NHL Rumor Mill – March 23, 2026

by | Mar 23, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – March 23, 2026

Check out the latest on notable pending unrestricted free agents such as the Sabres Alex Tuch, the Golden Knights’ Rasmus Andersson, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently examined the rumors involving some of the notable players in this year’s thin unrestricted free-agent market.

Topping the list is Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch. The 29-year-old Tuch earned an average annual value of $4.75 million on his current deal, and could reportedly seek a deal comparable to Adrian Kempe’s new eight-year contract ($10.625 million AAV) with the Los Angeles Kings. The Sabres’ opening bid was reportedly $8 million annually.

Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch (NHL Images)

Talks between the two sides have cooled, but Fox indicated they remain in contact and there’s mutual interest in getting a deal done. Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen remains hopeful of getting an extension in place before July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tuch has been an invaluable part of the Sabres’ rise this season. They have over $13 million in cap space for 2026-27 with 21 active roster players under contract, so there’s room to sign him to a big raise. Perhaps a compromise between $9.5 million and $10.2 million might be found before July 1.

The Vegas Golden Knights want to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson, whom they acquired from the Calgary Flames in January. He carries an AAV of $4.55 million on his current deal.

Fox pointed out that the Golden Knights only have $3.78 million in projected cap space for next season with 17 active roster players under contract. They’ll have to perform some “roster surgery” to free up the cap space. Hanging over this situation is the status of sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo. He’s on long-term injury reserve this season, but has one more season left on his contract with an AAV of $8.8 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pietrangelo could end up on permanent LTIR if he’s unable to return from his season-ending injuries. Even then, as Fox noted, they still might have to move another player to free up sufficient cap space to re-sign Andersson and fill out the rest of their roster.

Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Darren Raddysh’s career year will put him in line for a big raise over his current cap hit of $970,000. Fox speculates the 30-year-old blueliner could seek something comparable to defense partner JJ Moser’s eight-year deal with an AAV of $6.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning have $15.23 million in projected cap space for next season and 21 active roster players under contract. They could afford that raise for Raddysh, but Fox also observed they’ll need as much cap space as possible kept free to sign superstar Nikita Kucherov to a new deal before his UFA eligibility next summer.

Fox also weighed in on several aging superstars, such as Alex Ovechkin of the Washington Capitals, Evgeni Malkin of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and John Carlson of the Anaheim Ducks.

The greatest goal scorer of all time, Ovechkin could retire from the NHL after this season and return to Moscow to finish his playing career. However, if the 40-year-old winger wants to return for another season, Capitals owner Ted Leonsis will make it happen.

Malkin has met multiple times with Penguins management. The 39-year-old center has improved this season, and he’s indicated a willingness to return for another season or two. Both sides have agreed to wait until the offseason to continue talks. A one-year contract would take Malkin through the final season of long-time teammate Sidney Crosby’s contract.

The Ducks acquired Carlson from the Capitals at the trade deadline. Fox wondered if a two-year contract, perhaps with performance bonuses, might keep the 36-year-old defenseman in Anaheim.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It wasn’t that long ago when having Ovechkin, Malkin, and Carlson in the same UFA class would’ve generated considerable excitement about where they might land and how expensive their new contracts might be. However, they’re all past their playing prime with retirement on the horizon. Their days of landing lucrative long-term deals are over.

Ovechkin and Malkin are more likely to return with their current clubs next season. It’s not a certainty, but at this stage of their careers, playing for other NHL teams isn’t the ending they (or their fans) want to see. Carlson could test the UFA market, but that will depend on how the remainder of this season with the Ducks plays out.

The Columbus Blue Jackets are hoping to re-sign forwards Charlie Coyle and Mason Marchment. They must also make decisions on team captain Boone Jenner and defenseman Erik Gudbranson. Cap space isn’t an issue, and Coyle has fit in well with the Blue Jackets, but it remains to be seen if he’ll stick with them or test his luck in free agency.

