NHL Rumor Mill – June 11, 2026

by | Jun 11, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 11, 2026

Check out the latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk, and Blues center Robert Thomas in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun provided an update on the trade request of Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.

Detroit Red Wings general manager Steve Yzerman and Pat Brisson (Dylan Larkin’s agent) continue to try to work through this in a respectful manner.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

Yzerman has asked the Larkin camp to expand their original three-team trade list, and Brisson was receptive “to some degree”. The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers were the three teams on Larkin’s list.

Regardless of that trade list, LeBrun claimed other teams are also interested in Larkin. One of them is the Dallas Stars, prompting LeBrun to consider it “food for thought” if the Stars fail to sign winger Jason Robertson to a contract extension.

LeBrun also believes a third team might need to get involved to make the assets work for the Red Wings.

SPORTSNET: During the June 10 episode of the “32 Thoughts” podcast, Elliotte Friedman said he’d heard there could be other clubs that Larkin might be willing to join. He believes the Stars and the Tampa Bay Lightning could be two options.

Friedman also thinks that teams have already submitted trade offers to the Red Wings, including the Wild and the Panthers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Larkin really wants out of Detroit, he’ll have to expand his list of preferred destinations. Adding two or three more clubs could help Yzerman find an acceptable return for him.

However, the teams on his trade list could lack sufficient trade assets to make the deal work. That’s why LeBrun suggests it could take bringing in a third team to thread the needle here.

If the Stars can’t get Robertson under contract, they could offer him up to the Red Wings for Larkin. The 27-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who’s a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He also lacks no-trade protection.

In that scenario, the Red Wings would need assurances that Robertson would be open to a long-term contract with them. While that move would address their need for a first-line left winger, it would leave them without a first and second-line center.

ZACH WERENSKI DOESN’T WANT OUT OF COLUMBUS

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported there was speculation over what effect Dylan Larkin’s trade request would have on Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Werenski and Larkin are close friends and were teammates on Team USA’s gold-medal Olympic men’s hockey team.

LeBrun indicated that the 28-year-old defenseman isn’t following Larkin’s lead and asking the Blue Jackets for a trade. However, LeBrun isn’t ruling out the possibility, based on the fact that, at some point, Werenski and Jackets management will have to discuss the blueliner’s future in Columbus.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like the Red Wings, the Blue Jackets came close to making the playoffs over the past two years, only to stumble during the final weeks of the regular season.

Unlike Larkin, who has five years left on his contract, Werenski has two years on his. He could see how next season pans out before making any decision about his future.

Werenski is part of the 2028 UFA class that includes Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers, Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs, and Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators. However, if their teams fail to improve in 2026-27, they could all be on the move in next summer’s trade market.

COULD THE SENATORS PURSUE JAKE DEBRUSK?

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports “two league sources” believe the Senators are among a group of teams interested in Jake DeBrusk of the Vancouver Canucks.

The 29-year-old winger has spent the past two seasons with the Canucks. He has five years left on his contract with an average annual value of $5.5 million. He also has a full no-movement clause.

Garrioch believed DeBrusk could be a good fit among the Senators’ top-six forwards. He’s reportedly not thrilled about being on a team undergoing a roster teardown.

The Senators also reportedly have an interest in forward Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks and winger Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues. However, it’s believed that Kyrou won’t waive his no-trade clause for Ottawa. The Philadelphia Flyers are also believed to be interested in McTavish.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Garrioch believes the rebuilding Canucks won’t be seeking much for DeBrusk because they want to move his contract. They will likely seek a return of futures (draft picks, prospects, young NHL players) in any trades this summer involving their roster players.

The sticking point is DeBrusk’s NMC and whether he’d waive it to join the Senators.

BLUES SOUGHT AN EXPENSIVE RETURN FROM THE FLYERS FOR ROBERT THOMAS

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio cited The Athletic’s Kevin Kurz, who claimed the Philadelphia Flyers and St. Louis Blues discussed a trade earlier this season regarding Blues center Robert Thomas.

