NHL Rumor Mill – June 17, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: The latest noise about Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the Flyers could be interested in landing one of the Senators’ centers, and updates on Flames winger Blake Coleman and Canadiens winger Patrik Laine.
“A LOT OF NOISE” AROUND JET GOALTENDER CONNOR HELLEBUYCK
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos believes Connor Hellebuyck could be the player we hear the most about in trade rumors this summer. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender publicly expressed his frustration about the club’s direction at the end of this season.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Kypreos claims there’s “a lot of noise” about Hellebuyck, saying other teams are watching his situation closely. He’s not sure how this will end up, but he’s an intriguing name
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos’ colleague, Elliotte Friedman, said the same thing recently about “a lot of noise” around Hellebuyck.
This speculation is based on Hellebuyck’s end-of-season comments. With his Team USA teammate Dylan Larkin requesting a trade, some observers wonder if the three-time Vezina Trophy winner will do the same.
However, there’s a big difference between Hellebuyck’s situation and Larkin’s. The latter’s request was the result of the Wings’ decade-long postseason drought with no end in sight amid growing tension between Larkin and general manager Steve Yzerman.
The Jets, meanwhile, are a year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time. It’s understandable why Hellebuyck would be frustrated about their struggles this season, and his public remarks were likely no different than his private comments to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that he wants out of Winnipeg, though he was likely putting Cheveldayoff on notice that he could go that route if things don’t improve down the road. So far, there’s no indication that he wants a trade or that the Jets intend to move him.
THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports sources claim the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Ottawa Senators centers Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens, and Ridly Grieg, in that order. The two clubs have had off-and-on trade discussions going back to the 2024-25 season.
Senators GM Steve Staios is in the market for a right-shot defenseman. He’s reportedly shown on-and-off interest in Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen.
At this point, it’s uncertain if the Senators are willing to move one of their centers. Nevertheless, Di Marco believes the Flyers will be circling if they do.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are interested in adding a top-six winger for Tim Stutzle’s line and a backup goaltender, as well as a top-four, right-shot blueliner.
They’re open to offers for defenseman Jordan Spence, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Winger Fabian Zetterlund is also out there in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Senators move a center, it could be Cozens, who hasn’t fully met expectations as a second-line center. However, it would likely be for that elusive scoring winger.
UPDATES ON BLAKE COLEMAN AND PATRIK LAINE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the Calgary Flames will be gauging the trade market for Blake Coleman. However, they are open to re-signing the 34-year-old winger to a contract extension. If they move him this summer, they prefer a hockey trade over a return of draft picks and prospects.
LeBrun also reports there’s a decent amount of interest in Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine. The 28-year-old winger is UFA-eligible on July 1 and isn’t expected to be re-signed by the Canadiens. A team can sign him to a low-risk, performance-bonus-based contract with a low AAV because he spent over 100 days on injured reserve this season.
George,
Shane Pinto for Owen Tippett?
Or do you think that would leave Ottawa thin at center?
If it’s anyone it’ll be Ridley Grieg. Players of his ilk are easier to come by. Cozens hasn’t lived up to expectations? Sens fans disagree. He’s been excellent. Great contract only going to get better and better. Watch more Sens games. Or maybe some WC highlights. He’ll be a 30 goal 60-70 point guy next year.
I think someone will offer sheet that Dorafayev kid. Can’t be the Sens, no 2nd round pick. Which I think they’d need if they offered him 11mill. Is it in the year of or the following year? It’s too bad they don’t have their 2nd rounder. That 32nd over all pick is perfect for giving away in an accepted offer sheet.
I agree about Cozens. He was 3rd in team scoring with 28 goals, 31 assists and was over 53% in face offs. He’s is under contract for $7.1 million for the next 4 years. Seems like the perfect 2nd line centre to me.
All they have to do is get back the second rounder and go from there and it would have to be a much better winger than Tippett to lure Pinto into the fold of any team in my opinion
Yakemchuck Pinto and 2 3rd picks
for
Foerster and Bonk
I ran my trade offer by a Philly fan in the office and was politely told to FO.
LOL
I thought it was pretty good. In fact even though the D prospects are a both a bit of a wash at this point – ours was top ten. And Bonk wasn’t.