Jacob Trouba has been a good fit with the Anaheim Ducks. His performance, and that of his teammates, will determine if he has a future in Anaheim beyond this season.

Stuart Skinner of the Pittsburgh Penguins is the best option for goalies 30-and-under in this year’s UFA market. His inconsistencies have been well-documented, but his career save percentage above the league average and back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals will ensure he won’t have difficulty landing elsewhere if he goes to market on July 1.

Others worth watching include Penguins winger Anthony Mantha, and Seattle Kraken forwards Bobby McMann and Jaden Schwartz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Fox indicated, this summer’s UFA pool is very shallow. That’s why there’s an expectation that teams will put more focus on the trade market to address their roster needs. Still, some of the players on this list could end up cashing in, though Tuch and maybe Andersson are the only ones who’ll get anything close to expensive long-term deals.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 16, 2025

by | Dec 16, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – December 16, 2025

A notable hat trick by Predators winger Filip Forsberg, the Ducks’ Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba return to New York, the Sabres make a management change, the three stars of the week, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RECAPS OF MONDAY’S GAMES

NHL.COM: A hat-trick performance by Filip Forsberg carried the Nashville Predators to a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues. Roman Josi and Ryan O’Reilly each collected two assists for the 13-15-4 Predators, who have won seven of their last 10 games. Dalibor Dvorsky netted both goals for the Blues, who dropped to 12-15-7.

Nashville Predators winger Filip Forsberg (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Forsberg picked up his 11th career hat trick, tying Markus Naslund for the second-most NHL hat tricks by a Swedish player. Kent Nilsson is the leader with 14.

Before this game, the Blues announced that winger Dylan Holloway would miss at least six weeks with an ankle injury.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier scored twice, and goalie Lukas Dostal stopped 26 shots to defeat the New York Rangers 4-1. Ryan Poehling had two assists for the Ducks (20-12-1), as they ended a two-game losing skid. Matthew Robertson replied for the Rangers (16-14-4), who have dropped four of their last five games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was the first game back in New York for former Rangers Chris Kreider and Jacob Trouba, who received ovations from the fans at Madison Square Garden during tribute videos for both players. Both were traded to the Ducks in separate trades last season.

Rangers forward Mika Zibanejad was benched from this game for missing a team meeting.

Florida Panthers winger Sam Reinhart tallied two goals in a 5-2 win against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Carter Verhaeghe had a goal and an assist, and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 26 shots for the 17-13-2 Panthers, who’ve won five of their last six contests. Brayden Point had two assists for the Lightning (18-12-3), who hold first place in the Atlantic Division with 39 points.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lightning forward Brandon Hagel left this game in the third period after a questionable hit by Panthers defenseman Seth Jones. Earlier in the day, the Lightning announced that defenseman Emil Lilleberg will miss several weeks with an injury, while sidelined goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy could return to the lineup before Christmas.

The Dallas Stars beat the Los Angeles Kings by a score of 4-1. Mikko Rantanen, Matt Duchene, and Wyatt Johnston each had a goal and an assist, and Casey DeSmith made 27 saves for the 22-7-5 Stars. Andrei Kuzmenko scored for the Kings (14-9-9), who are 0-1-2 in their last three games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper left the game in the first period with an upper-body injury following a collision with Rantanen.

An overtime goal by Brady Tkachuk gave the Ottawa Senators a 3-2 win over the Winnipeg Jets. Tim Stutzle had three assists, and Jake Sanderson scored the tying goal late in the third period for the Senators (15-13-4). Neal Pionk and Logan Stanley replied for the 15-15-2 Jets, who have three wins in their last 10 games.

HEADLINES

TSN: The Buffalo Sabres fired general manager Kevyn Adams, replacing him with Jarmo Kekalainen on a full-time basis.

Adams was in his sixth season as the Sabres’ general manager. He was criticized for mismanaging the team’s assets, his inability to secure a franchise goaltender, and his failure to address a lingering leadership void within the team.

