NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2025

by | Aug 21, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2025

Suggested trade destinations for Ducks center Mason McTavish, and an update on free-agent forward Jack Roslovic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon recently suggested six trade destinations for Mason McTavish. The 22-year-old center is a restricted free agent and a frequent subject of trade speculation.

Dixon noted that McTavish’s contract negotiations with the Ducks could drag into October before an agreement is reached on a new deal. The same thing happened to Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale in 2023, but both players were later traded.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The Ducks’ depth at center has also stoked the McTavish trade conjecture. It could make them the rare club that would consider moving a promising young center for the right return.

Dixon listed the Detroit Red Wings, Carolina Hurricanes, Vancouver Canucks, Calgary Flames, Montreal Canadiens, and Philadelphia Flyers as potential landing spots for McTavish.

Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has a long friendship and work relationship with Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman going back to their playing days. Wings defense prospect Axel Sandin Pellikka might interest Verbeek if Yzerman is willing to part with him.

The Hurricanes still have around $10 million in cap space and a willingness to make bold moves. However, they could find it difficult to scrape together a suitable trade package.

McTavish could address the Canucks’ need for a reliable, healthy second-line center. They have pieces they could ship out, but cap space would be an issue.

Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson might be enticing for the Ducks, provided they’re not on his six-team no-trade list, and he is willing to sign an extension.

Dixon wondered if the Canadiens would part with a projected top-four defenseman like David Reinbacher to bring in McTavish to address their second-line center issue. Meanwhile, the rebuilding Flyers have a recent trade history with the Ducks, having acquired Drysdale and Zegras from Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The silence from the Ducks and the McTavish camp regarding the status of their contract talks is fueling trade rumors at a time when there’s little real hockey news. Some observers interpret their silence as a sign that those negotiations are contentious, but it could also be that they’re unwilling to negotiate through the media.

Whatever the reason, the McTavish speculation isn’t going away.

As for the teams on Dixon’s list, the Canadiens, Red Wings, and Flyers could have a better chance at acquiring McTavish, but that depends on their willingness to part with one of their top prospects. The Canadiens are reportedly unwilling to move Reinbacher or young center Michael Hage, which would take them out of the running unless Verbeek lowers his asking price.

The Ducks are hoping to become a playoff contender this season. Verbeek may be reluctant to accept a return of draft picks and prospects unless a promising NHL player is included in the deal.

THE ATHLETIC: Thomas Drance reports the Vancouver Canucks might be cooling off on their rumored pursuit of free-agent forward Jack Roslovic.

Drance noted the Canucks were considering their options on what remained in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market, but they didn’t view those players as the answer to their significant needs at center.

The Canucks believe a healthy Filip Chytil and the late-season emergence of Aatu Raty could give them enough at center to maintain control of the situation in the short term without turning to what’s left in free agency.

Drance claims the Canucks are still in the market for a center, but the trade market is the more likely route to address that need.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 20, 2025

by | Aug 20, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 20, 2025

The 2025 preseason schedule was released, the Red Wings will retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91, USA Hockey lists the 44 players invited to their 2026 Winter Olympics orientation camp, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: The league announced its 2026-26 preseason schedule. The 15-day, 104-game slate begins on Saturday, Sept. 20, and runs through Saturday, Oct. 4.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Click the link above for the complete preseason schedule.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: The Red Wings will retire Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91 as part of their centennial season celebrations. The ceremony will take place on Jan. 12, 2026, before Detroit’s game against the Carolina Hurricanes at Little Caesars Arena.

Hall-of-Famer Sergei Fedorov. (NHL.com).

Red Wings governor and CEO Chris Ilitch released a statement on Tuesday announcing the club’s plan to honor Fedorov, who was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2015. “His exceptional skill, relentless drive, and last impact, playing a pivotal role in bringing three Stanley Cup championships to Detroit, make him the perfect embodiment of the qualities deserving of our franchise’s most prestigious honor.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Fedorov was among the greatest players in Red Wings history, spending 13 of his 18 NHL seasons in Detroit from 1990-91 to 2002-03. He won the Selke Trophy twice and is the last Red Wing to win the Hart Trophy and the Ted Lindsay Award.

