NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

by | Jul 22, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2025

The latest on Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, and an update on Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON ERIK KARLSSON, BRYAN RUST AND RICKARD RAKELL

THE SPORTING NEWS: Sam Bernardi cited Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli claimed recently that the Carolina Hurricanes are among the teams that spent some time investigating Erik Karlsson.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Rickard Rakell (NHL Images)

The 35-year-old Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman is signed through 2026-27 with an average annual value (AAV) of $11.5 million, of which the Penguins carry $10 million. However, in actual salary, he’ll be paid $11.5 million over the remainder of his deal.

Seravalli also suggested the Penguins might have to retain salary to entice clubs to pursue Karlsson. Bernardi believes the Hurricanes would have to move Sean Walker or Jalen Chatfield to make room for Karlsson on the right side of their blueline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Karlsson could be moved this summer if he’s willing to waive his no-movement clause, and if the Penguins agree to eat a chunk of his AAV in the deal.

Karlsson is more likely to be moved near the March trade deadline, depending on his performance this season and how much salary the Penguins are willing to retain.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski calculated the trade values of Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. He indicated that the Penguins have set a “sky-high” asking price for both forwards.

Kingerski doesn’t expect Rust or Rakell would fetch anything comparable to what the Buffalo Sabres received for JJ Peterka or what the New York Islanders got for Brock Nelson.

Rakell might be worth a good B+ level prospect or player, a draft pick in the range 25th to 48th overall, and a depth NHL player. The “sky-high” asking price for Rust might be a guaranteed first-rounder and a promising young player who might become a first-line forward within a couple of seasons.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As with all speculation over the trade value of a player, Rust and Rakell could bring in returns that are better or worse than predicted. Much depends on their performances this season and the level of desperation of the clubs interested in acquiring them.

AN UPDATE ON THE DOUGIE HAMILTON TRADE SPECULATION.

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: If the Devils intend to trade Dougie Hamilton this summer, James Nichols believes it could hinge on what happens with several other defensemen in the rumor mill.

Hamilton, 32, has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $9 million and a 10-team trade list. He could become a salary-dump trade candidate if the cost of re-signing restricted free agent (RFA) blueliner Luke Hughes exceeds $7 million annually. The Devils currently have around $6.9 million in cap space for 2025-26.

One is Rasmus Andersson of the Calgary Flames. The 28-year-old blueliner is eligible for unrestricted free agent (UFA) status next July. It’s believed he’d like a change of scenery and he carries an affordable $4.5 million cap hit this season.

The other, of course, is Erik Karlsson of the Penguins.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Andersson would be the more desirable of the two in the trade market given his age, all-around skill and cap hit. The Flames are believed to be willing to entertain offers but they aren’t shopping him. General manager Craig Conroy said he’s fine with Andersson being in the lineup this season.

If Andersson and Karlsson are holding up the trade market for defensemen, and if Hughes’ next contract exceeds their current cap space, the Devils might have to consider moving someone other than Hamilton to become cap-compliant.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

by | Jul 20, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 20, 2025

Recent updates on Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Nazem Kadri, Erik Karlsson and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos recently released his updated offseason trade board.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some of this is a rehash of previously reported rumors by Kypreos. However, it’s been a slow weekend for rumors, so I’m including them as a recap.

The big question regarding Jason Robertson is whether the Dallas Stars are willing to sign him to a long-term extension. The 25-year-old left winger is among the Stars’ top scorers and is a restricted free agent next summer.

Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have Robertson and defenseman Thomas Harley as RFA-eligible with arbitration rights next summer. However, they have over $27 million in cap space with 15 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to re-sign both to expensive new contracts if they choose.

Robertson was mentioned in trade rumors after the Stars were eliminated from the Western Conference Final for the third straight year. However, it doesn’t appear as though there was any serious effort on their part to move him. That could change if they fail to stage a Cup run next spring.

Three members of the Pittsburgh Penguins (Bryan Rust, Rickard Rakell and Erik Karlsson) are on the list. It doesn’t include Sidney Crosby but Kypreos suggests keeping a close eye on the Penguins captain.

Kypreos claimed there’s “a ton of interest” in Rust. The 33-year-old wing has three years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection.

Rakell also has three years left on his contract with an AAV of $5 million, but carries an eight-team no-trade list. He could interest teams that are still seeking top-six scoring depth.

Karlsson is now owed a total of $11.5 million in actual salary over the final two years of his contract. If the Penguins retained part of their $10 million share of his $11.5 million cap hit, the 34-year-old defenseman could become an appealing trade target.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Recent reports out of Pittsburgh claim Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas isn’t shopping Rust and Rakell but is willing to listen to offers. There has been little indication that he’s willing to retain any part of Karlsson’s salary; he’ll have to if he intends to move the aging blueliner at some point.

