The NHL rumor mill is churning as the 2025 NHL Draft approaches, with several prominent names surfacing in trade discussions and a surprising comeback story developing. Here's a breakdown of the latest buzz.
Darnell Nurse Trade Talk
Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse is at the center of trade speculation. Nurse, who signed an eight-year, $74 million contract in 2022, has faced criticism for not living up to the expectations set by his hefty cap hit of $9.25 million per year. Some believe that moving Nurse would free up much-needed cap space for the Oilers, allowing them to better support stars like Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
Recently, speculation intensified when Nurse removed mention of the Oilers from his social media bio, though this has since been retracted. However, this action, combined with hints from insiders about a significant move by Edmonton, has fueled the trade rumors.
One potential landing spot for Nurse is the Detroit Red Wings. The Red Wings have ample cap space and are looking to add experience and stability to their defense. Acquiring Nurse could provide a fresh start for the defenseman, allowing him to take on a leadership role and mentor younger players on a team on the rise. A proposed trade idea involved the Red Wings acquiring Nurse, prospect Matthew Savoie, and a 2027 first-round pick in exchange for Justin Holl. While this specific deal is speculative, it highlights the kind of package that might be required to move Nurse and his contract.
However, some believe that Nurse is unlikely to be traded due to his full no-movement clause. Despite criticisms, some argue that Nurse had a strong regular season in 2024-2025.
Evgeny Kuznetsov's NHL Return
Evgeny Kuznetsov, a Stanley Cup champion with the Washington Capitals, is reportedly planning an NHL comeback. After spending the 2024-25 season in the KHL with SKA St. Petersburg, where he recorded 37 points in 39 games, Kuznetsov's agent has announced that he will be returning to North America for the 2025-26 season.
Kuznetsov's NHL career includes 173 goals and 402 assists in 743 games. He played 11 seasons with Washington, leading the team to the 2018 Stanley Cup title. After a less productive 2023-24 season, which included time in the NHL Player Assistance Program and a trade to the Carolina Hurricanes, Kuznetsov returned to Russia.
Now, at age 33, Kuznetsov is looking to revive his NHL career. His agent has reportedly spoken with several teams and has stated that Kuznetsov will not consider any AHL time, meaning he's looking for a guaranteed NHL role. A return to the Capitals is a possibility, especially as they aim to maximize their championship window with Alex Ovechkin. However, several other teams are expected to be interested in acquiring Kuznetsov's services, potentially leading to a bidding war. The Vancouver Canucks are one team that may have interest in signing Kuznetsov.
Other NHL Rumors
Besides Nurse and Kuznetsov, other players have been mentioned in trade rumors as the NHL Draft approaches. Jason Robertson (Dallas Stars), Marco Rossi (Minnesota Wild), Rasmus Andersson (Calgary Flames), and K'Andre Miller (New York Rangers) are among the notable names that could be on the move.
The Buffalo Sabres reportedly traded JJ Peterka to the Utah Mammoth for Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan. The Sabres allegedly rejected a substantial offer from the St. Louis Blues for Peterka, which included Jordan Kyrou. The Montreal Canadiens have been linked to Noah Dobson of the New York Islanders and Jordan Kyrou.