Fedorov sits fourth among the Red Wings’ franchise leaders with 400 goals. He’s also sixth with 954 points and seventh with 554 assists.

Interestingly, the Wings chose a home game against Carolina to honor Fedorov. As a restricted free agent in 1997, he staged a contract holdout before signing with the Hurricanes in 1998, a deal that the Wings were forced to match. This changed the relationship between the gifted two-way forward and Wings management, ultimately leading to his departure as an unrestricted free agent in 2003.

USA HOCKEY: Unveiled the 44 players who will attend their 2026 Winter Olympics orientation camp.

The notable stars include goaltenders Connor Hellebuyck, Jake Oettinger and Jeremy Swayman, defensemen Quinn and Luke Hughes, Zach Werenski, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Brock Faber, Adam Fox and Jake Sanderson, and forwards Auston Matthews, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Kyle Connor, Jack Eichel, Patrick Kane, J.T. Miller, Clayton Keller, Tage Thompson and Cole Caufield.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link above for the complete list. Like Canada’s orientation camp, most of the USA players who participated in February’s 4 Nations Face Off are part of this camp and will likely be part of their Olympic roster.

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH: The Blues have signed forward Milan Lucic to a professional tryout offer (PTO).

Lucic, 37, has not played in the NHL since Oct. 2023 with the Boston Bruins. He played only four games that season until he was sidelined by an ankle injury and placed on indefinite leave following a charge of assault and battery against a family member. The charge was dropped when his wife declined to testify against him.

A rugged power forward with the Bruins earlier in his career, Lucic was seeing fourth-line minutes during his last full season in 2022-23 with the Calgary Flames. He hasn’t had more than 23 points in a season since 2017-18.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford pointed out that Lucic will be jockeying for a roster spot with Mathieu Joseph (28 years old) and Alexandre Texier (25), who are considerably younger and faster. If he plays well enough but fails to earn a roster spot with the Blues, he could draw the interest of another NHL team.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: cited PuckPedia indicating the Avalanche could sign unrestricted free agent forward Victor Olofsson to a one-year contract. The deal has not been officially announced.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Olofsson scored 20-or-more goals three times in six seasons with the Buffalo Sabres from 2018-19 to 2023-24. He had 15 goals and 29 points in 56 games with the Vegas Golden Knights last season.

THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: The Blue Jackets have signed Brendan Smith to a PTO contract. A 14-season NHL veteran, the 36-year-old defenseman played a depth role with the Dallas Stars last season, collecting six points in 32 games.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2025

by | Aug 18, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 18, 2025

Could the Red Wings and Ducks swing a trade involving Mason McTavish? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy recently reported that an NHL executive claimed that the Detroit Red Wings were among the teams with an interest in Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The 22-year-old McTavish is a restricted free agent who has yet to re-sign with the Ducks. Murphy indicated the Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens are among the teams keeping tabs on the young center.

Murphy’s source suggested the longstanding relationship between Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek and Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman could help to facilitate a deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek and Yzerman worked together for years with the Red Wings and the Tampa Bay Lightning. Nevertheless, the Ducks GM isn’t under pressure to trade McTavish, and he also has the cap space to match any offer sheet from a rival club.

Verbeek will set a high price for McTavish if he decides to trade him. The asking price will likely include a good young roster player and perhaps a top prospect.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski believes there is still much left undone in Pittsburgh and around the league during this offseason. Penguins fans are still waiting for general manager Kyle Dubas to make the trade that reshapes the roster and allows him to plant his flag on a rebuild.

Meanwhile, the Edmonton Oilers cannot continue with their goaltender malaise, the Detroit Red Wings still need to get over the playoff hump, and the Toronto Maple Leafs appear to have replaced the departed Mitch Marner with Nick Robertson.

In Boston, the Bruins need more talent to rebound from a disappointing season, while the New Jersey Devils and New York Islanders are “stuck amongst the junior varsity in the East, but have much bigger hopes.”

