NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2025

by | Sep 4, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2025

Check out the latest on Ducks center Mason McTavish and Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

RG.ORG: James Murphy wondered if the NHL trade market for a second-line center would pick up with all general managers and coaches gathered in Detroit for meetings this week.

An NHL executive told Murphy he’s not sure, but he indicated that talks are picking up again. “I just think there are more buyers than sellers still,” he said.

Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish? (NHL Images)

The biggest name remains center Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks. A restricted free agent, McTavish remains unsigned with training camp two weeks away. However, an NHL executive told Murphy that there is no indication of an impasse between the 22-year-old center and Ducks management.

According to Murphy’s sources, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek has not yet signaled to his peers that he’s shopping McTavish.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Verbeek and the McTavish camp have kept their contract talks out of the media for the most part. Nevertheless, Ducks beat writer Eric Stephens of The Athletic reported last month that the club wants to sign McTavish, claiming the two sides had exchanged several different contract proposals.

Marco Rossi of the Minnesota Wild (who recently signed a three-year contract), Jared McCann of the Seattle Kraken, Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames, and Boston Bruins forwards Casey Mittelstadt and Pavel Zacha have been mentioned as possible trade candidates. However, the executive told Murphy that he wondered which ones were really available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wild didn’t sign Rossi with the intention of trading him. McCann has spent most of his tenure with the Kraken as a winger. Kadri has a full no-movement clause and hasn’t requested a trade, nor are the Flames interested in moving him.

Mittelstadt and/or Zacha could be available later this season if the Bruins fail to rebound from their disappointing 2024-25 campaign. For now, it’s unlikely either one will be moved.

THE ATHLETIC: Joe Smith reports Minnesota Wild owner Craig Leipold said his club wasn’t that far off from getting winger Kirill Kaprizov signed to a contract extension.

The 28-year-old superstar is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next July. His average annual value on his current contract is $9 million.

Contract extension talks have been ongoing during the summer, but the lack of a deal thus far has raised some speculation about his future with the Wild.

“I kind of think we’re there,” Leipold said. “I like to believe when Kirill comes over and gets a sense again for the excitement and the love of the city, I think we’ll be moving in a good direction”.

Leipold is prepared to open the vault for Kaprizov. “This will be a huge deal, likely the biggest in the NHL ever,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bleacher Report’s Frank Seravalli believes the AAV for Kaprizov’s next contract will be in the $15 million range. Smith’s colleague, Michael Russo, said he’s heard it could go as high as $16 million. The only question is whether he’ll want the maximum deal or a shorter term.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2025

by | Sep 3, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – September 3, 2025

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

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

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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










NHL Rumor Mill – August 30, 2025

by | Aug 30, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 30, 2025

How much could Kirill Kaprizov receive in his next contract? What moves could the Red Wings make? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WORST SEATS IN THE HOUSE: The Athletic’s Michael Russo believes the Minnesota Wild have offered Kirill Kaprizov “a ton of money,” perhaps more than Russo thought on an eight-year contract.

Kaprizov, 28, is in the final season of his five-year contract with an average annual value of $9 million. The high-scoring winger is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next July 1.

Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov (NHL Images).

Russo believes the Wild are willing to pay Kaprizov “in the 16 (million) range”. He indicates that the deal hasn’t been done yet, but general manager Bill Guerin remains confident it will get done.

Nevertheless, the next month could be telling. The longer Kaprizov goes without signing an extension, the more questions about whether he wants to stay in Minnesota, especially if the Wild offers him $128 million on an eight-year contract.

Russo believes whatever Kaprizov wants from the Wild, he’ll get it, even if he seeks a five-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Last October, Wild owner Craig Leipold stated that no other team could offer Kaprizov more money or more years on his next contract. If Kaprizov wants to be well paid, $16 million annually would make him the second-highest paid player in the league for 2026-27. Edmonton’s Connor McDavid is also UFA-eligible next summer and will get much more from the Oilers or another club if he goes to market on July 1.

However, if Kaprizov is hesitant to sign, it will suggest that he doesn’t believe the Wild will be winners over the term of that contract. If so, they would face the prospect of trading him before the March deadline or losing him to free agency for nothing next summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman was asked recently if the Detroit Red Wings might make a trade for a top-four defenseman or a top-six winger.

Bultman listed Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson and forwards Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell as the most realistic to address the Red Wings’ needs.

However, Bultman’s not holding his breath waiting for any of those players to land in Detroit, citing the high asking price for Rust or Rakell (a first-round pick) and the aging Karlsson’s expensive contract.

Bultman also acknowledged rumors linking the Red Wings to Mason McTavish, but doubts the Anaheim Ducks will part with the 22-year-old center.

