Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 7, 2026
The latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, Maple Leafs winger Matthews Knies, and more in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
WHAT WOULD IT COST THE CANADIENS OR FLYERS TO LAND DYLAN LARKIN?
THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Stu Cowan believes Dylan Larkin would “definitely” be a good fit for the Canadiens’ second-line center position.
The 29-year-old Detroit Red Wings captain’s trade request made headlines last week. He’s scored at least 30 goals in each of the last five seasons. He has five more seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.7 million.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
Cowan believes the Red Wings’ asking price would start with the Canadiens’ top prospect, center Michael Hage. He thinks the Habs have reached the stage in their rebuild where moving Hage is no longer considered unthinkable, adding that they need a second-line center to skate alongside rising star Ivan Demidov.
PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James noted that Larkin would be a good fit for the Flyers, who need an experienced top-six center.
James believes the return to the Red Wings would depend on what direction general manager Steve Yzerman wants to take the team. If he’s targeting players that can help him now, the Flyers have defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen and winger Owen Tippett, who’ve been the subject of trade speculation.
If the Red Wings seek a center as part of the return, the Flyers would have to part with Noah Cates. They aren’t moving Trevor Zegras, and they recently re-signed Christian Dvorak, who has a no-trade clause that begins on July 1. Team captain Sean Couturier has a full no-movement clause.
James felt the Flyers would prefer to offer up a package of prospects and NHL players. It could also include a first-round pick. The price would be high, but it would be worth it to land a first-line center such as Larkin.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens and Flyers have the assets to make competitive bids to the Wings for Larkin. However, it ultimately depends on whether they’re on his list of preferred trade destinations.
WILL THE CANADIENS REVISIT THEIR ATTEMPT TO ACQUIRE MATTHEW KNIES?
SPORTSNET: On Friday, Elliotte Friedman confirmed a recent report by Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period claiming the Montreal Canadiens and Toronto Maple Leafs had an agreement in place that would’ve sent winger Matthew Knies to Montreal at the March trade deadline
The deal would’ve seen the Canadiens send prospect winger Alexander Zharovsky, another prospect, and two first-round draft picks to the Maple Leafs for Knies. However, the deal fell through because the trade was filed one minute past the 3 pm ET deadline on March 6.
Friedman believes the Canadiens might want to revisit that deal, but it’s off the table and won’t happen now.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols believes the Devils could crush the Canadiens’ offer for Knies if he’s still available.
He suggested the Devils could offer up young right-shot defenseman Simon Nemec, center Dawson Mercer, or veteran blueliner Dougie Hamilton as the centerpiece, along with a prospect and two first-rounders.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs dodged a bullet here. That return from the Canadiens might have helped the Leafs in two or three years, but it wouldn’t have helped them now. That would’ve likely led to the departure of Auston Matthews this summer via trade, which would’ve scuttled any chance of the Leafs having a bounce-back season in 2026-27.
It would’ve immediately improved the Canadiens’ forward lines, giving them a young power forward with an affordable contract to skate on the second line with Ivan Demidov. As for that mysterious “other prospect” that was supposed to be in the deal, Pagnotta claimed it wasn’t Michael Hage or defenseman David Reinbacher.
Before this report came out, Canadiens GM Kent Hughes hinted that he might revisit his attempt at what was then a “mystery trade”. However, as Friedman pointed out, that no longer seems possible with the Maple Leafs under new management.
This could turn into a blessing in disguise for the Canadiens. The assets offered for Knies could instead be put toward addressing their need for a second-line center, which is now a bigger priority than adding a physical scoring winger, even one as promising as Knies.
As for the Devils, it’s doubtful they’ll be able to pry Knies away from the Leafs. John Chayka, their new GM, thinks highly of the young winger, and likely sees him as a key player in his plans for the roster.
FIVE POTENTIAL “CHANGE OF SCENERY” TRADE CANDIDATES
DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin recently listed five players that he believes would benefit from a trade this summer.