Philadelphia will not trade their best player unless it is for a significant package as Pinto doesn’t even move the needle as Tippet is a really good player, it would take a lot to get him.! He’s a heart and soul player that can score, check and is one of the fastest players in the game.
Franchise player for Philly.
I personally don’t think Staois is going to shake things up too much by moving a centre. Sens had some of the best possession stats and they scored fairly well on 5v5. It was the goaltending that let them down early and D injuries that sank them in the playoffs. Moving a center disrupts the teams main strentgh. Center depth. Cozens is getting better, Shane pinto is a very good shut down Centerman who can score and Greig is a feisty C who can play the wing and is on a great contract. Who would Flyers give up for any of these additions?
Sens need some more shooters on the wing who go to the tough areas. or just one top 6 guy like that
Ron, Owen – Dylan Cozens, although C being his “natural” position, has often played at RW, including very effectively at the World’s, and even on occasion since arriving in Ottawa, where he has played RW on the Stutzle-Tkachuk line.
The underlying reason Staios dealt Norris for him was to instill some hard-nosed, physical presence on the F lines and so take some of that pressure off Tkachuk. Which he has done admirably. And his stats since arriving in Ottawa have been progressing in the right direction. During his Buffalo days he has 82-game averages over 341gp of 19g 29a 48pts, while in 103gp with Ottawa those have increased to 26g 33a 59pts.
He is, as well, entirely open to converting to the wing and in that regard would be following in the steps of Claude Giroux who is also a natural C. That move would also given them a better option on draws if and when Stutzle or Grieg is waived out of the circle by a linesman.
From all reports he is recognized by his teammates as a team-first kind of guy and such a move would negate the need to deal for a scoring winger. Barring trades/free agent signings, the 4 lines would then consist of
Tkachuk – Sutzle – Cozens
Foegele – Pinto – Batherson
Zetterlund – Greig – Giroux
Cousins – Halliday – Amadio
To Sens: Schneider,Lafreniere, Cuylle, and pick 26
To NYR: Tkachuk and Spence
Flyers/Leafs trade.
Benoit, Woll for Ersson, Andrae and a third.
Fair deal IMO. I’m hoping Benoit becomes the #7 defenceman that’s in the stands most nights. Woll is a definite upgrade over Ersson even with his injury history.
Don’t really like the pick being included.
Andrae is smaller in size. Good skater and is a decent puck mover. Likely a # 5 or 6 . He’s still young and could elevate higher.
Ersson was a disaster in Philly. At best he’ll be the backup for the Marlies.
Flyers upgrade their goaltending, Leafs upgrade their defence.
Of course Calgary doesn’t want picks and prospects. They have 4 selections in the top 36!
I believe 12 overall
I think they need to trade a few and move up from the 30 slot
Laine should get paid on games played and non PP points. That will get him around league minimum 😜
Daryl:
From late last night you ask me what my fascination with Hage is.
Firstly, I agree pretty much with what you wrote afterwards, and have said much the same.
Secondly I am not so much fascinated with him as bemused by some the flaccid and tedious observations that he is “just a prospect;” this despite his demonstrated performance to date. Who isn’t “just a prospect” until they are drafted and have a few years to establish themselves?
Aren’t the Leafs excited about drafting “just prospects” McKenna or Stenberg? I keep nattering on about Hage because his trade value is – IMO – a lot higher than some here see in their often suggested trade proposals. I’d like a new topic too.
You just love the Habs Lyle.! We all see it, hey we all have a team we cheer for.!
No skin in the game, but if you’ve seen Hage at Michigan against grown men you can see he is a player. NCAA game is now consistently translating to NHL as more and more players have made jump successfully in recent years. Smart move to go back, as all he needs is more meat on the bones and strength. He’s going to be a nice player, and it would take a lot to pry him away from me.
LJ
I can understand your position.
I just find it interesting that many Habs fans seem to think he’s untouchable.
As I’ve said previously, a team will ask for a high ceiling prospect for a sure thing NHL player every time.
If the ask for Robert Thomas, a 26 year old, proven NHL centre, was Hage I think you need to make that deal.
It does happen more often than not that the team accepting the pick/prospects does not fare as well as the team giving up proven NHL players.
I’m actually surprised more people aren’t talking about Bryce Pickford. He had a hell of a year in the WHL
Well, Daryl, again, I agree.
