Check out the recent Canadiens and Ducks speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports the free-agent market is thinning for the Montreal Canadiens if they intend to go that route to add a scoring forward. Daniel Sprong (18 goals) and Tyler Johnson (17 goals) are the highest-scoring players in the market.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes (NHL.com).
Engels believes the Canadiens could go the trade route if they’re seeking immediate help or a player who can help them now and in the future.
The Canadiens have lots of draft capital to use as trade bait. General manager Kent Hughes said they can use it to trade for an existing player or to move up in the draft. They hold two first-rounders in the 2025 draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Engels noted it’s a long summer and expects something will shake loose that makes sense for Hughes. The Canadiens GM has a history of making significant moves later in the offseason. He was involved in the three-team trade that sent Erik Karlsson to the Pittsburgh Penguins on Aug. 6, 2023. Hughes also acquired Sean Monahan on Aug. 18, 2022.
THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens wondered if Anaheim Ducks GM Pat Verbeek has a big move up his sleeve following a quiet start to the free-agent period.
Sources told him they made big offers to Steven Stamkos and Jonathan Marchessault before they signed with the Nashville Predators. Stephens believes years of losing have prevented Anaheim from being a destination of choice for UFA talent.
Stephens believes the rebuilding Ducks must add a difference-maker to take the club higher, like Toronto’s Mitch Marner or Carolina’s Martin Necas. They can afford to pull off a seismic trade, possessing plenty of salary-cap space, a solid stable of promising youngsters, and roster players who can help teams win now.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks acquired winger Robby Fabbri from the Detroit Red Wings and defenseman Brian Dumoulin from the Seattle Kraken since Stephens’ article was published on July 1. Neither player will significantly improve this club next season or beyond. It remains to be seen if Verbeek is planning a major acquisition to accelerate the rebuild.