They include (in alphabetical order) forward Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, winger Jordan Kyrou of the St. Louis Blues, center Mason McTavish of the Anaheim Ducks, defenseman Simon Nemec of the New Jersey Devils, and center Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: All five have surfaced in the rumor mill, some more than others. Kyrou’s been a fixture for two years. McTavish first appeared last summer as his contract talks dragged into training camp. Nemec and Wright first appeared around midseason, while Johnson recently began to pop up in media trade chatter.
Kyrou is the more established of this group, with three seasons of at least 30 goals and four exceeding 70 points. He also has the more difficult contract, with an AAV of $8.125 million through 2030-31 and a full no-trade clause. The 28-year-old right winger was linked to the Canadiens last summer before his NTC kicked in on July 1.
McTavish could be targeted by teams seeking second-line depth at center. It’s believed Nemec could be moved if he proves too expensive for the Devils to re-sign, although his lack of arbitration rights gives him little leverage.
Wright seemed on the verge of a breakout performance last season, but his playing time was cut this season under head coach Lane Lambert. Johnson’s production dropped in part due to losing almost 12 pounds in the offseason, which affected his consistency and led to a reduced role with the Blue Jackets.
Of this group, McTavish and Nemec seem the most likely to move given their age, positions, and potential.
If Larkin wants out , you can’t be too selective. I have a feeling Yzerman might dig in and Larkin is not moving anytime soon.
I would ask for Hage and Reinbacher. You will have to add and involve other pieces. This is a critical franchise move for Detroit .
Leafs needed picks and prospects. Cupboard virtually empty . Those two firsts would have been attractive . Mckenna changes that optic with one bingo ball
Hey Stu. Thanks for telling us that any Larkin trade starts with Hage. I think we’ve all figured that out. How about telling us where it ends.
The Habs would have to add a first. And a young NHL player like Kapanen, Newhook or Bolduc. And another good prospect. Maybe Reinbacher, maybe Pickford maybe Engstrom.
And for what it’s worth I’m still dubious about that Knies story. Friedman or no Friedman. But of course everyone will believe it.
Why do we expect Larkin to get his actual value. He’s demanding to be traded and has control of where he goes. Kind of hand cuffs the and negates a possible bidding war.
Hey Silver, I appreciate your comment but why do you think (incorrectly) the Leafs are in need of more prospects and the cupboard is “virtually empty?
The baby Leafs are one game win away for a birth in the Calder Cup. The Leafs best players are all with the exception of one or two contributors being vets are all prospects. Some at forward, defensive and goalie. They may not be top end but the Leafs don’t really need more stars especially with a first overall coming to join them.
Those Montreal picks don’t hold the value they once had since the team is looking like it’s on its path to be a real competitor for years to come so those 1st rounders will be in the 20s (lower third) and players picked that late are more misses than not.
That trade was so bad for the Leafs and surprised they didn’t do it because that would have been a very Leafy thing to them to do. And although some people believe, in hindsight it’s a good thing for the Habs to have missed out because their true need is help up the middle…having a player like Knies is one of the fundamental talents you need on a successful team, one the Habs and many team lack. It goes back to the saying, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush holds true in this case…when you are offered a unicorn, you don’t pass it up, imo. The way I’d see it, it’s better to have one than not.
Ron, absolutely no doubt the Marlies are getting good performances from prospects such as Cowan, Danford and Akhtyamov, but it is, largely, a team made up of seasoned AHL veterans who are the main catalysts to their success and who are putting up the most points.
That much is acknowledged in this Hockey News article
https://thehockeynews.com/ahl/latest-news/toronto-marlies-veterans-lead-the-way-prospects-follow-them
Nothing wrong or outta the ordinary there…AHL teams are a mix just like NHL rosters are. What’s key is the prospects are holding their own and playing well…some of this success is bound (and has been shown) to show up in the NHL.
So my only point regarding the Marlies is it’s much better for your AHL teams to have more experience with playing meaningful games and challenging a championship is a good thing, especially for a team like the Leafs that has a rather shallow and limited prospect pool.
