The heated summer NHL trades have cooled down a bit, but there are still NHL rumors to discuss. Let’s dig right in here and see what’s happening.
Winnipeg Jets – Kyle Connor NHL Rumors: Kyle Connor is coming to the end of his seven-year, $50 million contract ($7.142 million AAV) this coming season, and has been eligible for an extension since July 1st.
According to Frank Seravalli of the Bleacher Report, “I don’t think they’ve had much in the way of extension talks. My understanding is that the Connor camp is not in very much of a rush to get something done, and they want to evaluate their options. I’m sure Jets fans don’t necessarily love the sound of that, particularly after watching Nikolaj Ehlers walk out the door as a free agent. A lot of people have been wondering, if Kyle Connor does decide to go to market next summer, would the Detroit Red Wings be a fit for Kyle Connor? You could see the Michigan product going back. I could certainly see that. It would seem to make a ton of sense.“
For Connor, who hails from Shelby Township, just outside of Detroit, it would be a homecoming and could make sense for both sides. The Red Wings are certainly seeking a dynamic scoring forward for the first line. A left wing like Connor would be the perfect fit to join forces with Dylan Larkin and Lucas Raymond. That no doubt would create one of the top lines in the NHL.
The fallback could be being able to pay Connor. He’s due for a big raise, and in fact, AFP Analytics has projected an extension at a whopping eight-year, $96 million deal with a $12 million AAV. That sounds like it would be far too rich for the Jets, who currently have top-line center Mark Scheifele on a long-term $8.5M AAV deal.
When analyzing projected salaries from AFP Analytics, the Jets will still have about $2.24 million of cap space. So, if Connor wants to stay (he has a modified no-trade clause in his deal) he can. Certainly, with his excellent stats from last season, gathering 41 goals and 56 assists in 82 games, the Jets would be pleased to have him back.
Buffalo Sabres – Tyler Bertuzzi NHL Rumors: Can the Sabres land a tough forward like Tyler Bertuzzi? 
Apr 15, 2025; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Chicago Blackhawks left wing Tyler Bertuzzi (59) controls the puck in the third period against the Ottawa Senators at the Canadian Tire Centre. Mandatory Credit: Marc DesRosiers-Imagn Images
Bertuzzi is exactly what Buffalo should be seeking in a potential top-six forward acquisition. He’s a seasoned, tough veteran with a proven track record of success in key roles. The Sabres need an instant-impact player, not another development project. The 30-year-old Canadian finished the 2024-25 season ranked fourth on the Blackhawks with 46 points (23 goals and 23 assists) while playing all 82 games. His shooting percentage was high (17.6%), but he’s always been a player who finishes his chances at a solid rate (14.4% career).
The other factor that Bertuzzi could excel in is net-front presence. That is an area where the Sabres have lacked and a major reason why they have failed to qualify for the postseason in 14 years. With the recent trade of forward J.J. Peterka to the Utah Mammoth, there is a hole on the front line in Buffalo. Bertuzzi could adeptly fill it instantly. He may not be a 30-goal scorer like Peterka, but he did add 23 goals, 23 assists to the Chicago lineup last season.
The cost of obtaining Bertuzzi may hold up a prospective deal. The Sabres would more than likely want at least one of the following highly touted young Sabres’ players: Zach Benson, Konsta Helenius, Devon Levi or Noah Ostlund.
Most observers feel that the Buffalo club will not move Benson, who is a talented two-way player. Of the group listed, the only likely trade candidate may be Ostlund. That would mean the Sabres would need to give up another prospect and perhaps consider dangling draft picks as an option.
Utah Mammoth – Logan Cooley NHL Rumors: Will the talented Utah forward be signed to a long-term deal? 
Apr 15, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Blues right wing Alexey Toropchenko (13) pressures Utah Hockey Club center Logan Cooley (92) during the second period at Enterprise Center. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Le-Imagn Images
Cooley is a restricted free agent and has been eligible to sign a new contract since July 1st. If he waits until next summer to sign a seven-year deal, his projected salary would be $9.45 million. That is due to the NHL salary cap rising to a new $104 million level. The other factor is that players will only be allowed to extend a contract for a length of seven years as opposed to the eight-year limit previously.
After a successful 2023-24 season where Cooley accumulated 20 goals and 24 assists in 82 games, he improved to 25 goals and 40 assists in 75 games this past season. No reason to believe that he won’t continue to improve going forward. He possesses uncanny speed and playmaking abilities.
Cooley is pegged to be centering the top Utah line with Clayton Keller (30-G, 60-A) and Dylan Guenther (27-G, 33-A) on his wings. That is a very formidable line with a ton of scoring potential. No doubt general manager Bill Armstrong will be working hard to keep Cooley in his lineup for years to come.
If awarding Cooley’s outstanding play with a seven-year deal at $9.45 million AAV is what it takes to retain his services, Armstrong knows what he needs to do.
End Of NHL Rumors Rant
The Jets would be highly mistaken to not retain a player of Connor’s abilities. He is a sniper who will add to the offensive thrust of the team. Losing Nikolaj Ehlers to free agency will hurt the Jets’ attack, so keeping Connor must be a priority.
Adding Bertuzzi to the Sabres seems like a great move for Buffalo. If they can work out a trade with the Blackhawks, it will certainly help their motivation to get to the postseason.
Cooley will get his contract, but it will be next summer. If he can obtain a rich contract like $9.45 million for seven years, he will ask, “Where do I sign?”
That concludes this edition of NHL rumors. Be sure to check back for our next article, and thanks for reading!