Speaking of the Penguins, Kingerski recently cited Dubas telling the “Cam & Strick” podcast that teams are calling him to reacquire their second and third-round picks in the 2026 NHL Draft. “And you know why,” said Dubas. “So that’s their business. If they want to pay a fair price, we probably talk about it.”

Kingerski pointed out the Penguins own the St. Louis Blues’ and Winnipeg Jets’ second-rounders, and the San Jose Sharks’ third rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those clubs could want those picks back because next year’s draft is considered a deep one talent-wise. However, they could also want them back because it would enable them to pursue one of the few remaining notable restricted free agents with offer sheets. Let your imagination run wild in the comments section below.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2025

by | Aug 18, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 18, 2025

Mark Scheifele on Jonathan Toews joining the Jets, the Red Wings face a crucial season, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE SCORE: Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele is excited that center Jonathan Toews has chosen his club for his comeback attempt. The 37-year-old former Chicago Blackhawks star hasn’t played since 2022-23 as health issues have sidelined him for the past two seasons.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (NHL Images).

Scheifele acknowledged that the Winnipeg-born Toews is a legend in the city and the province of Manitoba. He said he was hoping the Jets would be the front-runners to sign him, and is looking forward to playing with Toews after speaking with him several times during this summer.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Kevin Allen observed that the Red Wings’ current playoff drought is the worst in franchise history, eclipsing that of the “Dead Things” era of the late-1970s and early-1980s.

The Wings have missed the postseason for nine straight seasons. If they fail to qualify this season, they’ll become only the fourth team in NHL history to do so in 10 consecutive seasons, joining the Buffalo Sabres (2012 to present), the Florida Panthers (2001-11), and the Edmonton Oilers (2007 to 2016).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season could be make or break for Steve Yzerman’s tenure as general manager of the Red Wings. While their postseason drought began three seasons before he became GM, the past six seasons have been under his watch.

During the last two seasons, the Red Wings entered March holding a playoff berth, only to collapse down the stretch. Yzerman must find a way to prevent a third straight late-season stumble, or he could be out of a job by the end of April 2026.

NHL.COM: Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas recently said he doesn’t require surgery to address a nagging knee injury. The 35-year-old blueliner stated that he was able to address the issue through rehabilitation.

TORONTO SUN: Former NHL center Mark Kirton died at age 67 of ALS. He spent six seasons in the NHL with the Maple Leafs, Detroit Red Wings, and Vancouver Canucks, netting 57 goals and 56 assists for 113 points in 266 games from 1979-80 to 1984-85. He became a spokesman for expanded treatment for ALS patients and their families.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Kirton’s family, friends, former teammates, and coaches.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 17, 2025

by | Aug 17, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 17, 2025

Catching up on the recent speculation regarding Jets center Kyle Connor and Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson, plus the latest Bruins conjecture in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Servalli recently speculated over where Kyle Connor might go if he doesn’t re-sign with the Winnipeg Jets. The 28-year-old winger is in the final season of his contract and is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

Winnipeg Jets winger Kyle Connor (NHL Images).

Seravalli wondered if the Detroit Red Wings might be a fit for Connor. He thinks it would make a lot of sense for the Wings, as they could use the additional scoring punch that the Michigan native would provide.

However, Seravalli doesn’t discount the Jets re-signing Connor. Despite their early playoff exit last spring, they’ve got a good thing going, and he’d be part of the solution to their championship puzzle.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets were unable to re-sign Nikolaj Ehlers, who headed to the Carolina Hurricanes as a UFA last month. However, they confounded the experts by re-signing goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and center Mark Scheifele two years ago, so we can’t discount Connor signing an extension before next July.

EXPRESSEN: On August 8, Rasmus Andersson denied reports claiming he told the Calgary Flames he would only accept a trade to the Vegas Golden Knights.

