Carlson Ducks Extension: 2-Year Deal Worth $8-9M Projected
The Carlson Ducks extension is projected at 2 years, $8M-$9M AAV per Pierre LeBrun. Anaheim has the cap room, the rising ceiling, and the mo...
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
McDavid Gudas Suspension: NHL Audit Call After 5-Game Ban
McDavid Gudas suspension fallout deepens as the Oilers captain calls for a full NHL disciplinary audit. Gudas got 5 games for a season-endin...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
Andersson Golden Knights Extension: Why No Deal Yet
The Andersson Golden Knights extension hasn't happened yet — but it's a CBA and cap issue, not a willingness problem. Friedman says both sid...
By Mike Johnson · 5 min read
Sidney Crosby Return: Timeline, Injury Update & Playoff Impact (2026)
Sidney Crosby return projected for March 21 vs. Winnipeg after Grade 2 MCL sprain at Milan Cortina Olympics. Penguins 3-2-3 without their ca...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
Binnington Blues Trade: Why St. Louis Will Deal Him (2026)
Binnington Blues trade called a "forgone conclusion" by Brian Lawton. Joel Hofer's .948 SV% since the break has sealed the starting job. Ful...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
Senators Offseason Defenseman: Staios's No. 1 Priority (2026)
Senators offseason defenseman search is Staios's No. 1 priority after deadline frustration. Ristolainen, Hamilton, Yakemchuk all in play. Fu...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
McTavish Healthy Scratch: What's Gone Wrong in Anaheim
McTavish healthy scratch rocks Anaheim as the $42M center sits while Troy Terry returns with 3 points and Carlson debuts. Full breakdown of...
By Mike Johnson · 6 min read
⚡ Breaking
Trade Rumors
World Cup of Hockey 2028: Cities, Format & Full Breakdown
World Cup of Hockey 2028 confirmed for Calgary, Edmonton, Prague. Eight nations, 17 games over 13 days in February 2028. Full format, venues...
By Mike Johnson · 4 min read
⚡ Breaking
Trade Rumors
Draisaitl Injury Update: Oilers Star to Miss Games
Draisaitl injury update: Leon Draisaitl sustained a lower-body injury vs. Nashville after a hit from Ozzy Wiesblatt. No red flags but no tim...
By Mike Johnson · 4 min read
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
⚡ 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