According to Kurz, the Blues’ asking price was winger Porter Martone, prospect center Jack Nesbitt, and the Flyers’ first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: And now you know why Robert Thomas remains with the Blues and will continue to remain a Blue for the foreseeable future. That asking price was far too much for the Flyers, who know they’ve got a potential superstar in Martone.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2026

by | Jun 9, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 9, 2026

The Oilers are looking into hiring Mike Babcock as head coach; the Kings will reportedly name Peter Laviolette as their new bench boss; the latest on the Golden Knights and Hurricanes; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

TSN: Darren Dreger reported the Edmonton Oilers are consulting with the NHL Players’ Association to see if there are any objections to be resolved before potentially hiring Mike Babcock as their new head coach.

Former Columbus Blue Jackets head coach Mike Babcock (NHL Images).

According to Dreger, if an investigation is required, sources say the league will manage it. The NHLPA has declined to comment.

Dreger’s colleague, Ryan Rishaug, reported members of the Oilers’ leadership group recently spoke directly to Babcock about the possibility of becoming their new coach.

The Columbus Blue Jackets hired Babcock as their new bench boss in the summer of 2023. However, he stepped down before the 2023-24 season following allegations that he asked players to show him personal photos from their phones, sparking concerns about invasion of the players’ privacy.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting sources claim that Babcock has directly spoken with Oilers owner Daryl Katz. He also stated that Babcock spoke with several members of the team’s leadership group.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Oilers insider Bob Stauffer also reported that the Oilers are interested in hiring Babcock. “From ownership, to management, to the players, (Mike Babcock) is the selection for the Edmonton Oilers hockey club,” Stauffer said.

Babcock had a history of mistreating players during his tenures with the Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs. The Oilers’ interest in him isn’t going down well with some Edmonton pundits, who believe the unavailability of former Vegas Golden Knights head coach Bruce Cassidy has pushed them toward Babcock.

LOS ANGELES TIMES: The Kings are reportedly set to hire Peter Laviolette as their new head coach. While the club hasn’t made it official yet, Laviolette is expected to sign a three-year contract with the Kings.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kings would be Laviolette’s seventh NHL team in his 23-season coaching career. He guided the Carolina Hurricanes to the Stanley Cup in 2006. He also coached the Philadelphia Flyers (2010) and Nashville Predators (2017) to the Stanley Cup Final, and the New York Rangers to the Presidents’ Trophy in 2023-24.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: The Golden Knights enter Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final holding a 2-1 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes.

A strong camaraderie among the Vegas Golden Knights players helped them win the Stanley Cup in 2023. The same vibe permeates their dressing room in this postseason.

THE NEWS & OBSERVER: The Hurricanes have yet to name their starting goaltender for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday.

Brandon Bussi relieved starter Frederik Andersen in Game 3 after the latter allowed four goals in the second period. Bussi backstopped the Hurricanes’ third-period comeback before they fell 5-4 in double overtime.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The speculation grew on Monday after Andersen missed practice for a maintenance day.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: The annual Montreal Sports Celebrity Evening turned into an impromptu farewell party for Canadiens winger Brendan Gallagher, who was honored on Sunday as Sports Personality of the Year.

Gallagher, 34, told reporters last week that he would be moving on from the Canadiens. His performance declined this season, leading to a reduction in his playing time. He was a healthy scratch for all but three of the Canadiens’ 19 playoff games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gallagher has expressed an interest in being traded to his hometown of Vancouver. He confirmed that the Canadiens have permitted his agent to speak with other teams to facilitate a trade. I’ll have more about that in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Plano, Texas city council voted to approve a $700 million funding plan for a new arena for the Dallas Stars, who currently reside at American Airlines Center in downtown Dallas.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 3, 2026

by | Jun 3, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – June 3, 2026

The Golden Knights take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final, Zach Werenski wins the Norris Trophy, Chris MacFarland leaves the Avalanche for the Predators, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

NHL.COM: Tomas Hertl broke a 4-4 tie late in the third period to give the Vegas Golden Knights a 5-4 victory over the Carolina Hurricanes in Game 1 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl (NHL Images).

