NHL Rumours: Nemec’s Uncertainty, Malkin Deal Coming & Makar Thrown Under Bus?

In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start off with the New Jersey Devils and Simon Nemec, who has been at the forefront of trade talks this week. Next, we look at the Pittsburgh Penguins and their ongoing contract talks with Evgeni Malkin.

Finally, superstar defenseman Cale Makar has missed Game 1 and Game 2 of the Western Conference Final, and some believe head coach Jared Bednar threw him under the bus in a media availability.

Nemec Didn’t Request Trade, Still Unclear About Future

The Devils had some public relations work to do this week following a report from a Slovakian journal which indicated that Nemec had requested a trade. That report was quickly refuted.

Insider Elliotte Friedman stated, “We’ll see where those negotiations go. It really sounds like the player would prefer to try to get off on the right foot with the new organization leadership. We have to simply let this one breathe”

While a trade request may not have happened, it wouldn’t be the most shocking deal of the offseason to see Nemec get moved.

Since being selected second overall in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft, Nemec’s tenure with the Devils’ organization has seen some highs and lows. With three years of NHL experience, 2025-26 was the first year Nemec didn’t see time in the American Hockey League.

The Devils have a fair cap situation, and wouldn’t be under too much duress to get Nemec to fit in, but looking at their blue line, there are a lot of bodies there already.

They currently have six defensemen under contract for next season, with all of them making $3.4 million annually, or higher.

Both Luke Hughes and Dougie Hamilton have $9 million cap hits, Brett Pesce is at $5.5 million, Brendan Dillon and Jonathan Kovacevic are at $4 million, and Jonas Siegenthaler is at $3.4 million.

Hamilton, Pesce, and Kovecevic are all right-shot defensemen, as is Nemec. There is a log-jam on defense, and the Devils could move one of them.

Nemec hasn’t established himself as the defensemen they hoped for when picking second overall, but there is certainly still a path forward for him to get there.

If he is made available, any team looking for a top-four right-shot defenseman will be calling.

Evgeni Malkin Extension Incoming?

While Sidney Crosby is overseas taking part in the IIHF World Championship for Team Canada, he is still receiving questions about the Pittsburgh Penguins and their future.

One question that came up surrounded the uncertainty of Evgeni Malkin, who has been the career-long partner for Crosby in the middle of the ice.

Crosby told The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, “I remember a few years ago when Geno was coming up on being a free agent…it went into July. Hopefully, there’s something that gets done here before that.” (from Sidney Crosby believes Evgeni Malkin’s Penguins contract talks are ‘in a good place’, The Athletic, May 22, 2026)

Adding onto the previous comment, Crosby stated, “I don’t know. After talking with everyone at the end of the year, it felt like it was in a good place in terms of getting something done.”

Malkin is approaching his 40th birthday, but after posting 61 points in 56 games last season, there seems to still be some gas in the tank.

As the Penguins look to build off a surprsing playoff-bound season, there will be a tough decision to make for general manager Kyle Dubas. Picking between the long-time veteran of the team and getting younger will be a factor.

The Penguins have a projected $42 million in cap space, and no major contracts to give out this offseason. They certainly have work to do, but nobody is going to be breaking the bank.

If Malkin is to return, it would likely be close to the $6.1 million cap hit he carried this season, but could look for a low-salary deal with bonuses to reach for.

Did Jared Bednar Throw Cale Makar Under the Bus?

Coaches in the NHL often do a great job of taking the heat off of players, and take responsibility for a lot of things which may be out of their control.

Makar has now missed the first two games of the Western Conference Final, which the Colorado Avalanche lost both of. He is clearly a major factor in the teams success, but as he deals with an injury, some are concerned about Bednar’s comments.

Following Game 2’s loss, Bednar spoke to the media, and when asked about Makar’s status for Game 3, he stated, “It’s gonna be Cale’s decision on if he’s coming back. He’s doing all the work. I don’t make that decision for him.”

While that may be factual, some are pointing to that quote and feeling like Bednar should have chosen different words for that. Hockey players are some of the toughest in the world. The medical and training staff are there to support, and often give the go-ahead for a player to play.

Based on that statement, the training staff aren’t holding Makar back from playing, but it is clear that he doesn’t feel ready enough to go. Sometimes, a player may be able to play, but the impact they would be able to make is a fraction of them while healthy, and could be a detriment to the team.

A coach’s job is to keep the outside noise and pressure off the players in cases like this. Bednar didn’t do that.