In June, Adams hired Kekalainen as a senior advisor. He spent 10 seasons as general manager of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A recent report in The Athletic indicated the Sabres were internally discussing replacing Adams. During his tenure, the Sabres’ postseason drought stretched to a league-record 14 seasons and counting. His two biggest blunders were trading Jack Eichel to the Vegas Golden Knights and Sam Reinhart to the Florida Panthers. Both players flourished with their new teams, becoming Stanley Cup champions.

Adams lacked management experience when he was hired for the job. He did his best, but he had no business being in that role. It was yet another example of the ineptitude of the club’s ownership, which has gone through five general managers, eight head coaches, 28 goaltenders with more than one game played, and seven team captains since 2011.

Kekalainen has considerable management experience. He guided the Blue Jackets through their most successful period in franchise history from 2016 to 2020, reaching the playoffs in four straight seasons. However, things fell apart soon afterward, leading to his firing last year. Whether he fares better than his four predecessors remains to be seen.

NHL.COM: Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid, Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson, and Minnesota Wild center Joel Eriksson Ek are the league’s stars for the week ending Dec. 14, 2025.

CHICAGO HOCKEY NOW: The Blackhawks placed center Connor Bedard (upper body) on injured reserve retroactive to Dec. 12.

DAILY FACEOFF/DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane will miss the next two games with an upper-body injury. The Wings also placed forward Jonatan Berggren on waivers.

TRIBLIVE.COM: Former Edmonton Oilers goaltender Stuart Skinner and defenseman Brett Kulak joined the Pittsburgh Penguins’ active roster after resolving their immigration status over the weekend. On Friday, the Oilers traded Skinner and Kulak to the Penguins for goalie Tristan Jarry and forward Sam Poulin.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: The Sharks placed forwards Will Smith and Philipp Kurashev on injured reserve.

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks agreed to a two-year contract extension with center Max Sasson. He will earn an average annual value of $1 million.

RG.ORG: Prospect winger Gavin McKenna is hoping for redemption at the 2026 World Junior Championship. He was part of Canada’s junior team that failed to medal last season.

McKenna believes his move from the CHL to the NCAA with Penn State University this season has improved his decision-making, defensive play, and physical growth. He thinks those attributes will help his performance in this year’s tournament.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McKenna said his focus is on winning gold, and he’s not looking at this tournament as an opportunity to elevate his status in the 2026 NHL Draft. Nevertheless, he has slipped from the top spot in some recent draft rankings. A strong performance at the WJC could help him regain that placement.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2024

by | Dec 12, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 12, 2024

A look at some intriguing trade candidates and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos released his first trade board of the 2024-25 NHL season. He’s broken his list down into several categories.

Under “Intriguing Names to Watch,” Kypreos includes Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett, Ottawa Senators defenseman Thomas Chabot, San Jose Sharks defenseman Mario Ferraro, and Nashville Predators blueliner Alexandre Carrier.

Florida Panthers forward Sam Bennett (NHL Images).

Bennett is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Kypreos indicates there’s a risk the Panthers could lose him to the UFA market which isn’t appealing to general manager Bill Zito. From what Kypreos has been told, Zito will listen to offers.

Kypreos believes the Colorado Avalanche would pursue Bennett to fill the void of Gabriel Landeskog’s ongoing absence. He also speculated the Dallas Stars would seek a replacement for sidelined forward Tyler Seguin, wondering if they’d part with Mason Marchment to get Bennett.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Trading Bennett before the March 7 deadline would be a bold move by Zito. However, I don’t see him going that route with his club attempting to repeat as Stanley Cup champions. The return would have to be significant. Marchment might do it but the Stars could be reluctant to part with him.

Kypreos thinks the Senators could make a big trade involving Chabot to shake things up if they’re out of playoff contention by the deadline. He has three years left on his contract with a 10-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A Chabot trade is more likely to occur in the offseason when teams have the cap space to take on his $8 million annual salary-cap hit. The Senators could retain half of it but having $4 million in dead cap space for each of the next three seasons might not appeal to them.

