NHL Rumor Mill – May 17, 2025

by | May 17, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 17, 2025

Check out the latest on the Wild, Islanders and Red Wings in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith speculated the Minnesota Wild could attempt to land Brock Nelson this summer. The 33-year-old Colorado Avalanche center is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1.

Smith pointed out that Wild general manager Bill Guerin indicated his priority is to improve his club’s depth at center. They could use a second-line center if Guerin decides to trade Marco Rossi.

Agent Ben Hankinson recently told KFAN that his client (a Minnesota native) was intrigued by the idea of playing at home and he could see a fit. However, Hankinson also expected the Colorado Avalanche will attempt to re-sign Nelson.

Minnesota Wild forward Marco Rossi (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Other center free-agent options could include Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars, and John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs. However, Nelson could be the Wild’s main target if he goes to market on July 1, depending on what happens with Rossi, who’s coming off his entry-level contract.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner believes Minnesota’s Marco Rossi and Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi could be offer-sheet targets for the New York Islanders.

The Islanders are currently searching for a new general manager. Rosner believes that GM could attempt to improve the roster while getting younger, suggesting an offer sheet could be a great way to do it.

Rosner suggested offering Rossi a deal similar to the seven-year contract (with a $6.5 million average annual value) that Matt Coronato recently signed with the Calgary Flames. For Vilardi, it could cost just over $7 million annually on a three to five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s assuming either player would entertain offers from rival clubs once they become restricted free agents on July 1.

Rossi could be the more likely candidate, reportedly rejecting an offer from the Wild earlier this season. The oft-injured Vilardi could prefer the stability he enjoys in Winnipeg, but that will also depend on his contract talks with Jets management.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman believes landing a top-four, big-minute defenseman is among the Detroit Red Wings’ priorities to address this offseason. Vladislav Gavrikov of the Los Angeles Kings would be the most intriguing name on the free-agent market.

Bultman was asked if Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman would consider pitching his first-round pick (13th overall) to acquire prospect Isaac Howard from the Tampa Bay Lightning. He doesn’t think so, suggesting that it would be too much for the Hobey Baker Award winner.

“Howard is still a 5-foot-11 wing who isn’t an explosive skater, “ he wrote, predicting the youngster could become a middle-six NHL winger.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 16, 2025

by | May 16, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 16, 2025

How likely is it that Evan Bouchard and Matthew Knies get offer sheets? Who are three possible offer-sheet targets for the Devils? What’s the latest Flyers speculation? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DON’T EXPECT OFFER SHEETS FOR BOUCHARD AND KNIES

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau explains why few high-end restricted free agents, like Edmonton’s Evan Bouchard and Toronto’s Matthew Knies, receive offer sheets.

Those players are crucial to their team’s future, and opposing teams don’t often have the combinations of salary-cap space and compensatory draft picks.

Edmonton Oilers defenseman Evan Bouchard (NHL Images).

Proteau points out that a team would have to surrender two first-round picks, a second-rounder, and a third-rounder if they successfully sign Bouchard or Knies to an offer sheet with an average annual value between $9.36 million and $11.7 million.

Teams offering either player a deal between $7 million and $9.36 million annually would have to pony up a first-round pick, a second-rounder, and a third-rounder.

Proteau contrasted those with what it cost the St. Louis Blues to sign away Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway from the Oilers last August. The Blues gave up a second-rounder as compensation for Broberg and a third-rounder for Holloway.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues wouldn’t have gotten Broberg or Holloway if they’d offered a second or a third-rounder in a trade pitch. It was an affordable move by St. Louis general manager Doug Armstrong to sign up two promising young players with bright futures with their new club.

Those are the type of offer-sheet signings we’re more likely to see. Teams will zero in on cap-strapped clubs with promising talent that they can sign to cost-effective contracts without giving up much in compensation.

We can’t fully dismiss the possibility of Bouchard or Knies signing an offer sheet. It’s just hard to see which team would have the necessary cap space and the appropriate number of their own draft picks to make it happen.

THREE PROPOSED OFFER-SHEET TARGETS FOR THE DEVILS

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols proposed three bold offer-sheet targets for the Devils if they want to build up their roster aggressively this summer.

Nichols suggests forward JJ Peterka of the Buffalo Sabres, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild, and Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres, Wild and Ducks all possess sufficient cap space to match any offer sheet for those players.

Doing so could still create a salary-cap headache for the Sabres and Wild, but they could work around it with a cost-cutting trade.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have over $38 million in projected cap space. Even if they don’t spend to the cap, they have plenty to match an offer for McTavish and still have enough to re-sign or add key players.