Defensemen Shea Theodore and Brayden McNabb each collected three points, and Brett Howden tallied his playoff-leading 11th goal for the Golden Knights, who overcame an early 2-0 deficit for the win.

Nikolaj Ehlers opened the scoring with two early goals, and Jordan Staal and Shayne Gostisbehere also scored as the Hurricanes battled back from 3-2 and 4-3 deficits.

Game 2 is Thursday evening in Raleigh.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If Game 1 is any indication, this could be an entertaining series. It was a see-saw tilt between these two clubs as they faced each other for the first time since their two-game season series in October.

The Hurricanes dropped Game 1 of the Eastern Conference Final against the Montreal Canadiens, but rallied back to crush the Habs in the next four games with their relentless forechecking and stifling defense. However, the Golden Knights are a more experienced opponent who play a similar style, putting pressure on their opponents and forcing turnovers.

SPORTSNET: Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets won the James Norris Memorial Trophy as this season’s top NHL defenseman. It’s the first time the 28-year-old Werenski has won this award, and he’s the first Blue Jackets rearguard to do so.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski was the favorite to win the Norris for most of this season. It’s a well-deserved honor for the long-time Blue Jackets defenseman, who is the franchise’s all-time assists leader (330) and is second in points with 465.

Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche was second in the voting, with Rasmus Dahlin of the Buffalo Sabres third.

THE TENNESSEAN: The Nashville Predators named Chris MacFarland as their new president of hockey operations and general manager. He spent the past 11 seasons with the Colorado Avalanche, working as their GM since 2022-23.

MacFarland is a finalist for this season’s Jim Gregory NHL General Manager of the Year Award. He will replace Barry Trotz, who announced he would step down as the Predators GM once a suitable replacement was found.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No surprise here. Rumors emerged two weeks ago claiming MacFarland could be leaving the Avalanche for a larger role with the Predators.

The Avalanche announced team president Joe Sakic will resume the GM duties for the foreseeable future. MacFarland’s departure could mean the Avalanche won’t be replacing head coach Jared Bednar for the time being.

NHL.COM: League commissioner Gary Bettman said the NHL continues to experience record revenue growth year-over-year during his annual “State of the League” press conference ahead of the Stanley Cup Final.

Bettman said revenue for this season was between $7.5 billion and $8 billion. That growth is a result of the league having over 75 sponsors, record broadcasting ratings, and gate receipts that were over 96 percent in the regular season and 100 percent in the playoffs.

Other notable points from Bettman’s presser:

The league and the NHL Players Association expressed concern regarding the NCAA’s plans to give athletes five years of eligibility from their high school or their 19th birthday, whichever comes first.

Hockey is different from other sports because players are often older after first spending time at the junior level or at a prep school. Other hockey organizations across North America joined the NHL in expressing concern, including the three Canadian junior leagues, the USHL, USA Hockey, and the college coaches association.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The report indicated that NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly spoke with NCAA president Charlie Baker, who has some ideas that might address the issue. It’ll be interesting to see what those ideas will be, and whether they’ll be acceptable to those with concerns.

The 2027 NHL All-Star Weekend will include a round-robin, three-on-three tournament featuring international teams that include Canada, the United States, Sweden, Finland, and a World team of players from other nations, including Russian players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The NHL followed the IIHF’s lead of banning Russian players from previous tournaments since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. However, the IIHF is reconsidering its stance, and the NHL has yet to decide whether Russia will be part of the 2028 World Cup of Hockey.

Bettman, 74, also acknowledged recent reports that he’s had discussions regarding succession plans with the league’s executive committee over the past two years. He downplayed the reports, but admitted that his career will wind down eventually.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: The Dallas Stars have signed a nonbinding letter of intent to build a new arena with the Dallas suburb of Plano. They are awaiting a vote by the Plano City Council. If approved, the new arena would be constructed before the Stars’ lease with American Airlines Arena expires in 2031.

TSN: The St. Louis Blues hired former NHL star Mikko Koivu as their new European development consultant.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: Billionaire Melinda French Gates has become a minority investor in the Kraken.