Ferraro surfaced in trade rumors last season and will be present again in 2024-25. The 26-year-old Sharks blueliner has a year left on his contract with an average annual value of $3.25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks could entertain offers for Ferraro if he intends to test the market in 2026.

If the Predators continue to struggled they could be forced to make some changes. Carrier has two years left on his contract with an AAV of $3.75 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Carrier also surfaced in last season’s rumor mill before he signed his current contract with the Predators.

Kypreos also included Calgary’s Rasmus Andersson and Nazem Kadri, New York Islanders center Brock Nelson, Senators center Josh Norris, Anaheim Ducks defenseman Cam Fowler, New York Rangers winger Chris Kreider, and Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen.

Those players have frequently appeared here and on other trade boards in recent weeks so there was no point in rehashing their situations.

Kypreos also listed the pending UFAs likely to be trade candidates. They include Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Ivan Provorov and forward Mathieu Olivier, Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers, Pittsburgh Penguins blueliner Marcus Pettersson, the Islanders’ Brock Nelson, Chicago Blackhawks winger Taylor Hall, Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde and winger Brandon Tanev, Ducks forward Frank Vatrano, and Montreal Canadiens defenseman David Savard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: These players have frequently appeared here and on other trade boards because of their pending UFA status.

The Jets could hang onto Ehlers as an own rental as they attempt to stage a run for the Cup this season. The Islanders could also hang onto Nelson if they’re in playoff contention by the deadline. Kypreos noted that Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell downplayed the Olivier rumors and is working on re-signing him.

Kypreos suggested the Kraken could attempt to peddle goaltender Philipp Grubauer. They’ll have to retain part of his $5.9 million AAV that runs through 2026-27. The Kraken could buy him out this summer if they find no takers in the trade market.

The Ducks’ John Gibson was included with Grubauer as two goalies of note in the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not impossible to move Grubauer or Gibson during the season but such attempts are more likely in the offseason. It’s possible they’re both bought out this summer if there’s no trade market for their services.

Kypreos also listed energy players like the Flyers’ Scott Laughton, the Sharks’ Barclay Goodrow, and the Penguins’ Drew O’Connor.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Laughton and Goodrow have term left on their contracts which could make it tougher to move them during the season. O’Connor is UFA-eligible and more likely to move.

TORONTO STAR: Kypreos also reports it sounds unlikely the Ducks will attempt to flip recently acquired defenseman Jacob Trouba at the trade deadline. He claims they see him as a big part of their rebuild plus it will provide his wife with wonderful opportunities in the medical field. Kypreos claims the Ducks are exploring signing Trouba to a contract extension on July 1.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2024

by | Dec 9, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 9, 2024

Jacob Trouba’s recent trade to the Ducks hasn’t stopped speculation he could be on the move again. Check out the latest plus recent conjecture on the Canucks and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

LEAFS AND BLUE JACKETS WERE INTERESTED IN TROUBA

TORONTO SUN: Steve Simmons reports Maple Leafs management likes Jacob Trouba. The 31-year-old defenseman was traded on Friday by the New York Rangers to the Anaheim Ducks.

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jacob Trouba (NHL Images).

Simmons believes the Leafs might be interested in Trouba if the Ducks or another team retains a large chunk of the blueliner’s $8 million cap hit. However, he thinks the Leafs, with their limited cap room, will attempt to add “a forward of prominence” by the March 7 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported that Canadian teams like the Ottawa Senators and Montreal Canadiens looked into acquiring Trouba before he was shipped to Anaheim. Those reports claimed Trouba wasn’t interested in returning north of the border, which suggests all seven Canadian clubs are on his 15-team no-trade list.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports the Columbus Blue Jackets were among the teams that pressed hard to acquire Trouba. However, he declined to remove them from his no-trade list.

The rearguard also declined a trade to the Detroit Red Wings and another Eastern Conference club.

