NHL IN 60 SECONDS
Nikita Kucherov has reportedly asked Tampa Bay Lightning management for a trade after saying he will not sign an extension. Dylan Larkin has stopped playing while awaiting a possible move, though a deal is not described as imminent. Dallas is expected to begin Jason Robertson extension discussions in mid-to-late December, with his eligibility beginning on January 1. Colorado expects Josh Manson to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury, creating a larger role for Noah Juulsen. Ottawa forward Hayden Hodgson has been suspended two games for boarding Los Angeles defenseman Brandt Clarke. Elsewhere, teams are reported to be exploring players with term as cap flexibility changes the market.
THE BIG FIVE
Kucherov reportedly asks Lightning for trade
Nikita Kucherov has reportedly told Tampa Bay Lightning management and his teammates that he will not sign a contract extension and wants a trade. He is in the final year of an eight-year contract worth $76 million. Reports said Tampa Bay had discussed a four-year offer at $15 million per season, but negotiations were described as remaining far apart. Kucherov is an unrestricted free agent this summer and has a 10-team trade list. His agent, Dan Milstein, reportedly joined Kucherov in a meeting with general manager Julien BriseBois before the request was communicated. Kucherov then reportedly informed teammates on the flight to Nashville. A trade would make him the first reigning Hart Trophy winner reported to be moved in-season the following year.
IHM Signal: The reported impasse concerns both term and money, while Kucherov’s trade list shapes any possible market.
Coach Mark: A change involving a reigning Hart Trophy winner would remove an elite player from Tampa Bay’s group and demand a collective response.
Avalanche expect Manson to miss eight weeks
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson is expected to miss eight weeks because of an ankle injury. He left Colorado’s 5-2 win against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday at 15:19 of the first period after falling awkwardly following a missed body check, and he did not return. Manson has one goal and three assists in 13 games this season. He leads the Avalanche with 28 hits and ranks third on the team with 17 blocked shots. Noah Juulsen is expected to become a regular in the lineup during Manson’s absence. Juulsen has one assist in eight games and is averaging 10:38 per game. Colorado, 7-5-1, hosts the Calgary Flames on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET.
IHM Signal: Colorado loses its leader in hits and a top-three shot blocker for an expected eight-week period.
Coach Mark: Juulsen’s familiarity with the group should help Colorado avoid a lengthy adjustment as it covers Manson’s absence.
READ FULL STORY: Josh Manson Set for Eight-Week Avalanche Absence
Robertson extension talks may take time
Dallas Stars general manager Jim Nill is expected to begin discussing an extension with Jason Robertson in mid-to-late December, but Robertson cannot sign one until January 1. The pending unrestricted free-agent forward is on a one-year deal worth $12 million. Reports indicate Dallas wants to sign him and Robertson wants to remain with the Stars, but the central question is the salary that works for both sides. Dallas is said to recognise it may need to exceed Mikko Rantanen’s $12 million annual figure. An early agreement may not be urgent for Robertson, and a deal is not expected by the end of January. Another factor is that any new trade protection would not begin until July 1, when a new contract takes effect.
IHM Signal: The timing rules leave Robertson with little need to rush, even if both sides want an extension.
Coach Mark: Dallas can prepare for a prolonged negotiation while keeping Robertson focused on the season before extension eligibility begins.
READ FULL STORY: Jason Robertson Extension Talks May Take Their Time
Hodgson receives two-game boarding suspension
Ottawa Senators forward Hayden Hodgson has been suspended without pay for two games for boarding Los Angeles Kings defenseman Brandt Clarke. The incident took place at 11:10 of the second period in Los Angeles on Thursday, October 29. Hodgson received a major penalty for boarding and a game misconduct during the game. Under the Collective Bargaining Agreement and based on his average annual salary, he will forfeit $8,762.88. The money will go to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund. The suspension concerns NHL Game No. 212 and applies specifically to the boarding incident involving Clarke. No further disciplinary outcome or lineup consequence was stated.
IHM Signal: The ruling removes Hodgson for two games and carries a $8,762.88 salary forfeiture.
Coach Mark: Ottawa must account for the two-game absence while maintaining discipline in the physical areas of the game.
Larkin trade situation remains unresolved
Dylan Larkin has decided not to play while awaiting a trade, according to his agent Pat Brisson, who said the forward had been professional and cooperative. Trade discussions have reportedly escalated, but no move is described as imminent. Detroit is said to want a return including a decent player or two rather than one driven by future assets, and the Red Wings could suspend Larkin while talks continue. Such a suspension would cost him $41,237.11 per day. Minnesota is reported to have been aggressive and to have made the most offers, although its available assets are described as a sticking point. Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey and Carolina have reportedly been involved in talks this week, while Montreal and Boston reportedly have interest despite not being on Larkin’s list.
IHM Signal: Reported interest is broad, but Detroit’s desired return and Larkin’s trade list remain meaningful constraints.
Coach Mark: Detroit’s stated preference for established help suggests the club is prioritising roster value over simply completing a deal quickly.
