Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 23, 2025

by | Feb 23, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – February 23, 2025

Check out the latest on Mikko Rantanen, Brayden Schenn, Seth Jones, Brock Boeser and Karel Vejmelka in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT WILL THE HURRICANES DO WITH MIKKO RANTANEN?

SPORTSNET: Elliott Friedman reports Mikko Rantanen could potentially become the biggest name leading up to the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Carolina Hurricanes acquired Rantanen last month from the Colorado Avalanche in a blockbuster three-team trade. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract with a $9.25 million cap hit, of which the Hurricanes hold half ($4.625 million) and the Chicago Blackhawks the other half as part of the terms of the three-team deal. He is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

During the 4 Nations Face-Off, Hurricanes management met with Rantanen’s representatives. Friedman believes the Canes made an offer “into the nine digits” (over $10 million annually). Rantanen has yet to decide as he’s still processing the trade from the Avalanche and everything else since then. It shouldn’t be taken one way or the other.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

If Rantanen becomes available, interested teams want to ensure they have their best trade assets ready. Friedman also wondered if the Hurricanes are confident they can get Rantanen under contract after March 7 if they’ll keep him and attempt a Stanley Cup run.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers wonder if Rantanen is a good fit with the Hurricanes, citing his lack of production since joining the club.

Mark Lazerus of The Athletic disputes this, as does Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky. They point to his solid overall analytic numbers, and while his shooting percentage is down, it’s only a matter of time until that improves. Head coach Rod Brind’Amour is also pleased with Rantanen’s performance.

The Hurricanes obviously want to retain Rantanen, hence the rumored offer of an eight-year contract with an AAV of $14 million. However, he’s still trying to adjust to a significant change in his life that he wasn’t expecting, or at least, wasn’t expecting so soon.

TEAMS COULD TRY TO UNITE THE SCHENN BROTHERS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman observed there’s been much recent trade talk about Brayden Schenn. Last week, the St. Louis Blues captain said he hasn’t been approached by management about waiving his no-trade clause and is trying not to think about it.

Friedman thinks there are teams talking about uniting Brayden with his brother Luke Schenn (who plays for the Nashville Predators) in separate trades. They previously played together with the Philadelphia Flyers from 2013 to 2016.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That would be an expensive acquisition. Brayden has three more seasons after this one with an AAV of $6.5 million while Luke has a year left on his deal with an AAV of $2.75 million.

The rising cap for next season would make it easier to take on over $9 million in combined salary. However, it won’t be easy to do leading up to this year’s trade deadline when only nine teams currently have over $10 million in cap space.

LATEST ON SETH JONES, BROCK BOESER AND KAREL VEJMELKA

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman followed up on Seth Jones’ recent comments about his openness toward the possibility of a trade from the Chicago Blackhawks. He doesn’t believe the 30-year-old defenseman has given them a list of destinations but if he does go, he wants it to be to a contender.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cap space would be an issue. Jones carries an AAV of $9.5 million for the next five seasons. A deadline deal is possible if the Blackhawks retain up to half of his annual cap hit. Otherwise, it might be an offseason trade when teams have more cap room.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports contract talks remain at an impasse between the Vancouver Canucks and winger Brock Boeser. He considers it hard to imagine the Canucks not moving him before the March trade deadline since teams are willing to pay for a proven playoff performer.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance believes the Canucks could retain Boeser as an “own rental” for the playoffs unless they stumble in the standings leading up to March 7.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks will seek a solid return for Boeser. Their preference could be for a good young NHL forward plus a draft pick and/or a prospect.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there are ongoing contract talks between the Utah Hockey Club and goaltender Karel Vejmelka. He suggested recent contract extensions for goaltenders could be used as comparables. “Depending on the progress of negotiations, Vejmelka is potentially an interesting trade target.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those comparables include Vancouver’s Kevin Lankinen (five years, $4.5 million AAV) and Colorado’s Mackenzie Blackwood (five years, $5.25 million AAV).










NHL Rumor Mill – February 22, 2025

by | Feb 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 22, 2025

Mikko Rantanen is the subject of trade speculation again plus the latest on the Golden Knights in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During Friday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman speculated the Carolina Hurricanes could put winger Mikko Rantanen on the trade block if unable to re-sign him before the March 7 trade deadline.

