NHL Rumor Mill – June 20, 2026
Check out the latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Maple Leafs’ Matthew Knies and Morgan Rielly, and Bruins center Pavel Zacha in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK
TSN: Chris Johnston provided an update on the Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors. He said that teams are calling the Winnipeg Jets about the 33-year-old goaltender, suggesting the possibility of moving him is more real now than it’s ever been at any stage in his career.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
However, Johnston indicated that it’s not a certainty that Hellebuyck gets traded. He added that things are at the conversation stage rather than any firm decisions being made.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets are built to win right now, which is why I believe Cheveldayoff won’t move Hellebuyck unless the latter wants out. So far, there is no indication that he’s done so.
This recent speculation appears to be based on Hellebuyck’s end-of-season comments, when he expressed frustration about his performance and that of his teammates this season, adding that things had to improve for the Jets to become Stanley Cup contenders.
There’s no doubt that teams are probably calling the Jets about Hellebuyck, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is listening to their offers. However, we must remember that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner has a full no-movement clause, giving him full control over this situation, especially for potential destinations. Keep in mind that Cheveldayoff will set a high asking price that few teams will be willing to pay.
UPDATES ON KNIES AND RIELLY
TSN: Chris Johnston reports the Toronto Maple Leafs are gauging the trade market for Matthew Knies. They’re open to the possibility that he could fetch a return that helps them refresh and retool going forward. There’s a lot of interest in the 23-year-old power forward, who lacks no-trade protection in his contract.
TORONTO SUN: Terry Koshan reports Maple Leafs GM John Chayka said a trade involving Knies would be “a tough bar to hurdle.” Chayka said the idea of the Leafs could improve their roster by trading a top young player was “not probable.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Chayka seems to be keeping an open mind on the possibility of moving Knies. However, he sounds like he’s not actively shopping him and could set a price that most teams would find too high.
Meanwhile, Johnston believes there’s been “a little bit of progress” towards the Maple Leafs finding a landing spot for Morgan Rielly.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly is signed through 2029-30 with an AAV of $7.5 million and a full no-movement clause. Earlier this week, Koshan said that the 32-year-old defenseman hadn’t been asked yet to waive his NMC or to provide a list of landing spots.
COULD THE BRUINS TRADE PAVEL ZACHA?
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the Boston Bruins are listening to trade offers for Pavel Zacha.
The 29-year-old center has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $4.75 million. He also has an eight-team no-trade list.
LeBrun claims the Bruins’ priority remains signing Zacha to a contract extension. How those talks go will be balanced by whether teams step up in a meaningful way in trade talks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: LeBrun noted that the lack of available quality centers could boost Zacha’s market value. However, the Bruins are among the teams seeking depth at that position, so they are likely to keep Zacha in the fold.
I think the Hellebuyck rumors will die down in the coming weeks. Unless some GM on another team gets really silly. They usually save July 1 for silliness.
Chevy is in no rush. Never has been on others and actually painfully slow
I must have missed the reason Knies is on the move.
I wouldn’t be either. If somebody wants him, they will have to pay Chevy’s price.
Winnipeg retool
Kyle Connor for Matthews Knies
Hellebuyck to Buffalo for byram and lyons
Sabres cannot afford Hellybuyck without moving another salary
Toss in Greenway and a future 2nd.
Knies is worth way more than Connor, teams are saying they would pay more for Knies than they would for Matthews. Knies is going to be the top power forward in the NHL in the next few years if not earlier. He still has a lot of untapped potential and is only 23 years old. Hellebuyck would get a better return than that as well.!
Lyon isn’t anything the Jets would want I believe.
Hellebuyck to NJ, Florida or Colorado if the Aves can get it done.
Knies worth more than Connor? Seriously? Would get better return than Matthews?
Potential means little unless or until it’s realized. Until then all you need to know is like Chayka said, you can trade away a young good player and although unlikely it might improve your team, it’s unprovable that it will…adding he gets how juicy a story like this could be and gives us something to talk or write about….even though, it’s the last thing they will do.