As for Crosby, he’s in the first season of the two-year extension he signed last fall. All the speculation about him leaving the Penguins isn’t originating from Pittsburgh. Indeed, the local media is constantly reminding everyone that Crosby wants to stay put.

That could change, of course, but until it does, there’s nothing to see here.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri was added to the list. Given how thin the depth is for centers and his performance last season, the 34-year-old’s stock has never been higher.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos claimed that Kadri was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Toronto and Montreal. Previous reports indicate Kadri hasn’t requested a trade and the Flames aren’t willing to move their top center and leading scorer. If they were, the Maple Leafs lack the trade assets to acquire him, and the Canadiens aren’t giving up assets for a center who turns 35 in October with an AAV of $7 million through 2028-29.

Speaking of the Flames, Kypreos believes Rasmus Andersson will most likely be playing on a new team by the March trade deadline. The 28-year-old defenseman is UFA-eligible next July and there’s no indication he’ll sign an extension before then.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: He’ll definitely be moved if the Flames are out of playoff contention by the trade deadline.

Kypreos wondered if Morgan Rielly might waive his no-movement clause for a fresh start elsewhere. The 31-year-old Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman has five years remaining on his contract with an AAV of $7.5 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I’m guessing Rielly has no intention of waiving his NMC.

Speaking of the Maple Leafs, Kypreos adding Brandon Carlo to the list. While it’s hard to believe the Leafs could trade the recently acquired defenseman, a lack of sufficient trade assets to acquire a scoring forward could make Carlo expendable.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos published this list before the Leafs acquired checking-line forward Dakota Joshua. He won’t address that need for a scoring winger, which suggests they’re shoring up depth elsewhere in the lineup instead. That would mean the current makeup of their top-six forwards is what we’ll likely see to start the season in October.

According to Kypreos, the Jordan Kyrou trade rumors won’t go away. St. Louis Blues GM Doug Armstrong would like to make more changes to his roster, and he could move the 27-year-old winger for a big return. Kyrou is signed through 2030-31 with an AAV of $8.l25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kyrou rumors died away on July 1, when his full no-trade clause kicked in.

New Jersey Devils defenseman Dougie Hamilton recently surfaced in the rumor mill. The 32-year-old carries a $9 million AAV for the next three seasons with a 10-team no-trade list. Kypreos wondered if they might move Hamilton for a return that brings back a solid contributor. He thinks we could get a clearer picture once the Devils re-sign blueliner Luke Hughes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule anything out, especially with a dozen teams carrying over $10 million in cap space this summer. That doesn’t mean Hamilton is certain to be traded, but it could make it easier if one of the teams not on his no-trade list is interested in him.

The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi has made the latter the subject of trade conjecture. Wild GM Bill Guerin said he’ll match any offer sheet for the 23-year-old center. Kypreos believes there could be clarity on this once the Wild sign superstar Kirill Kaprizov to an extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos suggests Guerin could be unwilling to part with Rossi until he knows for certain how much it’ll cost to keep Kaprizov in Minnesota. Meanwhile, the Wild GM recently insisted that his club wants to retain Rossi.

The Colorado Avalanche must sort out Martin Necas’ future. The 26-year-old forward is a year away from UFA status and could seek around $10 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Avalanche have over $26 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 15 active roster players under contract. There’s plenty of room to re-sign Necas, but they must ensure they have sufficient long-term cap room to re-sign Cale Makar to the hefty raise that he’ll seek when his contract expires in 2027.

Jonathan Marchessault could become a trade candidate if the Nashville Predators decide to shed one of their expensive long-term contracts.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Predators GM Barry Trotz shot down speculation that Marchessault was unhappy in Nashville and would welcome a trade. He’s got a full no-movement clause. Trotz said he wanted to allow his veteran core to rebound from last season’s poor performance.

The Florida Panthers must shed salary to become cap-compliant if Matthew Tkachuk doesn’t start the season on long-term injury reserve. Winger Evan Rodrigues could become a cost-cutting trade candidate.

Meanwhile, the Tampa Bay Lightning could attempt to create some salary cap space by peddling defenseman Ryan McDonagh.

Kypreos wonders if the Seattle Kraken’s addition of left-side defenseman Ryan Lindgren could make blueliner Jamie Oleksiak available.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025

by | Jul 8, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 8, 2025

Check out the latest on the Penguins and Canadiens in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TEAMS STILL CALLING ABOUT PENGUINS FORWARDS RUST AND RAKELL

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe reports that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell “remain considerable commodities on the trade market.” He cited league and Penguins sources claiming “opposing teams still have heavy interest in both wingers.”

Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas doesn’t feel that he needs to trade either winger. They are talented players who enjoy playing in Pittsburgh, team captain Sidney Crosby enjoys being their linemate, and they’re fairly paid.

Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, Yohe cited league sources saying they expect one of them to be traded this summer. He also indicated the Carolina Hurricanes were interested in both players, but instead signed winger Nikolaj Ehlers last week.

PITTSBURGH HOCKEY NOW: Dan Kingerski suggested the Detroit Red Wings, Los Angeles Kings, and Seattle Kraken as possible trade destinations for Rakell. He also felt the rebuilding San Jose Sharks could be a wild card.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rust carries an average annual value of $5.125 million through 2027-28. He had a full no-movement clause until July 1 and now lacks no-trade protection. Rakell is also signed through 2027-28 ($5 million AAV) with an eight-team no-trade list.

Rust seems the easiest to move, but Dubas could give him the choice of potential destinations. We can’t dismiss the possibility of Rakell fetching a better offer from one of the teams not on his no-trade list.

Dubas is trying to rebuild as quickly as possible. His asking price could be a high draft pick or a top prospect bundled with a promising young NHL player.

The Penguins GM can afford to remain patient. If there aren’t any suitable offers for Rust or Rakell this summer, he can try again before the March trade deadline.

CANADIENS ARE STILL SHOPPING IN THE TRADE MARKET

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Montreal Canadiens are still trying to make moves in the trade market. On June 27, they acquired defenseman Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders, and last week shipped defenseman Logan Mailloux to the St. Louis Blues for gritty winger Zack Bolduc.

D’Amico cited sources claiming the Canadiens are still looking at Blues winger Jordan Kyrou. While his no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, he remains a hot topic for teams seeking offense.

The Canadiens are also interested in former Washington Capitals center Evgeny Kuznetsov. They would like to free up some salary cap space before the start of the regular season.

D’Amico also noted some online rumors concerning Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli. However, his no-trade clause began on July 1, and the Lightning have no one to replace him.

Mason McTavish has been the subject of offer-sheet speculation. However, D’Amico reports the 23-year-old center doesn’t want to leave the Anaheim Ducks. He also noted teams are reluctant to part with their 2026 first-round picks, which would be necessary as part of the compensation to the Ducks if McTavish were successfully signed away.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues may be willing to listen to offers for Kyrou, but they’re not believed to be shopping Kyrou. Their asking price will be expensive. It could cost the Canadiens a top prospect like Michael Hage or David Reinbacher, their 2026 first-round pick, and a decent roster player.

Kuznetsov played alongside promising Canadiens winger Ivan Demidov in the KHL last year. However, it’s questionable that the 33-year-old center can adequately fill the role of an NHL second-line center. His performance declined significantly during his final NHL campaign in 2023-24. That’s the reason why he ended up playing in Russia last season.

The Cirelli rumor was wishful-thinking nonsense long before his NTC began. He’s among the top two-way centers in the league and was a finalist for the Selke Trophy last season. The Lightning aren’t trading him.

Idle speculation about McTavish’s role with the Ducks blew up into suggestions that he could be a trade or offer-sheet candidate this summer. Like the Cirelli rumor, it was wishful thinking. The Ducks have no reason to trade McTavish; they have the cap space to match any offer sheet, and it’s doubtful any team will overpay to get him.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 6, 2025

by | Jul 6, 2025

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – July 6, 2025

What are the Rangers’ plans for Artemi Panarin? Could the Blues acquire Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram? What’s the latest on the Red Wings? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

WHAT ARE THE RANGERS PLANS FOR PANARIN?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks wondered what the New York Rangers intend to do with Artemi Panarin following the 2025-26 season. The 33-year-old left winger has a year left on his contract and is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July.

Brooks considers Panarin to be the greatest free-agent signing in Rangers history. Since joining the Blueshirts in 2019, he’s fourth among all NHL scorers with 550 points since 2019-20. He has also led the Rangers in scoring in each of his six seasons with the club.

New York Rangers winger Artemi Panarin (NHL Images).

According to Brooks, the Rangers haven’t opened contract extension talks yet with Panarin. That raises the possibility of his departure next summer. Despite his age, Panarin has turned in his best seasons in his 30s.

Brooks suggests a four-year extension could do the trick. He believes the Rangers can’t afford to lose Panarin, suggesting having him on the roster beyond next season could help them entice other free-agent talent next summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speculation over Panarin’s future is bound to surface in the rumor mill at some point in this offseason. The longer he goes without a contract extension, the more questions will be raised about where he’ll be playing after this season.

