2026 NHL offseason rumors point to Tippett trade talks and UFA movement

Alex Tuch scored 33 goals last season and is likely headed to free agency as the Buffalo Sabres leave the door open but not shut.

Tippett trade possibilities

The Philadelphia Flyers hold six years remaining on Owen Tippett’s contract at an average annual value of $6.2 million while fielding calls from the Boston Bruins, Minnesota Wild and Utah Mammoth.

A source close to the situation indicated the Flyers would pursue only a hockey trade rather than futures, explicitly leaving open a potential swap involving Buffalo defenseman Bowen Byram.

The Bruins, Wild and Mammoth each possess immediate roster needs that align with Tippett’s established production, creating leverage for Philadelphia to extract a comparable forward or top-four defenseman.

Retaining Tippett through the full term would lock in a known scoring threat yet would forgo the chance to address center depth or defensive gaps before training camp.

Zegras extension outlook

Trevor Zegras’ agent Pat Brisson has conducted parallel negotiations with the Flyers after completing deals for Dylan Larkin and Elias Pettersson, delaying Philadelphia’s own timeline.

A seven- or eight-year agreement valued between $8.5 million and $9.5 million annually remains the projected landing zone once talks resume.

Completing the extension before July 1 would stabilize the Flyers’ top-six forward group while avoiding the risk of losing Zegras to unrestricted free agency in 2027.

Delaying the signing past the draft would force Philadelphia to weigh retaining cap space for other pending UFAs against the possibility of an offer sheet from another club.

Pending UFA market dynamics

Anthony Mantha, who also recorded 33 goals, will seek a four-year contract in the $5 million to $6 million range after turning 31 this offseason.

Bobby McMann posted 29 goals and maintains mutual interest with the Seattle Kraken, positioning him for a multi-year deal that could exceed the Kraken’s current forward cap commitments.

Viktor Arvidsson tallied 25 goals at age 33 and must reach term agreement with the Boston Bruins or enter the open market where shorter deals become more likely.

Vladimir Tarasenko, 34, is expected to test free agency despite ongoing discussions in Minnesota, while 29-year-old Jack Roslovic draws strong interest from the Edmonton Oilers.

Sergei Bobrovsky will turn 38 in September, leaving the Florida Panthers to decide between re-signing the veteran or pursuing Winnipeg’s Connor Hellebuyck, a move that would require surrendering a second-line center in return.

Patrick Kane has expressed a desire to play next season, yet Detroit’s interest hinges on whether the 37-year-old forward accepts a shorter-term pact than the open market may offer.