NHL Rumor Mill – November 14, 2026
Check out the latest on Matvei Michkov, Nikita Kucherov, Quinn Hughes, Dylan Larkin, and Elias Pettersson in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HOW WILL THE FLYERS HANDLE MICHKOV AND THEIR STRUGGLING VETERANS?
NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman said he believes the Philadelphia Flyers want to make things work with Matvei Michkov. They don’t want another Cutter Gauthier situation, where they trade away a promising young player who goes on to become a star elsewhere.
Philadelphia Flyers winger Matvei Michkov (NHL Images).
Friedman thinks Michkov and his teammates have to work on their relationship with each other. Organizationally, the relationship between the player and the people around him is a “real work in progress.” Nevertheless, the front office is determined to do everything they can to make this work.
THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz believes handling Michkov is among the difficult decisions facing Flyers general manager Daniel Briere.
All indications are the Flyers aren’t in any hurry to ship the promising 21-year-old winger out of Philadelphia. Kurz believes it’s a no-win situation if they trade him now, suggesting other teams might not see him as a cornerstone player like the Flyers. His recent spats with Travis Konecny and Nick Seeler could raise questions about his character.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers were banking on Michkov becoming one of their foundation players (along with rookie Porter Martone). Trading him now could backfire if he lands with a club willing to give him the top-six forward minutes he craves. However, they also don’t want to go too far mollifying Michkov as his teammates could become resentful.
Kurz speculated that Briere could instead look at his veterans to determine which ones are no longer a fit with the Flyers. He pointed out that several of them (Konecny, Owen Tippett, Cam York, Tyson Foerster, and Sean Couturier) haven’t produced as expected. Trevor Zegras and Jamie Drysdale have improved recently, but their performances were dreadful earlier in the season.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kurz isn’t the only pundit pointing out the unhappiness within the organization about the performance of several of the Flyers’ core veterans. Whether Briere peddles any of them remains to be seen given that some have long contracts with various no-trade protections.
LIGHTNING, WILD COULD KEEP KUCHEROV AND HUGHES FOR THE PLAYOFFS
NHL NETWORK: Friedman believes the Tampa Bay Lightning will retain Nikita Kucherov for the playoffs, and so will the Minnesota Wild with Quinn Hughes.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both players are UFA-eligible in July. Kucherov recently requested a trade after informing the Lightning that he wouldn’t sign an extension. Meanwhile, Hughes remains undecided about re-signing with the Wild.
Both teams risk losing those players for nothing to free agency next summer. However, Friedman thinks they’ll hang onto them and go for it in the postseason.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning already stated they won’t trade Kucherov. Recent speculation suggested they might change their minds if they’re struggling before the March 1 trade deadline, but they will probably treat this situation as one last shot for a Stanley Cup run with a healthy, motivated Kucherov.
As for the Wild, they’re among the top teams in the league right now. If they maintain that pace and perhaps pick up a player or two before the deadline, they could become a serious Stanley Cup contender. A deep playoff run might convince Hughes to re-sign with the Wild before July 1.
WHAT’S THE WILD’S OFFER FOR LARKIN?
NHL NETWORK: Friedman believes the Minnesota Wild have had a standing offer of forward Danila Yurov and three first-round picks for Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman observed that Wild general manager Bill Guerin said only he and the Red Wings know what he’s offering for Larkin, and everyone else is just guessing. He also said nothing’s really changed regarding the 30-year-old center, who is sitting out, awaiting a trade, and refusing to expand his 10-team trade list.
Friedman thinks the Red Wings want a return that helps them now, even though it’s currently difficult to find that type of return. He also said they’ve maintained a high asking price for defenseman Simon Edvinsson, asking interested teams about their young centers. Friedman also wondered if there’s growing internal pressure for the Wings’ management as the team continues to struggle on the ice.
HURRICANES REVISITED THEIR INTEREST IN ELIAS PETTERSSON
TORONTO SUN: Bruce Garrioch recently reported the Carolina Hurricanes are believed to have “kicked the tires” on Vancouver Canucks center Elias Pettersson. He claimed the Hurricanes wanted to add more scoring. However, the Canucks aren’t willing to retain any part of his $11.6 million AAV through 2030-31.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hurricanes were linked to Pettersson before signing his current contract on March 3, 2024. At one point, it was rumored that a trade between the two sides was close, but that ended after the Canucks intensified negotiations with the Pettersson camp.
The Hurricanes currently lead the league in goals-per-game average (4.10), but their power-play percentage (22.7) ranks 14th. They’ve also been linked to Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson, suggesting they might prefer a puck-moving, right-shot defenseman.
If Detroit is asking for NHL players now then Minnesota is out unless a third team enters the fray. Fine and dandy if Kucherov and Hughes stay with their perspective clubs but what if they lose in the first round of the playoffs?Will their GMS be looking for new jobs along with Briere?