SilverSeven,what good does that do Yzerman.? He is the one that signed the contract with the NTC in it!
too funny from James Nichols, whose site is almost as bad as our favorite rumor monger (who is usually wrong on 98% of his predictions). The Devils will be lucky to get a 4th rounder back for Hamilton, considering his salary and 2 years remaining on his deal. He has worn out his welcome on several teams, and seemed to have affected the Devils locker room this past season. Devils will need to retain salary in any deal there.
Doubt Chayka trades Knies, but surely Mercer/Nemec won’t get that done, nvm Hamilton.
I see Nemec more likely to get traded than Hamilton (considering his contract and issues).
as far as Larkin, don’t see the Wings trading him in a deal that doesn’t involve Nico. even if that got done some how, do you go those 3 down the middle? that doesn’t really make sense. And Jack and has much less effective a LW than at C, so it doesn’t really make sense to move him to wing.
Meier’s deal may be untradeable, and the team may need to just hope he rebounds from a poor season. He always starts slowly but it was usual for him to have a big second half, which never happened this season.
If anything, I see Gritsyuk signed a new 5-6 contract, and he gets promoted to play with Nico/Timo. You need to keep Brown with Hughes and Bratt after they way the played together after the Olympic Break.
Put Mercer with Glass and acquire a LW to play with them.
Noesen’s injury and ineffectiveness makes him untradeable, and him coming off an injury he can’t be bought out, so he’ll be back.
Cotter was invisible for most of the season, could see him getting traded and replaced on the 4th line.
don’t expect Sunni to be a miracle worker, a big trade would be nice but not expected that this point. Probably expect a year of transition and go from there.
So, mikep, from what you are saying about Hamilton having worn out his welcome on several teams, and his adverse effect in the Devils’ dressing room – all of which, if accurate, has to be generally known throughout the league – not to mention his full NMC and modified (10 team) no trade protection – we can pretty much conclude that he’s there until his $9 mil per contract runs out at the end of 2027-28 regardless of how much NJ is prepared to withhold.
If that is an accurate summation of his character I know I sure as Hell wouldn’t want him here in Ottawa. Even if he would agree to come here – which he likely would not.
Fun posts to read today love all the trade scenarios 😅
Maybe Larkin + Cossa to the Ducks for McT and McQ and the Red Wing 2027 2nd back and another lesser pick and/or prospect
(McTavish and McQueen)
I don’t see this helping the Wings immediately, but it is a decent return and sending Larkin to the West
No offense, but I see zero chance Larkin goes to Habs. He enjoyed his time last 2 years on 4 Nations and Olympic teams. I believe major part of his wanting to get away from losing franchise. Besides probably not wanting to go north of border, there’s no connection to anyone on Montreal. Despite having a good season, they easily could’ve went out in 1st 2 rounds. Doesn’t really make sense on Montreals end to give up young players they’re high on. Larkin doesn’t make them a cup contender. Eastern conference was Carolina and pickem after that. Minny seems the favorite. Ducks could be interesting landing spot with McTavish going other way and probably more.
No offence taken, Slick.
I doubt going north of the border is an issue for Larkin, as long as it is to a team that is a legit Cup contender so yeah, that leaves one team. And remember, Larking doesn’t hold all the cards.
The real issue is that any trade to the Habs is that they cannot offer Detroit a quality starting center back.
LJ. That 1 team is Edmonton. Don’t see him going there either.
LJ
Not many teams can offer a starting C back in a Larkin trade.
Maybe PHI if they offer Cates?
MIN is thin at C so sending Eriksson-Ek doesn’t make sense.
When the boat is sinking other GM’s are throwing an anchor, not a life-line.
MTL has the assets. Do they have the guts to pull the trigger.
Lj I would say the biggest share of the booty is in Larkins camp. Yzerman does not hold all the cards. There is a real deep divide between U S A hockey and Team Canada. Many US players feel Marner and even Matthews were treated horribly in Toronto,especially by the press.
Daryl, Ottawa could certainly offer a center … and he and Brady won Olympic Gold together … just saying ….
Shane Wright is a centre with a FO win percentage of 39.7% which is pathetic for a professional. This is a skill that can be learned, it just takes hard work and lots of practice. I’d stay away from this guy.
JZ
Must have been typing at same time.
