NHL Rumors: Hutson Contract Delay, Oilers PTOs, Roslovic Update
In today’s NHL rumors rundown, Lane Hutson and the Montreal Canadiens are talking contract extension, but one scribe notes a shift in the market is what might be holding things…
Monthly Archives: August 2025
'Plan B': Ottawa Senators Owner Signs Three-Year AHL Extension With City Of Belleville
Ottawa Senators owner Michael Andlauer and the City of Belleville have confirmed a three-year lease extension to at least the end of the 2029-2030 season. In effect, since Andlauer owns both versions of the Senators, the extension also applies to the NHL-AHL affiliation between the two clubs.
The deal includes a five-year option that could extend the AHL club’s stay through the 2034-2035 season.
That means Ottawa's top prospects will continue their development just a couple of hours down the road at the CAA Arena, an ideal location that allows for convenient player movement and an easy trip for Ottawa fans looking to catch future Sens stars in action.
“It’s great news for hockey fans around the Bay of Quinte,” Andlauer said in a press release on the B-Sens website. “The connection between the City of Belleville and the Senators Hockey Club is truly a mutually beneficial one that will only continue to improve and prosper in the years to come. We are committed to seeing hockey thrive in this ‘613’ market as well as being good corporate citizens in the community we serve – and Belleville plays an important role.”
“The City of Belleville is thrilled to extend our partnership with the Belleville Senators,” said Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis. “We are proud to be the home of the Senators and to continue to host them at the Quinte Sports & Wellness Centre for years to come. Since they arrived in 2017, their presence and involvement in our community has made a significant impact.”
Back in January, there were rumours that Andlauer might be kicking the tires on a relocation of his AHL club. Andlauer had moved a team out of the city once before, buying the OHL's Belleville Bulls and moving them to Hamilton ten years ago. But times change, and he put those rumours to rest during a TSN intermission interview with Clare Hanna last season.
“When I hear things that are not right, I like to speak up. I owe it to the fans,” Andlauer said. “613 is Sens Country, as far as I’m concerned. When I bought the Belleville Bulls, I was loyal to my community in Hamilton, and today, that’s a different story.”
In 2023, Andlauer moved the Hamilton Bulldogs to Brantford and then sold them earlier this year to Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman and his family.
Since the B-Sens moved from Binghamton to Belleville for the 2017-18 season, their attendance has fluctuated. Their rink seats 4,365 fans, and the numbers have slowly crept upward since the COVID-19 pandemic. Last season, according to HockeyDB.com, the club averaged 2908 a night, their best in six years. The Cleveland Monsters, playing in an NHL-sized rink (Rocket Arena), lead the AHL with an average attendance of 11,438.
The B-Sens will open the new season on Saturday, October 11, 2025, with a road matchup against the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (Philadelphia Flyers). They return home to CAA Arena for their season opener on Saturday, October 18, 2025, against the Toronto Marlies (Toronto Maple Leafs).
By Steve Warne
The Hockey News - Ottawa
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What's The Future Of TSN 1200 And Sens English Radio Rights?
Brady Tkachuk Adds To His Father's Comments About The Future
Senators Reach Agreement To Buy Land For New NHL Arena At LeBreton
Former Senator Mark Borowiecki Now 'Looks At Fighting From A Different Lens'
Next NHL Expansion Fee May Be 40 Times More Than The Ottawa Senators Paid
Is The Senators' 2025-26 Lineup Is Already Set?
Canadiens Have Interesting Potential Target In Kraken Forward
It is fair to say that the Montreal Canadiens have had a strong off-season so far. They notably boosted their blueline by acquiring Noah Dobson from the New York Islanders. They also acquired a young forward in Zack Bolduc, who has the potential to emerge as a top-six winger for them.
Yet, when looking at the Canadiens' current forward group, it is clear that they could use an upgrade at their second-line center spot. Due to this, one player who could make a lot of sense for the Canadiens to pursue is Seattle Kraken forward Jared McCann.
McCann has been in the rumor mill this off-season, just like he was leading up to the 2025 NHL trade deadline. With the Canadiens' top six needing a boost, he would be a major addition to their roster if brought in.
