Buy or Sell the Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors
Training camps are underway, and preseason action has started in preparation for the 2025-26 NHL regular season. General managers are evaluating their rosters to determine which areas require improvement before the schedule begins on Oct. 7.
This time of year always brings an increase in media chatter regarding possible trade candidates and the status of unsigned restricted free agents.
Kirill Kaprizov's recent rejection of a massive contract offer from the Minnesota Wild prompted speculation about possible trade destinations for the superstar winger.
Meanwhile, Luke Hughes' contract talks with the New Jersey Devils have some observers wondering about teammate Dougie Hamilton's future with the team.
How much stock should be put into these rumors? Follow along as we determine whether to buy or sell the latest speculation.
Teams are Interested in Bruins Center Pavel Zacha
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The Boston Bruins enter this season hoping to rebound from a disappointing performance in 2024-25. Their eight-year playoff streak ended, and they traded away team captain Brad Marchand at the March 2025 trade deadline.
Some observers believe the Bruins could still make moves before the season begins, leading to Pavel Zacha surfacing in offseason speculation. The versatile 28-year-old forward is in the third season of a four-year contract with an average annual value of $4.8 million.
On Sept. 11, RG.Org's James Murphy reported that the Montreal Canadiens and Calgary Flames were among the teams interested in acquiring Zacha. A trade wasn't imminent, but Murphy's sources claimed trade scenarios had been discussed.
Murphy indicated the trade speculation wasn't coming from the Bruins, but from the teams interested in Zacha. Clubs like the Canadiens and Flames are in the market for a second-line center.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Teams may be interested in Zacha, but the Bruins aren't going to move him if they bounce back into playoff contention. However, his availability could become more realistic if they stumble from the gate.
Anaheim Ducks Not Moving Mason McTavish
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The Anaheim Ducks entered training camp last week without second-line center Mason McTavish. The 22-year-old was instead skating with the OHL's Ottawa 67s as his agent and Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek continued their contract negotiations.
McTavish is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. Verbeek was also a hard-nosed negotiator with players in similar circumstances, such as former Ducks Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale, who have since been traded to the Philadelphia Flyers.
The lack of progress in those negotiations made McTavish the subject of trade speculation throughout the offseason. However, The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reported he hasn't requested a trade and wants to remain in Anaheim, while his colleague Eric Stephens claimed the Ducks aren't interested in moving McTavish.
Stephens pointed out that the Ducks see McTavish as a more important player than Zegras and Drysdale. He claimed that both sides want to get a deal done, but he believes Verbeek must finalize it soon. The longer McTavish misses training camp, the more it could adversely affect his performance this season.
Buy or Sell: Buy
McTavish has drawn interest around the league from teams seeking a second-line center. However, he has the same value for the Ducks, if not more. This is a young team hoping to emerge from several years of rebuilding into a playoff contender, and see McTavish playing a key role in their future.
Pittsburgh Penguins Could Trade Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell This Season
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Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin were briefly the subject of trade speculation over the last two weeks. However, both players have full no-movement clauses and aren't clamoring to be traded, preferring to remain in Pittsburgh.
Two Penguins who lack the luxury of a full no-move clause are Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust. Both are signed through 2027-18 earned at or above $5 million annually. The two forwards regularly surfaced in offseason trade conjecture.
Matt Vensel of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette believes Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas set a high asking price for both players, which explains why they haven't been moved yet. He expects one or both could be shopped by the March trade deadline if the Penguins are out of contention by then.
With both players signed beyond this season, Dubas isn't under pressure to trade Rust or Rakell. He will take his time and wait for the right offers.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Dubas will likely remain open to offers, especially if the Penguins are near the bottom of the standings by the trade deadline. If Rust and Rakell play well this season, they will draw the interest of contenders seeking top-six forward depth. One of those teams could get desperate enough to meet Dubas' price.
New Jersey Devils Could Move Dougie Hamilton in a Cost-Cutting Trade
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On July 28, 2021, the New Jersey Devils signed free agent Dougie Hamilton to a seven-year, $63 million contract. The puck-moving defenseman became one of their best players. His career-high 74-point performance in 2022-23 played a key factor in the Devils' franchise-best 112-point season.
Four years later, there is speculation suggesting Hamilton could become a cost-cutting trade candidate to free up room for defenseman Luke Hughes' new contract.
Hughes, 22, is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level deal. On Sept. 16, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported the two sides continue to "grind away" on a new contract. Once Hughes is under contract, LeBrun wondered what the future held for Hamilton.
"How many power-play quarterbacks do you need in the modern NHL?," LeBrun asked. He said he wasn't suggesting a trade was imminent, but felt it was something worth monitoring leading up to the March 6 trade deadline.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Hughes is younger with more long-term value than Hamilton. The Devils have $5.2 million in cap space for this season. Depending on what Hughes signs for, they could end up moving someone to free up cap space. They could peddle a lower-salaried player or test Hamilton's value in the trade market.
Minnesota Wild Still Trying to Sign Kirill Kaprizov
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Kirill Kaprizov usually makes headlines with his on-ice performance, but his rejection of a whopping eight-year, $128 million contract offer from the Minnesota Wild dominated the hockey news. It also raised questions about whether the 28-year-old winger's future remained in "The State of Hockey".
The Hockey News' Michael Traikos wondered if the Kaprizov camp preferred a shorter term. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman mused over whether another team might be willing to offer him more money. Meanwhile, Bleacher Report's Adam Gretz listed six possible trade landing spots for Kaprizov.
On Sept. 16, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported contract discussions between Wild general manager Bill Guerin and Kaprizov's agent, Paul Theofanous, were not cordial. However, he indicated the Wild haven't engaged in trade talks, adding they still believe he wants to stay in Minnesota.
During the opening day of training camp, Kaprizov told reporters that he loves Minnesota and wants to stay, but is leaving the contract issues with his agent. Guerin said they're keeping the talks private, adding that the club's priority is to re-sign their franchise star.
Buy or Sell: Buy
Kaprizov's rejection of the Wild's offer doesn't mean Guerin will give up and put the high-scoring winger on the trade block. Their recent comments from both sides indicate a willingness to reach a deal. Unless that tone changes, the Wild don't intend to move him.
Salary info via PuckPedia.
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