It’s unclear what role general manager Don Waddell had in mind for Trouba. Portzline speculates he might’ve wound up on the top pairing alongside Zach Werenski. He also believes Waddell remains active and is willing to be aggressive in the trade market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Portzline pointed out how much Waddell has changed the Blue Jackets’ defense corps since taking over as GM this spring. He brought in Dante Fabbro, Jack Johnson, Jordan Harris and Daemon Hunt and bid farewell to Jake Bean, Nick Blakenburg, Adam Boqvist and David Jiricek.

LATEST ON THE FLAMES AND CANUCKS

SPORTSNET: Pat Steinberg was asked if the Calgary Flames will sign or trade Rasmus Andersson. The 27-year-old defenseman is eligible for UFA status in 2026 and eligible to sign a contract extension starting next July 1.

Steinberg believes the Flames will try to keep Andersson but felt he could be peddled by the 2026 trade deadline if he’s interested in testing the 2026 free-agent market.

A reader asked Steinberg if the Flames would trade Dan Vladar. The club currently has Vladar and Dustin Wolf as their goaltending tandem with promising Devin Cooley with their AHL affiliate. Steinberg didn’t rule out a Vladar trade but felt there was no urgency to do so in early December. He believes the Flames’ asking price is a second-round draft pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flames GM Craig Conroy could be unwilling to break up his goalie tandem if they’re in playoff contention before the trade deadline.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports Filip Hronek’s recent surgery won’t put additional pressure on the Vancouver Canucks to go shopping for blueline help. Hronek underwent shoulder surgery and is out until at least late January.

Jim Rutherford, president of hockey operations, said trading for a defenseman has long been on the table. However, he’s looking for their current blueliners to step up and play a few more minutes. Johnston points out the Canucks have a longstanding need for a right-shot defenseman on the second pairing.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 8, 2024

by | Dec 8, 2024

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – December 8, 2024

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the latest on Brady Tkachuk and J.T. Miller, what’s next for the Rangers and former captain Jacob Trouba, and speculation about changes to no-movement protection in the next CBA.

LATEST FROM HOCKEY NIGHT IN CANADA’S “SATURDAY HEADLINES”

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman touched on the recent rumor out of New York linking Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk to the Rangers. He pointed out the 25-year-old left winger has three more seasons left on his contract and the Senators are confident he’ll play that out with them.

Given the Senators’ struggles, Friedman believes they and their fans must “get used to some noise” about speculation regarding their key players. He noted there will always be questions about the future of those players when a team is having difficulty reaching the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators pushed back forcefully on the rumor claiming the Rangers were pursuing Tkachuk, calling them “bullshit” and “garbage”. He’s always said that he wants to stay in Ottawa and turn the Senators into a winner.

Nevertheless, the questions and rumors won’t go away if the Senators keep spinning their wheels. The only way to silence the conjecture is to win. It’s easier said than done, but it’s still the only effective antidote.

Vancouver Canucks center J.T. Miller (NHL Images)

Friedman also reports the Vancouver Canucks are saying publicly and privately that J.T. Miller’s ongoing leave of absence from the team is not about trading him. When he returns, it’ll be with the Canucks. Friedman doesn’t believe Miller has requested a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canucks beat writer Patrick Johnston of The Province reported on Nov. 19 that Miller’s efforts to play through an upper-body injury took an emotional toll on the 31-year-center. He indicated the team gave Miller the team he needed to return to where he needed to be mentally.

WHAT’S NEXT FOR THE RANGERS AND JACOB TROUBA?

THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh looked at what might be next for the New York Rangers after trading Jacob Trouba to Anaheim and signing Igor Shesterkin to a contract extension. The Rangers have around $22 million in trade deadline salary-cap space if they wish to add to their roster by the March 7 deadline.

Baugh suggested defensemen Ivan Provorov of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Marcus Pettersson of the Pittsburgh Penguins as blueline trade targets. Rental forward options could include reacquiring Frank Vatrano from the Ducks or Seattle Kraken center Yanni Gourde.

