Oilers GM Just REJECTED a Canadiens Trade Package — Fans Are FURIOUS!
Pierre Lebrun and Darren Dger. Usually guys, it takes a month or two before we get into the trade rumors of good players on struggling teams coveted by other teams. But everything in the NHL is shifting fast. The Edmonton Oilers are quietly rethinking their roster. Rumors now link them to big trades that could hit the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Conucks hard. The trade deadline radar is flashing red. What’s coming next could change the makeup of the league, and that story is already underway. The Oilers entered this season with high hopes, but recent reporting shows they are off to another slow start. They are a different team than the one that reached the Stanley Cup final the last two years. Depth scoring has evaporated. This season, they have become more of a four to fiveman team. Their lack of extra scoring punch is now a major concern. Their goalending needs more attention, too. Their front office must find a way to bring in reinforcements while working under salary cap constraints. In that context, names like Alex Tuck, Anthony Mantha, Mason Marchment, and Kefir Sherwood are being floated as potential solutions to boost Edmonton’s forward core. At the same time, the Vancouver Conucks are reportedly ready to move several of their veteran players. The club has made it clear that veterans outside of their top core outside H. Philip Ron and Quinn Hugh are available for trade. Unrestricted free agents and non-core veterans such as Sherwood, Derek Forbort, Teddy Bluger, and former Oilers forward Sherwood again have been listed among those who could be moved before the deadline. Some of these names like Sherwood overlap with Edmonton’s wish list. That convergence could set up serious trade discussions involving the Canucks and Oilers with ripple effects across the league. Across the Atlantic in Toronto, the Maple Leafs are facing their own crossroad. Their offseason changes, including shedding some star contracts, were meant to shift the club identity. The goal was broader team balance, not reliance on a few stars. That proposed swap has drawn attention. On the surface, it might reduce salary burdens and give both players a fresh start. Some believe it only helps Edmonton with the reduction in salary. Still, that deal might not dramatically improve either club. Some analysts argue it doesn’t move the needle. Meanwhile, for the Canucks, the pressure is rising on their core players like Quinn Hughes. Trade speculation has intensified. Some outside teams, including a franchise from the league’s elite group, have reportedly shown serious interest in Hugh. If Vancouver opts to rebuild rather than retool, the timing could align with Edmonton’s need. That could make the Oilers a logical target for assets that Vancouver might move. The NHL trade market has sparked widespread buzz this week. Several rumor roundups list Edmonton, Vancouver, and Toronto as three of the most active teams. Some insiders even link the Oilers with a potential goalender trade. Names like Jordan Bennington are being floated. That signals the club may be preparing more than one major move. If those moves come together, forward depth, defense, or goalending. The Oilers front office understand Bowman could reshape the roster dramatically. For Toronto and Vancouver, the calculus is different. Both must weigh short-term performance versus long-term restructuring. The balance is delicate. The next few weeks could see surprise moves. The deadline looms. The buzz is rising. The Oilers front office seems to be cooking something major. Fans across three cities, Edmonton, Toronto, Vancouver are watching closely. The implications go beyond a single trade. The balance of power in the league could shift. Trade proposals are circulating. Rumors are building. The official moves may come soon. And when they do, the NHL landscape might look different. As insiders stunned because Montreal may be closer to landing a star center than anyone expected. First thing I’d tell you is the Habs O Dog. My understanding is listen, they’ve they’ve gone through the entire league in their preparations internally and have a list of what centers could potentially pop up between now and and next season. And obviously ahead of the March 6 trade deadline this year. They’re you name a name and it’s come up internally with the Montreal Canadians. And yes, Nasam Kadri is one of those names. Uh I think the Hops would have interest in him. Naam Cadre’s name has become one of the most active in NHL trade circle. The Calgary Flames sit at 2 and8 and 1 through 11 game, their worst start in years. Cadri leads the team with eight points in those contests and is now just four games away from reaching the 1,000game milestone in his NHL career. Despite his performance, the growing instability inside Calgary has sparked leaguewide trade speculation. According to multiple reports, the Montreal Canadians are one of several teams exploring center options. TSN insiders Pierre Lebron and Darren Drager confirmed that Montreal continues to search for a true second line center to strengthen their roster. Le Brun noted that if Calgary ever decides to move Kadri, the Canadians would be a logical fit. However, both analysts emphasized that the Flames are nowhere close to making that