I would think ownership in both locations are in step with what BriseBois and Guerin are intending, otherwise we’d be hearing a much different tune out of Tampa and Minneapolis.
I think there are better odds of the Wings sending C&Dman, Larkin AND Simon Edvinsson for Yurov + THREE late #1
than
Minny GM Billy Guerin sending three #1’s and Yurov to the Wings.
I mean three #1 and Yurov for Larkin is a tad desperate.
I think there are better odds of the Wings sending C&Dman, Larkin AND Simon Edvinsson for Yurov + THREE late #1
than
Minny GM Billy Guerin sending three #1’s and Yurov to the Wings.
Detroit really values those 2 whole goals Larkin had scored this year over 3 first round picks? I doubt that’s the offer but they should move on if it is.
Brock that s better than Ovi s 1 goal for Washington in 17 games!
Ovechkin is also 41 y/o. Time catches up to everyone. Believe Me!
Remember those draft picks are likely 27-32. They aren’t premium draft picks, first round sounds great until you realize in the last 5 drafts these are the players to play in the NHL from picks drafted 25-32.
2026: 0
2025: 0
2024: 2
Calgary 28th Matvei Gridin
GP 56 11G 31P
Tampa 32nd Sam O’ Reilly
GP 2 1P
2023: 5
St Louis 25th Otto Stenberg
GP 35 3G 11P
Colorado 27th Calum Ritchie
GP 80 15G 33P
Toronto 28th Easton Cowan
GP 87 18G 45P
St Louis 29th Theo Lindstein
GP 23 2G 6P
Carolina 30th Bradley Nadeau
GP 18 3G 6P
2022:7
Chicago 25th Sam Rinzel
GP 81 5G 26P
San Jose 27th Filip Bystedt
GP 5 0P
Buffalo 28th Jiri Kulich
GP 86 9G 32P
Arizona 29th Maveric Lamoureau
GP 20 1G 4P
Winnipeg 30th Brad Lambert
GP 42 3G 9P
Edmonton 31st Isaac Howard
GP 42 3G 8P
Nashville 32nd Reid Schaefer
GP 60 7G 10P
Out of the 40 picks, 15 have played (37.5%), based on the numbers so far 3 (8%) might be something, there’s still time for others but it’s less likely, not one has played 100 games, at minimum you can expect 3 years till they may be ready to play in the NHL, if you hit on a player to at will make it.
So the 2027 1st, not till 2030.
2028 1st, not till 2031.
2029 1st, not till 2032.
If the 1sts were 10th-17th, they probably take it in a heartbeat but it’s not likely to be the case.
Even flipping the 27-32nd pick is more of a throw in than it is a full trade asset or using it to trade up in the draft by combining 2 picks to move up 5 or 6 spots.
I think the loop hole or NMC/NTC needs to be fixed on the next CBA, teams are not allowed to ask players to waive their clause and players if they ask to be traded, lose their clause. Teams should not be allowed to sign a player with it with the intention of “well just ask him to waive it if we want to move him” and a player should not be able to demand a trade to specific teams and leave their team in a bad situation.
Teams take advantage of the asking players to waive their clause just as much as players demand a trade to specific teams, if not more, it needs to be addressed.
You never know with how fluid the NHL can be, one of those picks could be a top 10. I doubt they’re actually offering three first regardless.
Michkov for Edvinsson. Get it done.
Include any of Tippett, Foerster, and York if need be… these guys got paid and now seem to only be going thru the motions on gameday. And, kick Tocchet to the curb. His dump & chase system doesn’t work in today’s NHL. No creativity allowed, that’s the Flyers motto. I’ve been a Flyers fan for 40 + years, and I’m just over it. Does any other organization cling to past glory (which was back in the mid 70’s, for crying out loud!) and believe their heroes of the past can bring present & future success by giving them management positions like this one??
Detroit’s ask from SJ for Eddy is Misa++, which is ridiculous! Misa and middling pick or prospect is quite enough. The ridiculous asks for Eddy and Larkin are meant to keep them on the shelf and punishing them for asking out of a poorly managed team.
Michkov and York for Edvinsson?
Horcoff signs before Briere can think twice.
Totally agree, Tocchet system with taking ice time away if u don’t 🤔he didn’t have the players for it in Vancouver and not in Philly as well 🤷🏻♂️
And therein lies the problem. Good Coaches build a system around the talent they have. They don’t have a preset system, and try to force round pegs in square holes.
