Rumour Report: NHL rumour mill ramping up again


Plenty of rumours to keep an eye on with the NHL season now well underway.


  • We haven't posted in a while, but we never took our eye off the NHL rumour mill. Here's a look at where things stand around the league.
  • William Nylander - Still more likely he signs than is traded, but reports seem to indicate that a number of teams have discussed, if not asked directly, what it might take to pry the young RFA out of Toronto. Carolina's Brett Pesce is a name that has been bandied about as a possibility.



  • Sergei Bobrovsky - He and fellow Russian Artemi Panarin are strong possibilities to move before the trade deadline, regardless of where the Blue Jackets are in the standings. Where would Bob want to go? He's apparently submitted a list of teams he'd accept a trade to, but unlike Panarin who wants to land in a big market, it's unclear where Bobrovsky wants to end up. One possibility - and this rumour may be a little old - but the Flames are rumoured to have explored the idea of trading for Bobrovky. Nothing came of it, of course, but with Mike Smith a UFA at the end of the season the door is open to add and extend a big salary goalie.


  • Vladislav Namestnikov's name has surfaced in recent weeks as the Rangers continue their roster turnover. The 25 year old pivot hasn't been a great fit in the Big Apple, but would surely interest a contending team at the deadline.
  • Kevin Hayes and Mats Zuccarello are two other Rangers who might gain interest at the deadline as well. The former has been linked to Winnipeg, and the latter was almost moved at last year's trade deadline.
  • Jacob Trouba - Hard to see any scenario where he's moved in-season, but an offseason move sounds increasingly possible. The pending RFA defenseman seems unwilling to commit to the Jets long term, and rumours suggest American teams, including the Red Wings, are potential landing spots.
  • Speaking of the Red Wings, several big name players - Gustav Nyquist, Jimmy Howard and trade deadline favourite Thomas Vanek could all get moved over the next few months.
  • Another situation worth keeping an eye on - though I highly doubt Edmonton is going to cut bait on him already - is Jesse Puljujarvi, who has started appearing in the rumour mill. He may have been rushed into the NHL too early, but he's far from damaged goods. It's easy to forget how young these kids are sometimes.
  • Another young player whose name is already starting to make the rounds again is the Islanders' Josh Ho-Sang. The outspoken winger has bristled with the organization that drafted him at various times, and with a new GM in town it's increasingly likely he gets a new start elsewhere.
  • Lots more coming in the next few days and weeks as we get up to speed with the NHL rumour mill once again. Don't forget to follow NHL Rumour Report on Facebook for the latest updates, and please share our posts if you like what we do - it all helps.