IHM SHORT ICE
Oilers reportedly seek more size up front
Edmonton is reportedly examining options to add size and toughness to its forward group, with Rangers forward Matt Rempe said to be a player coach Mike Babcock likes.
Rempe requires waivers and has not seen much action under Mike Sullivan. Reports also suggest teams are showing greater interest in players carrying term as cap flexibility grows.
READ FULL STORY: Oilers Linked With Matt Rempe in Search for Size
Canucks seek younger NHL-proven players
Vancouver general manager Ryan Johnson is reportedly open to moving veterans including Jake DeBrusk, Drew O’Connor, Filip Chytil and Luke Schenn in pursuit of younger NHL-proven players.
The Canucks are believed to have interest in Washington forward Ivan Miroshnichenko, while Toronto is reportedly monitoring defence options from lower-cost additions to higher-end possibilities.
READ FULL STORY: Three NHL Trade Markets Worth Watching Closely
Wallstedt reflects on reaching the NHL
Minnesota goaltender Jesper Wallstedt says he is living the dream after a route that included three seasons in Iowa and a difficult 2024-25 campaign.
The 23-year-old, selected 20th overall in 2021, is continuing last season’s success while countryman Filip Gustavsson is injured.
Hall of Fame linesman Pavelich dies at 92
Matt Pavelich, the first linesman inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, died on Friday aged 92, according to his son Mark.
Pavelich worked 23 NHL seasons, including 1,727 regular-season games as a linesman and 19 consecutive Stanley Cup Finals from 1961 to 1979.
READ FULL STORY: Hall of Fame linesman Matt Pavelich dies aged 92
NHL players mark Hockey Halloween
NHL players and their families joined Halloween celebrations, with Macklin Celebrini and Will Smith dressing as Goose and Maverick from Top Gun.
JJ Peterka appeared as King Julian, while Tampa Bay’s Ryan McDonagh and Victor Hedman visited Muma Children’s Hospital in Superman and pilot costumes.
READ FULL STORY: NHL players bring Halloween spirit to 2026 festivities
Miroshnichenko and Edvinsson draw reported interest
Washington forward Ivan Miroshnichenko reportedly has permission to seek a trade, with a first-round pick described as the Capitals’ asking price.
San Jose and Detroit have reportedly held substantive talks about Simon Edvinsson, including one serious Sharks offer that the Red Wings rejected.
IHM NHL PULSE
Trade talk is being driven by leverage as well as interest
Kucherov’s reported trade request follows an extension gap involving term and money. Larkin is not playing while awaiting a possible move, but a trade remains unresolved. Robertson’s situation shows a different form of leverage: he cannot sign until January 1 and would not receive new trade protection until July 1. Across the three cases, contract timing and player control are as central as the reported interest from other clubs.
Term is increasingly part of the reported market
Reports describe clubs looking beyond expiring contracts as additional cap flexibility allows them to consider players with one, two or three years left. That premise appears in discussion of Pittsburgh and Nashville assets, Vancouver’s veteran group, and Toronto’s search for defensive help. Miroshnichenko, who has another year remaining on his contract, is also reportedly attracting interest from several clubs.
Roster depth is tested by availability
Colorado expects Noah Juulsen to become a regular while Manson is out for eight weeks. Ottawa must also navigate Hodgson’s two-game suspension, two separate availability issues that place immediate value on replacement options.
A Halloween snapshot across the league
Costumes from players, partners and families provided a lighter league-wide moment, ranging from movie pairings to team party outfits and a children’s hospital visit.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
- Colorado hosts Calgary on Saturday at 10 p.m. ET as the Avalanche begin an expected eight-week stretch without Josh Manson.
- Jason Robertson becomes eligible to sign an extension with Dallas on January 1.
- Any trade protection in a new Jason Robertson contract would not begin until July 1.
SHORT ICE Q&A
Why has Nikita Kucherov reportedly asked for a trade?
Reports say Kucherov told Tampa Bay he will not sign an extension and wants a trade after negotiations remained far apart. Both term and money were described as issues.
How long is Josh Manson expected to be out?
Colorado expects Manson to miss eight weeks with an ankle injury sustained against New Jersey. Noah Juulsen is expected to be a regular in the lineup.
When can Jason Robertson sign an extension?
Robertson cannot sign an extension until January 1. Dallas is expected to start discussions in mid-to-late December, and reports do not expect a deal by the end of January.
What discipline did Hayden Hodgson receive?
Hodgson was suspended without pay for two games for boarding Brandt Clarke. He will forfeit $8,762.88, which goes to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
Is a Dylan Larkin trade imminent?
No imminent deal was reported. Talks were said to have escalated, but Detroit’s desired return and Larkin’s trade list remain factors.
What is Washington reportedly seeking for Ivan Miroshnichenko?
Washington is reportedly seeking at least a first-round pick for Miroshnichenko, who has permission to seek a trade and one year left on his contract.
FAN PULSE
Which development will most shape the next stretch of NHL trade discussion?
A) Nikita Kucherov’s reported request to leave Tampa Bay.
B) Dylan Larkin’s unresolved situation in Detroit.
C) Jason Robertson’s approaching extension eligibility.