decision. Cadre’s contract remains a significant fact. He is signed through 2029 with a $7 million cap hit. Originally protected by a full no move clause, his deal has now shifted to a 13 team no trade list, meaning Montreal could technically pursue him if they are not on that list. That adjustment alone has created a surge of interest as it gives general manager Kent Hughes new room to maneuver. Still, there are clear limits to how far the Canadians are willing to go. Frank Sarahi stated on Bleacher Reports insider note that Montreal’s top 2024 firstround pick Michael Heg is completely off the table. When asked about the possibility of including Hag in a Cadri trade, Sarahi replied directly, “No, it’s not.” He described Hag’s early NCAA season at Michigan as pretty special so far, adding that Montreal have to be thrilled with yet another interesting prospect in their pipeline. But the tension continues to build. Calgary’s early slump and internal struggles are drawing league attention. Montreal’s need for a proven center only fuels the speculation further. And as the Flames face mounting pressure to fix their season, observers can’t help but wonder, could Kadre’s 1,000th game be one of his last in a Flames jersey. The next few weeks could decide whether Naam Cadri stays in Calgary or joins Montreal. League insiders say Flames GM Craig Conroy is under pressure as the team sits 2-8 and one, their patience running out. Cadre leads the roster in scoring and is just four games from his 1,000th NHL appearance. Yet, his name dominates trade discussion. Montreal’s GM Kent Hughes continues searching for a proven second line center behind Nick Suzuki. Players like Christian D’vorak and Jake Evans haven’t provided consistent offense, making Cadri a logical fit. His $7 million cap hit through 2029 complicates talk and any deal would likely need Calgary to retain salary or take contracts back. Still, Montreal’s cap flexibility after moving Carrie Price’s contract to long-term injured reserve keeps them in position to act. TSN’s Pierre Lebron reports the Flames aren’t close to trading Cadri, but Montreal has done its homework, monitoring his leadership and playoff experience. Head coach Martin St. Lewis values that intensity. Insiders say Hughes won’t sacrifice the rebuild for short-term gain, giving Montreal leverage as Calgary’s slump deepens. Cadre’s looming 1,000th game adds tension. It could come in a new uniform if talks advance. For now, both clubs wait, and every Calgary loss makes a move feel closer. If you’re a Habs fan, then rookie Ivan Demadov needs no introduction. The Montreal Canadians announced the signing of the 19-year-old Russian forward to the utter jubilation of fans. Vinnie can’t get to him by too many guards. The 19-year-old Russian player’s flight was the most trapped in the world. Something shocking is happening in Montreal. 19-year-old Ivan Demidov is racing past every other rookie in the league. His early performance has already pushed him to the top of the Calder Trophy watch list. Analysts call his rise remarkable. The data says it’s real. This is the crazy reason why Ivan Demidov might win the Calder Trophy. Three times in NHL history, a team has won the Calder Trophy in consecutive season. The last occurrence happened in 1968 when the Boston Bruins accomplished this feat. The Montreal Canadians now sit in position to become the fourth franchise to achieve this milestone. Lane Hudson won the award in 2025. Even Demidov leads all rookies in scoring through October 2025. Folks, we have a caller trophy race. Ivan Demidov is right back in it. Nine points in 10 games to start the season. Ivan Demidov has nine points through his first 10 NHL games in the 2025 to 26 season. He has scored two goals and recorded seven assists. This places him first among all rookies in scoring. Demodof became the first Canadians rookie to score nine points in his first 10 games since Stephan Leau in 1989 to 1990. On October 25th, 2025, Demidov recorded his first three-point game in the NHL. He scored one goal and added two assists in a 4 to3 victory over the Vancouver Canuck. Montreal Canadians captain Nick Suzuki commented on Demidov’s play. “He’s a great player on the power play.” Suzuki said, “His poise and vision. He’s always finding play, finding seams. He’s got a good shot and he’s probably run every single power play he’s ever been on, so he’s got a lot of reps on those.” Head coach Martin St. Lewis moved Demidov to the first power play unit before the game against Vancouver. St. Louis explained his decision. I’ve known all along that Demi can play on the first power play. St. Louis said, “I got to a certain point with Demi where I felt like he had showed me that he’s willing to play on the other side of the game, the defensive game, and he’s bought in, and he’s actually very attentive and trying to keep getting better.” The Canadians power play statistics improved after adding Demod to the first unit. Without Demodof on the first power play unit, Montreal averaged 93 shots per 60 minutes. With Demodolf, the team produces 125 shots per 60 minutes. This represents a 34% increase in shot production. High danger scoring chances also increased. Without Demod, the Canadians generated 22 high danger shots per 60 minutes on the power play. With Demod, they produced 36 highquality chances per 60 minutes. This equals a 63% increase in dangerous scoring opportunities. Demodv currently plays 13 minutes and 47 seconds per game on average. He skates on a line with Alex New Hook and Oliver Capan at five on five. NHL conducted a preseason poll for the 2025 to 26 Calder Trophy rate. 15 voters participated in the poll. Demodof received 74 voting points. He earned 14 first place votes. Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders finished second with 39 points. Jimmy Snugarude of the St. Louis Blues placed third with 19 points. During the 2024 NHL scouting combine, Demidov answered a question about which player he most resembled. I think it’s a combination of Kirrell Capri off and Jack Hugh. Demidov told Montreal Canadians management Matthew Schaefer was selected first overall by the New York Islanders in the 2025 NHL draft. He turned 18 years old on September 5th, 2025. He became the youngest defenseman in NHL history to score a game-winning goal at 18 years and 46 days old. He extended his career opening point streak to six games. Schaefer recorded his first multi-point game during this stretch. Jimmy Snugerod was selected 23rd overall by the St. Louis Blues in the 2022 NHL draft. He scored 51 points in 40 games during his final season at the University of Minnesota. He recorded four points in seven regular season games for the Blues at the end of the 2024 to 2025 season. He added four points in seven playoff games. Demodovv averages 2.7 shot attempts per game and 0.9 shots on goal per game through the first 10 games of the season. He maintains a plus three rating. Demod uses a wide skating stance referred to as 10 and two positioning. This technique allows him to move east west across the ice with speed. Elite Prospects 2024 NHL draft guide described Demidov’s skill set. The guide stated, “Every move serves a purpose, whether improving the quality of his look as a shooter or creating openings in the defense that he can exploit as a distributor.” Dan Milstein serves as Demidov’s agent through Gold Star Hawk. Milstein discussed Demidov’s mental approach to the season. He deleted all social media from his phone and completely disconnected from the media, Milstein said. Ivan focuses only on hockey and family. His personal stats don’t really matter to him. The Montreal Canadians hold an 8 and3 and zero record through October 28th, 2025. They sit in first place in the Atlantic Division. Nick Suzuki has 13 points during a nine-game point streak. This represents the longest point streak in the NHL for the 2025 to 26 season. The Canadians have three third period comeback wins this season. This total leads the NHL. Montreal went two for three on the power play in their victory over Vancouver on October 25th, 2025. The Toronto Maple Leafs have won the Calder Trophy 10 times. This represents the most wins by any franchise. The Chicago Blackhawks rank second with nine Calder Trophy winners. 10 defensemen have won the Calder Trophy since 1980. Demid off avoided the check. Dem it off. Look out. Gave it away right on the tape of Pinszo. And I think a cross-checking call behind the play. I think it’s going to be a slash slash. Sorry. It’s going against Ottawa. And Nick Cousins can’t believe it. And he’ll go for two or less. This has been a a prey to the box for Nick Cousins. Unfortunately, he’s going to take a little slash of Demov into the hand here. So here’s the turnover right here, the middle of the ice. And then there’s a chop right on the wrist of Demov. A rookie stars night ended in pain. Ivon Demidov, slashed down by Nick Cousins, left the ice holding his wrist. The hit didn’t just stop the play, it started something bigger. Nick Cousins delivered a two-handed slash right across Demidov’s wrist. The Canadians rookie tried to skate off, but the pain forced him out. He was removed from the game. Before the hit, Demidov was having a strong night. He had already collected two assists in the game. He pushed the play against Ottawa’s defense and kept creating scoring chances. His skating and passing showed why fans are so excited about him. But after the slash, his night ended early. Head coach Martin St. Lewis was asked for an update right after the game. He said, “Not right now. He’s still being evaluated, so not right now.” That was the official word from the Canadians bench. The team called the move by Cousins unnecessary. St. Louis added, “There’s no need for that. It’s an exhibition game. I don’t think there’s any need for that in the game.” Nick Cousins delivered the chop late in the game. This was after a string of rough moments between the two teams. Reports suggest Cousins may have been retaliating after Arbor Sheekch of Montreal had been ejected earlier. Fans were quick to react. online. They described the slash as cowardly. Analysts said the Department of Player Safety is likely to review the play. That means Cousins could face discipline before the regular season begins. Ivon Demidov’s health became the biggest focus of the night. Reports later confirmed he avoided serious injury. Elliot Freriedman shared on X don’t believe there’s any long-term injury concern for Demidov after the slash he took last night. This was seen as good news for Montreal, especially with the season opener scheduled for October 8th against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The Canadians