The Minnesota Wild could be open to moving Marco Rossi. The 21-year-old center will become a restricted free agent next summer. However, that move could be a player-for-player swap.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rangers general manager Chris Drury could go after a promising young player like Rossi but the asking price could prove too expensive. I doubt that offering Kaapo Kakko for Rossi straight up will do it. He could instead look at rental options by the deadline provided the asking prices won’t gut the prospect pipeline.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox wondered if Anaheim Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek might retain part of Jacob Trouba’s $8 million salary-cap hit and flip him to another team, perhaps one in the Eastern Conference.

Fox noted that the Buffalo Sabres, Detroit Red Wings, Columbus Blue Jackets and the Senators expressed interest in the 31-year-old defenseman before the Rangers traded him to Anaheim on Friday.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau shared Fox’s opinion, suggesting Trouba could be shipped out by the March 7 trade deadline or during the offseason.

SPECTOR’S NOTE:  I also wondered if Trouba could become a trade chip for the Ducks if they’re out of playoff contention by March 7. He could still draw interest from contenders if he performs well in Anaheim. He’s only got one year left on his contract and Verbeek could be willing to retain salary for a decent return.

PLAYERS MIGHT SEEK CHANGE IN NO-MOVEMENT PROTECTION

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports NHL players are wondering if there should be a streamlining of the no-movement process after the fallout of the Jacob Trouba trade.

Trouba had no-trade protection for some teams but didn’t have no-movement protection, meaning the New York Rangers could’ve put him on waivers if he didn’t accept a trade to the Anaheim Ducks. Had he gone on waivers, he’d have no control over which club selected him.

The Rangers did nothing wrong as they followed the rules of the CBA. However, what bothered the players was that they could end up sent to a team on their no-trade list if placed on waivers. Only players with no-movement clauses can avoid the waiver process.

Friedman believes the players will ask the NHL Players Association to talk to the league in the next round of collective bargaining about one form of no-move protection, or if they have a partial no-trade clause and get placed on waivers, they cannot go to a team on their no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The league could push back against closing that loophole. However, situations like Trouba’s are rare so it’s unlikely to be a major obstacle in future CBA talks.










NHL Rumor Mill – December 7, 2024

by | Dec 7, 2024

NHL Rumor Mill – December 7, 2024

Are more moves coming for the Rangers after trading Jacob Trouba to the Ducks? Will the Leafs try to bring back Nazem Kadri? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ARE MORE TRADES IN STORE FOR THE RANGERS?

NEW YORK POST: Larry Brooks reports more moves are coming for the Rangers after they traded Jacob Trouba to the Anaheim Ducks on Friday.

Brooks claims Rangers general manager Chris Drury spent the week in trade talks with multiple clubs. He indicated that Ottawa Senators winger Brady Tkachuk is Drury’s primary trade target.

Acquiring “the Senators’ 25-year-old hardscrabble captain” would immediately change the Rangers’ identity. However, the package going to Ottawa would have to be significant and likely include winger Alexis Lafreniere.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators may have “kicked tires” on Jacob Trouba before he was shipped to the Ducks. However, they weren’t anywhere close to a deal because the veteran defenseman did not want to be traded to a Canadian team.

Garrioch also reports the Senators have no intention of trading Tkachuk. One well-placed source called the Post story “total bullshit” while another called the report “garbage.” The Senators would rather win with Tkachuk rather than trade him away. Garrioch indicated that Sens GM Steve Staios intended to speak with his captain to assure him there was nothing to the story.

Ottawa Senators left wing Brady Tkachuk (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those well-placed sources Garrioch referred to are probably members of the Senators’ front office, perhaps even Staios himself.

Staios could consider shaking up the Senators if they fail to end their playoff drought this season. Moving Tkachuk would be an extreme decision unless he wants out and there’s no indication he does. Something worth keeping in mind is Tkachuk’s no-movement clause begins on July 1, 2025. 