A report from TSN’s Darren Dreger earlier this summer claimed the Flames received a significant offer from the Los Angeles Kings for Andersson. The 28-year-old defenseman said he knew what the proposal was, but wouldn’t say if it was from the Kings or another team. He rejected the trade because he didn’t want to move his family during his contract year.

Andersson also said that contract talks with the Flames have paused, adding they haven’t spoken in a month and a half.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The team in question was likely on Andersson’s six-team no-trade list. No word as to which clubs are on that list.

Reports out of Calgary earlier this summer indicated contract talks had stalled, sparking speculation that Andersson could be traded. However, Flames general manager Craig Conroy recently indicated that he had no problem with the blueliner being on the roster when the regular season opens in October.

It’s expected that Andersson will start the season with the Flames and could be shopped by the March trade deadline.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports Boston Bruins forward Pavel Zacha and goaltender Joonas Korpisalo have been fixtures in the rumor mill since the 2025 NHL Draft in late June. However, an NHL executive told Murphy that he heard Casey Mittelstadt could be on the move again.

Mittelstadt, 26, was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche along with prospect winger William Zellers before the 2025 March trade deadline. However, the common feeling among observers is that Zellers was the real target for the Bruins, who were restocking their prospect pool, leaving some to wonder if they intend to flip Mittelstadt to another club at some point.

Meanwhile, Korpisalo’s agent last month denied rumors claiming his client wanted a trade. Zacha’s agent dismissed the chatter about his client as “just rumors”.

SEKERES & PRICE: Matt Sekeres noted the trade rumors circulating in Boston about Zacha and Mittelstadt. Cam Robinson believes either player would be an upgrade at center for the Vancouver Canucks, particularly Mittelstadt.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Zacha or Mittelstadt makes sense if the Bruins were rebuilding. However, that isn’t the case as management is retooling for a bounce-back season. We’ll see what unfolds leading up to the start of the regular season.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2025

by | Aug 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 16, 2025

Here’s a look back at the notable news during my vacation in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

ESPN.COM: Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk said he remains undecided over whether he’ll undergo surgery for a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia before the 2025-26 season. However, he acknowledged he could miss the first two to three months of the schedule if he goes under the knife.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Based on Tkachuk’s offseason workouts, he’ll know for certain if he needs surgery. We’ll know by mid-September when the Panthers’ training camp begins.

TSN: Keith Tkachuk shot down any trade speculation about his son, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. He said Brady loves it in Ottawa and has cemented himself within the community. Keith believes the Senators are a team on the rise, and Brady wants to be a part of it.

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Keith believes Matthew’s departure from Calgary three years ago has fans wondering if Brady will also do so. However, there was also speculation out of New York last season claiming the Rangers had made the Senators’ captain a trade target, prompting Senators ownership to suggest the Blueshirts were engaged in “soft tampering” regarding Tkachuk.

During his end-of-season press conference, Brady dismissed the rumors as lies. It hasn’t fully put to rest the speculation, given that his father had to recently dispel it. They’ll likely continue to surface whenever the Senators are struggling, and the chatter will likely go into overdrive when he enters the final season of his contract in 2027-28.

RG.ORG: Winger Brad Marchand said the club’s re-signings of center Sam Bennett and defenseman Aaron Ekblad were key reasons behind his decision to ink a six-year contract with Florida.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchand is in the tail end of his long career and wants to remain with a Stanley Cup contender. Now 37, it’s unlikely he’ll play out the entirety of his contract, but neither he nor the Panthers is concerned about the long term. Winning three Cups in a row and becoming the first true NHL dynasty since the early 1980s New York Islanders is what matters.

THE PROVINCE: Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson is fully fit a month before training camp and is seeking “revenge” after his abysmal 2024-25 season. The 26-year-old Pettersson said he’s learned from last season and will be a more mature player in 2025-26.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pettersson’s disappointing performance last season was a key factor in the Canucks missing the 2025 playoffs. A return to form this season is a must if they’re to be postseason contenders.

