The NHL rumor mill is churning as teams navigate the second half of the 2025-26 season and approach the trade deadline. Here's a look at some of the latest buzz:

Senators' Struggles and Goaltending Woes

The Ottawa Senators find themselves in a tough spot, residing at the bottom of the Atlantic Division despite showing promise early in the season. General Manager Steve Staios is reportedly evaluating the team's direction and will use the next 7-10 games to determine how aggressively to approach the trade deadline. According to NHL insider Darren Dreger, the Senators' potential pursuit of Vancouver Canucks forward Kiefer Sherwood hinges on the team's performance during this period.

Adding to the Senators' challenges are concerns about their goaltending. After a dominant game, Jake Sanderson said that the team needs more than 10 saves to win a game. Coach Travis Green expressed his disappointment and stated that he feels bad for Merilainen after allowing six goals on 18 shots. Both Merilainen and Ullmark are struggling statistically, ranking near the bottom in goals saved above expected. Ullmark is currently with the team on a road trip and could be back in action soon.

Robert Thomas "Not Unavailable" in St. Louis

Despite being a key player for the St. Louis Blues, Robert Thomas's name has surfaced in trade discussions. While not actively being shopped, the Blues are reportedly open to listening to offers for the 26-year-old forward.

Trocheck to the Wild?

The Minnesota Wild are reportedly expressing interest in New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck. David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period mentioned that the Wild have been "circling" Trocheck, who could address their need for a top-six forward, particularly at the center position. Trocheck, 32, has a $5.63 million cap hit through the 2028-29 season and a modified no-trade list. He has consistently produced offensively, scoring over 21 goals and 59 points in the last four seasons, while also being strong on face-offs. The Rangers are seemingly ready to make deals as they sit at the bottom of the Eastern Conference and look to "retool the team". General Manager Chris Drury said the team will target players that bring tenacity, skill, speed and a winning pedigree with a focus on obtaining young players, draft picks, and cap space to allow flexibility moving forward.

The Wild have been actively seeking to bolster their forward ranks, even after acquiring Quinn Hughes. The team is currently dealing with several injuries, including Matt Boldy, Joel Eriksson Ek, Jonas Brodin, and Zach Bogosian.

Andersson Drawing Interest

Calgary Flames defenseman Rasmus Andersson is attracting significant attention from several teams. Darren Dreger reports that four teams, two from the East and two from the West, are vying for Andersson. The Boston Bruins and Vegas Golden Knights have been identified as two of the teams in the mix. The Flames are reportedly seeking a substantial return for the pending free agent, potentially two first-round picks or equivalent assets.

Other Rumblings

• The Edmonton Oilers are reportedly looking to trade forward Andrew Mangiapane, who has struggled to find his footing this season. The Ottawa Senators have reportedly had trade talks with the Oilers regarding Mangiapane.
• The New York Rangers may be open to parting ways with veteran players like Artemi Panarin as part of their retooling efforts.
• The Toronto Maple Leafs are mentioned as a team that could trade a goaltender.

As the trade deadline approaches, expect the NHL rumor mill to continue spinning with more names and potential deals emerging.