LATEST ON THE FLYERS

THE ATHLETIC: Earlier this week, Kevin Kurz was asked which player he thinks the Flyers might pursue if they were offered up their first-round pick (sixth overall) in this year’s draft. He rules out Anaheim’s Mason McTavish as he’s crucial for the Ducks’ playoff hopes next season. Kurz suggested Seattle’s Matty Beniers, Dallas’ Wyatt Johnston, or San Jose’s Will Smith.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: They would all be worthwhile targets if the Flyers were willing to dangle their first-rounder. However, it’s unlikely any of them would be available.

Kurz was also asked which Flyers winger might become trade bait if management goes shopping for a center this summer. He suggested Bobby Brink, whose stock should be rising after his 41-point performance this season.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2025

by | May 14, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2025

The latest on the Canadiens and Senators, potential destinations for coach Rick Tocchet and the Canucks’ search for a new head coach in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHAT WOULD IT COST THE CANADIENS TO ACQUIRE SIDNEY CROSBY?

SPORTSNET: Eric Engels was asked what it would take for the Montreal Canadiens to acquire Sidney Crosby if the Pittsburgh Penguins captain became available in the trade market.

Engels prefaced his response by citing Crosby’s intent to retire as a Penguin, and no indication that this will change. The future Hall-of-Famer grew up a Canadiens fan, prompting a perception among some Habs fans that he might want to finish his career in Montreal.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

If Crosby became available, Engels believes the Canadiens would be better-positioned to meet the Penguins’ asking price than, say, the Colorado Avalanche or Los Angeles Kings. They have the cap space to take on his contract, plus depth in draft picks and prospects to make a competitive pitch.

Engels suggested packaging their two first-rounders (16th and 17th overall) as part of the return. They could also offer up one of those picks and their unprotected 2026 first-rounder, plus one of the two second-rounders they have in each of the next two drafts. They could also throw in “any combination of two prospects not named Demidov, Reinbacher, Fowler, or Hage” in the deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Engels ended his piece by reminding everyone again that Crosby might never request a trade from the Penguins, adding it’s difficult to gauge what his value in the trade market would be and what it would take to get him to Montreal.

The Canadiens need a reliable second-line center. Finding one will be difficult because there aren’t that many available in the trade market. Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild could be available, as could Dawson Mercer of the New Jersey Devils.

Trevor Zegras of the Anaheim Ducks is often mentioned, but he’s more of a winger now, and his stock has tumbled due to injuries and inconsistency. Teammate Mason McTavish has also been mentioned, but that seems like wishful thinking.

Sam Bennett of the Florida Panthers, Brock Nelson of the Colorado Avalanche, John Tavares of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars are the top centers eligible to become unrestricted free agents on July 1. Bennett would be the ideal fit, but he’d draw the most interest around the league if he hits the open market. The rest are in their mid-thirties with their prime years behind them. It’s doubtful any of them will consider the rebuilding Canadiens a prime destination.

COULD THE SENATORS TRADE DRAKE BATHERSON?

THE ATHLETIC: Julian McKenzie was asked about a recent rumor suggesting Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson might become a trade candidate.

McKenzie doesn’t see the logic in moving Batherson unless they’re getting a bona fide top defenseman or a young goal-scoring forward. He pointed out that the 27-year-old winger is in his playing prime with a team-friendly annual cap hit of $5 million through 2026-27.

Dealing away Batherson would only exacerbate the Senators’ need to add more scoring. If they do trade him, McKenzie believes it’ll mean they’re making a full-court press on somebody through trade, free agency or other means to supplement their scoring.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Batherson rumor appeared in the Ottawa Sun last month after the Senators were eliminated from the playoffs. I concur with McKenzie’s take. Batherson isn’t going anywhere unless the Sens are clearing cap room to add a better scorer.

THREE POTENTIAL DESTINATIONS FOR TOCCHET

TSN: Darren Dreger reports of “strong indications” that Rick Tocchet will soon be hired by a new NHL team. The 2024 winner of the Jack Adams Award, Tocchet stepped down last month as head coach of the Vancouver Canucks.

Dreger claimed the Philadelphia Flyers, Boston Bruins and Seattle Kraken were among the leading contenders for Tocchet’s services.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers are seen as the favorite given Tocchet’s ties to the team during his playing career, spending 11 of his 18 NHL seasons in Philadelphia.

