There’s a lot moving around the NHL right now, and the latest chatter touches three very different situations: Montreal’s coach, Minnesota’s stalled contract talks, and a wild trade concept involving Philadelphia’s brightest young scorer.
In Montreal, the message from Geoff Molson is clear: the Canadiens are not in the business of replacing Martin St. Louis.
The coach has one year left on his deal, but the organization seems happy with what he’s doing and wants him in the fold longer term. The final call still belongs to St.
Louis, but the Canadiens appear prepared to go bigger, with more money and a longer contract. For now, they may simply be waiting until everyone is back from the offseason before putting the extension to bed.
The Quinn Hughes situation in Minnesota is moving much more slowly than expected. Elliotte Friedman said he’s surprised the talks over Hughes’ next contract haven’t picked up speed, and he pointed to the possibility that Hughes and some of his U.S.
Olympic teammates have spent the summer enjoying themselves instead of focusing on business. So far, there hasn’t been much in the way of real negotiating, according to Friedman.
He’s not sounding alarm bells yet, but he did note that if Hughes still doesn’t have a deal once the season starts, that would suggest something unusual is going on. He also said the situation could be connected to whatever Cale Makar signs.
Then there’s the most eye-catching idea of the bunch: Matvei Michkov and the Oilers. Philadelphia’s young scorer is a dangerous talent, but things could be getting a little uncomfortable with coach Rick Tocchet.
His ice time and production have become part of the conversation, and there are questions about his defence, conditioning, and his relationship with the coach. If that tension grows, the Flyers could eventually explore a trade.
That’s where Edmonton enters the picture. The Oilers could put together a package centered on Isaac Howard, a young defenceman, and multiple draft picks. It’s a pure hypothetical for now, but the fit is easy to see: Edmonton would land a top-six winger who could skate with Connor McDavid or Leon Draisaitl, while Philadelphia would collect several young assets and picks if it decided Michkov wasn’t the right long-term piece.
In Other News...
Wild Fans Are Getting A Big Viewing Change This Season
Minnesota Wild fans who have gotten used to tracking games across a patchwork of channels are in for another shift next season. The team announced its national broadcast schedule for the 2026-27 NHL season, with games slated to appear on ESPN, ESPN+, Disney+, Hulu, TNT, ABC and other platforms, while the club also prepares to launch a team-owned and operated exclusive multimedia television network for the games not picked up by national NHL partners.
The changing TV landscape is only part of the adjustment, since the NHL also moved the start times for eight Wild games during the season. For fans planning around the schedule, and for anyone lining up tickets or membership options already on sale, it is another reminder that following the Wild is becoming as much about where and when to watch as it is about what happens on the ice. [Read more 🡒]
Wild Dylan Larkin Hopes Could Shift Again Because Of Detroits Search
The Wilds interest in Dylan Larkin has run into the kind of delay that can change a market fast: Detroits search for new leadership. Minnesota has had Larkin on its radar in trade conversations, but any meaningful movement has been slowed as the Red Wings sort through management changes and reset the direction of the franchise. For a team like the Wild, that means the timeline is less about when a deal gets done and more about who in Detroit ends up making the calls.
Andrew Thomas, a former member of the Wild front office, is reportedly among the candidates being considered for the Red Wings general manager job, and his presence adds another layer to the situation. His analytics background and past ties to Minnesota could shape how Detroit weighs Larkins trade request and what it asks in return, especially if the new regime wants a different kind of return than the one the Wild are hoping to offer. For now, the piece that matters most for Minnesota is still unsettled. [Read more 🡒]
Larkin Trade Rumors Just Hit A Huge Red Wings Roadblock
Dylan Larkins name has been linked to the Wild, and the idea alone is enough to get attention in Minnesota. The Detroit captain is reportedly open to a trade to the Wild, which would instantly change the conversation around a team always looking to add speed, leadership and proven offense down the middle.
The problem is that Detroits side of the equation has not moved forward, and the lack of a general manager has slowed any real momentum. In the meantime, TSN analysts Bryan Hayes and Frankie Corrado have pointed to Montreal as another possible fit because of the roster and salary structure, but Larkin has not yet agreed to waive his no-trade clause for the Canadiens, leaving any deal to hinge on both his approval and the assets involved. [Read more 🡒]