BS Meter on Evgeni Malkin, Carter Hart and Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors
The puck dropped on the 2025-26 NHL regular season Tuesday, meaning all 32 teams have begun their annual quest for the Stanley Cup.
Another regular season also means a resumption in trade and free-agent rumors.
With Evgeni Malkin in the final season of his contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins, there's already speculation about potential trade destinations for the 39-year-old center.
Meanwhile, Dougie Hamilton's future with the New Jersey Devils remains in question after they re-signed blueliner Luke Hughes. In Calgary, trade rumors continue to swirl around Flames center Nazem Kadri.
How much belief should we put into these rumors? Here, we break out our BS Meter to separate fact from fiction.
Carter Hart Could Sign With Vegas Golden Knights
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The Vegas Golden Knights headed into this season with Adin Hill and Akira Schmid as their goaltending tandem, but they could add some more experienced depth between the pipes.
On Oct. 1, Chris Johnston of The Athletic cited league sources claiming Carter Hart was "almost certain" to join the Golden Knights as a free agent. The netminder last played in the NHL in January 2024 with the Philadelphia Flyers.
Hart was among five former Hockey Canada players acquitted last month of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident in London, Ontario, in 2018. The NHL subsequently ruled that those five can sign NHL contracts as of Oct. 15 and return to playing on Dec. 1 when their league suspensions have ended.
Johnston noted Hart received interest from multiple NHL teams. He's interested in joining the Golden Knights because he wants to play meaningful minutes with a playoff contender.
Hill is an experienced starter who backstopped Vegas to the 2023 Stanley Cup, but Schmid has seen limited NHL playing time.
BS Meter: Not BS
The Golden Knights and Hart's camp remain tight-lipped on the subject, but that's to be expected since they can't officially announce his contract until Oct. 15. Adding the 27year-old bolsters their goaltending depth, giving Hill a more experienced backup this season.
Edmonton Oilers Interested in Lukas Reichel
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Sitting at No. 5 on our October NHL Trade Block Big Board, Lukas Reichel has struggled to establish himself as a top-six forward with the Chicago Blackhawks.
On Sept. 29, Scott Powers of The Athletic reported the club had informed other NHL teams that the 23-year-old winger was available.
Earlier in the month, Reichel told Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times that he heard rumors back home in Germany this summer suggesting he could get traded to the Edmonton Oilers.
On Oct. 1, Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal reported Oilers general manager Stan Bowman was "kicking tires" on Reichel. That's understandable, given Bowman selected the winger 17th overall in the 2020 draft while he was Chicago GM.
Matheson was skeptical that Bowman could land Reichel, citing the Oilers' limited salary-cap space and lack of a defined role for him.
BS Meter: Not BS
Matheson noted Bowman has a good record with reclamation projects, including those of Ty Emberson, Vasily Podkolzin and Jake Walman. He could continue monitoring Reichel's situation in case he needs a replacement if one of his wingers is injured during the season.
Calgary Flames Could Move Nazem Kadri Before Trade Deadline
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As a new season dawns, Nazem Kadri remains the topic of trade speculation.
The 35-year-old Calgary Flames center has frequently surfaced in the rumor mill since the summer of 2024, and he earned a spot on our August NHL Trade Block Big Board.
Kadri has repeatedly denied any intention of asking the retooling Flames for a trade. He's signed through 2028-29 with an average annual value of $7 million. He also has a full no-movement clause for this season, which becomes a 13-team no-trade list on July 1 for the remainder of his contract.
Nevertheless, speculation persists that Kadri could become a trade candidate.
During an Oct. 3 interview with the Flames Nation Barn Burner podcast, TSN's Darren Dreger said it felt like a long shot that Kadri could be traded this season, but he didn't rule out the possibility of a move at the March trade deadline.
Dreger believes several teams could benefit from Kadri's aggressive two-way skills, such as the Montreal Canadiens, Vancouver Canucks, and former club the Toronto Maple Leafs. If he became available, Dreger believes the Flames would seek a high asking price.
BS Meter: Not BS
Dreger suggested Kadri could become available at the March trade deadline if the Flames were out of playoff contention. Otherwise, he doesn't see him moving. If Calgary wants to peddle him, it might be better off waiting until July 1 when his full no-movement clause ends.
Dougie Hamilton's Future with New Jersey Devils Still in Question
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The New Jersey Devils' contract negotiations with restricted free agent defenseman Luke Hughes last month raised questions about veteran blueliner Dougie Hamilton's future with the club. We recently examined that speculation and considered it plausible.
In a Sept. 23 interview with NJ.com's Ryan Novozinsky, the 32-year-old acknowledged the trade speculation but insisted he didn't pay much attention to it. He wants to stay with the Devils and help them win the Stanley Cup.
Hamilton is signed through 2027-28 with a team-leading average annual value of $9 million and a 10-team trade list. However, Hughes, 22, subsequently signed a seven-year contract with a similar AAV, though his no-trade protection doesn't kick in until the final two years of his deal.
Hughes' new contract prompted Peter Baugh and Chris Johnston to raise the question about Hamilton's future in New Jersey. The Devils see the young Hughes becoming their No. 1 defenseman and power-play quarterback.
BS Meter: Not BS
Baugh and Johnston pointed out the Devils don't need to trade Hamilton now. However, they could eventually find there's no need to carry two $9 million defensemen when only one can run the power play.
Evgeni Malkin to the Florida Panthers?
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Pittsburgh Penguins center Evgeni Malkin is in the final season of his contract. He is entering his 19th season, all of them with the Penguins. However, he faces an uncertain future in Pittsburgh as his long career winds down.
That's why the 39-year-old future Hall of Famer sits at No. 10 on our October NHL Trade Block Big Board. He hasn't ruled out playing again next season, and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas intends to meet with him about his future during the Olympic break.
On Sept. 28, Pittsburgh Hockey Now's Dan Kingerski cited a rumor making the rounds suggesting Malkin could be a good replacement for sidelined Florida Panthers center Aleksander Barkov.
The 30-year-old is out for at least the rest of the regular season following knee surgery.
Kingerski said the rumor was based on a misinterpretation of Malkin's comments when asked if he might accept a trade.
Malkin cited Brad Marchand's trade to the Panthers last March as an example of how well it worked out for him, but he didn't know how he would react if he was approached about a trade.
BS Meter: It's BS
The Panthers will undoubtedly monitor the trade market for any possible replacements for Barkov. However, they'll likely prefer a younger center still in his prime who plays a similar two-way game like their sidelined captain.
Salary info via PuckPedia.
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