Buy or Sell the Latest NHL Trade and Free-Agency Rumors on Auston Matthews, Brady Tkachuk and More

The 2025-26 NHL regular season ends on Thursday, with the 2026 Stanley Cup playoffs commencing on Saturday.

Speculation will dog the teams that failed to qualify for the postseason, with the focus on potential offseason roster moves.

Some, like the New Jersey Devils and Toronto Maple Leafs, are already in the market for new management. Whoever takes over those roles will face important decisions that could involve moving some of their notable players.

Others, such as the Seattle Kraken, must decide which of their pending free agents they intend to bring back.

Meanwhile, there is conjecture involving some playoff-bound teams regarding the future of little-used veterans.

How much stock should we put in those rumors? Follow along as we determine those worth buying or selling.

Could the Montréal Canadiens Trade Samuel Montembeault?

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Montréal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault played a crucial role in his rebuilding club exceeding expectations in 2024-25 by reaching the playoffs. However, the 29-year-old's struggles this season have dropped him behind rookies Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler on their goalie depth chart

Montembeault hasn't been the same since suffering a groin injury during Montréal's playoff series against the Washington Capitals last spring. With Dobes and Fowler backstopping the Canadiens into this year's postseason, Montembeault could become expendable.

On Apr. 4, a reader asked Stu Cowan of The Montréal Gazette if Montembeault would be bought out of his contract if the Canadiens fail to trade him. Cowan believes there is a market for him, noting that several clubs struggled with their goaltending this season.

Montembeault has a year remaining on his contract with an affordable salary-cap hit of $3.15 million. He lacks no-trade protection.

Buy or Sell: Buy

Dobes and Fowler may be young, but they've already formed a solid goalie tandem for the Canadiens, leaving little reason to retain Montembeault. His struggles and recent injury are concerning, but another club could bet that a change of scenery might help him regain his form.

Will the Seattle Kraken Re-Sign Bobby McMann?

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The Seattle Kraken acquired Bobby McMann from the Toronto Maple Leafs before the March 6 trade deadline. He wasted little time settling in with his new club, tallying nine goals and 13 points in 15 games playing alongside center Matty Beniers and winger Jordan Eberle.

A late-blooming scorer, McMann had 20 goals and 34 points in 74 games with the Maple Leafs in 2024-25. He scored 19 goals and 32 points in 69 games with the Leafs before his trade to the Kraken. His combined totals with both clubs (28 goals, 45 points) are career highs for the 29-year-old winger.

McMann is completing a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.4 million. He wound up on the trade block because he and the Maple Leafs couldn't agree to a contract extension. He could seek a long-term deal worth an AAV of over $5 million.

On March 28, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Kraken management expressed interest to the McMann camp in signing their client to a contract extension. However, the talks hadn't progressed too far at that point.

Buy or Sell: Buy

McMann has fit in well during his short time with the Kraken, providing a welcome boost to their anemic offense. With over $28 million in salary-cap space for next season and 21 active roster players under contract, they have room to re-sign McMann and to pursue additional scoring punch through trades and free agency.

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs Trade or Buy Out Morgan Rielly?

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For the first time in nine seasons, the Toronto Maple Leafs failed to qualify for the playoffs. That's already prompted changes, with general manager Brad Treliving being fired on March 31. It's speculated that head coach Craig Berube could be next to get his walking papers.

While the search is on for Treliving's replacement, rumors are swirling about which core players might be traded or bought out this summer. Among them is defenseman Morgan Rielly, who is signed through 2029-30 with an average annual value of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause.

On Apr. 9, Rielly told The Athletic's Joshua Kloke that he wanted to remain with the Maple Leafs, even if changes are coming to the roster. He indicated that he wasn't approached by Treliving about waiving his no-movement clause, but acknowledged that his replacement might do so.

If Rielly refuses to be traded, the Leafs could buy out the remainder of his contract at two-thirds the remaining value over twice the remaining tenure. That would save the club $4 million annually for the first four years of the buyout, and count as $2 million annually against their cap for the final four years.

On Apr. 3, Sportsnet's Nick Kypreos reported the Maple Leafs could explore every option regarding Rielly, but he didn't see them buying out Rielly. However, Terry Koshan of the Toronto Sun didn't rule it out because of the money it would save against the salary cap.

Buy or Sell: Sell

The new Maple Leafs GM could prefer to keep the core intact for next season and attempt to bolster the roster around it. Rielly has struggled over the past two seasons, but management could decide to evaluate his play next season under a new head coach.

Could the Devils Trade Nico Hischier for Quinn Hughes or Brady Tkachuk?

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On Apr. 6, the New Jersey Devils fired general manager Tom Fitzgerald. While the search is on for a replacement, whoever gets the job must open contract extension talks with team captain Nico Hischier, who has one year left on his deal with a salary-cap hit of $7.3 million and a 10-team no-trade list.

One of the best two-way centers in the league, Hischier is in line for a substantial raise, which the Devils have the cap space to give him starting in 2027-28. However, New Jersey Hockey Now's James Nicholls reported that Hischier seemed noncommittal when asked if he'd sign an extension for a new general manager.

"I'm focusing on playing hockey here," Hischier said. "I still have one more year. I'm with the Devils right now, and then we'll see what happens." That prompted Nichols to suggest trading him if he's hesitant about signing an extension.

Nichols proposed shopping Hischier to the Minnesota Wild for superstar defenseman Quinn Hughes, reuniting him with his brothers, Jack and Luke Hughes. Failing that, he suggested peddling him to the Ottawa Senators for left wing Brady Tkachuk, who played with Jack Hughes on Team USA's Olympic gold medal team.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Hischier could be waiting to speak with Fitzgerald's replacement to learn about their plans before committing to a new contract.

If he's reluctant to sign, it would be wise for the Devils to explore trade options, but there is no indication that he'd accept a trade to Minnesota or Ottawa, or that Hughes or Tkachuk would be available.

Could the Pittsburgh Penguins Pursue Auston Matthews?

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It's been a difficult season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. They missed the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16, and lost team captain Auston Matthews to a season-ending knee injury following a nasty knee-on-knee hit by Anaheim Ducks defenseman Radko Gudas.

Whoever the Maple Leafs hire as their new general manager must make discussing his plans with Matthews a priority. The 28-year-old superstar center has two years remaining on his contract, and he'll want to know what direction the club is heading before agreeing to an extension next summer.

On Apr. 2, a reader asked Josh Yohe of The Athletic if the Pittsburgh Penguins might pursue Matthews if he became available in this summer's trade market. The reader cited the relationship between Matthews and Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas during the latter's days as Leafs GM.

The Penguins will eventually need a replacement for aging superstar Sidney Crosby. Yohe wouldn't be surprised if Dubas looked into it, pointing out that the Penguins have the cap space and plenty of tradeable assets to swing the deal, although he doubted if Dubas would part with promising forward Ben Kindel.

Buy or Sell: Sell

Dubas would undoubtedly look into acquiring Matthews if the Maple Leafs put him on this summer's trade block. However, it's unlikely that's going to happen. Matthews will probably remain patient to see what unfolds this summer and next season under the Leafs' new management.

Stats (as of Apr. 14, 2026) via NHL.com. Salary cap and contract info via PuckPedia.