While McCann has played on the wing more often in recent years, he also has plenty of experience playing center. Due to this, he would have the potential to provide the Canadiens with a much-needed upgrade down the middle if acquired. He would also give them another skilled player to work with on their power play if brought in.
McCann is coming off a strong season with the Kraken, as he scored 22 goals and set a new career-high with 39 assists. With this, it was the third season in a row where McCann recorded at least 61 points. This includes his best NHL season in 2022-23, as he set career highs with 40 goals and 70 points in 79 games with the Kraken.
McCann's contract also adds to his appeal, as he has a $5 million cap hit until the end of the 2026-27. Thus, he would have the potential to benefit the Canadiens for more than one year, which would be a nice plus.
Former Canadiens Defenseman Lands New JobFormer Montreal Canadiens defenseman Josh Gorges has landed a new job, as he has been hired as an assistant coach by the Kelowna Rockets of the Western Hockey League (WHL). NHL 26 Gameplay Deep Dive Live Now
EA SPORTS has released the first deep dive gameplay trailer of NHL 26.
In a five minute breakdown that focuses on ICE-Q 2.0 and the revamped X-Factor system, and a change to the goalie crease control system.
80 new goalie animations were added that will allow goalies to react faster and more accurately. Goalies will use their stick more effectively and play better in tight. These additions will allow goalies to break out of an animation to respond to the play. They no longer have to complete the original animation before reacting to a tip, rebound, or play.
The trailer notes goalie play styles will be adjusted to their sizes, hopefully allowing smaller goalies to perform better than previous games.
Forehand backhand dekes and cross crease passes were specifically mentioned as moves that broke previous goaltending systems, this has been fixed.
X-Factors have received an overhaul, there are now 28 X-Factors and five categories. An example is pictured above.
There are now tiers with three levels of impact. The trailer notes new visual triggers so it will be interesting to see which animations are related to which X-Factors and how they come into effect in different locations on the ice.
This will also allow users to see exactly when the X-Factor is being used, a change from NHL 25.
As previously discussed, ICE-Q 2.0 will incorporate real NHL EDGE data to impact player AI, attributes, and decisions.
Two prominent examples used are Alex Ovechkin's tendency to set up in the face off circle and Leon Draisaitl's shots from the goal line. It will be interesting to see how these tendencies impact the AI and the players skills when being controlled by a user.
In welcome news to the community the Vision Control LT/L2 glitch will be patched, as will hip check tuning and reverse hit rebalancing. All mechanics that were overpowered and abused in NHL 25.
We will dive into all Gameplay Innovations coming to NHL 26 on Thursday.
New Heroes and Icons will be in NHL 26.
NHL 26 is set to release Sept. 12, those who pre-order the deluxe edition get access Sept. 5.
For more NHL Gaming news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed.
4 Jets Bounce-Back Candidates for 2025-26
The 2024-25 Presidents’ Trophy-winning Winnipeg Jets had a number of players post extremely-strong campaigns, but these three will be looking to bounce back in 2025-26 after some rough times. 1:…
NHL Summer Splash Rankings: No. 4, Carolina Hurricanes
The Hockey News’ NHL summer splash rankings are into the final stretch, as we focus on Team No. 4 – the Carolina Hurricanes.
Our summer splash rankings focus strictly on every team’s off-season additions, departures, hirings, firings and, in special cases, re-signings. From there, we’re ranking them based on who improved, worsened or stayed about the same.
The Hurricanes have been many media members’ pick to do great things in recent years, but things haven’t panned out particularly well for them in the Stanley Cup playoffs. In two of the last three seasons, the Canes made it to the Eastern Conference final, but once they got there, they have won exactly one game in those two series combined.
The Florida Panthers have had their number, and you have to look at the changes Hurricanes GM Eric Tulsky has made as being influenced by their need to be specifically better than the Panthers. The Hurricanes have done very well at making an already-solid team even better.
Additions
Nikolaj Ehlers (LW), K’Andre Miller (D), Mike Reilly (D)
The Breakdown: You didn’t have to make a slew of moves this summer to be this high in our NHL summer splash rankings.