Anybody. Are Leafs and Habs in the business of trading with each other?
Any Habs trade with Detroit for Larkin begins with regulars who can step right into the lineup and ends with Hage.
So Cowan, as usual tells us nothing.
While Hage is seen as a top tier prospect, he isn’t a top 5 pick biding his time, not a player who is expected to replace Larkin ever.
Reinbacher doesn’t fit the bill either since he isn’t a regular and Detroit wants to win now or at least get into the playoffs next season.
Yesterday I suggested, Kapanen, Guhle, Hage. Adding a very late rounder is more of a “won the trade” than an incentive.
Montreal is a destination city now, exciting hockey with forward thinking management, ownership and young lions ready to go. We don’t know where Larkin wants to go but every hockey player wants to play meaningful hockey where it’s appreciated.
Detroit was a city like that, was being the operative word.
Montreal was tied with Detroit for 2nd place in Atlantic at the Olympic break. 6 points behind Tampa Bay Yeams went in opposite directions the end of season. I don’t see Habs as a destination. For most of season the whole eastern conference was playing with .500 records
Slick
Detroit was in the hunt with Montreal the last two years, this is true.
Detroit choked down the stretch while Habs rose to the occasion.
Habs were in the playoffs in year 4 of rebuild
Red Wings still aren’t in the playoffs in year 7 of rebuild and all 11 years of Larkin’s career.
Larkin ended up out of the playoffs in 2024-25 while the Habs made it and lost the 1st round.
Larkin ended up out of the playoffs in 2025-26 while the Habs made it and lost in the 3rd round.
Had Larkin made the playoffs in the last two years do you think he’d be in a rush to leave?
Eriksson Ek is a C I’ve had my eye on since 2020 and I’d love to have HuGo take a shot at him.
Kapanen/Struble/1st 2026???
HF30:
You cannot say Hage is not a replacement for Larkin ever any more than I can say he will be better than Larkin.
If one looks at recent trades for elite players here is what they show:
To acquire Rantanen (who did not ask to be traded nor had NT protection):
Carolina sent forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Avalanche.
Carolina traded Rantanen to Dallas:
Carolina sent forwards Martin Necas and Jack Drury, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick to the Avalanche, in return for Stankoven and several picks, including first rounders.
Hughes to Minny for:
Marco Rossi and Liam Öhgren, Zeev Buium, and a first-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft
Panarin to the Kings for:
forward Liam Greentree and two conditional draft picks.
Rumored Habs trade for Knies for:
Zharovski, two first rounders and a prospect not named Hage or Reinbacher.
What these recent trades show is the return for an elite player rarely sees an elite player in return. And why would it as that would be pretty much an even swap for no benefit to either team.
Prospects and draft picks are valued commodities. And let us remember that Stankoven was not performing then as he is now, so that trade was not elite for an elite.
My point: If the centrepiece for Knies was Zharovski, whom we don’t know a lot about, doesn’t it make sense Hage has more perceived value?
And Slick: If Montreal isn’t seen as a destination, why did Dobson agree to go to Montreal (he had a choice) and say this at the beginning of the season:
“I think if you look at the steps they took last season, just the pieces they have and the talent on the roster, you can’t help but get excited to join that group.”
You are of course entitled to your opinion. But is there any unbiased opinion that does not rate their rebuild as progressing very well?
LJ,
At the time of Rantanen was traded from Colorado he was in his last year and his demands for net contract were too high, they got an excellent deal, I remember distinctly telling Paul Bowles at the time that they made off like bandits.
Carolina traded Rantanen to Dallas a few weeks later because he was UFA and wouldn’t re-sign, their hands were tied and took what they could an undersized C 2 1sts abd 2 3rds- their hands were tied.
Hughes was heading to UFA and wasn’t going to sign, Vancouver’s hands were tied and took a C with term, a high 1st round pick rookie, a mid 1st rd 2nd season player and a draft pick- quite a haul for a player leaving for nothing.
Panarin , a pending UFA who said he’d only go to LAK, left NYR with little choice if any. A late 1st rd with a conditional 3rd and 4th was a charity gift to NYR.
