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NHL Rumors: Islanders Eye Hronek, Andersson’s Future in Calgary, Sherwood on the Block, Canucks Trade Tiers, Conroy and Matheson Extensions

Date: November 30, 2025 · Author: IHM News

The NHL rumor mill is rolling hard again. The New York Islanders may be forced back into the trade market on defense after Alexander Romanov’s injury. The Calgary Flames are staring at big-picture decisions around Rasmus Andersson and their long-term direction. The Vancouver Canucks are juggling short-term competitiveness with the need to get younger, while a key pending UFA in Kiefer Sherwood sits right in the middle of trade talk. On top of that, the Montreal Canadiens have locked in Mike Matheson, and Calgary’s front office received a fresh vote of confidence.

Could the New York Islanders Trade for Filip Hronek?

Stefen Rosner of The Hockey News suggests that Alexander Romanov’s injury could push the New York Islanders back toward a familiar trade partner: the Vancouver Canucks, and specifically defenseman Filip Hronek.

The Canucks are not actively shopping Hronek or Quinn Hughes, but they are listening on veterans and trying to reshape their mix. Hronek holds a no-movement clause, which means he has a direct say in any potential destination. If the right contender calls and the fit is perfect for the player, Vancouver would at least have to consider it.

The benchmark for his value is already set. Vancouver originally acquired Hronek for the Islanders’ 2023 first-round pick and Vancouver’s own 2023 second-round pick from Detroit. For New York to bring him to Long Island now, the starting point likely looks like a first-round pick, a third-rounder, and at least one additional asset if Hronek indicates he is open to the move.

What Will Happen with Rasmus Andersson in Calgary?

Eric Francis of Sportsnet reports that, with the Calgary Flames struggling in the standings, the spotlight is shifting to Rasmus Andersson’s future. He is a pending unrestricted free agent and a core piece of Calgary’s blue line, and he knows he effectively holds the cards regarding what comes next.

Andersson has made it clear he is trying to keep the situation in perspective, saying essentially, “if it’s meant to be, it’s meant to be.” He hears the outside noise and the constant speculation, but he’s focused on his play, his leadership role, and his goal of making the Swedish Olympic team.

All options remain on the table: re-signing in Calgary, being moved as a high-end rental at the trade deadline, or exploring the market in free agency. As the deadline approaches and he continues to log heavy minutes and produce, calls for his services will only increase.

Vancouver Canucks: Sherwood’s Future and a Need to Get Younger

Iain MacIntyre of Sportsnet notes that Kiefer Sherwood knows his name is firmly embedded in the rumor mill. He’s a pending UFA, playing well, and sitting on a team that is trying to find the right balance between staying competitive and getting younger.

“I love it here and I love this group,” Sherwood said. “You just take it day by day. It’s part of the job. You show up, be professional, and play.”

Canucks president of hockey operations Jim Rutherford has publicly stated that Vancouver needs to get younger and that he’s willing to listen on their veterans, especially pending UFAs like Sherwood, Evander Kane, Teddy Blueger and Derek Forbort. That doesn’t mean a fire sale, but it does mean the front office is open to hockey trades that reshape the roster.

On top of that, Quinn Hughes will be eligible to sign a contract extension this offseason. The key question: does he see his long-term future in Vancouver, or does the idea of eventually joining his brothers in New Jersey linger in the background?

NHL Trade Tiers: Breaking Down the Market

Matt Larkin of Daily Faceoff recently grouped potential trade targets into tiers heading into the heart of the season and toward the trade deadline.