R.ORG: Marco D’Amico profiled Kamloops Blazers winger JP Hurlbert. The Texas native opted to leave the USNTDP to play in the WHL during his draft year, finishing fourth in league scoring with 97 points.

The 18-year-old Hurlbert has committed to the University of Michigan for next season. He could become a sleeper pick in the latter half of the first round in this year’s draft.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 24, 2026

by | May 24, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – May 24, 2026

Check out the latest on the Golden Knights, Stars, Canucks, and Kings in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

CAP SPACE AN OFFSEASON ISSUE FOR THE GOLDEN KNIGHTS AND STARS

THE ATHLETIC: Harman Dayal listed seven teams that could face a salary-cap crunch in 2026-27. Two of the more interesting were the Vegas Golden Knights and Dallas Stars.

The Golden Knights have a projected $12.5 million in salary-cap space if sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo remains on LTIR for next season. That won’t leave much to re-sign restricted free agent winger Pavel Dorofeyev and pending unrestricted free-agent defenseman Rasmus Andersson.

Vegas Golden Knights forward Tomas Hertl (NHL Images).

Dayal speculated that forward Tomas Hertl could become a salary-cap casualty. The Golden Knights are carrying $6.75 million of his $8.137 million average annual value (with this former club, the San Jose Sharks, carrying the rest) through 2029-30.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev’s RFA status would make him an enticing offer-sheet candidate if he’s willing to consider that option. Because he has arbitration rights, interested teams will have from the start of free agency on July 1 until the July 5 arbitration filing deadline to make their pitch, assuming he doesn’t file between those dates. If he goes to arbitration, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

The Golden Knights acquired Andersson from the Calgary Flames in January. Some observers wondered why they haven’t re-signed him yet. It’s believed they’re waiting until July 1 to do so. On that date, they’ll be allowed to exceed the salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason. It will also give them time to determine if Pietrangelo will remain on LTIR for next season.

Hertl has a modified no-trade clause, but there are no details as to how limiting it might be. Dayal suggested that the high demands for centers could create plenty of opportunities for the Golden Knights to move him.

The Stars’ limited cap space has created speculation over how they’ll free up room to re-sign RFA winger Jason Robertson. Dayal also mentioned that it could make center Mavrik Bourque a tempting offer-sheet target. He suggested that the Stars could have difficulty matching a $4.775 million offer sheet for Bourque, and it would only cost a second-round pick in compensation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson’s situation has been well-documented. However, the Bourque offer sheet scenario could be intriguing.

Bourque is completing a one-year deal with an AAV of $950,000 and, like Robertson, has arbitration rights. The versatile 24-year-old can play center or wing, lacks no-trade protection, and had a career-best 20 goals and 21 assists for 41 points this season.

As with Hertl, the demand for centers could tempt a rival club to try to sign Bourque to an offer sheet, assuming he’s interested in doing so. Signing him to between $4.776 million and $7.163 million would cost a first and a third-round pick, so it’s understandable why Dayal suggested the $4.775 million AAV offer.

THE LATEST ON THE CANUCKS

THE PROVINCE: Ben Kuzma suggested the Vancouver Canucks should be buoyed by the Montreal Canadiens’ swift rise to ensure long-term competitiveness. As the Canucks embark on a rebuild, they can draw lessons from the Canadiens’ efforts, which turned them from a last-overall team to an Eastern Conference finalist within four years.

Kuzma observed that one of the ways the Canadiens rebuilt quickly was by identifying roster players with market value to acquire assets, while targeting players who hadn’t yet hit their stride with other clubs.

Winger Jake DeBrusk and defenseman Filip Hronek could be marketable players for the Canucks.

DeBrusk, 29, wants to win now. His goal production and his affordable $5.5 million AAV for the next five seasons could be attractive in the trade market.