CANUCKS NARROW DOWN THEIR REPLACEMENTS FOR TOCCHET

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma reports the Vancouver Canucks are getting close to finding their replacement for Tocchet behind their bench.

He listed Manny Malhotra, Adam Foote and Marco Sturm as the leading candidates. Malhotra is seen as the front-runner, partly due to his success coaching the Canucks’ AHL affiliate in Abbotsford.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Malhotra took over as Abbotsford’s head coach last season, earning praise for guiding them to a franchise record 44-24-2-2, finishing second in the AHL’s Western Conference with 92 points. They’re in the division finals against the Colorado Eagles, starting on Friday.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 10, 2025

by | May 10, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 10, 2025

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Wild forward Kirill Kaprizov could become the league’s highest-paid player, teammate Marco Rossi could be a Penguins trade target, and the latest on the newly christened Utah Mammoth.

A BIG PAYDAY AHEAD FOR KIRILL KAPRIZOV

SPORTSNET: Emily Sadler cited colleague Elliotte Friedman’s recent speculation suggesting Kirill Kaprizov could become the NHL’s highest-paid player.

Kaprizov, 28, has a year remaining on his contract with an annual average value of $9 million. He will become eligible for unrestricted free-agent status on July 1, 2026. The earliest the Wild can sign him to a contract extension is July 1, 2025.

Friedman said there are people in the league who believe Kaprizov will be the highest-paid player. “That in this next wave of contracts, with the cap going up…Kaprizov is going to end up No. 1 on the list.”

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Sadler pointed out that Wild owner Craig Leipold said last fall that his club intends to sign Kaprizov. “I will tell you, nobody will offer more money than us, or longer (years), so all we have to do is prove to him that we want to win.”

Wild general manager Bill Guerin recently said extending Kaprizov was his top priority. “I’d like to get it done as soon as possible,” he said.

Sadler noted that Edmonton Oilers center Leon Draisaitl’s new contract beginning in 2025-26 will make him the highest-paid player with an AAV of $14 million. She speculates Kaprizov’s could come in between $15.25 million and $16.35 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kaprizov didn’t sound concerned when asked about his next contract during the Wild’s locker cleanout day. If Leipold and Guerin are as determined to re-sign him as they claim, his next contract will likely fall within Sadler’s predicted parameters.

COULD MARCO ROSSI BE A FIT WITH THE PENGUINS?

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski noted reports out of Minnesota suggested Marco Rossi could become a trade candidate. The 23-year-old center is completing his entry-level contract, and there’s speculation over whether he fits into the Wild’s long-term plans.

Kingerski believes Rossi would be a good fit with the retooling Penguins. Long-time star Evgeni Malkin could retire after next season, leaving a big hole at center.

GM Kyle Dubas prefers trades for younger players who can provide help now and over the long term. He’d also like to acquire RFAs through trades instead of offer sheets. Kingerski believes the asking price could be the Penguins’ 2026 first-rounder (top-10 protected) or one of their top-line veteran wingers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The veteran winger would be Bryan Rust or Rickard Rakell. Rust’s no-movement clause ends on June 30, leaving him without no-trade protection for the remainder of his contract. Rakell, meanwhile, has an eight-team no-trade list throughout the remaining three years of his contract.

Rossi could be a good fit with the Penguins, but they’ll have competition for his services if the Wild puts him on the trade block. They could include the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Colorado Avalanche (if they don’t re-sign Brock Nelson), Montreal Canadiens, New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers and Vancouver Canucks.

IS A MAMMOTH SUMMER AHEAD FOR UTAH?

DAILY FACEOFF: Scott Maxwell cited Frank Seravalli predicting the newly christened Utah Mammoth will be aggressive buyers during the offseason.

Seravalli pointed out that they moved up to fourth overall in the first round during the recent draft lottery, calling it “an absolute bonus.” He also observed they have “a ton of other draft picks” and a prospect pipeline that’s so full they’ll literally have to trade some of them because they can’t sign all of them within the 50-player roster limit.

According to Seravalli, the Mammoth could pursue a defenseman and a top-six forward this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mammoth GM Bill Armstrong could be open to moving the fourth-overall pick if he gets a return that suits his immediate roster needs. He has all seven picks in this year’s draft to draw on for trade bait. He also has 11 picks in 2026 (including three in the second round, two in the third, and two in the fifth round) and nine in 2027 (including two fourth-round picks and two fifth-rounders).