Tier 1: Obvious Trade Candidates

• Rasmus Andersson - D - Calgary Flames - $4.5M cap hit - Pending UFA - Six-team no-trade clause
• Brayden Schenn - C - St. Louis Blues - $6.5M cap hit through 2027-28 - 15-team no-trade list
• Steven Stamkos - C - Nashville Predators - $8M cap hit through 2027-28 - No-movement clause
• Ryan O’Reilly - C - Nashville Predators - $4.5M cap hit through 2026-27
• Justin Faulk - D - St. Louis Blues - $6.5M cap hit through 2026-27 - 15-team no-trade list
• Jonathan Marchessault - RW - Nashville Predators - $5.5M cap hit through 2028-29 - 15-team no-trade list
• Brandon Carlo - D - Toronto Maple Leafs - $4.1M cap hit through 2026-27 - Eight-team no-trade list
• Blake Coleman - LW - Calgary Flames - $4.9M cap hit through 2026-27 - 10-team trade list
• Pavel Mintyukov - D - Anaheim Ducks - $918,333 cap hit - Pending RFA
• Brad Lambert - C - Winnipeg Jets - $886,667 cap hit through 2026-27
• Nazem Kadri - C - Calgary Flames - $7M cap hit through 2028-29 - 13-team no-trade list
• Yegor Chinakhov - RW - Columbus Blue Jackets - $2.1M cap hit - Pending RFA
• Mario Ferraro - D - San Jose Sharks - $3.25M cap hit - Pending UFA
• Michael Bunting - LW - Nashville Predators - $4.5M cap hit - Pending UFA
• Lukas Reichel - LW - Vancouver Canucks - $1.2M cap hit through 2025-26 - Pending RFA
• Emil Andrae - D - Philadelphia Flyers - $903,333 cap hit through 2025-26 - Pending RFA

Tier 2: Names to Keep an Eye On

• Alex Tuch - RW - Buffalo Sabres - $4.75M cap hit - Pending UFA - Five-team no-trade list
• Kiefer Sherwood - RW - Vancouver Canucks - $1.5M cap hit - Pending UFA
• Andrei Svechnikov - LW - Carolina Hurricanes - $7.75M cap hit through 2028-29 - 10-team no-trade list
• Anders Lee - LW - New York Islanders - $7M cap hit - Pending UFA - 15-team no-trade list
• Boone Jenner - C - Columbus Blue Jackets - $3.75M cap hit - Pending UFA - Eight-team no-trade clause
• Jordan Kyrou - RW - St. Louis Blues - $8.125M cap hit through 2030-31 - No-trade clause
• Owen Tippett - RW - Philadelphia Flyers - $6.2M cap hit through 2031-32
• Ryan Hartman - C - Minnesota Wild - $4M cap hit through 2026-27 - 15-team no-trade clause
• Jean-Gabriel Pageau - C - New York Islanders - $5M cap hit - Pending UFA - 16-team no-trade list
• Nick Robertson - RW - Toronto Maple Leafs - $1.825M cap hit - Pending RFA
• Stuart Skinner - G - Edmonton Oilers - $2.6M cap hit - Pending UFA
• Cam Talbot - G - Detroit Red Wings - $2.5M cap hit - Pending UFA
• Marco Rossi - C - Minnesota Wild - $5M cap hit through 2027-28
• Rasmus Ristolainen - D - Philadelphia Flyers - $5.1M cap hit through 2026

Tier 3: Big Names, Blockbuster Potential, but Still Early

• Tage Thompson - C - Buffalo Sabres
• Artemi Panarin - LW - New York Rangers
• Erik Karlsson - D - Pittsburgh Penguins
• Morgan Rielly - D - Toronto Maple Leafs
• Quinn Hughes - D - Vancouver Canucks

Tier 4: Theoretical Trade Chips if Their Teams Fall Out of Contention

• Jaden Schwartz - LW - Seattle Kraken
• Nick Schmaltz - RW - Utah Mammoth
• Erik Haula - C - Nashville Predators
• Mason Marchment - LW - Seattle Kraken
• Connor Murphy - D - Chicago Blackhawks
• Scott Laughton - C - Toronto Maple Leafs
• Jamie Oleksiak - D - Seattle Kraken
• Evander Kane - LW - Vancouver Canucks
• John Klingberg - D - San Jose Sharks
• Teddy Blueger - C - Vancouver Canucks

Calgary Flames Extend Craig Conroy and Front Office

The Calgary Flames officially announced a two-year extension for General Manager Craig Conroy. Alongside Conroy, President of Hockey Operations Don Maloney, Assistant General Manager and Senior Vice-President of Hockey Operations Dave Nonis, and Assistant General Manager Brad Pascall also signed two-year deals. These contracts were completed at the start of the 2025-26 season and run through 2027-28.

