NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2025

by | Sep 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2025

The latest on the Penguins and a recent update on the status of Connor Zary’s contract talks with the Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe is surprised that Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell, and Erik Karlsson remain on the Pittsburgh Penguins roster as training camp approaches.

General manager Kyle Dubas has been free to trade Rust and Rakell for some time. Karlsson is apparently willing to waive his no-movement clause for certain teams.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson (NHL Images)

Trading Rust and Rakell would fetch significant returns of prospects, draft picks, or young NHL players. Moving all three would also make the Penguins worse for the coming season, improving their chances of winning the 2026 NHL Draft Lottery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penn State winger Gavin McKenna is considered the top player among the 2026 prospect class. Observers consider him a generational talent.

Two of those three players must be traded soon, even if Dubas doesn’t get the massive return he wants. Moving them would also increase the Penguins’ projected cap space for 2026-27. They currently have over $53 million available, giving them an enormous amount to invest in their roster starting next summer.

Yohe followed up by citing team sources saying Dubas is content to enter this season with his current roster. However, it doesn’t mean he won’t try to make a deal or two.

He still believes Karlsson has the greatest chance to move but is also more difficult to trade than Rust or Rakell because of his $10 million cap hit, his disappointing performances over the last two seasons, and his NMC.

Yohe said some teams remain interested in Karlsson, but not his cap hit. Whether the Penguins will retain a considerable chunk would depend on the return. A potential change in Penguins ownership could also affect efforts to trade Karlsson, though management still thinks moving him is for the best.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Considering how much cap space the Penguins already have for next season with Karlsson, Rust, and Rakell currently on their books, retaining part of his $10 million AAV shouldn’t be much of a sticking point, especially since they’re rebuilding even if they won’t publicly admit it. Nevertheless, the potential change in ownership could be what’s holding up that possibility.

CALGARY SUN: Kent Wilson recently looked at what might be holding up a new contract for Connor Zary. The 23-year-old Calgary Flames forward is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.

Injuries and inconsistent play have made it difficult for the promising Zary to lock down a defined role. Drafted as a center, he’s spent most of his time with the Flames as a winger, bouncing around all four lines.

Zary might prefer a long-term contract, while the Flames might prefer a bridge deal. With training camp approaching, Wilson suspects Zary will sign a short-term contract worth around $3 million annually.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2025

by | Sep 1, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 1, 2025

Will the Canadiens trade Carey Price’s contract soon? Which teams could they send it to? Find out in the Labor Day edition of the NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports sources claim the Montreal Canadiens could trade Carey Price’s contract in the coming days.

Price, 38, has been on LTIR since 2022 as a knee injury ended his career. He’s in the final season of his contract, which carries an average annual value of $10.5 million. However, in actual salary, he’s owed $7.5 million, with $5.5 million paid as a signing bonus on Sept. 1.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price (NHL Images).

The Canadiens are over the salary cap by $6 million for this season. They can remain above the cap with Price on LTIR, but they won’t be able to accrue cap space during the season. Trading his contract would give them that flexibility, making it easier to acquire talent if necessary before the March trade deadline.

One source told D’Amico that he has heard Price’s contract has been in play for a while, with speculation that things could shake loose on Sept. 1 or soon afterward.

The Canadiens could attempt to peddle Price’s contract to rebuilding clubs. It would enable one of those teams to remain salary-cap compliant if they ship out veteran players by the trade deadline. With Price now only owed $2 million in actual salary, his contract for this season becomes much more affordable.

Sources claim the San Jose Sharks have been mentioned most as a destination. They’re currently sitting just $5 million over the $70.6 million salary-cap minimum for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation that the Canadiens could trade Price’s contract to a rebuilding club has been percolating in the rumor mill for weeks. Now that his bonus has been paid, we’ll find out soon enough if there is anything to that conjecture.

The Canadiens might have to bundle a mid-range draft pick, perhaps a third-rounder, as a sweetener. Price has a full no-movement clause, but he’s not going to block a move if it happens.

TVA SPORTS: Jean-Charles Lajoie also speculated that Price’s contract could be moved as early as Sept. 1. He also suggested it could be part of a larger deal.