NEW YORK POST: Returning to the Rangers, Brooks believes Drury has put the club in a better place by trading Trouba and his $8 million annual salary cap hit through 2025-26. That move leaves the Rangers with a projected $21.9 million of trade deadline cap space. “No other contender comes close,” claims Brooks, believing the Rangers “will have their pickings the rest of the way.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Brooks also walked back his claim that the Rangers were pursuing Tkachuk, but noted the Senators winger is the type of player the Blueshirts are seeking. They have the cap space to add that player at the trade deadline.

In an earlier report, Brooks suggested Drury should contact the Nashville Predators and find out if Steven Stamkos would waive his no-movement clause. He also proposed speaking with the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Hockey Club as those teams must make changes.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stamkos isn’t a young power forward like Tkachuk. The 34-year-old winger is under contract for three more seasons with an AAV of $8 million. His decline this season could be due to age and the wear-and-tear of 17 NHL seasons catching up with him. Stamkos is an expensive risk the Rangers can’t afford to take.

RG.ORG: Jim Biringer reports the Rangers and Ducks might not be done dealing with each other. Sources close to the situation claimed the Rangers sought winger Frank Vatrano in the Trouba deal.

They opted to move on from Trouba’s $8 million cap hit but could revisit their interest in Vatrano. Biringer’s sources say Drury spoke with Ducks GM Pat Verbeek at last year’s trade deadline about Vatrano but the Rangers GM didn’t want to part with winger Kaapo Kaako. However, Drury might be willing to move on from Kaako now.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As Brooks noted, the Rangers have plenty of cap space to make significant moves by the March 7 trade deadline. They can afford Vatrano’s $3.65 million cap hit. He played briefly for them in the 2021-22 season and had a solid performance during their run to the 2022 Eastern Conference Final. Vatrano departed for the Ducks via free agency that summer as the Rangers couldn’t afford to retain him.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan reported Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman was very interested in landing Trouba but couldn’t reach suitable trade terms with the Rangers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Rangers reportedly tried to trade Trouba to the Red Wings in June but he used his no-movement clause to spike the deal for family reasons. Maybe Yzerman will try again next summer if Trouba doesn’t work out for the Ducks.

SHOULD THE LEAFS PURSUE NAZEM KADRI?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Evan Doerfler recently cited former Sportsnet analyst Doug MacLean telling Sportsnet 590 The Fan that he believes the Toronto Maple Leafs should bring back Nazem Kadri. The 34-year-old center began his career with the Leafs and now plays with the Calgary Flames.

MacLean claimed the Leafs were kicking tires for a second-line center. He believes Kadri’s physical two-way style is what they need to compete against the defending champion Florida Panthers as well as the Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers.

DAILY FACEOFF’s Jeff Marek shared MacLean’s opinion, believing it would be a good fit for both clubs. The Flames are rebuilding and won’t make the playoffs right now. He acknowledged Kadri’s leadership is helpful to the young Flames but he’d be a better fit with the Leafs if they’re to compete against a tough team like the Panthers.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames beat writer Eric Francis was asked where he thought the Flames would trade Kadri. He believes the veteran center would generate plenty of interest and didn’t rule out the possibility if the right offer came along. However, he doesn’t see that happening and doesn’t believe the Flames are shopping Kadri.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some fans have cited these reports as substantiation that the Leafs are trying to acquire Kadri or that he would welcome a trade to a contender. However, MacLean and Marek were suggesting the Leafs pursue Kadri, not stating it as a fact. Francis said we should “never say never” but made it clear the Flames aren’t peddling him.

None of them said Kadri wants out of Calgary. During training camp, Kadri told reporters to pump the brakes on the trade speculation that dogged him during the offseason, claiming he loved the team and the city. He might welcome a trade at some point but not right now.

Kadri is a more mature player than when his loose cannon act proved costly to the Leafs in the 2018 and 2019 playoffs. He elevated his stock with a superb effort helping the Colorado Avalanche win the 2022 Stanley Cup and has fit well into the elder statesman role with the Flames.

He would be a better fit with the Leafs now. Nevertheless, everything linking him to Toronto right now is based on the musings of a couple of pundits.