The Hurricanes acquired the 28-year-old Rantanen last month in a multi-player three-team trade involving the Colorado Avalanche and Chicago Blackhawks. Carolina gave up Martin Necas and Jack Drury to the Avalanche for Rantanen.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Friedman believes there were some contract discussions between Hurricanes management and the Rantanen camp. If he becomes a pure rental, there could be a long lineup of teams for him, opening it up for anyone to pursue him.

The Blackhawks retained 50 percent of his salary, leaving Carolina with a cap hit of $4.625 million. They have three salary retention spots, enabling them to retain up to half ($2.312 million) of their share of his cap hit in a trade.

Friedman speculated that teams like Vegas, Dallas, Winnipeg, Florida, Tampa, and Toronto might be interested. That could drive up Carolina’s asking price.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are rumored to be willing to pay Rantanen an average annual value of $14 million but it could come down to whether he thinks they’re a good fit.

The Hurricanes could retain Rantanen for the playoffs. However, they gave up a lot to get him with the intention of making him a long-term addition to their roster.

Team owner Tom Dundon doesn’t want to repeat last year’s situation involving Jake Guentzel. They acquired Guentzel from Pittsburgh at the trade deadline hoping to re-sign him, only to end up trading his rights to Tampa Bay after he informed them he was going to market on July 1.

Rantanen’s scoring ability ensures he’ll draw plenty of interest if the Hurricanes shop him before the March 7 trade deadline. Retaining half of their share of his cap hit will make him more attractive and fetch a better return.

The teams mentioned by Friedman could become suitors for Rantanen but they could pass if he doesn’t address their pressing roster needs. For example, the Jets need a second-line center, the Leafs are looking for a third-line center, and the Panthers must shore up their blueline.

Not every club will have sufficient assets to win a bidding war Of the teams Friedman mentioned, the Jets are the only one with a first-round pick in this year’s draft. Some lack promising young assets after earlier trades drained the depth of their prospect pools.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Vegas Golden Knights could be a team to watch leading up to March 7. They have a history of making big moves before the deadline and GM Kelly McCrimmon is expected to have his eyes peeling on the trade market.

The Golden Knights have limited salary-cap space, no first-round picks until 2027, and a questionable prospect pool. However, they could garner some cap relief if defenseman Shea Theodore ends up on long-term injury reserve until the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Theodore suffered an upper-body injury playing for Canada in the 4 Nations Face-Off. He has an AAV of $5.2 million.

Frank Seravalli believes the Golden Knights have likely made trade inquiries around the league. If Mikko Rantanen becomes available and the Hurricanes are willing to retain salary, he could fit within their cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights might not need Theodore to be on LTIR to acquire Rantanen in a salary-retention deal. They’re projected to have over $3.4 million of cap space at the trade deadline. Nevertheless, their short supply of trade capital puts them at a disadvantage trying to outbid other teams for someone like Rantanen or any other notable player they might have an eye on.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 11, 2025

by | Feb 11, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – February 11, 2025

The three stars of the week, updates on Sidney Crosby and Mikko Rantanen ahead of the 4 Nations Face-Off, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, Vancouver Canucks goaltender Thatcher Demko, and Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk are the NHL’s three stars for the week ending Feb. 9, 2025.

Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby (NHL.com).

  TSN: Team Canada captain Sidney Crosby declared himself good to go for the upcoming 4 Nations Face-Off tournament. The status of the 37-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins center was in question after he suffered an upper-body injury last week. He was skating on a line with Mark Stone and Nathan MacKinnon during Canada’s practice on Monday.

SPORTSNET: Finland forward Mikko Rantanen is joining his compatriots in Montreal for the upcoming tournament. The 28-year-old Carolina Hurricanes winger missed Saturday’s game against the Utah Hockey Club with a lower-body injury.

TSN: Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews was centering a line with Tampa Bay Lightning winger Jake Guentzel and New Jersey Devils forward Jack Hughes during Team USA’s practice on Monday.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former Pittsburgh Penguins winger Jesse Puljujarvi signed a tryout agreement with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League (AHL). Puljujarvi cleared unconditional waivers and agreed with the Penguins to terminate his NHL contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Checkers are the AHL affiliate of the Florida Panthers. Whether this tryout leads to him landing a role with the defending Stanley Cup champions remains to be seen.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators claimed Andreas Englund off waivers from the Los Angeles Kings.