In some cases, it’s the impact that one player makes that makes a team significantly better, and the Hurricanes made strategic moves at forward and on defense to make themselves a notably improved team.
While we still have some reservations about former Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers as a playoff performer, he’s a high-impact regular-season player, with a combined 49 goals and 124 points in the last two years.
Ehlers fits in rather well on Carolina’s top line with center Sebastian Aho and left winger Seth Jarvis. Although it cost the Hurricanes $8.5 million in salary for Ehlers for the next six seasons, they didn’t need to delete anyone significant from their forward group to acquire him.
On ‘D,’ the Hurricanes added one established NHL top-four defenseman, former New York Rangers blueliner K’Andre Miller.
At 25 years old, Miller is just entering his prime. With veterans Brent Burns and Dmitry Orlov heading elsewhere, Tulsky had more than enough room to trade for Miller and sign him to an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $7.5 million.
Even after these major acquisitions and bringing on depth defenseman Mike Reilly, Carolina still has a stunning $10.6 million in cap space. Tulsky may eventually choose to use much of that space on another defenseman, but even if no other moves are made between now and the start of the regular season, the Hurricanes have improved up front, and they’re at least as good on the blueline. Mission accomplished for Tulsky and his management team.
Departures
Jack Roslovic (C), Brent Burns (D), Dmitry Orlov (D), Scott Morrow (D), Spencer Martin (G)
The Breakdown: Somebody had to pay the price for Carolina’s letdown against the Panthers, and it turns out three Hurricanes D-men are the price-payers.
Burns is the NHL’s oldest player under contract. While he moved on to the Colorado Avalanche as a UFA, he was playing nearly 21 minutes a night at the end of his Canes days – probably a little too much for a 40-year-old.
Otherwise, Orlov was a high-priced veteran, but he was a human turnstile in the post-season. He’s now playing for the San Jose Sharks. And Morrow – sent to the Rangers in the Miller trade – hasn’t made his mark in the NHL yet, so their current roster didn’t necessarily get worse by losing him. The Rangers should be excited to have him, though, as he’s shown signs of being an effective offensive defenseman who joins the rush.
Losing Roslovic stings a little, as he posted 22 goals for the Hurricanes last season. But with Miller and Ehlers on board, the Hurricanes are stronger, and the first full NHL season from youngster Alexander Nikishin could see him quickly become a vital cog for Carolina’s defense corps.
The Bottom Line
The bar for the Hurricanes next season is firmly set at the Cup final. Anything less than that, and they may need deeper changes to break through.
But Carolina is fourth on our NHL summer splash list because it did what many teams constantly struggle to do – wisely invest without indulging the urge to make a wide array of moves, in effect throwing many things against the wall in the hope one of them sticks. While that can be beneficial for rebuilding squads, it’s not as effective for Cup contenders. Tulsky avoided that potential trap, and the salary cap space he’s managed to hold onto is going to make them even better at some point this year.
When you’re an Eastern Conference finalist in two of the last three years, you have to be doing something right. So Tulsky was entirely right to double down on his core. Whether it’s Jarvis, No. 1 defenseman Jaccob Slavin or up-and-comer right winger Logan Stankoven, the Hurricanes have elite-level talent where it counts. While they still have lessons to learn, they very well could be learning them in the Cup final this time around.
So it should be clear, then, why we’ve ranked Carolina so high. They’re a more dangerous team than the one that finished as conference final losers last year, and that’s why the Hurricanes are the envy of more than a few NHL organizations.
Summer Splash Rankings
4. Carolina Hurricanes
9. Utah Mammoth
10. New York Rangers
13. St. Louis Blues
16. Ottawa Senators
17. Boston Bruins
18. Edmonton Oilers
19. Minnesota Wild
20. Seattle Kraken
27. Dallas Stars
28. Calgary Flames
30. Winnipeg Jets
32. Buffalo Sabres
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Oilers Goalie Signs In Kazakhstan
Canadian goaltender Olivier Rodrigue, 25, has signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana, the Kazakhstan-based KHL club announced on Thursday.