What this does NOT SHOW is the return for an elite player rarely sees an elite player in return.
it shows that a UFA player saying he has no intention of re-signing gets traded for pennies on the dollar in many cases.
Knies and Larkin are signed long term and their teams have no reason to trade them for anything less than a perceived advantage.
In Detroit’s case he’s their #1C, Hage will not be the #1C next year, the year after or possibly ever.
Like I asked the other day would you trade Suzuki for Tij Iginla and picks?
Ok: so please show me some examples of elite for elite, as I have not found any in the past two years.
Subban for Weber
Tkachuk for Huberdeau , Weegar, plus
Eichel for Tuch, Krebs, rd1 and rd 2 picks
LJ who says mtl is a cup contender a playoff contender yes but a cup it’s wide open in the Atlantic
Who makes predictions for next year’s Cup, now, Man on TV?
There is no guarantee that next season for the Habs will be the same as this season. Or, for any other team. It is possible the Habs might regress and go out in the first round next year.
What this playoffs showed is how much the Habs need a 2C. But it also showed how good their young players are, the youngest team in the NHL. After finishing 6th in the regular season they got to the conference finals. And yet not a Cup contender?
I am not going to continue to respond to comments like yours or Slick’s about where the Habs are. The evidence is both clear and accessible, and to dismiss their process is to be hockey’s equivalent to climate change denial. Believe it or don’t, I don’t have to live in your version of reality.
Larkin would be the perfect fit to fill Kopitar’s spot with the Kings!
Hans fan/ LJ. If Larkin isn’t going to Habs, would you be interested in Eriksson Ek? I think first sign Guerin talking to Detroit will be he’s shopping him.
I don’t think he is as good as Larkin but he’d be an upgrade for the Habs, Slick; and due to your good question you are forgiven for recent heresy.
But, if I understand the Wild’s need, it is for a legit 2C. If that is so, not a good look for Ek; in any event the Habs couldn’t offer a 2C back to the Wild any more than they can the Wings, so how do the Habs acquire him? The Wild would have to access their 2C via another route, no? A lot of moving parts …
I’m starting to feel like I am taking too much oxygen here lately, so will leave it to others to post today.
Wild need a legit 1C. Larkin better than anyone they have. They lost E Ek in playoffs. Imagine Larkin in their lineup this year and maybe they go a little further. Habsfan 30 made a pretty generous proposal for E Ek above. Kapanen, Struble and a 1st. Detroit could take the 1st rd pick and choose from those players and Stramel, Yurov or others?
Nemec for McTavish straight up seems more and more like a balanced trade that helps both teams immediately. Hamilton stays in NJ and probably rebounds next season due to his role being more concrete as the go-to offensive RHD on the team.
Of course, the Red WIngs could take a deep breath, keep Larkin, and let Yzerman go……for a couple of years their roster has looked better that their result, and they have assets to move around for team texture that a GM not wedded to the Yzerplan might use for a quick upgrade. Would that not treat the fans in the Motor City better than a bad trade?
Would Bill Zito want Larkin?
Lundell, Rodriguiz, #9 OA for Larkin and Cossa
Hey, now that we all know Zharovsky-for-Knies is the reason why Treliving was fired, I have a question. If I understand properly, there are 2 possibilities, here:
1- Pelley fired Treliving because this is a one-sided trade in favour of the Habs, or;
2- Pelley fired Treliving for fumbling the paperwork a d filing the trade after the deadline because Pelley thinks this is a great trade for the Leafs.
For all we know, both options are equally possible, here. Pelley has proven time and time again to be an awful jackass
I’ve heard through the grapevine that Larkin might be considering Boston as one of his choices.
JA, Zacha,Lohrei, 2 1st round picks in 27,28,one each year!
My top 5 destinations for Larkin in no particular order
Dallas
Devils
Bruins
Wild
Columbus
And he’ll wind up in either San Jose or Vegas.
Werenski and Larkin been doing a lot of winning together lately… and we all know Z ain’t going to Detroit.
Obe,what could hurt Boston on your list is that they are the only team in the same division as Detroit!