SPORTSNET: Loui Eriksson announced his retirement on Monday. The winger spent 16 NHL seasons with the Dallas Stars, Boston Bruins, Vancouver Canucks, and Arizona Coyotes from 2006-07 to 2021-22, tallying 253 goals and 360 assists for 613 points in 1,050 regular-season games and 14 points in 44 postseason contests. His best performances were with the Stars, exceeding 70 points in three straight seasons from 2009-10 to 2011-12.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Former Toronto Maple Leafs PA announcer Paul Morris passed away at age 86. He was with the Leafs from 1961 to 1999, calling 1,585 consecutive games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Morris’ low-key announcing style was an iconic part of the experience at Maple Leaf Gardens – my condolences to his family, friends, and the Leafs organization.










NHL Rumor Mill – February 8, 2025

by | Feb 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – February 8, 2025

Could Mikko Rantanen hit the trade block again? Will the Blues consider moving Pavel Buchenvich, Jordan Kyrou or Brayden Schenn? What’s the latest on the Islanders and Sharks? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD RANTANEN HIT THE TRADE BLOCK AGAIN?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos updated his trade board on Friday, featuring many of the names that frequently surfaced in the rumor mill and on other trade boards this season.

However, one interesting name is Mikko Rantanen, traded two weeks ago by the Colorado Avalanche in a blockbuster move to the Carolina Hurricanes.

According to Kypreos, Rantanen could hit the trade block again before the March 7 deadline if he and the Hurricanes haven’t agreed to a new contract. The 28-year-old winger slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1 and carries an annual average value of $9.25 million on his current contract.

Carolina Hurricanes winger Mikko Rantanen (NHL Images).

Kypreos believes the Hurricanes will make offers to entice Rantanen to stay but claims some observers think they’ll fall short. They gave up a lot to get him (Martin Necas, Jack Drury, and two draft picks) and they don’t want to risk his departure via free agency on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It doesn’t help that Rantanen has only two points in six games with the Hurricanes while Necas is tearing it up in Colorado with nine points in eight games. That could be attributed to Rantanen adjusting to the shock of getting traded while Necas thrives in a new environment.

Rantanen getting shopped again seems unlikely. However, we didn’t expect the Avalanche to trade him so we shouldn’t completely dismiss the possibility. It’ll be interesting to see what unfolds in Carolina over the next four weeks.

WILL THE BLUES PEDDLE BUCHNEVICH, KYROU OR SCHENN?

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos claims St. Louis Blues general manager Doug Armstrong isn’t a happy camper given his club’s lack of improvement this season. He’s looking to change things up which could include Pavel Buchnevich, Jordan Kyrou, or team captain Brayden Schenn.

Kypreos writes that Armstrong wants to shed an $8 million salary and that could include Buchnevich or Kyrou. Buchenvich’s new six-year contract (with an $8 million AAV) begins on July 1, when he’ll be 30 years old. Kyrou, 26, is in the second season of an eight-year deal with an AAV of $8.125 million.

Armstrong isn’t ready yet to shock the Blues fans by trading Schenn but teams are calling about him. He’s 33, carries a $6.25 million AAV through 2027-28 and a full no-trade clause this season.

Kypreos also wonders whether Armstrong will move out one of his defensemen. He mentioned Justin Faulk or Colton Parayko but they and the sidelined Torey Krug all have full no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bunchnevich, Kyrou, and Schenn will draw more interest than Faulk and Parayko in the trade market. However, their expensive contracts could be deal breakers unless the Blues retain some salary or take back a hefty salary. Peddling any of them might have to wait for the offseason when teams have more cap space to work with because of the projected $7.5 million increase for 2025-26.

LATEST ON THE ISLANDERS

NYI HOCKEY NOW: Russ Macias dismissed a recent rumor claiming the Islanders are willing to entertain trade offers for defenseman Noah Dobson.

He pointed out that the 25-year-old Dobson is entering his playing prime and his departure would create a major hole on the Isles blueline. He also cited the risk of getting a poor return akin to what happened five years ago in the Devon Toews trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I agree with Macias’ take. It doesn’t mean the Islanders aren’t getting calls about Dobson but it would take a significant offer to tempt GM Lou Lamoriello to part with him. Dobson should be part of whatever the Islanders’ plans will be beyond this season.