The 28-year-old Hronek is a big-minute, lead-by-example defenseman who finished second in scoring on the Canucks this season. He has a full no-movement clause, but Kuzma speculated he could fetch a first-round pick, a prime prospect, and perhaps more.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrusk has indicated he’s not keen about a rebuild, which makes him the more likely of the two to be traded this summer. He also has a full no-movement clause, but will be open to waiving it to join a playoff club.

Management will have to determine whether Hronek wants to be part of the rebuild. If he does, he can provide leadership and skilled experience to their young defense corps. Otherwise, they’ll find out where he wants to be traded and go from there.

UPDATE ON THE KINGS

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens recently listed who stays and who goes from the Los Angeles Kings this summer.

Stephens included Darcy Kuemper among those he believes are “staying put, almost certainly”. He noted that the 35-year-old goaltender’s struggles this season cost him his job as the team’s starting goalie.

Kuemper has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.25 million. Stephens believes he could be a comeback candidate or put on the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kuemper also has a 10-team no-trade list. Despite that and his struggles this season, the limited market for goaltenders could make him a trade target for clubs desperate for help between the pipes.

Stephens thinks Trevor Moore could stay put, but he noted that the 31-year-old forward has been up-and-down in recent years. He also observed that he has two years left on his contract without trade protection.

They could face a tough decision with pending UFA Scott Laughton. His departure would leave them thin at center if they can’t find a suitable replacement. He will draw interest in the free-agent market. Forwards Mathieu Joseph and Andrei Kuzmenko are UFA-eligible and unlikely to be back.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2026

by | May 14, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 14, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: what’s next for the Wild, more speculation about Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies, and potential cost-cutting trade candidates for the Stars.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE WILD?

ESPN.COM: Ryan S. Clark looks at what’s ahead for the Minnesota Wild following their second-round elimination by the Colorado Avalanche.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin has eight players slated to become unrestricted free agents this summer. They include Vladimir Tarasenko, Mats Zuccarello, Nick Foligno, Marcus Johansson, Michael McCarron, Zach Bogosian, and Jeff Petry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild have just over $13.5 million in projected salary-cap space for 2026-27, with 17 active roster players under contract.

Zuccarello should be back for sure, given his value to the Wild. Johansson and Tarasenko might also return on affordable short-term deals if they remain interested in playing for a contender. McCarron’s physical style could also earn him a new contract.

Clark believes the Wild must consider adding top-six help. He noted that they will have limited cap space for next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was rumored that Guerin was in the market for a first or second-line center before the March trade deadline. The Wild were linked to Vincent Trocheck, but there’s no certainty the 33-year-old New York Rangers center would agree to be traded to Minnesota when his preference is to remain in the Eastern Conference.

Guerin must balance his need to add a center for his top-two forward lines with signing some of those pending UFAs to affordable contracts.

THE LATEST MATTHEW KNIES SPECULATION

TSN: During an appearance on “Overdrive” with Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan, Chris Johnston discussed the potential trade strategies this summer for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Among them was what type of return Matthew Knies might fetch in the trade market.

Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies (NHL Images).

Knies surfaced in the rumor mill before the March trade deadline as former Leafs general manager Brad Treliving was reportedly listening to offers for the 24-year-old power forward.

Johnston wondered if new Maple Leafs GM John Chayka would reopen those Knies discussions. He believes a key part of that deal would be what the Leafs would get back for a defenseman if they’re going to take a forward with the first-overall pick in this year’s draft.

Asked why Knies’ name came up in the trade market before the March deadline, Johnston said his lack of no-trade protection was the biggest factor. Trying to move someone like William Nylander would be difficult because his no-movement clause limits where he might prefer to go.

Johnston said he spoke with someone who works for an NHL team who claimed they would be willing to give up more for Knies than for Leafs superstar Auston Matthews. That’s because Matthews has only two years left on his deal, while they would have five years of Knies in his prime. Johnston claimed one team offered six pieces for Knies before the trade deadline, but it wasn’t good enough for Treliving.

There’s a new front office in Toronto now, and they might not be as willing to move Knies. However, Johnston isn’t ruling it out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those six pieces were probably mostly draft picks and prospects, whereas Treliving was seeking a return that would provide more immediate help for his struggling roster.