This will be Rodrigue’s second time playing for an overseas club following a 23-game stint with the Graz 99ers in Austria in 2020-21 when the start of the AHL season was delayed by pandemic-related restrictions.
Born in Saguenay, Que., Rodrigue played junior hockey for the QMJHL’s Drummondville Voltigeurs and Moncton Wildcats. He was chosen in the second round, 62nd overall, by the Edmonton Oilers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft.
Since 2021, Rodrigue has played almost entirely with the Bakersfield Condors, the Oilers’ farm club, but he did play two NHL games in 2024-25 – one relief appearance and one start – recording an .867 save percentage, 3.10 goals-against average, and was charged with one loss.
This summer, Rodrigue remained third in Edmonton’s depth chart behind Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard and, with the Oilers still looking to upgrade their goaltending, Rodrigue no longer figured in their plans.
Another Goalie Moves From NHL To KHL
Canadian goaltender Louis Domingue, 33, has signed a one-year
contract with Sibir Novosibirsk, the KHL club announced on Thursday.
Internationally, Rodrigue played for Canada at the 2018 IIHF U-18 World Championship and he won a gold medal with Canada at the 2020 World Juniors although he didn’t appear in a game as the third goalie behind Joel Hofer and Nico Daws.
Rodrigue joins a Barys team that has missed the playoffs three straight years. He will probably form a tandem with Kazakh national team goalie Andrei Shutov.
Last season, Barys started the season with several import players but, after a terrible start to the season, the club released Michael McLeod, Nathan Beaulieu, Will Butcher, Chase De Leo and Alex Grant within the space of a couple weeks. The team finished last in the KHL’s Eastern Conference.
Barys Astana Terminates Contracts of Nathan Beaulieu, Will Butcher, Michael McLeodKazakhtan-based KHL club Barys Astana announced the release of three NHL players on its roster on Friday. Mattias Ekholm, Cam Talbot Surface in New Red Wings-Oilers Trade Rumors
Detroit’s trade discussions with Edmonton are heating up, with big names like Mattias Ekholm and Cam Talbot rumored to be in play.
NHL Insider reports indicate the Edmonton Oilers and the Detroit Red Wings are in trade talks for a new starting goaltender.
The Edmonton Oilers have a goalie problem as they've made headlines going to the Stanley Cup Finals in back-to-back seasons only to be outmatched by the Florida Panthers and netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.
Reports out of Alberta indicate they would like to upgrade at the position with Detroit being a potential trade partner. Several notable names have been thrown on the chopping block with the most credible report indicating that Detroit high-end prospect Sebastian Cossa has been named in trade talks.
NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) on XCam Robinson: Re Oilers goalie search: They are looking a little more long term; I was told they've contacted Detroit; I believe the first person they asked about was Trey Augustine...that was a non starter; they have...Sebastian Cossa sitting there - Sekeres and Price (8/11)
Detroit AHL Coach Says Cossa Will Be Firmly in the Mix for Red Wings Backup RoleDetroit AHL head coach Dan Watson notes goalie prospect Sebastian Cossa will be in the conversation for the Red Wings backup goalie spot
Other less credible sources have began to throw out other names and trade packages that have included multiple big names like Oilers' defencemen Mattias Ekholm, Detroit's Cam Talbot and Justin Holl as well as several other prospects that would likely work as filler to get a deal done.
Trade Idea Sees Oilers Dealing $25M Defenseman for Top Goalie ProspectHeavy.com has a trade idea that sees the Edmonton Oilers acquiring a top goalie prospect for Mattias Ekholm in a blockbuster deal.The Oilers were one of the teams involved in trade talks for John Gibson before the Red Wings eventually won the sweepstakes for the former All-Star goaltender. It's tough to say what deal they will decide to go with as both sides are looking to win now, meaning a deal for picks or prospects doesn't seem likely.
If Cossa is dealt to the Oilers, he will likely become a strong contender for the starting job and will almost certainly see time in the NHL next season. This deal could include immediate help for the blueline with the aforementioned Ekholm, who is still an impact player but is 35 years old and entering the final season of his four-year deal with a cap hit at $6.25 million.