NEW YORK POST: Ethan Sears believes the Islanders face a tough decision with their impending logjam on defense heading toward the March trade deadline.

They recently added Tony DeAngelo, Scott Perunovich, and Adam Boqvist to offset the absence of sidelined blueliners like Dobson, Ryan Pulock and Scott Mayfield. However, someone will have to move once those three return to action.

Sears believes moving Pulock or Mayfield “would drop a bomb into the dressing room”. Moving Dobson would be admitting they don’t consider him worthy of a long-term commitment.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: One of the new guys seems more likely to leave via trade or demotion to the minors.

FERRARO RETURNS TO THE RUMOR MILL

THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro is resurfacing in the rumor mill ahead of the March 7 trade deadline. It’s believed teams are calling the Sharks about the hardworking 26-year-old blueliner. 

Ferraro considers it a sign that he’s playing well but isn’t paying attention to the speculation. Pashelka pointed out that he’s UFA-eligible in July 2026, meaning the Sharks must decide whether to re-sign or trade him over the next 12-13 months.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ferraro’s situation will be worth watching. He could be moved by March 7 if the Sharks get a fantastic offer for him. However, they could wait and see what they might get for him in the offseason, or they could try and re-sign him to a long-term deal to maintain blueline stability for their rebuilding plans.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2025

by | Jan 29, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 29, 2025

What’s the latest on Canucks centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller? Could Mikko Rantanen sign with the Oilers this summer? What’s next for the Avalanche and Hurricanes? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LATEST ON PETTERSSON AND MILLER

TSN: Vancouver Canucks president Jim Rutherford told The Globe & Mail’s Gary Mason that he can see no good solution to the rift between centers Elias Pettersson and J.T. Miller.

Rutherford indicated he felt there could be a long-term solution because everyone was working on it, including the two players. However, it would only be resolved for a short period before resurfacing. He said it “certainly appears that there’s not a good solution that would keep this group together.”

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson and Miller denied a rift existed between them last month. Rutherford’s remarks leave no doubt there is an insurmountable issue between the two players adversely affecting the team.

The Canucks are exploring trade options involving Pettersson and Miller. Rutherford admitted the long-term outlook for the club will be affected. “We’ll have to do the best we can in trades,” he said. “Whatever assets you get in return, you may turn them into something else.”

Darren Dreger reports the Canucks aren’t interested in low-ball offers for either player. “It has to be respectable”, he said, pointing out that Pettersson and Miller are the Canucks’ top two forwards.

Miller carries a no-movement clause. Dreger said they’re willing to wait until the offseason if they don’t get suitable offers for him before the trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other clubs realize the Canucks are in a bind as the rift between those two affects the team’s performance so they’ll try to exploit that. Miller’s NMC complicates things as it limits potential trade destinations.

The Canucks will remain patient, hoping a rival club gets desperate enough to meet their asking price near the trade deadline. Otherwise, this situation could stretch into the offseason.

COULD RANTANEN SIGN WITH THE OILERS THIS SUMMER?

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples cited NHL insider Andy Strickland predicting Mikko Rantanen will sign with the Oilers as a free agent this summer.

Rantanen, 28, was traded by the Colorado Avalanche to the Carolina Hurricanes last Friday. He’s in the final season of a six-year contract with an AAV of $9.25 million.

Strickland dismissed the salary cap difficulties the Oilers would face in signing Rantanen. He claimed there’s some belief that they could do it, and he pointed out that Rantanen and Oilers star Leon Draisaitl have the same agent. He also claimed his prediction was based on “informed speculation.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Strickland can dismiss the salary-cap concerns, but they’re too significant to ignore. If the ceiling reaches $92.4 million, as projected, the Oilers will have over $15 million in cap space, with 15 active roster players under contract.

Puck-moving defenseman Evan Bouchard is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights coming off a two-year contract with an AAV of $3.9 million. He reached a career-high 82 points last season. His production is down this season but he should still exceed 50 points.

