In today’s NHL rumors rundown, the New York Rangers are ready to move on from Artemi Panarin and have pulled him from the lineup until a trade can be finalized. Meanwhile, the Ottawa Senators are reportedly exploring a major blue-line upgrade; the Edmonton Oilers may have a familiar depth forward back in the mix; and does a goaltending coach change for the Montreal Canadiens eventually open the door to a surprising Carey Price return?
Panarin Trade Era Ending in New York
Artemi Panarin has likely played his final game as a New York Ranger. Multiple reports suggest the Rangers are holding the star winger out of the lineup until a trade can be completed ahead of the Feb. 4 Olympic roster freeze.
ESPN’s Emily Kaplan notes Panarin is being sidelined to avoid injury, while Chris Johnston adds the pending UFA is seeking a contract extension as part of any trade approval.
Teams like the San Jose Sharks, Los Angeles Kings, and Anaheim Ducks are reportedly in the mix, with Sheng Peng writing that San Jose is emerging as a possible destination for an extension. The Rangers may retain salary, but they’re still looking for a major return, potentially a first-round pick plus a top prospect.
Senators Checking In on MacKenzie Weegar
The Ottawa Senators are reportedly kicking tires on Flames defenseman MacKenzie Weegar as they search for top-four help. Team reporter Bruce Garrioch writes Ottawa has held talks with Calgary about the 32-year-old blueliner.
MacKenzie Weegar, Calgary Flames (Jess Starr/The Hockey Writers)
He explained:
“The Senators have been scouring the market for a blueliner who can play in the club’s top four all season, and league executives told Postmedia on Tuesday that the club may have held talks with the Calgary Flames about MacKenzie Weegar. Weegar has a full no-move clause, so he would have to approve a deal to the Senators. Drafted by the Florida Panthers in the seventh round of the 2013 National Hockey League draft, there is no reason to believe that Weegar would turn down a deal to Ottawa.”
source – ‘Flames defenceman MacKenzie Weegar ‘could be a good fit’ for Senators’ – Bruce Garrioch – Ottawa Citizen – 01/27/2026
Weegar is signed through 2030 on an eight-year, $50 million deal. Calgary isn’t eager to move him, but a rebuild could make picks and prospects appealing.
Oilers Could Reclaim Noah Philp on Waivers
Noah Philp is back on waivers, this time placed there by the Carolina Hurricanes. Edmonton lost the 27-year-old center to Carolina last month, but now has the opportunity to reclaim him if they choose. Philp has played only two games with the Hurricanes, recording no points and six hits.
Edmonton has some center depth, but with the team always looking for forward support, a reunion could make sense — even if Philp ends up starting in Bakersfield.
Another former Oiler might be leaving his current team. San Jose Hockey Now reports that Jeff Skinner has been a frequent healthy scratch lately as the Sharks deal with a growing logjam on the wing. Skinner is on a one-year, $3 million deal, and his full no-trade clause becomes a partial no-trade list on Jan. 30 — meaning his future in San Jose could become a storyline to watch as the deadline approaches.
Canadiens Coaching Change Sparks Carey Price Speculation
The Montreal Canadiens fired goalie coach Eric Raymond this week, naming Marco Marciano as the interim replacement. Marciano has nearly 20 years of coaching experience and has worked in the Canadiens system since 2013.
With Montreal’s goaltending struggles and several promising prospects in the pipeline, fans believe the change was overdue. The move has also sparked speculation about Carey Price potentially joining the organization in a development role down the road.
