NHL Rumor Mill – September 25, 2025

by | Sep 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 25, 2025

Check out the latest on the Rangers and Maple Leafs in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano believe the New York Rangers will attempt to take a big swing in next summer’s free-agent market.

By that point, the Rangers are projected to have more salary-cap space and roster flexibility than they’ve had for some time. Several high-end stars, including Edmonton’s Connor McDavid, Vegas’ Jack Eichel, and Minnesota’s Kirill Kaprizov, could be available.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

That’s why they’re not in a rush to re-sign Artemi Panarin, who is UFA-eligible next July. They want to keep their options open for as long as possible to size up the market.

The Rangers could have over $20 million available after re-signing restricted free agents like Brendan Schneider and adding a couple of depth pieces and a backup goalie. They could free up more cap room by peddling Alexis Lafreniere or Vincent Trocheck.

If those potential big-name UFAs become unavailable, the Rangers could use that cap flexibility to spread it out among multiple impact players in the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Baugh and Mercogliano aren’t saying Lafreniere or Trocheck will be traded. They’re suggesting they could be moved if the Rangers need more cap room to sign a UFA superstar. Those players could also stay put if they play well this season.

Pursuing multiple players via free agency doesn’t guarantee success. The Rangers attempted to spend their way into Stanley Cup contention between 1997-98 and 2003-04, but missed the playoffs for seven straight years.

The Nashville Predators recently learned that lesson the hard way. They made a big splash in last year’s free-agent market, signing Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Marchessault, and Brady Skjei. Projected by some observers to be a possible Stanley Cup contender, they finished near the bottom of the standings.

LEAFS NATION: Michael Mazzei cited NHL insider Chris Johnston saying the Toronto Maple Leafs are no longer as interested in free-agent forward Jack Roslovic as they once were.

Johnston no longer considers the 28-year-old Roslovic a fit for the Leafs, citing the depth among their forward lines.

According to Johnston, Roslovic received a couple of contract offers between two and three years in length with average annual values between $3.5 million and $3.75 million. He rejected those offers in the hope that he’d receive better ones, but they never materialized. He may have to pivot toward a one-year “prove it” contract and hope to set himself up for a better payday next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Being the best player still available in what was a thin unrestricted free-agent market didn’t pan out so well for Roslovic.

Unrestricted free agency can be lucrative for some players due to their exceptional talent or impressive body of work. However, waiting too long for better offers can backfire, leaving a player scrambling to find a contract worth much less than what they could’ve had earlier in the summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel recently examined three possible paths for Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson. The most likely is a trade.

Robertson, 24, isn’t especially thrilled to be back with the Leafs in his current situation. It’s uncertain if he’ll receive regular playing time, and Siegel argues it wouldn’t make sense for the player or the team to keep him around in that situation.

Siegel wondered if there’s a team out there willing to take on Robertson and his $1.85 million cap hit for this season, with restricted free agency and possible arbitration ahead next summer.

“If that team is out there, though, why wasn’t Robertson dealt already?”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Probably for the same reason Robertson wasn’t dealt last year around this time after requesting a trade early in the 2024 offseason: he’s not as valuable as some observers think he is.

Robertson has a decent scoring touch, and he’s worked to improve his overall game, but he hasn’t elevated his performance to the level where he’s a reliable top-six forward. And if he were a dependable scoring winger, there wouldn’t be any question about his role or his future with the Leafs.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2025

by | Sep 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2025

A prediction on when Kirill Kapizov and Jack Eichel will sign their contract extensions, the latest on the Canadiens’ efforts to trade Carey Price’s contract, plus an update on UFA winger Jack Roslovic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

BLEACHER REPORT: Frank Seravalli predicted when Kirill Kaprizov will re-sign with the Minnesota Wild and Jack Eichel re-ups with the Vegas Golden Knights.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Seravalli predicts both players will sign extensions with their current clubs, but believes Eichel will sign first. He thinks the 28-year-old Golden Knights center will get a deal with an average annual value (AAV) in the $13 million to $13.5 million range.

According to Seravalli, Kaprizov has more leverage because their scoring would suffer without him. He believes the Wild winger will get an AAV in the $15 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: An AAV in the $13 million range for Eichel would mean the Golden Knights will have over $25 million invested in two forwards after landing Mitch Marner and his $12 million AAV on June 30. Factor in the combined AAVs of Mark Stone ($9.5 million) and Tomas Hertl ($6.75 million), and they’ll have $41.25 million tied up in four forwards.

