Buying or Selling the Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors
As December approaches, the NHL's holiday trade freeze period from Dec. 20 to 27 is not far away. That might spur some activity in a trade market that has been quiet for the most part since the season began on Oct. 10.
Only four trades have taken place, largely because only five teams have over $5 million in salary-cap space at this point in the schedule without dipping into long-term injury reserve. However, that hasn't stopped the media chatter regarding trades and future free-agent signings.
The Calgary Flames and Edmonton Oilers continue to feature prominently in the trade rumor mill. Meanwhile, there's ongoing speculation about how much of a pay raise Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander might receive on his next contract.
It's a good opportunity to determine which notable rumors of the past week are worth buying or selling. As always, you can weigh in with your thoughts in our app comments section.
The Arizona Coyotes Are In The Market For Immediate Help
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The Arizona Coyotes have been engaged in a major roster rebuild since Bill Armstrong took over as general manager in September 2020. During that time, he's traded veterans such as Jakob Chychrun, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Darcy Kuemper, Christian Dvorak and Shayne Gostisbehere for draft picks and prospects.
Armstrong used some of those picks to select J.J. Moser, Dylan Guenther, Conor Geekie, Daniil But and Maveric Lamoureux. He also amassed eight picks in Rounds 2 through 4 in the 2024 draft, six selections in Rounds 2 and 3 in 2025 and five in Rounds 2 and 3 in 2026.
After three seasons, however, Armstrong appears to be changing tactics. On Nov. 22, GOPHNX.com's Craig Morgan reported the Coyotes GM is actively engaged in trade talk around the league with the intent of shipping out some of those picks and prospects in exchange for existing NHL talent.
Morgan noted that some personnel around the league believe Armstrong loves his draft picks too much to part with them. However, he traded one of his 2024 second-round picks in July to the Los Angeles Kings for defenseman Sean Durzi, who has become a welcome addition to the Coyotes blue line this season.
Buy or Sell: Buy
The Coyotes have steadily improved since 2020-21 and are in the thick of the wild-card race in the Western Conference. Armstrong will likely seek players like Durzi in their mid- to late 20s who can be part of his club's long-term future as they build toward becoming legitimate playoff contenders.
The Philadelphia Flyers Could Wheel and Deal This Season
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Since becoming the Philadelphia Flyers' full-time general manager on May 11, Daniel Brière has shown a willingness to make significant deals. On Jun. 6, he shipped defenseman Ivan Provorov to the Columbus Blue Jackets in a three-team trade involving the Los Angeles Kings. Three weeks later, he sent Kevin Hayes to the St. Louis Blues.
Those moves sparked speculation of bigger deals to come. After the Provorov trade, Brière indicated that he was willing to entertain offers for any of his players. That led to offseason rumors suggesting goaltender Carter Hart was a trade candidate, but nothing came of them.
On Nov. 23, TSN's Darren Dreger reported the Flyers were interested in becoming a "wheeler or a dealer." Not to sell off assets but to build a stronger foundation for their future.
Dreger said they're willing to listen "basically on every position—not every player but every position." He indicated that they've got assets to move like pending free agents Sean Walker and Nick Seeler. He believes Brière could get interest in those two defensemen.
Buy or Sell: Buy
The Flyers are in the thick of the Eastern Conference playoff race. If they remain that way by the March 8 trade deadline, Brière could opt to become a buyer. For now, it would be a wise decision on his part to keep his options open and see what the trade market might yield for potential unrestricted free agents like Walker, Seeler and Marc Staal.
Sam Montembeault to the Edmonton Oilers?
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As the Edmonton Oilers continue to struggle with shaky goaltending, the Montreal Canadiens are carrying three netminders (Sam Montembeault, Jake Allen and Cayden Primeau) on their roster. That's given rise to trade rumors linking the two clubs.
On Nov. 18, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported several clubs recently in Montreal claimed the Oilers were looking at the Canadiens goalies. However, he didn't think anything was imminent as the Oilers were determined not to make a panic trade that they could later regret.
Four days later, the Edmonton Journal's David Staples cited TSN's Darren Dreger speculating over what it might cost the Oilers to acquire Montembeault. The 27-year-old netminder is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July but carries an affordable $1 million salary for this season.
Dreger believed it would cost the Oilers "a substantial return" to acquire Montembeault from the Canadiens. He thinks top prospect Xavier Bourgault would have to be part of the deal.
Buy or Sell: Sell
In his "32 Thoughts" column last Thursday, Friedman indicated the Canadiens continue to discuss a contract extension with Montembeault, though he's unsure they'll wait until the trade deadline. The following day, Montreal Hockey Now's Marco D'Amico cited TSN's Pierre LeBrun saying the Oilers and Canadiens haven't held trade talks recently.
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Could the Boston Bruins Pursue Noah Hanifin?
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A sputtering start to the season combined with a trade request by defenseman Nikita Zadorov made the Calgary Flames a regular fixture in trade rumors throughout November. A recent report indicated they were not only entertaining offers for Zadorov but also open to offers for several other players, including Noah Hanifin.
Slated to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, Hanifin has seen his future with the Flames remain the subject of trade conjecture since the offseason. On Nov. 14, TSN's Pierre LeBrun indicated the Flames and Hanifin were at one point close to an agreement on a $60 million extension, but he wanted to think about it. LeBrun believes "that ship has sailed."
Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy wondered if the Boston Bruins might come calling for Hanifin. He cited NHL analyst Pierre McGuire speaking on a recent Eye Test Podcast episode suggesting the Bruins and Flames seemed like logical "dance partners."
McGuire noted that Bruins general manager Don Sweeney has long admired Hanifin. The 26-year-old defenseman is a Boston native who might welcome the opportunity to play for his hometown club. McGuire suggests Flames GM Craig Conroy shouldn't drag his feet on moving him.
Buy or Sell: Sell...for now
The Flames have until the March 8 trade deadline to move Hanifin or other players. Having climbed out of the bottom of the Western Conference standings into wild-card contention, they're not in any hurry to shake things up. Besides, the Bruins' lack of cap space this season could put them out of the running.
William Nylander Will Get a Big Raise
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Toronto Maple Leafs winger William Nylander is off to the best season start in his nine-year NHL career. Coming off a season-opening 17-game points streak, the 27-year-old sits among the league's leading scorers with 27 points. At his current rate, he should easily exceed last season's career high of 87 points.
Nylander's performance has already generated speculation over how much he'll get on his next contract. Slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July, his current average annual value is $6.9 million, far less than teammates Auston Matthews ($11.6 million) and Mitch Marner ($10.9 million), who are a year younger.
Should Nylander finish this season as the Leafs' leading scorer, he'll be in line for a substantial raise. On Nov. 20, the Toronto Sun's Lance Hornby cited Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman speculating the Leafs and Nylander's camp may have only been $1 million apart in the range of $8 million to $9 million annually. Friedman no longer considers that realistic.
The Toronto Star's Kevin McGran noted that Nylander's supposed $10 million asking price last summer now appears to be a bargain. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun surveyed team executives from several NHL clubs regarding a fair market price for the Leafs winger. Their estimates ranged from an AAV of $8.5 million to $12.25 million.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Barring a significant decline in his play over the remainder of this season, Nylander is going to get a big raise on his next contract. It could come in between $11 million and $12 million annually. If the Leafs don't want to pay it, another club will via next summer's free-agent market.
Stats and standings via NHL.com with salary and roster info via CapFriendly.
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