So sick and tired of this narrative….there is no old school brass left in phila. Did briere play for them YES but half his career in buffalo did RT PLAY FOR PHILLY YES BUT HIS CAREER AND STANLEY CUPS WON ELSE WHERE. Ffs enough of philly tryin to be broad street bullies thats BS anything wrong with Philly management is not the same old school problems. Its not bob clarke or paul holmgren running this team anymore ED has passed Enough already please THEY MAY BE INEPT BUT ITS NOT FOR THE SAME OLD REASONS FFS
Monf, I have thought that about the flyer’s forever. Congratulations for being brave enough to admit it. To me that has been the organization’s problem: never saw a penalty they didn’t like, sub par defense and goaltending. I was kind of impressed with them during the “bubble” year; I thought they were headed in the right direction but IDK? I thought hextall got all the blame but to me he kept those flyer cronies out of the room. The flyer glory years are impressive; I know I lived through it. They beat my bobby orr bruins @ the time. After that, to me very overated with nothing to show for it.
According to puckpedia Tampa has a projected cap space of $28.86 million next season. The Wild will have $45.98 million. I would think that they should be able to replace Kucherov and Hughes or be able to resign those players if the players choose to. Both players hold the upper hand. Who knows how high teams would be willing to pay them?
Gary, if Hughes doesn’t sign in Minnesota it’’s because he wants to play with his brothers in NJ. He was the Canucks’ captain and the face of their franchise and he quit on the team and his teammates so I don’t think he would have any problem walking away from the Wild next summer. He’s saying all the right things (likes Minneapolis, happy to be a Wild etc.) but he hasn’t signed. With that in mind, I don’t think any team will trade for him and the Devils just have to wait until next July to get him for free. It looks like Guerin may have given up 3 players who were picked in the first round plus a 1st round draft pick for 2 runs for the cup. We’ll know at the end of the year if it was it worth the gamble.
Gary it will be interesting in TB case. They moved on from Stamkos and he still puts up offensive numbers in Nashville!
The “replacement” signing, in terms of cap and role, was Guentzal, who they have on a good contract for Maximum term. Now he doesn’t actually replace Stamkos, Captain, face of the franchise, HOF player, 600+ goal career, but he is a point a game two way player who is smart and responsible and, based on his career to date, a borderline HOF player himself, quietly toiling the the shadow of the big three in Pitts, and of KUCH et al in Tampa. Probably a good GM move when all is taken into account – and good for Stammer extending an already great career after an awful broken leg.
Eddy and Danielson for
Misa, Orlov (salary to sign Eddy) and a 2027 1st
Provided Detroit is on Orlov’s trade list
Otherwise, they can put Couture on SELTIR and either just trade for Eddy for Misa and a pick
Misa is only a couple three years behind Cooley who signed for $10m with Utah. They are very similar and I expect Misa to be a #1 center talent in a year or two maximum
Misa & a pick straight up or Edvinsson or
add a good prospect and a couple of picks for Larkin….move on ,you won, its over
I think Flyers keep Michkov and build around him and Martone. They just signed Foerester to $7m x 7 so he will stay. The balance should not buy any green bananas
Remember San Jose needs cap space. They have roughly 4 million right now. Trading Misa would open around 3.5 but you need to also have a player added to play his position.
They would have to ship out salary. Misa and a pick aren’t going to do that.
If SJ trades Misa straight up for Edvinsson, let alone add a 1st, I will eat my socks.
You don’t trade a potential #1C, even potential elite C, for a #2 D-man. Which is what Edvinsson is.
I’m not trashing Edvinsson, he’s a 23, a #2, 6’6″ tall and can skate. But the offence isn’t there to be a true #1 D on a good team. This isn’t a 23 yr old Makar.
The convo should start with Verhoeff plus a little not Misa.
Misa is only 19 and is starting his 2nd season in the league. Detroit is the one with the problem, not SJ.
Read what the scouts say on the link, and ask yourself if you trade this kid.
https://thehockeywriters.com/michael-misa-2025-nhl-draft-prospect-profile/
Minnesota and Tampa are top 5 in league in points and winning %. Both teams are already considered top contenders. Minnesota is getting Landers back. Keeping Hughes is a no brainer. If they go out in the 1st round, so be it. You can trade him and still go out in 1st round. If he leaves in feee agency, you use that 20 mil in cap space that you saved bringing in players. Easier to sign free agents than find a trade partner. Same with Tampa and Kucherov.
It’s actually not that easy to find quality UFAs. The top free agents last season were almost unanimously mid to low end players.
@Mike… maybe not the same old school players, but the same old school mentality. Holmgren & Clarke may be out of the building, but the same old muck & grind and dump & chase mentality exists. There are ex-Flyers thoughout management & the scouting staff, and it’s been that way for decades — it hasn’t worked then, and chances are it won’t work now. Hire a coach with new ideas & perspectives. Something is terribly wrong if you have a bunch of ex-Flyers that have to go win Cups with OTHER organizations!