have already decided to be cautious. Demidov may sit out the next preseason game. This is to give him time to rest and recover. Alexander Kerier also stated that none of the Canadians players had serious injuries coming out of the game. That includes Demidov. Even with the incident, the Canadians won the game 5 to zero. The score was one-sided, but the conversation after the final horn centered only on Demidov’s injury. Before leaving, Demidov had shown the skill that made him a top draft pick. He helped set up goals. He pressured defenders. He drew coverage every time he carried the puck. His play stood out until the slash ended his night. The Canadians organization is now focused on two things, his health and the league’s decision on Cousins. The NHL has not yet released an official statement, but based on past cases, a review by the Department of Player Safety could come within days. The slash happened as Montreal and Ottawa played in Quebec City. The game drew attention because of the rising rivalry between the two clubs. This preseason meeting continued that trend. Demod’s injury scare raises larger questions for the league about how much physical play is allowed in preseason games. Martin St. Lewis made his position clear. He stated again that there was no need for that type of slash in an exhibition setting. His words echoed through the postgame press conference. The Canadians are expected to update Demidov’s status as soon as team doctors finish their checks. For now, the official word is precaution. They do not want to risk a setback for one of their most important young players. The Canadians, despite the slash, showed strength in the rest of the game. They scored five unanswered goals. The situation will now move into league offices. The NHL will study the slash and determine if Cousins faces a fine or suspension. The video review will play a role in that outcome. If discipline comes, it will likely be announced before the Senator’s next preseason game. For Montreal, all eyes remain on Demidov. His arrival in the NHL has been highly anticipated. He has been labeled as one of the top prospects of his draft class. In his short time with the Canadians, he has already impressed fans and coaches. That is why the slash drew so much attention. It was not just about one player getting hit. It was about the future of the franchise taking a dangerous shot in a preseason setting. Elliot of Freriedman’s update eased some fears. His words were direct. No long-term injury concern. That statement provided the most clarity yet. It pointed to Demidoff returning soon, perhaps in time for the season opener. Still, the Canadians are not rushing. They are expected to sit him at least one game to make sure he is fully ready. The rivalry between Montreal and Ottawa has often included physical clashes. This game continued that story line. The final score was lopsided, but the real headline became the slash, the injury scare, and the possible fallout for Nick Cousins. As of today, Demidov is being monitored daily. Reports say he is not expected to miss extended time. The Canadians are waiting for further medical reports. The slash is being reviewed by the league. Fans and media continue to follow closely. This was not just another preseason game. It was a night when a young star was slashed hard, left the ice in pain, and sparked a wave of reaction across hockey. [Applause] Ivan Demidov just turned a rookie showcase into something no one saw coming. The Bell Center crowd watched in awe as the 19-year-old forward pulled off plays that left the arena shaking. It wasn’t only the goal, and it wasn’t only the passes. What happened on that ice has people wondering how far this story will go. Yeah, for sure. It was funny. I’m not speaking about the ending result, but Yeah, I mean like Yeah, for sure. Result is like it’s bad. Game was fun. How did you feel in the end? Feels good. Did you like about your game? Yeah, for sure. You know, like first game after the summer. Ivan Demidov is the 19-year-old Russian forward and a rookie in the Canadians organization. He was the fifth overall pick in the 2024 NHL draft. His name carried weight in Canada and in Russia before this game. That weight grew even heavier after this showcase with the Jets prospects at the Bell Center. The arena was nearly sold out. Fans waited months to see the Canadians prospects play. When Demidov touched the puck, the crowd stood or leaned forward. Every time he moved, there was excitement. When he made a pass or took a shot, there were applause. In the game, Demidov set up linemates Florian Shech and Oliver Kapan for goal.
Everything in the NHL is shifting fast. The Edmonton Oilers are quietly rethinking their roster. Rumors now link them to big trades that could hit the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vancouver Canucks hard. The trade-deadline radar is flashing red. What’s coming next could change the makeup of the league — and that story is already underway.
The Oilers entered this season with high hopes. But recent reporting shows they “are off to another slow start.” They “are a different team than the one that reached the Stanley Cup Final the last two years.” Depth scoring has evaporated. This season, they have become more of a “four- to five-man team.”
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