Recent reports suggest Chayka thinks highly of Knies and doesn’t seem keen to move him. We’ll see if that’s the case as the offseason unfolds.

WHICH MEMBERS OF THE DALLAS STARS COULD BECOME COST-CUTTING CANDIDATES?

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos listed four players the Stars could trade to create enough cap space to sign winger Jason Robertson to a new contract.

Robertson, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights who is also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. He’s completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. Robertson could seek a deal comparable to the eight-year, $96 million contract ($12 million AAV) signed by teammate Mikko Rantanen last year.

Assimakopoulos listed forwards Radek Faksa ($2 million annually through 2027-28), Sam Steel (one year at $2.1 million), and defensemen Ilya Lyubushkin (one year, $3.25 million) and Tyler Myers (one year, $1.5 million) as potential trade candidates.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars have a projected $11 million in cap space for next season with 19 active roster players signed. How much Robertson gets will determine which (or how many) of those four will be moved.

Myers seems the most likely, as he wasn’t a good fit after being acquired from the Vancouver Canucks before the trade deadline. However, his struggles with the Stars could also hurt his trade value.










NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2026

by | May 5, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – May 5, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Stars winger Jason Robertson, and some suggested targets for the Jets.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston believes the Toronto Maple Leafs are on the clock with team captain Auston Matthews. The 28-year-old superstar center has two years left on his contract, but league sources say he still isn’t sure if he’ll be back in the fall.

Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).

Matthews has reasonable concerns over the Maple Leafs’ direction under new general manager John Chayka. The two are expected to meet within the next two weeks. Chayka said he’s not putting a deadline on the Leafs captain regarding his own intentions.

Johnston believes Matthews wants to see a roster meaningfully upgraded by trades and free-agent signings. Keeping the high-scoring center in the fold will be critical to the club’s plans to retool the roster rather than a full-fledged rebuild.

As great a player as Matthews is, the Maple Leafs won’t get full value for him in a trade. Johnston believes the best-case scenario would be a return comparable to the package of future assets the Vancouver Canucks received from the Minnesota Wild for Quinn Hughes last December.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka faces a daunting task attempting to retool the Leafs this summer. Selling Matthews on his plans could be his biggest challenge.

If Chayka fails, he’ll have to peddle Matthews for the best return he can find, which won’t be easy given the latter’s no-movement clause.

Matthews will waive his clause if he wants out, but he will likely only have a handful of preferred destinations. The fewer he has, the harder it would be for Chayka to land a quality return.

Convincing Matthews to stay will be a far better option for Chayka than trying to move him for a return that won’t come close to being fair market value.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos reports Jason Robertson left a bit of uncertainty about his future with the Stars during his end-of-season media availability on Monday.

The 26-year-old left winger is due to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights after completing a four-year contract with an average annual value of $7.75 million. He’s also a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility unless he signs a long-term deal.

Robertson acknowledged that it’s a business on both sides, but he’s optimistic. “It’s a business,” Robertson said. “I learned that four years ago. It’s not my first time.”

Assimakopoulos believes Robertson is due for a significant pay raise. She speculated he could seek an extension similar to teammate Mikko Rantanen’s eight-year deal worth $12 million annually.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson lacked arbitration rights after completing his entry-level contract four years ago, giving Stars management the leverage in those negotiations. It’s a different story this time.

A lack of salary cap space further complicates things for the Stars, prompting speculation that they’ll shed salary to free up sufficient cap space to re-sign Robertson.

The Stars could peddle Robertson rather than making a cost-cutting trade or two that might weaken their roster depth. However, they would have difficulty replacing the offense he brings to their lineup.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates recently looked at several types of players the Winnipeg Jets could target to upgrade their defense this summer.

One option could be free agency if they want to add a big, physical defenseman. Ates suggested e Carson Soucy, Andrew Peeke, and Connor Murphy as possible targets.

Another could be targeting a young RFA-eligible defenseman capable of more, such as Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils or Pavel Mintyukov of the Anaheim Ducks.