Armstrong could also peddle 23-year-old winger Matias Maccelli, who struggled this season after reaching a career-high 57 points in 2023-24.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 8, 2025

by | May 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – May 8, 2025

Could the Canadiens attempt to trade Carey Price’s contract? Which centers could they target in this summer’s trade market? Could the Rangers shop Alexis Lafreniere? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST CANADIENS SPECULATION

PUCKPEDIA: Marco D’Amico believes the Montreal Canadiens could attempt to trade Carey Price’s contract to free up cap space for next season.

A knee injury ended Price’s playing career in 2022. Since then, the Canadiens placed him on long-term injury reserve (LTIR) to garner salary-cap relief. However, it could complicate things next season with promising youngsters like Lane Hutson and Ivan Demidov carrying performance bonuses in their contracts. If those players hit those bonuses, the Habs will be tagged with an overage.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price has been sidelined since 2022 (NHL Images).

Price’s contract has one year left with a $10.5 million cap hit, but he’ll earn an actual salary of $7.5 million, of which $5.5 million will be paid out as a signing bonus on July 1. The Canadiens could peddle it to a team trying to reach the salary-cap minimum next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens did the same thing with Shea Weber’s contract in 2022, trading it to the Vegas Golden Knights for winger Evgenii Dadonov. The Golden Knights flipped it to the Arizona Coyotes (now the Utah Mammoth) in 2023. Utah sent that contract to the Chicago Blackhawks at this year’s trade deadline.

Price carries a full no-movement clause but he won’t block the Habs from moving his contract. The $2 million base salary would make it quite affordable for teams hoping to keep their payrolls near the league minimum.

TVA SPORTS: Vincent Duquette listed 10 possible trade targets for the Canadiens to address their need for a second-line center, examining the pros and cons of each player.

Bo Horvat and Mathew Barzal of the New York Islanders top his list, followed by Nashville’s Ryan O’Reilly, Minnesota’s Marco Rossi and Anaheim’s Trevor Zegras.

Boston’s Pavel Zacha, Pittsburgh’s Evgeni Malkin, Seattle’s Matty Beniers, Mika Zibanejad of the New York Rangers, and Dallas’ Mavrik Bourque round out the list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Isles aren’t trading Horvat or Barzal unless one of them wants out, and even then, the Canadiens might not be on their lists of preferred destinations. O’Reilly lacks a no-trade clause, but the Predators treat him like he has one.

Rossi has resurfaced in the rumor mill. He’s a restricted free agent coming off an entry-level contract and finished second among Stars scorers with 60 points. However, the Canadiens could prefer a more physically imposing center.

Injuries have hampered Zegras over the past two seasons. He’s been primarily employed as a winger.

The Bruins are unlikely to move Zacha because they’re already thin at center and hope to bounce back from this season’s disappointing performance. Malkin intends to retire as a Penguin. The Kraken won’t part with Beniers unless the Canadiens are willing to overpay.

Zibanejad’s decline over the past two seasons screams “Buyer Beware!” Bourque is a promising player. but hasn’t established himself as a second-line center.

Looking at the list, the Canadiens’ best option might be Rossi, but it means adding another small forward to their roster.

COULD THE RANGERS TRADE ALEXIS LAFRENIERE?

NEW YORK POST: Mollie Walker took note of a reader’s point suggesting Alexis Lafreniere didn’t come up as much for poor play compared to some of his teammates this season. She believes it’s because the 23-year-old is still considered in their younger players category.

Walker noted that Lafreniere caught his share of flak after signing a seven-year contract extension last October. She doesn’t think it would be off-board for the Rangers to trade him, pointing out he’s underperformed during his five-year career.

Lafreniere lacks no-trade protection until 2026-27. Walker suggested that might prompt general manager Chris Drury to do something sooner rather than later if that’s the route he wishes to go.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Veteran winger Chris Kreider remains the player most likely to be moved in a cost-cutting trade this summer. Drury could hang on to Lafreniere, hoping he improves next season. Nevertheless, we can’t dismiss the possibility that he moves the young winger if he fetches a better return than Kreider.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 4, 2025

by | May 4, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 4, 2025

What’s next for the Wild and Avalanche heading into the offseason? Has Patrik Laine played his final game with the Canadiens? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WILD?

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith looked at the offseason “to-do” list for Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin.

Topping the list is signing Kirill Kaprizov to a contract extension. He has one season left on his five-year, $45 million contract. Russo and Smith speculate they’ll re-sign the 28-year-old superstar winger to an eight-year deal worth between $120 million and $128 million (between $15 million and $16 million annually).