Lajoie claimed Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes could be inclined to part with draft picks, particularly in the first round, to acquire a natural center.

The Canadiens have been linked to Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks and Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken. So far, nothing has materialized.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The main thing for the Canadiens is clearing Price’s cap hit from their books this season. It will give them greater cap flexibility to pursue a second-line center at any point in the season, though the longer they wait, the more cap space they’ll have by the trade deadline.

It would be a significant move by Hughes if he could land McTavish, but a recent report by Eric Stephens of The Athletic indicated the Ducks intend to re-sign the 22-year-old center.

As for McCann, the Kraken reportedly aren’t moving him. Besides, he’s played on the wing for most of his tenure in Seattle.

RDS.CA: Rebuilding clubs like the Sharks, Chicago Blackhawks, and Pittsburgh Penguins could use Price’s contract to ensure they remain cap-compliant if they stage a sell-off before the trade deadline.

For example, the Penguins might be tempted to trade players like Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. They could also attempt to trade Kris Letang, Evgeni Malkin and Sidney Crosby, but they would have a say if any of them were to leave Pittsburgh.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks are over the cap floor by roughly $6.2 million. Trade candidates would include pending unrestricted free agents such as Nick Foligno ($4.5 million), Jason Dickinson ($4.5 million), Ilya Mikheyev ($4.03 million), Connor Murphy ($4.4 million), and Laurent Brossoit ($3.3 million).

The Sharks could shop UFA-eligible players such as Alexander Wennberg ($5 million), Jeff Skinner ($3 million), Nick Leddy ($4 million), John Klingberg ($4 million), Mario Ferraro ($3.25 million), Timothy Liljegren ($3 million), and Alex Nedeljkovic ($2.5 million).

As for the Penguins, they’re above the cap floor by over $12 million. They could also try to move Kevin Hayes ($3.571 million), Anthony Mantha ($2.5 million), Matt Dumba ($3.5 million), and Connor Clifton ($3.333 million).

It’s unlikely Letang, Malkin, and Crosby will hit the trade block, especially as this season is Malkin’s last with the Penguins and possibly the last of his playing career.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 30, 2025

by | Aug 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 30, 2025

How much could Kirill Kaprizov receive in his next contract? What moves could the Red Wings make? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WORST SEATS IN THE HOUSE: The Athletic’s Michael Russo believes the Minnesota Wild have offered Kirill Kaprizov “a ton of money,” perhaps more than Russo thought on an eight-year contract.

Kaprizov, 28, is in the final season of his five-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million. The high-scoring winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July 1.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Russo believes the Wild are willing to pay Kaprizov “in the 16 (million) range”. He indicates that the deal hasn’t been done yet, but general manager Bill Guerin remains confident it will get done.

Nevertheless, the next month could be telling. The longer Kaprizov goes without signing an extension, the more questions about whether he wants to stay in Minnesota, especially if the Wild offers him $128 million on an eight-year contract.

Russo believes whatever Kaprizov wants from the Wild, he’ll get it, even if he seeks a five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last October, Wild owner Craig Leipold stated that no other team could offer Kaprizov more money or more years on his next contract. If Kaprizov wants to be well paid, $16 million annually would make him the second-highest paid player in the league for 2026-27. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid is also UFA-eligible next summer and will get much more from the Oilers or another club if he goes to market on July 1.

However, if Kaprizov is hesitant to sign, it will suggest that he doesn’t believe the Wild will be winners over the term of that contract. If so, they would face the prospect of trading him before the March deadline or losing him to free agency for nothing next summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman was asked recently if the Detroit Red Wings might make a trade for a top-four defenseman or a top-six winger.

Bultman listed Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell as the most realistic to address the Red Wings’ needs.

However, Bultman’s not holding his breath waiting for any of those players to land in Detroit, citing the high asking price for Rust or Rakell (a first-round pick) and the aging Karlsson’s expensive contract.

Bultman also acknowledged rumors linking the Red Wings to Mason McTavish, but doubts the Anaheim Ducks will part with the 22-year-old center.