That would leave the Golden Knights with around $7 million in projected cap space for 2026-27.

As for Kaprizov, Wild beat writer Michael Russo of The Athletic recently reported hearing the Wild could pay him an AAV as high as $16 million.

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said his team is looking at ways to create more salary-cap flexibility this season. That could include trading the contract of permanently-sidelined goalie Carey Price.

“We’re fine, we don’t have to trade Carey Price,” Hughes said. “If we can find a trade to move his contract that makes sense for us and makes sense for another team, we’ll pursue it. But we don’t have to.”

The Canadiens could continue to put Price on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to remain cap-compliant as they’ve done over the past three seasons. Nevertheless, Engels believes it’s more likely they’ll trade Price before the start of the season, including an asset in the deal to a team closer to the salary-cap floor.

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Canadiens could pursue a second-line center if they can move Price’s contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Check out the Sept. 1 and 2 Rumor Mills for more details on why the Canadiens would prefer to trade Price’s contract rather than place him on LTIR again.

LEAFS NATION: cited Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli recently indicating that the Toronto Maple Leafs remain in contention to sign Jack Roslovic. The 28-year-old forward is considered the best player still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Seravalli said that nothing appears imminent, but the Leafs remain in touch with Roslovic’s camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report also noted that Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported in July that the Maple Leafs need to free up some cap space before signing Roslovic. They currently have just over $1.9 million available.

It’s rumored they could attempt to peddle a forward like David Kampf ($2.4 million) or Calle Jarnkrok ($2.1 million). Both players carry 10-team no-trade lists.










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 6, 2025

by | Aug 6, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 6, 2025

Check out the latest news on Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin, Maple Leafs winger William Nylander, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: From Aug.7 to 15, I’m taking a much-needed vacation while the site undergoes maintenance for several days. Barring the unforeseen, I’ll return with regular updates on Aug. 16.

TSN: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin has partnered with Russian tech company Yandex and its streaming platform Kinopoisk to produce a movie, series, or documentary about his life.

Ovechkin has granted the rights to adapt his career to Yandex’s production label, Plus Studio. In return, he is expected to participate in commercials and serve as a Yandex ambassador.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs winger William Nylander received the Guldpucken (The Golden Puck), awarded annually to Sweden’s top hockey player by the Swedish Ice Hockey Association and newspaper Expressen.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward William Nylander (NHL Images).

Nylander scored a career-high 45 goals and had 84 points with the Leafs in 2024-25. It’s the first time he’s won this award.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Jack Roslovic remains the top player remaining in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, forwards Max Pacioretty, Victor Olofsson, Luke Kunin, and Evgeny Kuznetsov, and goaltenders James Reimer and Ilya Samsonov are among the other notables still available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, Roslovic reportedly has half a dozen teams interested in him, but he’s taking his time deciding which one to sign with.

Friedman also suggested some UFAs haven’t signed yet because they don’t want to ink contracts that would be considered too much of a bargain for the teams. Those players may be hoping the offers improve as training camp approaches.

DAILY FACEOFF: Former NHL goaltender Anton Khudobin announced his retirement from pro hockey. The 39-year-old spent 14 seasons (2009-10 to 2022-23) with the Minnesota Wild, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, Anaheim Ducks, Dallas Stars, and Chicago Blackhawks.

Khudobin spent most of his NHL career as a backup. The highlight of his career came during the 2020 playoffs with Dallas. Replacing sidelined starter Ben Bishop, he carried the Stars to the Stanley Cup Final before falling in six games to the Tampa Bay Lightning.

In 260 regular-season games, Khudobin had 238 wins, 114 losses and 33 overtime losses, with a 2.52 goals-against average, a .916 save percentage and 11 shutouts. In 27 playoff contests, he has a record of 14-10 with a 2.63 GAA, a .919 SP, and one shutout.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski recently listed the top five most under-appreciated Penguins of the Sidney Crosby era. They include active players Bryan Rust, Olli Maatta, and Brian Dumoulin, as well as former players Carl Hagelin and Rob Scuderi.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust has frequently surfaced this summer as a trade candidate as the Penguins rebuild their roster by peddling veterans for younger talent.