The rest of the hockey operations group includes Assistant General Manager Peter Hanlon, Special Advisor to the General Manager Jarome Iginla, and Senior Director of Hockey Operations Mike Burke. Securing Conroy and this group is critical for stability, especially with Iginla’s return to the organization and the pressure from the fanbase after public comments about “retooling instead of rebuilding.”

There had been questions earlier in the week about why Conroy had not yet been extended, particularly after Maloney’s comments on the direction of the franchise angered a portion of the fanbase. The extension is intended to calm that noise and signal a clear vote of confidence.

Montreal Canadiens Lock in Mike Matheson Long-Term

The Montreal Canadiens announced that they’ve signed defenseman Mike Matheson to a five-year contract worth $30 million, carrying a $6 million AAV.

To navigate differences in tax structures between Montreal and other markets, $20.8 million of the deal will be paid through signing bonuses. Matheson has a full no-movement clause in the first three years, a 14-team no-trade list in year four, and a five-team no-trade list in year five.

This was viewed as a straightforward win for both sides. Montreal made it clear that they wanted Matheson as a pillar on the blue line, and the player wanted to stay. The cap hit comes in under what many consider his open-market value, reinforcing the idea that players are increasingly comfortable committing to Montreal’s long-term plan.

Matheson is having a strong season, posting 14 points (4G, 10A) in 22 games with a +13 rating while averaging 24:50 of ice time. Across 649 career regular season games, he has 279 points (78 goals, 201 assists) and serves as a veteran anchor for a very young Canadiens defense.

Do the Vancouver Canucks Have the Pieces for a Second-Line Center?

On “Donnie & Dhali,” Rick Dhaliwal and Don Taylor discussed whether the Canucks can trade from a position of strength to land a second-line center.

The one area where Vancouver appears legitimately deep is the right side up front: Brock Boeser, Conor Garland, Kiefer Sherwood, plus prospects like Jonathan Lekkerimäki and Linus Karlsson. Dhaliwal compared the situation to “Whack-a-Mole” – pieces keep popping up, and management has to decide which asset to move.

There is external chatter about whether Garland could headline a package for a legitimate second-line center. At the same time, Sherwood’s situation is also fascinating: he’s a pending UFA, there have been no serious contract talks, and insiders believe his next deal “starts with a five” in terms of AAV.

If the Canucks truly want to salvage and maximize this season without sacrificing key futures like high first-round picks or top prospects, trading from that right-side depth – Garland, Sherwood, or both – remains the most logical path.

IHM Q&A – NHL Rumors Special

Why are the Islanders so heavily linked to Filip Hronek?

Because he’s a top-four right-shot defenseman who can move the puck, run a power play, and handle tough minutes. Romanov’s injury leaves a significant hole, and Hronek fits exactly the type of high-impact defender New York would target.

Is Calgary actually willing to move Rasmus Andersson?

Right now, the Flames are trying to balance competing and retooling. If they fall further out of the playoff picture as the deadline approaches, Andersson instantly becomes one of the most valuable trade chips on the market. The ask would be massive: premium futures and high-end prospects.

Is Kiefer Sherwood the most likely Canucks player to be traded?

He’s definitely on the short list. Sherwood is playing well, on an expiring deal, and could price himself out of Vancouver. If negotiations don’t progress, he’s a classic candidate to move for picks or a hockey trade upgrade down the middle.

Why did Mike Matheson accept what looks like an under-market deal?

He clearly believes in the Canadiens’ direction and his role as a key veteran on a young blue line. Montreal offers usage, responsibility, and a chance to help lead a rising core – those intangibles can matter as much as squeezing out extra dollars.

Could Quinn Hughes realistically be moved in a blockbuster deal?

In theory, any player can be traded, but the probability is extremely low. Hughes is a franchise defenseman in his prime. However, until he signs his next contract, questions about his long-term future in Vancouver – and the idea of joining his brothers in New Jersey – will never completely disappear.