The NHL rumor mill is churning as teams gear up for the upcoming season, with several key storylines emerging. Viktor Arvidsson's situation in Edmonton, the Buffalo Sabres' potential moves, and other trade whispers are capturing attention.
Arvidsson Open to Relocation
Viktor Arvidsson and the Edmonton Oilers appear headed for a split. Despite signing a two-year, $4 million AAV deal last summer, the 32-year-old winger's stint in Edmonton hasn't panned out as hoped. After a tough season where he scored 15 goals and 27 points in 67 games, both sides are ready to move on.
Elliotte Friedman reported that Arvidsson is willing to work with the Oilers to find a suitable trade. Arvidsson has a no-movement clause, giving him significant control over his destination. The Oilers, meanwhile, are looking to free up cap space to address other needs, including re-signing Evan Bouchard, upgrading their goaltending, and potentially retaining key players like Corey Perry and Connor Brown.
Given Arvidsson's willingness to cooperate, a trade seems likely. However, the Oilers may not receive a substantial return, as the primary goal is to shed his $4 million cap hit. A comparable deal could be the Mason Marchment trade from last week, where Dallas sent Marchment to Seattle for a 2026 third-round pick and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Sabres' Strategic Maneuvering
The Buffalo Sabres are at the center of several trade discussions. While publicly stating their desire to keep forward JJ Peterka, sources suggest his situation remains fluid. Peterka, a restricted free agent this summer, is reportedly frustrated and seeking a fresh start.
General Manager Kevyn Adams might be open to trading Peterka, but he's seeking a "hockey trade" that brings in solid players to maintain competitiveness. This situation is drawing parallels to Martin Necas' situation in Carolina last year, where he signed an extension but was later traded.
In addition to Peterka, defenseman Mattias Samuelsson is also a potential trade candidate as part of the Sabres' expected shakeup. The Sabres are aiming to bolster their roster and improve their playoff chances after missing out last season.
The Sabres have been actively making transactions. Recent moves include signing Tyler Kopff to an entry-level contract and frequently moving players between Buffalo and their AHL affiliate in Rochester. They also extended Jason Zucker's contract by two years and acquired Jacob Bernard-Docker and Josh Norris in a trade with Ottawa earlier this year.
Other Rumblings
Penguins' Bryan Rust: Despite interest from several teams, the Pittsburgh Penguins are in no rush to trade Bryan Rust. General Manager Kyle Dubas is content to wait for the market to develop, and a trade may not occur until later in the summer or even during the season. Rust has three years remaining on his contract with an annual value of $5.125 million.
Trevor Zegras to Flyers: The Philadelphia Flyers acquired Trevor Zegras from the Anaheim Ducks in exchange for Ryan Poehling, a 2025 second-round pick, and a 2026 fourth-round pick. The Flyers, armed with multiple picks in the upcoming draft, are looking to improve after a disappointing season.
As the NHL Draft approaches and free agency looms, expect more rumors and trades to surface as teams fine-tune their rosters for the 2025-26 season.