Winnipeg Jets winger (and Michigan native) Kyle Connor is UFA-eligible next summer. Bultman doesn’t see the Jets attempting to move him this far out if he remains unsigned. If they do decide to move him, the Red Wings should be among the suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings might make another move or two to improve their roster before the start of the season in October. Based on Bultman’s comments, don’t expect to see Karlsson, Rust, Rakell, McTavish, or Connor donning the Winged Wheel jersey anytime soon.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 3, 2025

by | Aug 3, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 3, 2025

Check out the latest on Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust and Oilers defenseman Mattias Ekholm in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Sonny Sachdeva recently examined potential trade destinations for Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.

Sachdeva believes the two wingers remain very much in play. He pointed out that they could become trade chips given that the Penguins are rebuilding their roster. There are also few game-changing forwards in this summer’s trade market.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t rushing to move Rakell or Rust. However, he could be willing to move one or both if the return improves his club down the line.

Sachdeva suggested the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Avalanche, Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Buffalo Sabres as possible trade partners.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rakell carries an average annual value of $5 million through 2027-28. He also has an eight-team no-trade list. Rust has an AAV of $5.125 million over the same period, but he lacks no-trade protection.

Sachdeva cited the Leafs having cap space to work with this summer ($1.9 million), and how they could move a forward like David Kampf ($2.4 million) to facilitate a trade. However, they’ll have to shed more salary or convince the Penguins to retain part of Rakell’s or Rust’s AAV to make the dollars fit.

The Avalanche ($3.348 million) is in a better cap position than the Leafs, but they must also free up some cap room or have the Penguins retain some salary to make it work. There’s speculation suggesting Avs defenseman Samuel Girard ($5 million AAV) could be moved, but it’s not a certainty, plus the Penguins could be on his nine-team no-trade list.

Sachedeva cited Rust’s Michigan roots, suggesting he’d be a good fit with the Red Wings. They have a dire need for scoring forwards and have the cap space ($12 million) to take on his full contract. The question is whether they’d part with the promising young assets the Penguins seek.

The Kings also need more scoring punch up front. Sachdeva felt Rakell might welcome a return to Southern California after beginning his NHL career with the Anaheim Ducks. Since this piece appeared on July 30, the Kings re-signed forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract with an AAV of $4.1 million, leaving them with $2.66 million in cap space. Unless they cut salary or get the Penguins to retain half of Rakell’s cap hit, he’s not a fit in Los Angeles.

Sachedeva pointed out that the Sabres’ interest in Rust goes back to before the NHL Draft in June. The Sabres have just enough cap space ($5.19 million) and the young assets to tempt the Penguins. Rust lacks no-trade protection, but Pittsburgh management could prefer to allow him to choose his trade destinations.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell recently made the case for the Edmonton Oilers to sign Mattias Ekholm to a contract extension. The 35-year-old defenseman is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Ekholm’s play declined after he was injured last season, but Mitchell pointed out that his defensive play remained solid before he got hurt. He noted that the Oilers are vulnerable on the left side of their blueline with Ekholm, Jake Walman, and Brett Kulak UFA-eligible next summer.

Mitchell believes the Oilers should sign Ekholm to a two or three-year contract extension. He acknowledged the risk in doing so, given the blueliner’s age and injury history. However, they could have no choice if they intend to remain a Stanley Cup contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ekholm’s current AAV is $6.25 million, with the Oilers carrying $6 million and his former club, the Nashville Predators, picking up the rest. He might accept a pay cut to around $5 million annually to stick with the Oilers.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2025

by | Jul 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 30, 2025

Who could be traded this season by the Oilers? What could it cost the Sabres to pursue Penguins winger Rickard Rakell? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Allan Mitchell looked at some Edmonton Oilers players who could become trade candidates this season.

Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner (NHL Images).

Mitchell suggested Stuart Skinner as one option. The 26-year-old netminder carries an affordable $2.6 million cap hit and will be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Skinner has big-game experience (50 playoff games, two Stanley Cup Finals). His performance during this season could silence any questions about his reliability as a starting goaltender. However, he could also be a key piece in any deal for a goaltending upgrade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mitchell cited Oilers general manager Stan Bowman mentioning that his club’s goaltending would be an area of evaluation. A strong, consistent effort by Skinner would silence his critics, but could also improve his trade value.

