In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we look at some big-name players who could be the focus of offseason trade chatter, the latest on the Capitals, and Andre Burakovsky’s uncertain future with the Blackhawks.
AUSTON MATTHEWS, BRADY TKACHUK COULD BE AMONG THE BIG NAMES IN THIS SUMMER’S TRADE MARKET
DAILY FACEOFF: In a recent mailbag segment, Daily Faceoff’s Anthony Di Marco was asked about which big-name players fans could expect to see in trade rumors during the coming off-season.
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews (NHL Images).
Di Marco believes Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews and Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk will be the biggest names in this summer’s rumor mill. He thinks Tkachuk is more likely to be moved, given the off-ice drama this season and his brother’s decision to depart the Calgary Flames four years ago. Matthews’ situation seems more uncertain and could depend on who becomes the next general manager of the Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matthews and Tkachuk will definitely be part of this summer’s rumor buzz, but I don’t see either guy moving this summer. Both have full no-movement clauses and have not indicated that they want to be moved.
Next summer seems more likely for one or both to get traded, and that will depend on how well the Maple Leafs and Senators perform in 2026-27. If they miss the playoffs or become first-round roadkill, Matthews and Tkachuk could inform their respective GMs that they’re going to market in 2028, which would force their teams to trade them.
St. Louis Blues center Robert Thomas could resurface in the rumor mill after being the focus of media chatter before last month’s trade deadline. Di Marco speculated that the groundwork may have been set for a summer trade.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Thomas was linked to several teams, including the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and New York Islanders. However, the Blues set a high asking price of at least three pieces that are comparable to first-round draft picks.
Thomas said that he was never approached about waiving his no-trade clause, nor did he want to be traded. Trading the 26-year-old playmaking center would adversely affect the production of linemates Jimmy Snuggerud and Dylan Holloway.
Di Marco felt that Buffalo Sabres defenseman Bowen Byram might want a new long-term destination in the long run despite the Sabres’ surge this season. He signed a two-year extension last summer and was rumored to want an opportunity to be a No. 1 defenseman. The Sabres are also overloaded with top-four, left-shot defensemen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Byram is eligible for unrestricted free-agent status next summer. However, he signed that contract under the previous management, and had a career-best season with 11 goals and 42 points in 2025-26. With the Sabres having finally turned the corner, he might prefer sticking around.
CAPITALS COULD BE BUSY AGAIN IN THE TRADE MARKET.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported last Thursday that the Washington Capitals could turn to the trade market this summer to address their more immediate roster needs.
The Capitals have been retooling on the fly under general manager Chris Patrick. Finding a scoring winger has been a priority for nearly a year. They attempted to sign Nikolaj Ehlers last summer, but lost out to the Carolina Hurricanes. They also attempted to get Artemi Panarin from the New York Rangers before he was traded to the Los Angeles Kings.
Patrick acknowledged the asking prices for top talent in this summer’s trade market could be high. However, he believes he’s put his club in a position where they have the pieces to make a competitive bid.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The limited depth in this summer’s free-agent market could push the Capitals into the trade market, but they won’t be the only team going that route. Having depth in tradeable assets could give them the edge.
If the Anaheim Ducks make the playoffs this year, the Capitals will own the Ducks’ first-round pick. That will likely be bundled into a trade package to bring in that scoring winger.
WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR BLACKHAWKS WINGER ANDRE BURAKOVSKY?
THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers looked at what the future could hold for struggling Chicago Blackhawks winger Andre Burakovsky.
The Blackhawks acquired Burakovsky last year from the Seattle Kraken partly because they hoped he might regain his form, but also to use his $5.5 million average annual value to reach the salary-cap floor.
With Connor Bedard due to be an expensive re-signing, the addition of Andrew Mangiapane’s $3.6 million cap hit, and the possible re-signing of Ilya Mikheyev, they might not need Burakovsky’s contract as much as they thought.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 31-year-old Burakovsky has 11 goals and 32 points in 73 games this season. He has a year remaining on his contract. Trading him won’t be easy, but the Blackhawks have the cap space to buy out that final season. It would count as $3 million against their cap next season, dropping to $1.25 million in 2027-28.