NHL Trade Rumors and Injury Updates: Flyers Eye Canucks, Oilers Hold Firm on Skinner, Blues Hit with Setbacks
As we roll into December, the NHL rumor mill is heating up-and a few teams are already making headlines with potential trade targets, injury updates, and contract negotiations. Let’s break down what’s going on with the Flyers, Oilers, and Blues.
Flyers’ Trade Radar: Could Tocchet’s Ties to Vancouver Spark a Deal?
The Philadelphia Flyers are reportedly in the market for a center, and there’s growing buzz that they could be eyeing the Vancouver Canucks as a potential trade partner. The connection? Head coach Rick Tocchet.
Tocchet knows the Canucks' roster well from his time behind their bench, and according to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, there’s reason to believe Philly could be keeping close tabs on Vancouver’s depth chart. While there’s no official word on which players might be targeted, the familiarity between Tocchet and some of his former players adds an intriguing wrinkle to the Flyers’ trade plans.
Names like Keifer Sherwood and Elias Pettersson have surfaced in speculation-not because anything is imminent, but because they fit the mold of what Philadelphia might be seeking. And while Frank Seravalli once floated the idea of Quinn Hughes in a hypothetical blockbuster, that feels more like a long shot than a legitimate target at this stage. Still, with the Flyers actively searching and Tocchet’s connections in play, this is a storyline worth watching.
Oilers Push Back on Stuart Skinner Trade Chatter
The Edmonton Oilers have found themselves in the middle of some goalie trade speculation, but they’re not exactly buying into the narrative.
On a recent episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman clarified that the Oilers aren’t interested in making a lateral move in net. Translation: unless there’s a clear upgrade available, they’re not moving Stuart Skinner.
There’s been talk that Edmonton might wait until the end of the season to make any major decisions regarding their goaltending situation. Some around the league believe they’ll stay patient, evaluate where things stand, and then decide whether to shake things up. But others think the Oilers will remain active behind the scenes and be ready to strike if the right opportunity presents itself.
What’s clear is that Edmonton isn’t going to burn assets just to shuffle the deck. With limited trade capital, the front office knows it can’t afford to swing and miss. So for now, Skinner stays-and unless a true difference-maker becomes available, that’s unlikely to change.
Blues Dealing with Injuries, Working on Broberg Extension
The St. Louis Blues were hit with a tough double blow on Monday, announcing that forward Jimmy Snuggerud will miss at least six weeks following surgery on a left-wrist injury. The 21-year-old had been showing promise in his role, and his absence leaves a noticeable gap in the lineup.
Adding to the Blues’ injury woes, forward Alexey Toropchenko is now week-to-week after suffering burns to his legs in a home accident. It’s an unfortunate situation for a player who’s carved out a gritty, reliable role in the bottom six.
Off the ice, the Blues are also navigating the future of defenseman Philip Broberg. While contract talks haven’t officially started, the team is reportedly interested in locking him up long-term. And given how well Broberg has played, the next deal could be a big one.
Projections have floated an eight-year extension worth $64 million-that’s an $8 million AAV. He’ll be a restricted free agent on July 1 if a deal isn’t reached before then, but there’s no sense of urgency from the Blues just yet. Still, with the way Broberg has been performing, the price tag may only climb the longer they wait.
Bottom Line
The Flyers could be looking to reunite Rick Tocchet with some familiar faces out of Vancouver. The Oilers are holding firm on Stuart Skinner unless a clear upgrade comes along. And the Blues, while dealing with a couple of tough injuries, are also eyeing the future with Philip Broberg’s next contract looming.
We’re still a ways out from the trade deadline, but the groundwork is already being laid-and these are three situations that could shape the NHL landscape in the coming months.