Bouchard could seek between $9 million and $10 million annually. Assuming the Oilers convince him to accept a doubling of his current AAV to $7.8 million, it won’t leave enough to sign Rantanen and flesh out the rest of the roster. They must also ensure sufficient cap room to make Connor McDavid the NHL’s highest-paid player starting in 2026-27.

The Oilers could clear cap space by attempting to move players lacking no-trade protection like Viktor Arvidsson, Adam Henrique and Brett Kulak. They could also buy out the final season of Evander Kane’s contract, assuming he’s no longer on LTIR when the June buyout period rolls around. However, those moves will only further deplete their roster depth which will be difficult to replace if they sign Rantanen to an expensive contract.

Rantanen could seek a salary comparable to Draisaitl’s $14 million AAV. It could cost $16 million annually to keep McDavid in the fold. Even with the cap expected to reach $100 million in two years, it’s folly to have three forwards eating up over 40 percent of your annual cap payroll and expect to ice a roster deep enough to win the Stanley Cup.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE AND HURRICANES?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Colorado Avalanche aren’t done making deals after shipping Mikko Rantanen to Carolina on Friday.

The Avs have over $3.9 million in cap space. Proteau speculates they could attempt to improve their depth at center, replenish their stockpile of draft picks or add a third-pairing defenseman.

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Hurricanes could still make moves by the March 7 trade deadline. He thinks they could attempt to upgrade at center after sending Jack Drury to Colorado in the Rantanen deal. Johnston also thinks they’re fine in goal now that Frederik Andersen has returned from knee surgery.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes are in “win-now” mode so they could go shopping for more depth by March 7. The Avalanche could return to the market but their placement in the standings could determine whether they make another significant move or a smaller depth one.

Johnston’s colleague Pierre LeBrun reports the Hurricanes’ acquisition of Rantanen won’t change the trade deadline plans of the top teams in the Eastern Conference. They still intend to make moves but the Rantanen blockbuster won’t influence their decisions.










NHL Rumor Mill – January 27, 2025

by | Jan 27, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – January 27, 2025

The latest on Leafs winger Mitch Marner and Hurricanes forward Mikko Rantanen plus an update on the Islanders in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau believes the Toronto Maple Leafs could get a king’s ransom if they peddle Mitch Marner before the March 7 trade deadline.

Proteau pointed to the return the Colorado Avalanche received from the Carolina Hurricanes in Friday’s Mikko Rantanen trade, suggesting Marner could fetch the Leafs many assets. Like Rantanen, the 27-year-old Marner can become an unrestricted free agent on July 1.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Mitch Marner (NHL Images).

If the Leafs are unable to re-sign Marner and put him on the trade block, Proteau suggested offering him to the Vancouver Canucks for center Elias Pettersson. He also proposed offering Marner to the Utah Hockey Club for winger Clayton Keller.

However, Proteau also pointed out that Marner has a full no-movement clause. He wants to stay in Toronto and the Leafs hope to re-sign him. Proteau doubts Marner will hit the open market on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marner would undoubtedly fetch a significant return in the trade market. We can’t rule out the possibility (however remote) that things could change. After all, we didn’t think the Avs would trade Rantanen. Nevertheless, it’s unlikely to be moved by March 7.

THE ATHLETIC: Speaking of Marner and Rantanen, Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus believe Chicago Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson will be interested in both if they become free agents on July 1.

They point out that the Blackhawks need to accelerate their rebuild. Attendance is slipping, the TV situation with CHSN has been a debacle, and the novelty of Connor Bedard is wearing off. This doesn’t mean Davidson has to derail the rebuild, but they need to add a player in a higher tier who can improve Bedard, take pressure off other young players, and excite the fans.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blackhawks will have over $32 million in cap space if the ceiling rises to $92.4 million as projected. That’s enough to sign a free-agent superstar in their late twenties or acquire one via trade using their trade capital of draft picks and prospects.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks believes something is very wrong if Kyle Palmieri and Brock Nelson remain with the New York Islanders after March 7. He claims Palmieri is coveted by his former team, the New Jersey Devils.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Islanders GM Lou Lamoriello recently said his club’s performance will determine his course of action by the trade deadline. They’ve improved in recent weeks but are six points out of the final Eastern Conference wild-card berth. He could become a seller if they’re still in that position when the calendar flips to March.