Better think about this one…If teams want these players they will have to pay Chevys price as Toronto St Pats just expressed
Knies, Byram and Lyons just doesn’t come close to what Winnipeg would get for Hellebyuck and Conner
Where does everyone think Carlson, Burns and Trouba sign?
Good question SOP.
Only thing I have heard on any of them is that Carlson wants to head back east, so is likely moving on from the Ducks.
After C’s the next highest demand position is right shot D, which all of these guys are, so if $$ is their main drivers, they’ll get it.
But I think Trouba and Burns stay put assuming contract demands are reasonable. Ducks need veteran D, especially RD and he’s a leader on the the team. Why mess with a good thing.
Avs need cheap, and RD, Burns is 41 and likely wants to chase a cup, so stays put on a 1 yr cheap deal.
Carlson – I will go TB, they need to replace their PP QB, win now mode, can afford him on a 2 yr bonus type deal.
I can throw some other team like our B’s that could use any of these guys, but there are plenty more as well.
Is there any reason to think he(Carlson) doesn’t go back to Washington on a more friendly team deal? Also depending on where the Islanders are sitting with the Romanov injury and the status of their UFA Dmen he could be a good fit there.
Carlson goes to Tampa and then “Hello Stanley Cup” 😀
I can almost guarantee that Trouba is not signing with the Rangers.
What ever happened to Troubas wife and her career? Is that still a thing?
I read somewhere that his wife is now Doctor Kelly Tyson-Trouba after the completion of her medical training, and that following completion of her medical residency in New York she is now functioning as a practicing physician.
I wonder what Zacha is looking for in terms of money and years coming off his best season offensively.
$7 – $7.5 for 5 or 6 years? If he is stuck on $8.5 to 9 for same term I move him. He likely moves to the wing as he ages.
I don’t see anybody valuing Zacha more than the Bruins where he put in his time and replacing him won’t be easy.
If they didn’t make the playoffs and chose to rebuild then a trade for some young assets would make sense.
I think the Bruins over-performed last season and might fall flat one year later than expected, though Sturm worked with what he had and made a go of it.
I think Boston got used to him and would give him Lindholm money for 4-5 years, at least he’d earn it.
If the Rangers trade Trocheck, they may very well be interested in Zacha.
I think they over-performed as well. Not sure that’s a good thing long term. We’ll see I guess.
Good point though, they could wait until the TDL before making a decision on Zacha.
What ever happened to Troubas wife and her career? Is that still a thing?
Is there any reason to think he(Carlson) doesn’t go back to Washington on a more friendly team deal? Also depending on where the Islanders are sitting with the Romanov injury and the status of their UFA Dmen he could be a good fit there.
I dont think so. His exit from Washington seemingly wasnt done with the care and respect you’d have expected. I’d be surprised that anyone would not take it to heart and look at new opportunities.
I agree with you 1OilerFan.
Why would any player go back to the organization that blindsided him via a trade. After all those years in Washington, Carlson deserved to be treated better. If anything, Carlson should sign with a Metropolitan Division team so he can stick it to the Caps on the ice.
Hellybucyk,Conner & 3rd for
Knies, Stolarz and Reilly.
The money works out but it leaves the Jets with a big hole in nets…also not sure Reilly agrees to go to Winnipeg if they all of a sudden are retooling.
IF you’re going to make that deal then go ahead and make it a Flyers deal,
Helly,Connor & 3rd
TK & Vladar, York
If I’m the Flyers I’d do that in a heartbeat.
For this summer, Knies WOULD get a better return than Matthews.
Matthews cannot negotiate an extension until next summer. He carries his full NMC with him to the end of his contract. He is also coming off a major injury (not to mention a couple of lackluster seasons).
We all know that Matthews took a shorter than max deal the last time to wait until the cap went up. Now that it is rising and he has had a couple of off seasons, his agent is going to max out on his next contract. He will be asking for $20M x 7 next summer. If you don’t give it to him, he will not waive to go to another team, you are stuck with him.
So, whatever you trade for Matthews this summer could very well be gone for nothing in 2 years of renting Matthews.
Now, you have Knies who is an up and coming power forward and is signed long term.
Which would you rather trade for?