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: John Shipley of The Pioneer Press acknowledged Kaprizov’s love of playing in Minnesota. However, he suggests money won’t be the critical factor. He raised the possibility that the winger might prefer playing in a bigger city, a bigger market, a warmer climate, a club better-situated to win the Stanley Cup, or one with more Russian players.

Shipley, Russo and Smith all believe the Wild must improve the roster around Kaprizov to show him they’re serious about building and maintaining a winner. They’ll have the salary-cap space this summer to do so ($20.5 million), but must ensure they leave enough long-term cap room for their superstar’s next contract.

Determining Marco Rossi’s future will also be on Guerin’s list. The 23-year-old center finished second among Wild scorers this season with 60 points, but he was buried on the fourth line during the playoffs.

Rossi rejected a contract offer from the Wild earlier this season. He’s a pending restricted free agent eligible to receive an offer sheet from a rival club.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rossi was the subject of trade speculation until December, when Guerin indicated he wasn’t trading the young center. The decline in his playing time in the postseason will only stoke the trade chatter this summer, especially with the threat of an offer sheet hanging in the air.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE AVALANCHE?

THE DENVER POST: Sean Keeler believes the Colorado Avalanche should part ways with head coach Jared Bednar and replace him with David Carle, the head coach of the University of Denver.

He believes Bednar has served the Avalanche well, but he’s been outcoached by Dallas Stars bench boss Peter DeBoer, going 0-4 in series against teams coached by DeBoer.

Keeler noted the Avalanche “maxed out their credit card” trying to buy a second championship for superstars Nathan MacKinnon and Cale Makar. The club lacks a first-round pick until 2027, when Bednar’s contract expires. The return of Gabriel Landeskog is inspiring but also adds $7 million to their salary cap, while Makar is due for a significant pay raise when his contract ends in 2027.

THE ATHLETIC: Mark Lazerus wondered what the consequences will be for the Colorado Avalanche after suffering an early playoff exit for the second straight year at the hands of the Dallas Stars.

He considers it unlikely that Bednar or general manager Chris McFarland won’t be back.

Bednar is the second-longest-tenured coach in the league and is well-respected. McFarland was praised for his midseason makeover of the roster, but he mortgaged part of the farm for Brock Nelson, who was an awkward fit and likely to depart as a free agent this summer. The Mikko Rantanen trade will hang around his neck for good or bad, fair or not.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have $8.7 million in projected cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. Nelson, Jonathan Drouin, Ryan Lindgren and Erik Johnson are among their notable UFAs and are unlikely to return.

Lazerus pointed out that Nelson’s expected departure will leave the Avalanche still searching for a reliable second-line center. They don’t have many tradeable assets to work with, and peddling a roster player like defenseman Samuel Girard or Martin Necas will only weaken their current roster.

A coaching change might help, but it’s not guaranteed to change things. Carle is seemingly on everyone’s dance card, but he wants to find the right fit, as was apparent when he took himself out of the running for the Chicago Blackhawks’ coaching job. A veteran-laden club under pressure to keep its Stanley Cup window open might not suit his needs.

COULD THE CANADIENS PART WAYS WITH LAINE?

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Pat Hickey suggests Patrik Laine has reached a crossroads with the Canadiens.

A broken finger sidelined Laine from the Habs’ final three playoff games, but Hickey indicated they were a better team without him. He noted that Laine didn’t seem to be suffering as he practiced before the Canadiens departed for Washington for Game 5.

Hickey considers Laine as “a one-trick pony”, saying teams have to hope this big shot will compensate for his lack of effort in the defensive zone. He believes the winger doesn’t fit head coach Martin St. Louis’ system and he has to go.

Laine’s track record and $8.7 million cap hit for next season make him an unlikely trade candidate unless the Canadiens retain salary or add a draft pick in the deal. A contract buyout is another option.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laine’s power-play goals helped power the Canadiens into a playoff berth by mid-January. However, his production noticeably declined following the 4 Nations Face-Off, and he wasn’t missed on their power play during those final games against the Capitals.

The Canadiens have a projected $8.6 million in cap space for next season with 18 active roster players under contract. However, they’ll garner $10.5 million in additional cap flexibility with Carey Price on permanent long-term injury reserve.

They could afford to retain salary if they want to move Laine to one of the teams not on his 10-team no-trade list. A contract buyout of his final season will count as $3.966 million against their cap for 2025-26 and $2.366 million for 2026-27.