Promising forward Matt Savoie will get an opportunity to earn a regular spot on the Oilers’ top-two forward lines. If he struggles, Mitchell thinks he could become a trade chip for a more established veteran, preferably one with an affordable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Savoie will be an interesting player to monitor this season. The 21-year-old forward had 54 points in 66 games with the Oilers’ AHL affiliate in Bakersfield last season. If he doesn’t fit with Edmonton, he’s still young enough to entice rival clubs with his potential in the trade market.

Mitchell also suggested Vasily Podkolzin as a trade option. The 24-year-old winger has been inconsistent and could be shopped if he struggles this season.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Augello observes that the Buffalo Sabres still haven’t replaced the offense they lost when they traded winger JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth last month. He believes GM Kevyn Adams might have to address that in the trade market by using young players, prospects, and draft picks as trade bait.

Augello suggested Rickard Rakell of the Pittsburgh Penguins as a trade target. The 32-year-old winger has been mentioned in the rumor mill as the Penguins are rebuilding their roster. He’s coming off a career-high performance of 35 goals and 70 points.

Rakell has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million. He also has an eight-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Sabres were interested in Rakell, they have the suitable trade assets to tempt the Penguins. However, Augello acknowledged the Sabres could be on the winger’s no-trade list. Rakell could prefer joining a contender rather than bouncing from one rebuilding team to another.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 27, 2025

by | Jul 27, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 27, 2025

The Penguins are the team to watch in this summer’s trade market. Find out why and whether there’s a market for goaltender Tristan Jarry in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Matt Larkin recently discussed why the Pittsburgh Penguins have the chance to make some trades before the regular season begins in October.

Larkin believes they have trade chips that a lot of teams could use. He noted the offseason narrative suggests they’re the one team committed to rebuilding and tanking the season to win the draft lottery, with top prospect Gavin McKenna being the prize in the 2026 draft.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

Two of those trade chips are forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. Some clubs need a top-six forward (Toronto, Winnipeg, Buffalo) if they can make the money work.

Erik Karlsson is the intriguing name for Larkin. He thinks he could become a bargain if the Penguins retain half of his cap hit. The Detroit Red Wings could benefit from his veteran savvy and puck-moving skills on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust, Rakell and Karlsson are the most mentioned players in this summer’s trade rumors. One of them could be moved before the regular season begins.

It’s believed that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas is willing to listen to trade offers, but he’s not in a hurry to move those players. They remain under contract beyond next season, so there’s no immediate fear of losing them for nothing to free agency.

Karlsson is the bigger name, but his contract is a sticking point. The Penguins carry $10 million of his $11.5 million average annual value through 2026-27. After receiving his signing bonus earlier this month, he’s owed $11.5 million in actual salary over the next two seasons.

Some teams are carrying over $10 million in cap space for this season. One of them could take on the Penguins’ share of his cap hit, but the contract is still difficult to move.

Karlsson’s no-movement clause remains in effect, giving him full control over where the Penguins could trade him. His age (35) and declining performance are additional stumbling blocks.

Rust ($5.125 million AAV through 2027-28) and Rakell ($5 million AAV through 2027-28) are a little younger and more affordable. Still, the Penguins could be pressured to retain part of their salary to facilitate a deal.

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato wondered if the Penguins’ recent addition of goaltender Arturs Silovs might lead to them trading Tristan Jarry. The 31-year-old starting goaltender has struggled in recent years and spent part of last season in the minors.

Amato noted the Edmonton Oilers have been linked to Jarry in the rumor mill. Given the netminder’s performance, the Oilers would be taking a chance on him. However, they wouldn’t have to give up much to get him, and the Penguins might retain part of his $5.375 million AAV.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski also noted the conjecture tying Jarry to the Oilers. He suggests the Penguins could get a second and a fourth-round pick for him, or perhaps a third rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The lack of quality goalie depth in the trade and free-agent markets would make the acquisition of Jarry feel like a desperation move by the Oilers. Management indicated they would look at improving their goaltending, but didn’t rule out retaining their current tandem of Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard.

Cap space is an issue for the Oilers. They have just over $225,000 remaining, meaning they must move salary out to acquire Jarry even if the Penguins retained half of his AAV.

The Oilers could stick with Skinner and Pickard to start the season and see how things unfold in the trade market.