BS Meter on Dylan Larkin, Cutter Gauthier and the Latest NHL Trade Rumors

The dog days of the NHL off-season continue as August draws to a close.

Following a frenzy of activity in the trade market within the first two days of July, business has slowed to a crawl. Only five trades have occurred since July 2, all involving minor-league players.

However, trade activity could pick up once the calendar flips to September. With training camps opening in mid-month and the regular season beginning on Sept. 29, NHL general managers could soon start shopping around to address any lingering roster issues.

Meanwhile, the media rumor mill continues churning over potential moves involving some key players.

Some, such as Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, have previously surfaced in trade rumors this summer. Others, like Calgary Flames defenseman Zach Whitecloud, have started popping up as trade candidates.

Follow along as we dust off our BS Meter to separate fact from fiction regarding the latest NHL trade chatter.

Montréal Canadiens Have Two "Sign-and-Trade" Candidates

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Montreal Canadiens winger Zachary Bolduc (left) and defenseman Arber Xhekaj jump during warm-ups before a 2025-26 regular-season game.

With September and the start of training camp fast approaching, the Montréal Canadiens have not yet re-signed defenseman Arber Xhekaj and winger Zachary Bolduc. The two depth players are restricted free agents coming off low-cost contracts and should be affordable re-signings for the Canadiens.

Stu Cowan of The Montreal Gazette speculated about whether Xhekaj and Bolduc still have futures with the Canadiens. Because they haven't re-signed yet, he concluded that they could be part of a sign-and-trade scenario.

The Canadiens still require a second-line center. Cowan pointed out that general manager Kent Hughes hasn't ruled out making a trade in September or October, adding that he wouldn't make a "dumb trade" for a quick fix.

Given the young talent within the Canadiens system, there might not be room for Xhekaj and Bolduc. They could be pushed out if one or two of their promising players crack the lineup during training camp.

BS Meter: It's BS

Sign-and-trade scenarios usually happen with stars or second-tier talent, not low-cost depth players. Both could draw attention if available in the trade market. However, even in a package deal, they won't fetch the second-line center the Canadiens require without adding a significant sweetener.

Darcy Kuemper and Trevor Moore Could be the Los Angeles Kings' Trade Candidates

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Los Angeles Kings goaltender Darcy Kuemper (left) and winger Trevor Moore.

The Los Angeles Kings made several roster changes during this offseason. Long-time captain Anze Kopitar retired, and Andrei Kuzmenko and Mathieu Joseph departed via free agency. Mats Zuccarello and Erik Haula arrived via free agency. So did Corey Perry, back for a second stint after joining them last season.

Nevertheless, Kings general manager Ken Holland might not be done tinkering with his lineup this season. Ryan O'Hara of The Hockey News suggested goaltender Darcy Kuemper and winger Trevor Moore as trade candidates.

Kuemper, 36, was a Vezina Trophy finalist with the Kings in 2024-25. However, he struggled last season after an injury, which cost him the starter's job to Anton Forsberg. If he can't regain that spot, the Kings might attempt to move him and his $5.3 million cap hit.

O'Hara complimented Moore's speed and ability, but noted the 31-year-old winger hasn't cracked the Kings' top-six forward lines full-time. He carries a $4.2 million annual cap hit through 2027-28, and scored a career-high 31 goals in 2022-23.

BS Meter: Not BS

Both players could be trade chips to address other roster issues for the Kings. Keumper could draw interest from teams seeking an experienced starting goalie, while Moore could entice clubs that are in the market for a skillful middle-six winger.

Calgary Flames Could Trade Zach Whitecloud

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The Calgary Flames have rebuilt their roster over the last two seasons by trading veterans for draft picks, prospects, and younger players. They're expected to be sellers this season if they're out of playoff contention by the March 1 trade deadline.

Zach Whitecloud is currently the Flames' biggest trade chip. Acquired from the Vegas Golden Knights in January, the 29-year-old is a reliable defenseman with Stanley Cup experience. He has two years left on his contract with an affordable AAV of $2.8 million.

Kent Wilson of the Calgary Sun believes the Flames will retain Whitecloud this season to provide experience and leadership to their young defense corps. However, he doesn't rule out a trade if young blueliners Simon Nemec and Zayne Parekh step up this season.

Some observers still consider Whitecloud a suitable trade target this summer for clubs seeking a skillful, experienced top-four defenseman with a right-handed shot. The Toronto Maple Leafs and Montreal Canadiens have been suggested as suitors.

BS Meter: It's BS

The Flames could move Whitecloud if their young defenseman shows improvement this season. However, those promising youngsters will likely need another season to develop, meaning they'll need a seasoned hand like Whitecloud to help them.

Anaheim Ducks Could Make a Cost-Cutting Trade to Sign Cutter Gauthier

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Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (right) with teammate Chris Kreider.

The Anaheim Ducks were caught by surprise when center Leo Carlsson signed a five-year contract offer with the Philadelphia Flyers worth an average annual value of $18 million. The Ducks matched the offer, but it left them with insufficient salary cap space to re-sign Cutter Gauthier.

A restricted free agent coming off an entry-level contract, Gauthier led the Ducks last season with 41 goals and 69 points. The 21-year-old winger reportedly rejected a four-year contract offer from the Ducks worth $14 million annually.

With $9.07 million in salary cap space, the Ducks must shed salary once Gauther is signed. They'll get some short-term salary-cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry ($7 million AAV) on long-term injury reserve, but they must be cap-compliant when he's ready to return to the lineup.

Andre Leal of The Hockey News believes the Ducks must make a couple of cost-cutting trades. He suggested wingers Alex Killorn ($6.25 million AAV), Chris Kreider ($6.5 million), and Frank Vatrano ($4.6 million) as likely trade candidates.

BS Meter: Not BS

If Gauthier has rejected $14 million annually, he won't accept anything within the Ducks' current remaining cap space. The Ducks are a rising team in the Western Conference and cannot afford to lose their leading goal scorer. Killorn, Kreider, or Vatrano could be playing elsewhere later this season.

Minnesota Wild Can't Afford to Acquire Dylan Larkin

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Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (right) in action against the Minnesota Wild.

In early June, it was first reported that Dylan Larkin requested a trade. That made the 30-year-old Detroit Red Wings center a fixture in the rumor mill and earned him a spot on our August NHL Trade Targets list.

Larkin has a full no-movement clause, but is reportedly willing to waive it for the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, and Dallas Stars. According to MLive.com's Ansar Khan, the Wild were his preferred landing spot, but they might be unable to meet the Wings' asking price.

Khan stated the Red Wings sought, at minimum, a top-six forward (preferably a center) in return for Larkin. However, the Wild aren't parting with that type of asset, and Khan indicated the Red Wings aren't interested in a return of futures such as draft picks and prospects.

Wild followers aren't optimistic about their club's chances of landing Larkin. In a fan poll earlier this month by Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic, 68 percent of respondents didn't believe their team could acquire him, citing the club's limited trade capital.

BS Meter: Not BS

The Wild don't have a top-six forward to spare, and their lack of a true first-line center is the reason they were linked to Larkin in the first place. Unless the Wings lower their price, the Wild must get creative, perhaps by getting a third team involved that has the assets that could interest the Wings.

Stats via NHL.com, salary cap and contract info via PuckPedia.