The Rangers have over $29 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 17 active roster players under contract. Braden Schneider is the only key player besides Panarin to be re-signed. They’ll have the cap room to re-sign the high-scoring winger, perhaps even to a slight pay cut from his current $11.6 million AAV.

Whether Panarin wants to stay is another matter. That decision could depend on the club’s performance this season. If he feels the Rangers aren’t in Cup contention, he could move on to a team that would allow him to win that elusive championship.

COULD THE BLUES ACQUIRE BOWEN BYRAM?

THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford and Matthew Fairburn examined recent speculation suggesting the St. Louis Blues were attempting to acquire Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Blues are trying to revamp their defense corps. Rutherford and Fairburn believe he’d slot in as their second-pairing right-side blueliner if they could include Justin Faulk in the deal. They also speculate the Blues might have to part with a good young NHL player (like Jake Neighbours) as part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The last two major trades made by the Sabres were player-for-player swaps. That included the deal that sent Byram to the Sabres in 2024, with Casey Mittelstadt going to the Colorado Avalanche.

The Sabres already have plenty of draft picks and prospects. They want a player who can help them immediately, starting this season.

Faulk isn’t that player. He’s 33 years old with two years left on his contract at an AAV of $6.5 million. He also has a 15-team no-trade list, and there’s a good chance that the Sabres are on that list. 

THE RED WINGS ARE STILL TRYING TO ADD TO THEIR ROSTER

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff recently reported that Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman isn’t giving up trying to add to his roster this summer. He intends to explore the trade market to try and make the necessary upgrades to his team.

Yzerman addressed his goaltending depth by acquiring John Gibson from the Anaheim Ducks. However, the Wings still need a top-six forward and a top-four defenseman.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman noted that Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell and Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram are the big-name forwards believed to be available in this summer’s trade market. That’s assuming the Dallas Stars don’t put winger Jason Robertson on the trade block.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We already know that the Sabres want a good young NHL player as part of the return for Byram. The rebuilding Penguins would likely want a similar return for Rust or Rakell. As for Robertson, there’s no indication that the Stars are shopping him, though there are probably clubs that could be interested in acquiring him.

Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and center Marco Kasper could be the players the Sabres or Penguins would want as part of the return. However, it’s unlikely Yzerman would give up either of those promising youngsters.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025

by | Jul 5, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 5, 2025

Could the Maple Leafs attempt a reunion with Nazem Kadri? What’s the latest on the Penguins? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE MAPLE LEAFS TRY TO BRING BACK NAZEM KADRI?

TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan wondered if Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving would attempt to bring Nazem Kadri back to Toronto.

The Leafs traded Kadri to the Colorado Avalanche in 2019. In 2022, he signed a seven-year contract with the Calgary Flames, whose GM at the time was Treliving.

Calgary Flames center Nazem Kadri (NHL Images).

Koshan said he wasn’t suggesting anything was imminent trade-wise between the Leafs and Flames. He cited an NHL source claiming Kadri wouldn’t use his no-movement clause to block a return to Toronto. However, Kadri enjoys playing in Calgary and isn’t looking to be moved, nor has he been asked to waive his NMC.

THE SPORTING NEWS: cited TSN’s Darren Dreger indicated the Flames don’t want to trade Kadri, whose NMC remains in effect until next July, when it becomes a 13-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames came close to making the playoffs last season, with Kadri playing a key role as their leading scorer. He’ll be a crucial part of their postseason hopes for 2025-26. They’re not parting with Kadri unless he demands to be traded, and there’s no indication he wants out.

Assuming Kadri would welcome a trade to Toronto, the retooling Flames would likely want a good young player as part of the return. That’s something the Leafs lack among their limited tradeable assets.

THE LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

THE ATHLETIC: Josh Yohe recently looked at trade speculation surrounding Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell. The 33-year-old Rust’s no-movement clause ended on July 1.

Yohe had a hunch that both players would be part of the Penguins’ starting lineup in October. However, he expects at least one of them will be playing elsewhere by the March 2026 trade deadline.

“They’re great players, great guys, and fairly paid,” wrote Yohe. “But they’re also valuable commodities who are in their 30s. Does keeping them make sense?” He thinks both players could command a first-round pick in return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Penguins GM Kyle Dubas has resisted moving Rust or Rakell this summer, possibly because he hasn’t received any suitable trade offers, or maybe because he wants to maintain some veteran depth to his rebuilding roster for the coming season.

Whatever the reason, one of them could indeed be on the move by the trade deadline if, as expected, the Penguins are out of playoff contention by then.