FLORIDA HOCKEY NOW: George Richards makes the case for the Panthers to create a “Den of Honor” to celebrate the top players in the franchise’s 32-year history. He suggested the initial honorees could include retired players like Pavel Bure, Olli Jokinen, and Scott Mellanby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Richards recommends this honor for former Florida players who will not have their numbers retired. Goaltender Roberto Luongo is the only player whose number is retired by the Panthers. Those on the current team, such as Aleksander Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Sergei Bobrovsky, will likely have their numbers retired once their playing careers come to an end.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks are bringing back Vitali Kravtsov, signing the 25-year-old winger to a one-year, two-way contract. Kravtsov spent the past two seasons in Russia’s Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).

FLO HOCKEY: The Hershey Bears named Derek King as their new head coach. King played 830 games in the NHL and spent the past four seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, including time as an interim coach and coaching their AHL affiliate in Rockford.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 4, 2025

by | Aug 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 4, 2025

Check out the latest on Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk, Maple Leafs winger Nick Robertson, and free-agent forward Jack Roslovic in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: In the latest episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said he expects Matthew Tkachuk will miss considerable time this season. The Florida Panthers winger revealed he played with a torn adductor muscle during his club’s run to the Stanley Cup this spring.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Friedman anticipates that Tkachuk will miss the start of this season, but believes he’ll return in time for the 2026 Winter Olympics in February. Playing for Team USA with his brother, Brady, is “a huge deal” for Tkachuk.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This isn’t a trade or free-agent rumor, but it ties into speculation over how the Panthers will become cap-compliant to start their season.

Based on Friedman’s remarks, Tkachuk could undergo surgery that sidelines him until the New Year. The Panthers currently sit $3.725 million above the $95.5 million salary cap for 2025-26. Teams are permitted to be above the cap by 10 percent during the offseason, but must be compliant when their regular season begins in October.

The Panthers will likely wait until just before their season opener to put Tkachuk on long-term injury reserve. That’ll put them under the cap when the season begins.

However, they’ll have to shed salary before Tkachuk returns to action. Forward Evan Rodrigues has been mentioned as a cost-cutting option for the Panthers.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston speculates Nick Robertson could become a trade candidate for the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Robertson, 23, avoided arbitration with the Leafs by agreeing to a one-year, $1.85 million contract for 2025-26.

Johnston observed that the Leafs are currently carrying 14 forwards. He believes they “could still ship out one or more of David Kampf, Calle Jarnkrok, or Robertson before the season begins.” However, he noted they’ve been reluctant to move him in the past because of his age and scoring ability.

SPORTSNET: During Sunday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman was asked if a Nick Robertson-for-Yegor Chinakhov trade would make sense for both clubs. Friedman believes the Leafs would want a better return.

Friedman also wondered if the Pittsburgh Penguins might have an interest in Robertson. He pointed out that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas drafted the young winger during his tenure as GM of the Maple Leafs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like Johnston, Friedman believes the Leafs must move out one or two forwards before the start of the season. Kampf and Jarnkrok seem the more likely trade candidates, but clubs might prefer the younger, affordable Robertson.

Friedman also reported that “five or six teams” are believed to be interested in Jack Roslovic, including the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The 28-year-old forward remains the best player available in the depleted unrestricted free-agent market. He’s said to be still evaluating his options.

Friedman thinks the remaining UFAs, like Roslovic, aren’t willing to sign yet because they don’t want to accept deals that could be considered too much of a bargain.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs were linked to Roslovic last month, but their acquisition of winger Dakota Joshua from the Vancouver Canucks and their re-signing of Nick Robertson leaves them with just over $1.9 million. That’s another reason why they must move out a forward like Kampf or Jarnkrok.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2025

by | Aug 2, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 2, 2025

Hockey Canada invites 42 NHL players to their National Teams orientation camp, a list of the top remaining unrestricted free agents, the Kings re-sign Alex Laferriere, the latest on Leafs winger Nick Robertson, and more in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Hockey Canada invited 92 players from its’ mens’, womens’, and para hockey teams to attend its National Teams Orientation Camp in preparation for the 2026 Winter Olympics. The camp will be held from Aug. 26-28 in Calgary.

