NHL Trade Rumblings: Malkin Scare, Leafs Seller Buzz, Wild’s Goalie Gamble, and Rangers’ Panarin Price Tag
The NHL rumor mill is heating up, and with the trade deadline inching closer, front offices are starting to show their cards-or at least shuffle the deck. From a sigh of relief in Pittsburgh to big-name bait in New York, here’s where things stand across the league.
Penguins Exhale After Malkin Injury Scare
For a few tense moments, the Pittsburgh Penguins-and their fans-held their breath.
Evgeni Malkin, the heartbeat of this Pens core for nearly two decades, appeared to suffer a shoulder injury during a recent game. He immediately grabbed the shoulder and collapsed to the ice in clear discomfort. Given his history with shoulder issues, the concern was real.
But postgame, head coach Dan Muse quickly calmed the waters, saying there was “nothing there,” and the team later confirmed that Malkin avoided serious injury. That’s about as good of news as the Penguins could’ve hoped for.
Malkin has been rolling this season-40 points in 36 games-and is a key reason Pittsburgh sits near the top of the Eastern Conference and 8th overall in the NHL. He’s not just producing; he’s driving the offense with the kind of playmaking and power that’s defined his Hall of Fame-caliber career.
With the Olympic break looming and another contract conversation potentially on the horizon, the Penguins need Malkin healthy and humming. Whether or not Pittsburgh becomes a trade deadline buyer or simply stays the course, having No. 71 in the lineup is non-negotiable.
Maple Leafs Drifting Toward Seller Territory
It’s not official yet, but the buzz is growing louder around the Toronto Maple Leafs. With their playoff hopes becoming murkier by the week, there’s growing chatter that the Leafs could approach the deadline as sellers-and not just in the “depth pieces” sense.
Multiple reports suggest Toronto could look to move several pending free agents, including Bobby McMann, Scott Laughton, Calle Järnkrok, and Troy Stecher. McMann, in particular, would likely draw serious interest given his upside and current form. Laughton, while still valuable, might not fetch the return Toronto would’ve hoped for.
But the conversation doesn’t stop there. Other names reportedly being floated include Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Simon Benoit, Brandon Carlo, and even RFAs like Nick Robertson and Matias Maccelli. That’s a wide net.
The Athletic’s Jonas Siegel even speculated that the list of untouchables might be as short as Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, and Matthew Knies-and even that may not be set in stone.
Meanwhile, Nylander is also under the microscope for a recent on-camera gesture that drew league attention. He’s since apologized, calling it a “moment of frustration,” and the league is reviewing the incident. Whether that leads to any discipline remains to be seen, but it’s another layer to an already complicated Leafs season.
Wild Reportedly Open to Trading Jesper Wallstedt
This one’s a shocker: The Minnesota Wild may be willing to part with one of their top young assets-goaltender Jesper Wallstedt-in pursuit of a legitimate No. 1 center.
According to Elliotte Friedman, the Wild are open to making a bold move, and Wallstedt could be the centerpiece of such a deal. At 23, Wallstedt has shown why he’s been so highly regarded, posting a .914 save percentage and four shutouts this season. He’s under contract through next year and projects as a long-term starter in the league.
So why even consider moving him? It’s about swinging big.
Minnesota’s been stuck in the middle-good enough to compete, not quite built to contend. If the right top-line center becomes available, GM Bill Guerin may be willing to pay the price to push this team forward.
But make no mistake: this wouldn’t be for a marginal upgrade. Names like Nazem Kadri or Brayden Schenn aren’t likely to get it done. This would be a blockbuster-type deal, and probably one more realistic in the offseason than before the deadline.
Still, the fact that Wallstedt is even in the conversation tells you just how aggressive the Wild might be willing to get.
Rangers Set High Price for Artemi Panarin
If you want Artemi Panarin, you better come correct.
The New York Rangers have reportedly set a steep asking price for the star winger, with the benchmark being a return similar to what the Islanders got for Brock Nelson: a first-round pick, a high-end prospect, and additional assets.
Panarin, a pending UFA, has been told he won’t be getting an extension from the Rangers. That doesn’t mean they’re looking to dump him-far from it. The team is reportedly willing to work with him on a trade destination, especially if it involves a long-term extension.
And that’s the key: Panarin isn’t interested in being a rental. He wants a new home and a new deal-potentially five years in the $10-12 million AAV range. That narrows the field considerably, but teams like Anaheim, Washington, and Los Angeles have been linked as potential fits.
It’s a delicate dance. The Rangers don’t want to lose Panarin for nothing, but they also won’t move him unless the return is right. And for a player of his caliber-still elite, still a game-changer-that price is going to be high.
Final Thoughts
As the deadline approaches, GMs around the league are weighing their options-and in some cases, preparing for major swings. Whether it’s the Penguins clinging to their core, the Leafs bracing for a reset, the Wild eyeing a seismic trade, or the Rangers navigating a star exit, one thing is clear: the next few weeks could reshape the NHL landscape in a big way.
Buckle up.