of them have spoken to the Ehlers’ camp.
SABRES WILL MATCH ANY OFFER SHEET FOR BYRAM
THE BUFFALO NEWS: Mike Harrington reports Sabres GM Kevyn Adams said he would match any offer sheet for Bowen Byram. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer.
Harrington also corrected a TSN report claiming Byram was a year away from UFA eligibility, pointing out that the blueliner is two years away. He also noted the Sabres don’t need the draft pick compensation if an offer sheet is unmatched.
If Byram wants out of Buffalo, signing an offer sheet would backfire if the Sabres matched it.
Harrington speculates a trade could be in the works for Byram. The Sabres traded top-six winger JJ Peterka last week to the Utah Mammoth and must find a suitable replacement. Byram could be used as a trade chip to address that need.
The Sabres could also re-sign Byram, give him another season alongside Rasmus Dahlin, and revisit moving him at the March trade deadline or next summer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given the slim pickings in this summer’s UFA market, teams that missed out on signing a top-four, left-side defenseman could make Byram a trade target. Those clubs should be prepared to part with a top-six forward in a player-for-player swap.
THE LATEST ON THE CANADIENS
THE ATHLETIC: Arpon Basu reports the Montreal Canadiens still need to address their lack of a reliable second-line center. Given the few options in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets, GM Kent Hughes stressed that the short-term answer must come from within the organization.
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels believes oft-injured Kirby Dach remains the most likely candidate for that role this season. While the 24-year-old struggled at that position last season when healthy, Engels noted that he didn’t have Ivan Demidov and Zachary Bolduc as potential linemates.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Karine Hains noted that the Canadiens’ acquisition of right-shot defenseman Noah Dobson prompted speculation suggesting Mike Matheson could become a trade chip.
Matheson, 31, is a year away from UFA status and carries a $4.875 million cap hit this season. However, Hughes told reporters that he intends to retain Matheson, citing his big minutes, experience and leadership.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hughes has a well-deserved reputation as a savvy trader, but he’s not a magician who can conjure a second-line center out of thin air. There were few quality centers among this summer’s UFA class before the market opened on July 1, and it’s a seller’s market as far as trades go.
Hughes has little choice but to wait and see what develops in the trade market throughout the summer and into the regular season.