Bookmark The Hockey News Detroit Red Wings team site to stay connected to the latest news, game-day coverage, and player features.
They could also work out a deal to add the 31-year-old Brett Kulak, who was an impactful blueliner for the Oilers during their two Stanley Cup Finals and is also entering the final season of his four-year deal with a cap hit at $2.75 million. Red Wings defenceman Justin Holl joins the equation as a return option that could see him work as a bottom pairing defenceman to round out the Oilers blueline.
If Talbot is dealt to the Oilers, the return package would be notably cheaper with a potential option coming back being a depth forward Mattias Janmark, who the Red Wings would potentially have to give up a little bit more to acquire but would become an immediate impact player in the top nine forward group.
Janmark was a difference making player in the Oilers lineup that used his relentless pursuit of the puck to help make key plays and win puck battles. He would be a great addition to the Red Wings forward group but has not yet been mentioned in trade talk rumors.
One thing we know for certain is that Steve Yzerman and the rest of the Red Wings management team are looking to make the playoffs this season. With a deal that would include a non-factor goaltender that won't play as much as John Gibson anyway, it could be a great idea to insert another impact player or give the team more draft capital that they can then use in a later deal to improve the lineup.
Either way, these trade rumors coupled with the reports of the Red Wings continually checking in on the Anaheim Ducks and their situation with restricted free agent Mason McTavish indicate they could still be looking to make moves ahead of the start to the season.
Red Wings Fantasy Hockey Outlook: Kasper and Gibson Potential League WinnersJohn Gibson, Marco Kasper among several Detroit Red Wings poised to outperform their early undervalued Fantasy Hockey rankings.
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2 Biggest Questions Facing the Sharks Heading Into the 2025-26 Season
As the San Jose Sharks prepare for the 2025-26 NHL season, much of their roster is set, but they still have some decisions to make. As always, they’ll be figuring…
Islanders Opening Night Is Eight Weeks Away
Eight weeks from today, the New York Islanders will be battling the Pittsburgh Penguins at PPG Paints Arena to kick off the 2025-26 season.
Might be a good time to remind folks that #Isles Opening Night is 8 weeks away! (#NYR and #NJDevils too) https://t.co/wXC8XGRbNP
— Eric Hornick (@ehornick) August 14, 2025
The Islanders have done a lot this summer — a lot — starting with the firing of Lou Lamoriello and hiring first-time general manager Mathieu Darche in his place.
Darche decided to keep head coach Patrick Roy, firing two of his three assistants — he kept Benoit Desrosiers — and adding Rick Bennett and Bob Boughner to the staff.
The Bridgeport Islanders coaching staff was gutted, moving on from Rick Kowalsky and hiring the fiery Rocky Thompson to change the culture down there.
Darche retained UFA forward Kyle Palmieri (two years) and UFA defensemen Adam Boqvist and Tony DeAngelo to one-year deals.
He traded RFA Noah Dobson, which really kick-started the summer of change, turning an underwhelming return into forward Victor Eklund (No. 16), defenseman Kashawn Aitcheson (No. 17) and cap space, also getting forward Emil Heineman.
Add No. 1 overall pick Matthew Schaefer to the mix, and the Islanders have a bright future.
Darche re-signed RFA forwards Simon Holmstrom, Heineman and Maxim Tsyplakov to two-year extensions.
Darche signed free agent forward Jonathan Drouin to a two-year deal, winning the Maxim Shabanov sweepstakes and signing him to a one-year entry-level contract.
Because of the question marks surrounding goaltender Semyon Varlamov, Darche got David Rittich on a one-year deal as an insurance policy.
We can add that Anthony Duclair will be back after taking a leave of absence due to injuries and inconsistencies.
Islanders Anthony Duclair Gives First Public Comments Since Taking Leave Of AbsenceWith eight games to go in the regular season, New York Islanders forward Anthony Duclair requested and was granted a leave of absence.
All that’s left between now and opening night is to take in rookie camp and then training camp, with the NHL roster mostly set.
Then, given all the wingers the Islanders have, it’s up to Darche — but mostly Roy — to decide how the lineup should be configured before the puck drops in Pittsburgh.