NHL Weekend Rumors: Thomas Stays, Xhekaj Trade, Schaefer or McDavid at $20M?

In today’s NHL Trade Talk weekend rumors report, the St. Louis Blues appear to have settled internal tensions with Robert Thomas, the New York Rangers are still weighing roster upgrades, the Montreal Canadiens are fielding calls on Arber Xhekaj, and a wave of massive contracts is reshaping the league’s financial landscape. Could Matthew Schaefer be the next huge contract, and perhaps the first to go over $20 million?

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Blues and Robert Thomas Agree to Work Together

The St. Louis Blues have quietly resolved what could have become a major storyline this offseason. After multiple conversations between Robert Thomas and incoming GM Alexander Steen, both sides are once again aligned, easing speculation about a potential fallout.

As reported this week by Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic, he’s staying with the Blues.

“I feel that a large part of the leadership here is dedicated to building something special, whether that’s now or in a few years. This has answered quite a few of the questions, ‘Do you see me in this plan?’ and ‘How long might this project take?’ We sat down to discuss several details that are important to us. Many of them are shared. We agreed to move forward together.”

Thomas will enter the fourth year of his eight-year, $65 million contract in 2026-2027. He wanted to know where the Blues were at and if they intended to be competitive so he could figure out where the last half of that contract would be played.

Canadiens Holding Firm on Xhekaj Interest

The Montreal Canadiens continue to draw trade interest in Arber Xhekaj, but moving him won’t be easy. Despite several teams checking in, Montreal has shown little appetite to deal the physical blueliner.

Insider reports indicate the Canadiens would need to be “convinced” to even consider a move. Xhekaj, for his part, wants to stay, and his camp has emphasized his connection to the city and fan base. Agent Brian Bartlett said, “He loves playing in Montreal, he loves the fans, he loves the city…Our hope collectively…is that we can find a way to make it work in Montreal.”

Still, his restricted free agent status and the team’s defensive depth could complicate matters. With both Xhekaj and Jayden Struble seeking bigger roles, rival teams will monitor the situation closely.

Senators Working on Two Big Contracts

Contract talks are creating intrigue across multiple teams. The Ottawa Senators are working through negotiations with Drake Batherson, whose next deal could land in the range of comparables like Adrian Kempe or Alex Tuch. Ottawa is also eyeing an extension for Artem Zub.

Schaefer or McDavid the Next Mega Deal?

Around the NHL, skyrocketing contracts are becoming the new normal. Deals for stars like Leo Carlsson and Macklin Celebrini have reset the market, with Connor Bedard also cashing in. The next player to push the ceiling even higher could be Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders, with some projecting a future $20 million AAV deal. Will he be the next big deal? Or, will it go to someone like Cale Makar or Quinn Hughes?

Maybe it will be Connor McDavid. Adam Proteau of The Hockey News writes, “To his credit, McDavid has never prioritized being the planet’s highest-paid player. But at some point, he needs to be paid closer to market value. That means he should push into the $20 million range when he becomes a UFA in 2028, because even that could be a good deal for him and his team in the not-so-distant future.”

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