Devon Levi Trade: Sabres to Shop Goalie This Summer
The Buffalo Sabres shopped Devon Levi at the trade deadline and will continue those talks this summer. With Luukkonen locked in as the start...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
Mike Johnson
Senior NHL Insider & Trade Analyst
Mike Johnson is a Senior NHL Insider with over 15 years covering the league, focusing on salary cap analysis, trade rumors, and offer-sheet markets. He has broken stories on the 2025 Hughes-to-Wild trade narrative, the Kaprizov $17M extension cycle, and the 2026 RFA market reset. Mike fact-checks every article against PuckPedia, CapWages, NHL.com, and named insiders such as Elliotte Friedman, Frank Seravalli, Pierre LeBrun, and Daily Faceoff Rundown. Originally from Toronto, Mike played junior hockey before transitioning to NHL coverage. Follow him on X at @NHLTradeRumors. Editorial inquiries: editorial@nhltraderumorstalk.com.
Articles by Mike Johnson
⚡ Breaking
Trade Rumors
Tkachuk Brothers Blast Maple Leafs After Gudas Hit
The Tkachuk brothers blast Maple Leafs on their Wingmen podcast for not defending Auston Matthews after Radko Gudas ended his season with a...
By Mike Johnson · 5 min read
Will Maple Leafs Let Nick Robertson Walk This July?
Will the Maple Leafs let Nick Robertson walk this summer? Three years of contract fights, healthy scratches, and trade interest from Pittsbu...
By Mike Johnson · 5 min read
Three Oilers Not Expected Back Next Season 2026-27
Three Oilers not expected back next season include Darnell Nurse, Adam Henrique, and Tristan Jarry. Edmonton needs to shed $15M+ in cap spac...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
⚡ Breaking
Injury Updates
Sam Reinhart Injury: Panthers Playoff Impact 2026
The Reinhart injury could be season-ending for Florida's three-peat hopes. The Panthers' leading scorer with 29 goals and 61 points on an $8...
By Mike Johnson · 4 min read
Colton Parayko Trade: Blues $6.5M D Summer Move 2026
The Colton Parayko trade conversation shifts to July after the Blues defenseman blocked his deadline deal to Buffalo. With a $6.5M cap hit,...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
⚡ Breaking
Trade Rumors
Flyers Offseason Goalie Trade: Wallstedt, Woll Targets
The Flyers are expected to pursue an offseason goalie trade this summer, with Jesper Wallstedt and Joseph Woll as top targets behind Dan Vla...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
⚡ Breaking
Trade Rumors
Nobody Believes Canucks Got No Offers for Blueger 2026
Nobody believes Canucks GM Patrik Allvin received zero trade offers for Teddy Blueger at the 2026 deadline. Insider Rick Dhaliwal disputes t...
By Mike Johnson · 5 min read
⚡ Breaking
Injury Updates
Chernyshov Injury: Sharks Prospect Knocked Out Cold 2026
The Chernyshov injury cast a shadow over the Sharks' 4-2 win in Montreal. Prospect Igor Chernyshov was knocked out cold 28 seconds into the...
By Mike Johnson · 4 min read
Pending UFAs 2026: Top 10 NHL Free Agents to Watch
The pending UFAs 2026 class has thinned dramatically after Nick Schmaltz's $64M extension with Utah. Adrian Kempe, Alex Tuch, and Sergei Bob...
By Mike Johnson · 7 min read
Boeser Trade: Will Canucks Move Their Last Star? 2026
The Boeser trade question lingers after Brock Boeser survived the March 6 deadline despite interest from the Bruins and Islanders. With a $7...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
Blackhawks Rebuild: 3 Players Not Returning in 2026-27
The Blackhawks rebuild loses three players for 2026-27. Lafferty hits UFA, Maroon retires, Ellis stays on LTIR. Davidson has $54M in cap spa...
By Mike Johnson · 5 min read
Carlson Trade: Ducks Land Capitals Legend for 1st Pick
The Carlson trade sent Washington's franchise D-man to Anaheim for a conditional 1st-round pick. Debut set for March 16, extension talks exp...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
⚡ Breaking
Confirmed Trades
Leafs Akhtyamov Extension: 3-Year, $900K AAV Deal Signed
The Leafs Akhtyamov extension is a 3-year, $900K AAV deal. With four goalies now signed through 2028, a trade of Woll or Stolarz this offsea...
By Mike Johnson · 4 min read
⚡ Breaking
Confirmed Trades
Cole Hutson Capitals ELC: 3-Year Deal, Third Hutson Pro
Cole Hutson Capitals ELC is a 3-year, $975K AAV deal. The USNTDP record-breaker becomes the third Hutson brother to go pro, filling Washingt...
By Mike Johnson · 4 min read
⚡ Breaking
Breaking News
Canadiens Surprising Healthy Scratch: Gallagher Sits
The Canadiens made a surprising healthy scratch Saturday, sitting Brendan Gallagher for the first time in his 898-game NHL career as Cole Ca...
By Mike Johnson · 3 min read
Bruins Road Record Playoff Wild Card 2026: 11-14-5 Crisis
Boston Bruins are 11-14-5 on the road, 0-3-4 in last 7. Clinging to WC2 by 1 point over Columbus with 11 of 18 games left away from TD Garde...
By Mike Johnson · 11 min read
⚡ Breaking
Injury Updates
Auston Matthews Injury: Season-Ending MCL Tear, Gudas Suspended | 2026
Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews will miss the rest of the 2025-26 season after suffering a Grade 3 MCL tear from a knee-on-knee...
By Mike Johnson · 10 min read
NHL Games Today March 14: Schedule, Previews & Scores | 2026
NHL games today March 14 feature a loaded 14-game Saturday slate. Avalanche visit Jets, Hurricanes face Lightning, Sabres host Leafs without...
By Mike Johnson · 9 min read
Maple Leafs LTIR Cap Space Without Matthews: 2026 Impact
Auston Matthews' season-ending Grade 3 MCL tear triggers an unprecedented salary cap dilemma for the Maple Leafs. Under the new CBA, Toronto...
By Mike Johnson · 10 min read