Winnipeg Jets winger (and Michigan native) Kyle Connor is UFA-eligible next summer. Bultman doesn’t see the Jets attempting to move him this far out if he remains unsigned. If they do decide to move him, the Red Wings should be among the suitors.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Wings might make another move or two to improve their roster before the start of the season in October. Based on Bultman’s comments, don’t expect to see Karlsson, Rust, Rakell, McTavish, or Connor donning the Winged Wheel jersey anytime soon.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2025

by | Aug 25, 2025

NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2025

The latest speculation about Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco was asked by a reader which UFA-eligible players might test the market next summer.

Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (NHL Images).

Di Marco replied that he doesn’t think it’s a slam dunk that Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel and Minnesota Wild winger Kirill Kaprizov will re-sign with their respective teams.

Having paid big bucks to land Mitch Marner this summer, Di Marco wonders if they can afford another high-salaried forward. The rising salary cap for next season could see the average annual value on Eichel’s next contract soar above $12.6 million.

Kaprizov is poised to become the league’s highest-paid winger next season, but Di Marco wonders if Wild general manager Bill Guerin is willing to make him that. Guerin played hardball this summer with Marco Rossi before signing the 23-year-old restricted free-agent center to a three-year contract.

Di Marco believes Kaprizov has the opportunity to change the market for NHL wingers in the largest way since Artemi Panarin signed with the New York Rangers in 2019. He might not want to turn that down.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We can’t rule out the possibility of Eichel and Kaprizov testing next summer’s UFA market. Nevertheless, both are likely to remain with their current teams beyond this season.

Eichel’s role as a first-line center makes him invaluable to the Golden Knights. They also have a projected $20.3 million in cap space for 2026-27, and we can add another $8.8 million to that with Alex Pietrangelo on permanent long-term injury reserve. They shouldn’t have much difficulty hanging onto him.

Meanwhile, Wild owner Craig Leipold stated last October that re-signing Kaprizov was their focus. “We plan to re-sign him,” said Leipold. “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.”.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2025

by | Aug 24, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 24, 2025

The top remaining unrestricted free agents, plus the latest on Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson and Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

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

Goaltenders James Reimer, Ilya Samsonov, and Alexandar Georgiev, and center Evgeny Kuznetsov are among the other noteworthy UFAs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Roslovic was linked to the Vancouver Canucks earlier this summer, but recent reports indicate he’s no longer on their radar. It’s also rumored that the Toronto Maple Leafs are interested in signing him once they free up sufficient cap space.

The Leafs have reportedly left the door open for Pacioretty’s return, but that could depend on whether they land Roslovic.

RG.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports a source claims Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson was excluded from Team USA’s Olympic orientation camp partly because he skipped playing in the 2025 World Championships. However, the 21-year-old Calder Trophy winner could still make their Olympic roster if he has a strong start to this season.

Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (NHL Images).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s rumored that Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki was passed over for Canada’s 4 Nations Face-Off team for the same reason.

The main reason why Hutson didn’t get an invite is likely the depth of the USA’s defense. Zach Werenski, Adam Fox, Charlie McAvoy, Jaccob Slavin, Noah Hanifin, and Jake Sanderson were on their 4 Nations team. Quinn Hughes was also part of that roster, but was sidelined by an injury.

All seven have more NHL experience and international experience involving pro talent. That matters more. If healthy, all of them will likely be part of their Olympic roster.

THE ATHLETIC: Minnesota Wild goaltender Filip Gustavsson is open to contract extension talks with management. The two sides have yet to begin those discussions, but that could change once the calendar flips to September and training camp draws near.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gustavsson is entering the final season of his three-year deal with an average annual value of $3.75 million. The Athletic’s Michael Russo noted that promising netminder Jesper Wallstedt’s future is murky following a disappointing 2024-25 performance. He speculated that might prompt Wild management to get a jump on re-signing the 27-year-old Gustavsson.

TSN: Team Canada general manager Doug Armstrong recently indicated there will be an open competition to fill the goaltending positions for their Olympic squad.

Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues, Adin Hill of the Vegas Golden Knights, and Sam Montembeault of the Montreal Canadiens were the only goalies invited to Canada’s orientation camp. The trio served as Canada’s netminders in the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February.

Other potential goalie options include Logan Thompson of the Washington Capitals, Darcy Kuemper of the Los Angeles Kings, and Stuart Skinner of the Edmonton Oilers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington appears to be a lock for the starter’s role after backstopping Canada to gold in the 4 Nations tournament. However, strong early-season performances by Thompson, Kuemper, or Skinner could earn them a place on Canada’s Olympic team if Hill or Montembeault struggle.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: With the Red Wings finally retiring Sergei Fedorov’s No. 91, Bob Duff looked at other Wings greats who could receive a similar honor by the club.