RG.ORG: Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin isn’t surprised that superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov and promising center Marco Rossi remain unsigned. He said the talks have been “pretty consistent, and I’ve been happy with them”. Guerin also said reports claiming Rossi can’t be signed until Kaprizov is under contract are false.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The dearth of real hockey news through the first half of August has fueled speculation over the status of the Wild’s contract negotiations with Kaprizov and Rossi. Kaprizov is in the final season of his contract and eligible to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) next July, while Rossi is a restricted free agent awaiting a new contract.

Guerin has plenty of time to get both players signed before the start of training camp. However, the speculation will persist if the current drought of notable NHL news continues throughout the remainder of this month.

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks made the case for J.T. Miller to be named the new captain of the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We’ll know by October whether the Rangers will have a captain for this season, and who it’ll be. Do you agree with Brooks that it should be Miller? Give us your thoughts in the comments section below.

NESN.COM: Boston Bruins defenseman Hampus Lindholm has been cleared for training camp in September. He appeared in 17 games last season until sidelined by a fractured kneecap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lindholm’s absence contributed to the Bruins missing the playoffs last season. He’ll be a key factor in their attempt to rebound in 2025-26.

TSN: Darren Dreger reports an arbitrator ruled in favor of the Philadelphia Flyers in a grievance filed by the NHL Players’ Association following the termination of forward Ryan Johansen’s contract in August 2024.

Johansen was acquired from the Colorado Avalanche on March 6, 2024, and immediately placed on waivers. He was assigned to the Flyers’ AHL affiliate in LeHigh Valley, but didn’t play for the remainder of the season due to a hip injury.

The Flyers placed Johansen on unconditional waivers last August and terminated his contract, citing a “material breach”. He missed all of last season recovering from hip surgery and remains a UFA.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Johansen played every game of the 2023-24 season with the Avalanche, but informed the Flyers that he couldn’t report to the AHL or play due to his hip injury. At the time, he had a year remaining on his contract. The Flyers would’ve been on the hook for that final season had the ruling gone against them.

OTTAWA SUN: The Senators and the National Capital Commission (NCC) reached an agreement in which the club will purchase 11 acres of land for a new arena at LeBreton Flats in Ottawa. It’s believed the Senators will pay over $30 million for the land, which is 10 minutes from downtown Ottawa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicates the Senators still have several hurdles to clear before the deal becomes a reality. Nevertheless, this is a significant step toward realizing the dream of a new arena near the heart of Ottawa.

THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: The Wild signed defenseman Jack Johnson to a professional tryout contract (PTO).

TSN: The Detroit Red Wings signed UFA defenseman Travis Hamonic to a one-year, $1 million contract.

USHL.COM: Former NHL forward Pat Maroon joined the coaching staff of the Muskegon Lumberjacks. Maroon won three straight Stanley Cups (2019 to 2021) with the St. Louis Blues and Tampa Bay Lightning.

MONTREAL GAZETTE: Former NHL defenseman Josh Gorges was hired by the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets as an assistant coach. Gorges spent eight of his 13 seasons with the Montreal Canadiens.

TSN: Former Toronto Maple Leafs forward Kyle Clifford announced his retirement as a player and is joining the club’s front office in a player development role. Clifford spent 13 seasons in the NHL (2010-11 to 2022-23) with the Los Angeles Kings, St. Louis Blues, and the Maple Leafs, winning two Stanley Cups (2012, 2014) with the Kings. In 753 NHL games, Clifford had 66 goals and 78 assists for 144 points, and 16 points in 65 playoff games.

DAILY FACEOFF: Defenseman Chad Ruhwedel retired after 13 NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres, Pittsburgh Penguins, and New York Rangers. In 369 regular-season games from 2012-13 to 2024-25, he had 13 goals and 37 assists for 50 points. He also appeared in 25 playoff contests, winning the Stanley Cup with the Penguins in 2016-17.

MLIVE.COM: The Detroit Red Wings will go with their “Hockeytown” center ice logo for their 2025-26 centennial season. The logo was introduced in 1996-97. It was removed in 2018 following the move from Joe Louis Arena to Little Caesars Arena.