The risk of acquiring a proven player and having him fit is way smaller than a heralded prospect. It would cost more than Hage to get Thomas, I just don’t want to toss in Zharovski or Reinbacher as well.
And yes, prospect though he too is, Pickford is enticing. The little I know is that he is a hard working farm boy with an unorthodox training regime. I hope any eccentricities don’t impede his pro development.
I wouldn’t be surprised if the Habs sign Laine to a low-risk, performance-bonus-based contract with a low AAV.
After all Hughes did set the table for it and both the player and wife like Montreal, the room only has good things to say about him.
I know I’m on an island on this but I really like what I saw of him in prepping for the season and knowing that we never saw him healthy.
He and Demidov worked all last summer together and he just might be the 2nd line LW.
Most of the bad mouthing of Laine comes from people who don’t watch him play or prep and just look at stat lines.
I suppose it is possible, HF30. Apparently he demonstrated an excellent attitude under what were for him sub optimal circumstances.
But one has to ask: why keep him out of the line up most of this past season, and sign him to play this coming season?
And if Lebrun is correct about a fair interest in him around the league he would surely get more $ elsewhere … But hey, I thought Johnny Z was bonkers when he first suggested Laine to the Habs …
“But one has to ask: why keep him out of the line up most of this past season, and sign him to play this coming season?”
Might be as simple as giving him the time, rehab, coaching, system at full pay, investing in his future while agreeing to a bonus laden contract with a low AAV contract that otherwise couldn’t happen.
The only person who gained from the way he was handled this year was Laine. Hughes is very good in his dealing with people but it isn’t altruism, it may have been a wise calculated legal investment.
Two thoughts.
First. If I’m Ottawa, I would seriously take a chance on Laine before I trade any on my centre’s and hope for 25 goals and he can be power play threat and play on the top 6. If by January it is not working I look at trading a centre.
Secondly, I wonder if Hellebuyck was at least average in the last few playoffs, would the jet’s would have won at least a couple of rounds. I find it funny that he is questioning the direction when he was a significant contributor for the lack of playoff success.
If I’m Winnipeg I would definitely move him for the right offer. Like I mentioned the other day. I take a chance on Markstrom and get Mercer and Nemec.
Jeff, your thoughts on Hellebuyck are generally supported by his stats in that period:
His first 4 playoff appearances from 2017-18 to 2020-21he put up mostly very good stats:
2.36gaa – 0.913 save %
2.67gaa – 0.913 save %
3.04gaa – 0.908 save %
2.28gaa – 0.931 save %
but over his last 3 playoffs 2022-23 to 2024-25 not so very good:
3.44gaa – 0.886 save %
5.01gaa – 0.870 save %
3.08gaa 0.866 save %
What’s interesting about those last 3 appearances are his regular season stats for those years when he was winning two Vezinas – quite the differences and, yes, he should be looking in a mirror:
2.49gaa – 0.920 save %
2.39gaa – 0.921 save %
2.00gaa – 0.925 save %
Ottawa has plenty of the grind out our jam the net one shot rebound type guys in the forward unita and not enough high end dazzling playmakers. It is own of the reasons Carolina shut them down so easy. Ottawa offense is predictable. They need to add that scoring winger to diversify their attack. Moving own of the three mentioned makes sense as they can all progress up a spot in the line up. Cozen goes. Then Pinto can be number two and Greig number 3. Centre depth will be fine. Norris has injury issue about they miss his own time especially on the PP so I’m all for trading own of these guys for that scoring winger but it needs to be a gig of quality. Don’t do an Edmonton thing where they moved one goalie problem for another and simply made a lateral move.
Seems Leafs got tired of waiting on Cassidy as well and reports are that Jim Miller is the new head coach.
Who i forgot it seems, that he was a leafs assistant coach under Babcock at one time.
So Cassidy…who was fired by Vegas, will miss out on coaching two of the more prominent/high profile teams in the NHL despite being fired. Vegas has that right but I suspect there will be fallout and adjustments to wording on contracts at the very least, in the not so distant future contracts so that opportunities as these are not lost. But that is just my guess.
It is ruthless by Vegas. Just like the Ltir move…there will be an appetite for change.of some sort.