TVA SPORTS: cited Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos believes Sidney Crosby could be moved by the March 2026 trade deadline.

Kypreos noted that the 37-year-old Crosby is still performing at a high level. He thinks the Penguins’ captain is too good a player to be acting as a babysitter for young talent on a non-contending club.

“Leaving him in Pittsburgh would be a disservice to our game,” Kypreos said. He then deadpanned about Crosby possibly landing with the Montreal Canadiens following the Olympic break.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos is among several pundits who believe Crosby must be traded to a playoff contender “for the good of the game”. Some suggest the long-time Penguins superstar join the Canadiens, his boyhood team. Others openly salivate over the thought of him playing alongside his buddy (and fellow Cole Harbour, NS native) Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche.

Folks, it’s up to Crosby to decide what he thinks is best for him. And if that means staying with the now-rebuilding Penguins until he retires, so be it. If he wanted out, he never would’ve signed that two-year extension last September. He would’ve let his contract expire and hit the open market this past Tuesday.

Crosby could change his mind if he feels that he wants one more shot at the Stanley Cup. Maybe he sticks around long enough for Evgeny Malkin’s farewell tour this season and decides he’s had enough.

Or maybe, just maybe, Crosby intends to remain loyal to the only NHL team he’s ever played for, and sticks around to provide guidance and leadership to the promising next generation of Penguins players. Either way, it’ll be what’s best for him, and it won’t hurt the integrity of the game at all.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2025

by | Jul 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – July 4, 2025

What’s the latest on Bowen Byram? What will teams do that missed out in the free-agent market? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST BOWEN BYRAM SPECULATION

TSN: cited the Athletic’s Jeremy Rutherford reporting the St. Louis Blues have been trying hard to acquire Bowen Byram. He also speculated that the 24-year-old Buffalo Sabres defenseman could receive an offer sheet.

The Blues made headlines last summer by using offer sheets to successfully sign away defenseman Philip Broberg and winger Dylan Holloway from the Edmonton Oilers.

THE ATHLETIC: Matthew Fairburn reminded us that Byram is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights this summer. However, he’s yet to put pen to paper on a new contract with the Sabres.

Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram (NHL Images).

Earlier this week, Sabres general manager Kevyn Adams indicated that he would match any offer sheet for Byram, pointing out they saved cap space ($12 million) to address that possibility.

If Adams decides to trade Byram, his preference is for a return that immediately helps the Sabres. Fairburn speculated that it could contain multiple players, like the recent JJ Peterka deal with the Utah Mammoth. It could also involve packaging Byram with a pick or prospect for a better player.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have just over $625,000 in cap space, but they can free up $6.5 million by placing Torey Krug on long-term injury reserve (LTIR). Nevertheless, that won’t be enough for an unmatchable offer sheet for Byram.

If Byram wants out of Buffalo, signing an offer sheet could backfire on him if the Sabres match. A trade seems the only way he gets moved this summer, and that’s not a certainty if Adams doesn’t get the return he wants.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR TEAMS THAT MISSED OUT ON FREE AGENCY?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jonathan Tovell cited TSN’s Chris Johnston speculating that teams that lost out on the best available talent in this summer’s unrestricted free-agent market (UFA) could turn to the trade market to address their roster needs.

Potential trade options include Pittsburgh Penguins forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell, Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson, or Nashville Predators winger Jonathan Marchessault.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins are open to offers for Rust and Rakell but they aren’t shopping them. The asking price will include a good young NHL player in the return.

The Stars are roughly $1.8 million over the salary cap. They can be over the cap by 10 percent during the offseason but must be cap-compliant at the start of the regular season.

Robertson surfaced in the rumor mill following the Stars’ third-straight elimination from the Western Conference Final. He’s a year away from restricted free-agent status (RFA) with arbitration rights and a year away from UFA eligibility after that.

Shedding Robertson’s $7.75 million AAV for this season would not only make them cap-compliant but also provide invaluable wiggle room for other moves during the season. Given his value to their offense, however, they could opt for a more affordable move to shed salary.

As for Marchessault, Nashville general manager Barry Trotz said there was no truth to the recent trade rumors, indicating the veteran winger will return with the Predators this season.

Tovell also mentioned the possibility of some teams targeting RFAs on other clubs with offer sheets. Possible targets include Kaapo Kakko of the Seattle Kraken, Alex Laferriere of the Los Angeles Kings, Gabriel Vilardi of the Winnipeg Jets, Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild and Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks.

However, those players must be willing to entertain those offer sheets. If they do, their current clubs have the option to match them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be a waste of time for clubs to target most of those players as their current teams have over $10 million in salary-cap space, more than enough to match.