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Around the NHL: Trade talks advancing for Oilers, Canucks, Devils and Flames
Edmonton Oilers forward Andrew Mangiapane.
Photo credit: © Nick Turchiaro-Imagn Images
Jeremy Tingly
Jan 5, 2026, 09:00 ESTUpdated: Jan 5, 2026, 00:31 EST
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Welcome to the first around the NHL of 2026! It’s been a whirlwind week to end 2025, and kicking off the new year the Olympic rosters are set, replacements are ready and willing to step in, if needed, and trade talks are heating up across the entire league.
Multiple teams are involved in trade conversations, as we could see general managers throughout the league use the upcoming Olympic break in February as a mini trade deadline, and get most of their heavy lifting completed before the games begin. Nevertheless, there’s lots of action on and off the ice to discuss, here’s the very latest from around the NHL.

Trade talks ongoing with several teams involved

The Edmonton Oilers have already been busy on the trade market this season, and their next move could involve underperforming winger Andrew Mangiapane. The 29-year-old is signed through next season at $3.6 million AAV, and holds a no-trade clause. Mangiapane has been in and out of the Oilers’ lineup of late, and has dressed in 40 games, scoring six goals, and adding five assists for 11 points.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman recently reported that both sides are trying to work towards a solution, as it’s becoming quite clear, things aren’t working out like they hoped when Mangiapane signed a two-year deal last summer.
“It’s gonna be interesting to see where this goes here,” Friedman said.I do think there’s interest in the player; I heard Anaheim was one of the teams kind of poking around in it, we’ll see where that goes.”
The Ducks are an interesting destination, as they’ve exceeded expectations this season and are third in the Pacific Division. One player who could be involved in a potential deal involving Mangiapane would be Ducks’ centre Ryan Strome. Strome spent a season and a half in Edmonton back in 2019, and this season, has struggled as well, recording just six points in 21 games. He’s owed $5 million this season and next, so if these two teams do business together, something will have to give financially, as the Oilers have minimal cap space available.
Switching gears to the Vancouver Canucks, their management brass of Jim Rutherford and Patrik Allvin are open for business. They’ve already sent a memo out to fellow management teams to let them know they have certain players available, they’ve dealt their captain Quinn Hughes, and now some of their pending free agents could be on the move. Kiefer Sherwood continues to be target number one for onlooking teams, as the pesky winger is having a career season.
Sherwood’s scored 17 goals in 41 games and is making just $1.5 million AAV. The Canucks would like at least a first-round pick in the trade, and have been waiting out for someone to bite. According to Friedman, they’ve also made a contract offer to Sherwood to see if he has any interest in staying, but from the sounds of it, he wants to wait and try to cash in this upcoming offseason. The Boston Bruins have been rumoured to be involved, and some other teams to keep an eye on include the Detroit Red Wings, New York Islanders, and Philadelphia Flyers.
The Canucks also have Evander Kane, David Kampf, Teddy Blueger, and recent healthy scratch Jake DeBrusk who could be moved. DeBrusk is the Canucks’ prime trade candidate for players under long-term contracts. The 29-year-old winger is signed through the 2030-31 season at $5.5 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause. DeBrusk has scored 10 goals, and 20 points in 40 games.
Heading east, the New Jersey Devils are a team to watch on the trade market. They missed out on Quinn Hughes and have been rumoured to have kept forward Dawson Mercer’s name on their available list. Mercer, 24, is signed for $4 million AAV this season and next. He’s averaging 18:41 of ice-time this season, and in 41 games, has scored 10 goals, and 25 points.
The Devils are likely looking for help down the middle of the ice and could zone in on a veteran top-six option. Steven Stamkos and Ryan O’Reilly of Nashville made sense, but with the Predators recent hot streak, the Preds don’t seem to have any interest selling off their best players.

Quick hits from around the NHL

  • Winnipeg Jets’ defenceman Logan Stanley has been suspended one game after sucker punching Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk over the weekend.
  • Dallas Stars forward Jason Robertson was the biggest Olympic snub, not being named to Team USA. Robertson was asked about once again not making the team after being left off the 4 Nations Faceoff roster. “I thought that this year it was different than last year. Obviously last year I didn’t think I was good enough. Now I think I did.” Robertson has scored 24 goals and 49 points in 42 games.
  • San Jose Sharks extended Alexander Wennberg on a three-year deal worth $6 million AAV.
  • As far as injury replacements for Team Canada’s Olympic team, players like Matthew Schaefer, Mark Scheifele, Seth Jarvis, and Sam Bennett are rumored to be at the top of the list.
  • Washington Capitals and Team Canada forward Tom Wilson left Saturday’s game with a lower-body injury, but it doesn’t appear to be serious, and his Olympic games shouldn’t be in doubt.
  • There was a lot of steam about Marc-Andre Fleury making a comeback, potentially with the Oilers, but that’s seemed to have quiet down of late.
  • Fourth Period’s David Pagnotta reported that Devils’ defenceman Dougie Hamilton could have been traded in-season, however, Hamilton has a no-trade list and kiboshed the deal.

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