NHL Rumors Explode: Shocking Moves Brewing for Blue Jackets, Devils, and Stars That Could Change the Game!

Navigating the NHL trade winds is never straightforward, and right now, Columbus Blue Jackets’ goaltender Elvis Merzlikins finds himself in a particularly sticky spot — there’s simply no trade market for him at the moment. If the Jackets want to switch things up between the pipes, they’re looking at the waiver wire route, which is always a gamble, with the possibility of him heading down to the AHL if unclaimed. Meanwhile, backing up Jet Greaves would be Ivan Fedotov, shuffling the goalie depth chart in an interesting way. Over in New Jersey, the Devils have quietly opened dialogue about moving key pieces like Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat, but cap space constraints mean retaining salary on trades isn’t on the table — a neat twist considering how other teams manage these deals. Now, let’s not forget the Dallas Stars, a team poised to make a statement after Minnesota’s recent acquisition of Quinn Hughes. The buzz is that Dallas might target Buffalo’s Alex Tuch as a strategic move to shore up their forward lines, especially with the postseason looming — and you can bet Jim Nill isn’t sitting idle. These maneuvers could reshape division dynamics in a heartbeat. Curious to dive deeper? LEARN MORE.

No trade market for Elvis Merzlikins

Aaron Portzline: There is no trade market for Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Elvis Merzlikins. If the Blue Jackets were to want to make a change there, they’d have to put him on waivers and send him to the AHL if he went unclaimed. Ivan Fedotov would be recalled to back up Jet Greaves.

The Devils have talked to teams about Dougie Hamilton and Ondrej Palat

Kevin Weekes: Sources say that the New Jersey Devils have had some trade talks involving defenseman Dougie Hamilton and forward Ondrej Palat.

Jim Biringer: “Not that Weekes not my confirmation but if the Devils are to move these players, like with the Penguins who moved out Jarry, the Devils are not gonna want to retain on these deals. They don’t have the space to do it.”

NHL Rumors: Quinn Hughes Open Minded To Staying in Minnesota

Could the Dallas Stars target Alex Tuch?

Daily Faceoff: Jeff Marek wonders about the Dallas Stars and how they counter their division rival, the Minnesota Wild, acquiring Quinn Hughes. Marek sees them looking to add up front, and Alex Tuch could be a nice fit.

“Do you think, because I do, that Dallas somehow responds here. Like this, it is obviously another go for a year for the, for the Dallas Stars.

And now that Quinn Hughes has entered the division, I really, I really do wonder, because we’ve heard all the Rasmus Andersson rumors and Nazem Kadri rumors. I don’t think it would surprise anyone if, at the end of the day, they ended up with Alex Tuch of the, of the Buffalo Sabres.

That one would make a lot of sense, I think, for the Dallas Stars, and he would fit that team like, like a hand into gloves, specifically in the postseason. I’m, to me all eyes right now are, ‘Okay Dallas, what are you going to do?’ Because you know that Jim Nill is not going to sit by. Like no, no, no, no. This is another go for a year for Dallas.

NHL Rumors: Buffalo Sabres, and the Edmonton Oilers

This, that’s the team to watch now. How does Dallas respond? Where do they try to fill a hole here? I’m guessing it’s going to be up front.”

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