NHL Rumors: Byram Deal, Marchment Buzz, Nurse and Hellebuyck Trades

Yesterday was a busy day, but in today’s NHL rumors rundown, NHL free agency opens, and it’s a day of big swings and trying not to make mistakes. There have been trades leading into the market opening, but will that trend continue? The Edmonton Oilers are still working on a Darnell Nurse deal, Zach Werenski shot down a trade to the Dallas Stars, there is plenty of interest in Mason Marchment, and will Bowen Byram sign a monster deal?

Byram and Blue Line News as Free Agency Opens

According to Darren Dreger: “An intriguing day ahead. The D market is wild. Toronto is “all-in” on Werenski. Carolina is still working on [John] Carlson while considering [Alexander] Nikishin trade options. Plus, Chicago is eager to drop what is expected to be a 6-year deal on Bowen Byram at $12.5 mil per. Fun times.”

Chris Johnston added, “Bowen Byram is eligible to sign an extension with the Blackhawks today, which would commence with the 2027-28 season, and the expectation is that the deal will land around $12.5M per season.”

No Nurse Trade, Oilers Could Be Quiet

Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer post that there is no update on a Darnell Nurse trade in Edmonton. That could put a damper on anything the Oilers might have been looking to do, given their cap situation is murky.

He writes, “Given the uncertainty of the Darnell Nurse situation, it is quite possible that today may be a very quiet day for the @EdmontonOilers on the Free Agent front. EDM will need another goalie…at some point, still need to sign RFA’s C. Dach/S. Stastney and have limited cap space.”

Elliotte Friedman added that it could take the Oilers out of the running for Sergei Bobrovsky. “Heard Edmonton had interest, but I’ve honed in on Toronto. Believe his last ask of Florida was three years, $21 million. So I’d expect the overall dollars to come in around there.”

Latest on Connor Hellebuyck

Dreger also noted, “Carolina remains a contender for Connor Hellebuyck, while it’s fair to wonder if Buffalo circles back. Nothing imminent with Hellebuyck. The Jets are focused on Free Agency today, but will engage if trade talks intensify.”

Where Will Mason Marchment Wind Up?

Mason Marchment should get a lot of interest as the market opens. Some see San Jose as a good and likely fit, said Dreger. Pierre LeBrun added, “Montreal has interest but I don’t think the Canadiens want to go long term (don’t want to block younger players in pipeline). Sharks make a lot of sense.”

The Sharks are still also trying to make a big play to improve their defense. They’ve shown interest in Nurse, but the Oilers defenseman has not added them to his preferred teams list yet.

What Happened With Werenski?

Elliotte Friedman wrote in a prediction column about the Zach Werenski drama from Tuesday. He noted that things have gotten pretty sour between the Blue Jackets and the defenseman. “One rumour making the rounds Tuesday night is that Werenski’s camp is so upset at recent developments that all trade possibilities will be rejected. (I absolutely believe that’s part of what happened with Dallas.)”

He wonders if cooler heads will prevail and a trade gets done on Wednesday. If the Stars are out, that leaves two frontrunners in Tampa Bay and Toronto. Friedman explained:

“I don’t think Toronto will fool around. The Maple Leafs will step up and take their swing. (Werenski and wife Odette’s roots are not difficult travel to Toronto, which is believed to be a reason he’d consider the Maple Leafs.) I’d be very curious to see what Tampa offers. If Florida wants to trade a legitimate player from its roster, the Panthers could be a player, too.”