Hall-of-Famer Pavel Datsyuk (No. 13) tops the list. He won two Stanley Cups (2002, 2008) with the Red Wings, along with multiple Selke and Lady Byng trophies.

Henrik Zetterberg (No. 40) could be another. He had 960 points in 1,082 games with the Wings and won the Conn Smythe Trophy in 2008, leading them to their last Stanley Cup.

Chris Osgood (No. 30) was a three-time Cup champion with the Wings. The underappreciated goaltender was twice their go-to starter for two Cup runs. He’s 13th all-time in regular-season wins with 401, ninth in playoff wins (74), and tied for fifth in postseason shutouts with 15.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Datsyuk is the favorite among those three, given his Hall-of-Fame credentials. He was the top defensive forward in the league from 2007-08 to 2009-10 and one of the dazzling puckhandlers in NHL history.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 23, 2025

by | Aug 23, 2025

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 23, 2025

Matthew Tkachuk undergoes surgery, William Nylander talks about former teammate Mitch Marner, Marco Rossi’s contract standoff is over, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

RDS.CA: cited David Pagnotta of the NHL Network reporting Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk underwent surgery several weeks ago.

Tkachuk, 27, was injured during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February. He sat out the remainder of the regular season before returning for the playoffs.

Florida Panthers winger Matthew Tkachuk (NHL Images).

Pagnotta claimed Tkachuk will be sidelined until January, making it likely that he’ll be able to play for Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy in February.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: After the Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup in June, Tkachuk admitted he might have to undergo surgery after suffering a torn adductor and a sports hernia.

The Panthers currently sit above the $95.5 million salary cap by $4.5 million. Teams are allowed to be above the cap by 10 percent but must be cap-compliant when they begin the regular season.

Tkachuk earns an average annual value of $9.5 million. The Panthers will likely place him on long-term injury reserve at the start of their regular-season schedule. However, they’ll have to shed salary to get under the cap when Tkachuk returns to action in January.

TORONTO SUN: Maple Leafs winger William Nylander said former teammate Mitch Marner had no premeditated plans to leave the club as a free agent at the end of last season.

“Not sure where that stuff comes from, but I don’t think he was ever thinking of leaving ahead of time,” said Nylander. “I actually asked him during the season, and he said he was concentrating on Toronto. I didn’t want to press him on that and let him be because it was obviously on his mind, but his play was focused on helping us.”

Nylander said he asked Marner again after the season, and he said he wasn’t sure.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nylander addressed this because there was some media chatter suggesting Marner had made up his mind to leave the Leafs and head to the Vegas Golden Knights months in advance.

THE MINNEAPOLIS STAR-TRIBUNE: The contract standoff between the Minnesota Wild and Marco Rossi ended on Friday with the 23-year-old center signing a three-year, $15 million deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The average annual value (AAV) is $5 million, but Rossi will receive $4 million in actual salary this season, $5 million next season, and $6 million in 2027-28. He lacks no-trade protection because he’s ineligible at this stage of his career to have it included in this contract.

The Athletic’s Michael Russo reports sources claim Rossi rejected a five-year, $25 million contract, countering with a three-year proposal worth more than the $5 million AAV that the two sides ultimately agreed to. He was coming off his entry-level contract, had little leverage in negotiations, and didn’t want to miss training camp or the start of the season.

Wild general manager Bill Guerin told Russo that the Rossi camp re-engaged with them about a month ago. The young center said he’s happy to have a deal done and is looking forward to the coming season.

The Wild got Rossi at their price, but it could cost them considerably more to re-sign him if his performance improves over the next three years.

RDS.CA: A year after being traded to the Washington Capitals, Pierre-Luc Dubois said the entire organization made him feel welcome and comfortable from the start. He responded with a career-best 66-point performance last season.

Dubois said the opportunities he received with the Capitals weren’t the same as those with his previous teams. He claimed that they made him feel like they wanted him to succeed, would give him the chance to do so, and told him to be himself.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dubois’ performance last season played a substantial role in the Capitals exceeding expectations by finishing first in the Eastern Conference.

DAILY FACEOFF: The Florida Panthers signed forward Luke Kunin to a one-year contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: PuckPedia indicates Kunin will earn $775K for 2025-26. That contract is also easy to bury in the minors as a cost-cutting measure to make room for Matthew Tkachuk’s return to the lineup in January if necessary.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on “X” that it appears the NHL will move ahead with preparations for the 2028 World Cup of Hockey without the International Ice Hockey Federation. “The league has informed the IIHF it intends on working directly with each Hockey Federation in planning the 2028 event.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could clear the way for Russia to participate in the NHL-sanctioned World Cup. That nation is banned from IIHF-sanctioned events because it invaded Ukraine.