Free Agent Frenzy on July 1 continues to draw closer and TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest news and rumours as the NHL off-season heats up.
Could Parayko land in Ottawa?
Bruce Garrioch of Postmedia reports the Ottawa Senators “kicked tires” on St. Louis Blues defenceman Colton Parayko ahead of the trade deadline and could circle back this month as the team eyes a top-four right-shot defenceman.
Garrioch notes the Senators eyed Parayko and Justin Faulk, but neither was willing to waive their no-move clause for a trade to Ottawa. While Faulk was eventually dealt to the Detroit Red Wings, the Blues reached an agreement to send Parayko to the Buffalo Sabres, but the veteran blueliner declined to waive his no-move for the deal.
Now, Garrioch wonders if Parayko could be more open to a deal with the Blues appearing on track for a rebuild. Along with the Senators and Sabres, he notes the Anaheim Ducks and Los Angeles Kings were also interested at the deadline. Buffalo was willing to send a first-round pick and a prospect, reported to be Radim Mrtka, to St. Louis for Parayko in March.
While the Senators have a first-round pick in each of the next four drafts, the team cannot trade the No. 32 overall pick this year due to league sanctions. Ottawa is also without their second-rounder in the upcoming draft.
Parayko had four goals and 18 points in 77 games with the Blues last season while averaging 22:12 of ice time. He also appeared in six games with Team Canada at the Olympics en route to winning a silver medal.
The 33-year-old is entering the fifth season of an eight-year, $52 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $6.5 million.
Drafted 86th overall by the Blues in 2012, Parayko has 81 goals and 313 points in 800 career games.
He was a key part of the Blues’ blueline in 2019, recording two goals and 12 points in 26 playoff games while averaging 25:07 of ice time en route to St. Louis claiming their first Stanley Cup in franchise history.
Garrioch reports the Senators are also looking for a top-six winger and a backup goaltender this summer to solidify their roster after two straight first-round exits in the postseason.
Red Wings G Cossa on the trade block?
ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reports Detroit Red Wings goaltender Sebastian Cossa could be on the move this month with the Utah Mammoth among the interested suitors.
Cossa, selected 15th overall in the 2021 draft, has appeared in just one NHL game which came during the 2024-25 season. The 23-year-old netminder went 26-8-4 with the AHL’s Grand Rapids Griffins this season, posting a .915 save percentage and a 2.33 goals-against average.
Max Bultman and Corey Pronman of The Athletic recently speculated that Cossa could be a piece moved out if the Red Wings add a goalie as part of their return for captain Dylan Larkin such as Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild.
Elsewhere around the league, Weeks notes that New York Rangers forward Brett Berard could also be on the move this summer. The 23-year-old winger went without a point in 13 games with the Rangers this season, adding six goals and 22 points in 41 AHL games.
Lastly, Weekes adds that pending unrestricted free agent Stuart Skinner could be an option for the Senators as the team looks complete their goalie tandem with Linus Ullmark.
Does McDavid approve of possible Babcock hire?
Connor McDavid’s future with the Edmonton Oilers continues to remain a source of significant speculation as he enters the first of a two-year extension with the team.
Bryan Hayes, Jeff O’Neill and Jamie McLennan weighed in on how McDavid is believed to have a say in the Oilers next coaching hire and likely would have signed off on a potential hiring of Mike Babcock.