Forty-two NHL players (three goaltenders, 13 defensemen, and 26 forwards) were selected by Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong and his staff:

Goaltenders: Jordan Binnington, St. Louis Blues; Adin Hill, Vegas Golden Knights; Sam Montembeault, Montreal Canadiens.

Team Canada center Connor McDavid celebrates his winning goal in the 4 Nations Face-Off (NHL.com).

Defensemen: Evan Bouchard, Edmonton Oilers; Noah Dobson, Montreal Canadiens; Drew Doughty, Los Angeles Kings; Aaron Ekblad, Florida Panthers; Thomas Harley, Dallas Stars; Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche; Brandon Montour, Seattle Kraken; Josh Morrissey, Winnipeg Jets; Colton Parayko, St. Louis Blues; Travis Sanheim, Philadelphia Flyers; Shea Theodore, Vegas Golden Knights; Devon Toews, Colorado Avalanche; MacKenzie Weegar, Calgary Flames.

Forward: Connor Bedard, Chicago Blackhawks; Sam Bennett, Florida Panthers; Quinton Byfield, Los Angeles Kings; Macklin Celebrini, San Jose Sharks; Anthony Cirelli, Tampa Bay Lightning; Sidney Crosby, Pittsburgh Penguins; Brandon Hagel, Tampa Bay Lightning; Bo Horvat, New York Islanders; Zach Hyman, Edmonton Oilers; Seth Jarvis, Carolina Hurricanes; Wyatt Johnston, Dallas Stars; Travis Konecny, Philadelphia Flyers; Nathan MacKinnon, Colorado Avalanche; Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers; Mitch Marner, Vegas Golden Knights; Connor McDavid, Edmonton Oilers; Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Edmonton Oilers; Brayden Point, Tampa Bay Lightning; Sam Reinhart, Florida Panthers; Mark Scheifele, Winnipeg Jets; Mark Stone, Vegas Golden Knights; Nick Suzuki, Montreal Canadiens; John Tavares, Toronto Maple Leafs; Robert Thomas, St. Louis Blues; Carter Verhaeghe, Florida Panthers; Tom Wilson, Washington Capitals.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Many of these players were part of Canada’s gold-medal squad in last February’s 4 Nations Face-Off. Most of that 4 Nations group will be selected for the 2026 Winter Olympics team.

DAILY FACEOFF: Forward Jack Roslovic, defenseman Matt Grzelcyk, and winger Max Pacioretty remain among the noteworthy players still available in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market.

Other notables include winger Victor Olofsson, goaltender James Reimer, winger Luke Kunin, netminder Ilya Samsonov, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of these players will be signed to low-cost, one-year contracts before training camp opens in mid-September. The others will get professional tryout offers (PTOs), or face the choice of retirement or continuing their playing careers in Europe.

MAYOR’S MANOR: The Los Angeles Kings signed forward Alex Laferriere to a three-year contract with an average annual value of $4.1 million.

Laferriere, 23, was a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract last season. He enjoyed a promising sophomore campaign in 2024-25, netting 19 goals and 42 points in 77 games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings have their full 23-man roster under contract for this season. Management’s focus will shift to signing first-line forward Adrian Kempe to a contract extension. The 28-year-old winger carries a $5.5 million salary-cap hit this season and is UFA-eligible next summer.

Team captain Anze Kopitar is also due to become a UFA next summer, but he intends to finish his career with the Kings.

TORONTO SUN: cited Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reporting there is a $1 million cap between Nick Robertson and the Maple Leafs as they prepare for his arbitration hearing on Aug. 3.

Friedman claims the Robertson camp seeks $2.25 million, while the Maple Leafs are countering with $1.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson is the last player scheduled for salary arbitration this summer. The others all reached agreements on new contracts before their hearings.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Former Oilers defenseman and captain Jason Smith was named the new head coach of the WHL’s Edmonton Oil Kings on July 31.

Smith spent 15 seasons in the NHL, eight of those with the Oilers from 1998-99 to 2006-07. His previous head-coaching job was with the WHL’s Kelowna Rockets from 2016 to 2019. He was also an assistant coach with the Philadelphia Flyers’ AHL affiliate in Lehigh Valley.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline reported on July 31 that former NHL player Stefan Matteau has joined the coaching staff of the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters.