NHL Rumor Mill – June 26, 2026
On the eve of the first round of the 2026 draft, here’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Mason McTavish, Kirill Marchenko, Matthew Knies, Morgan Rielly, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
HELLEBUYCK LINKED TO PANTHERS, SABRES, HURRICANES
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets are getting offers for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. However, they’re willing to remain patient.
The Florida Panthers have expressed an interest in the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, but they aren’t willing to part with the assets necessary to meet the Jets’ asking price.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Dreger thinks the Buffalo Sabres could be a good destination. They have the assets to make an offer, but general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has a lot going on right now.
Pierre LeBrun reports the Panthers aren’t willing to part with Anton Lundell for Hellebucyk. He indicated the Carolina Hurricanes are another club that’s shown an interest in the Jets netminder.
HOCKEY 24/7: Frank Seravalli reports the Hurricanes made a pitch this week for Hellebuyck. The offer was believed to have included defenseman Alexander Nikishin. Seravalli listed the Sabres, Utah Mammoth, Detroit Red Wings, and San Jose Sharks among the teams well-positioned to take a run at Hellebuyck.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Speaking of Nikishin, TSN’s Darren Dreger reports there are six teams in the mix for the 24-year-old Hurricanes defenseman. A contract extension is a major factor in trade talks. Nikishin is a restricted free agent on July 1.
WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno reports there have been no official reports that Hellebuyck has requested a trade. However, some notable insiders, such as Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, claim the goaltender would be open to a “change of scenery.”
Hellebuyck has five seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million. His full no-movement clause gives him control over where he could be traded. However, the Jets aren’t facing any pressure to move him, and can afford to remain patient until they get the right offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Pierre-Luc Dubois and Jacob Trouba both waited two seasons before Winnipeg GM Kevin Cheveldayoff received suitable offers to move them, and both deals worked out well for the Jets. He’ll take the same approach with Hellebuyck if the latter wants out of Winnipeg.
BLUES AND RANGERS ARE PURSUING MASON MCTAVISH
THE ATHLETIC: Jeremy Rutherford reports the St. Louis Blues are one of two teams involved in trade talks with the Anaheim Ducks for center Mason McTavish.
The Blues are seeking a second-line center to ease the burden on promising Dalibor Dvorsky, and having McTavish and Dvorsky as their second and third-line centers would strengthen that position.
Acquiring McTavish could come at a steep price. It’s uncertain what the Ducks’ asking price would be, but the Blues have plenty of draft picks, including four first-rounders in this year’s draft.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Remy Mastey noted that NHL insider Frank Seravalli claimed the New York Rangers are also in the bidding for McTavish. It’s unclear what the Blueshirts are offering, but veteran center Vincent Trocheck isn’t involved in their trade offer.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish’s age, size, and physical scoring style have made him an enticing trade target. However, there are concerns about his speed and his defensive play. His performance dipped this season, partly due to missing training camp because of his contract negotiations. He was a healthy scratch from two regular-season games and two postseason contests.
Those issues could be overlooked if it weren’t for McTavish’s contract. He’s got five years left on his deal with an average annual value of $7 million. Even with a rising salary cap, that’s still a big chunk of change to invest in a player who took a step backward in his development.
CANADIENS SHOPPING AROUND FOR A TOP-SIX FORWARD
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens are aggressively calling around the league in search of a top-six forward. He said they’re monitoring New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck’s situation. They called the New York Islanders about center Bo Horvat, but were told he’s not available. The Habs also looked into winger Kirill Marchenko, but got “a big fat no” from the Columbus Blue Jackets.
LeBrun also suggested Mason Marchment might be a good fit with the Canadiens or Toronto Maple Leafs. The 31-year-old winger is UFA-eligible on July 1, but the Blue Jackets haven’t given up on re-signing him.
RATINGS.ORG: Marco D’Amico reports the Canadiens are among several teams linked to Anaheim Ducks center Mason McTavish. The Philadelphia Flyers, Minnesota Wild, and Ottawa Senators are among several clubs interested.
The Ducks are maintaining a high asking price for McTavish. An NHL source said the Canadiens don’t want to overpay to get him.
D’Amico noted the Canadiens’ earlier efforts to acquire Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies. However, the Leafs and their new GM, John Chayka, want to avoid the optics of dealing Knies to their long-time rival. The Leafs are also looking for teams willing to overpay to get him.
SPORTSNET: Eric Engels reports the Canadiens are among several teams looking into Marchenko. The Blue Jackets aren’t shopping him, but he’s got a year left on his contract, and it’s uncertain if they can re-sign him. He’ll be a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights.
Engels also noted the rumors linking the Canadiens to Mason McTavish. However, the 23-year-old isn’t a player they consider an ideal fit with winger Ivan Demidov, or as a player they’d give up premium assets to obtain.
Other players who would be more appealing, such as Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies, Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, or Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha, aren’t currently available for the Canadiens.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens are making calls, but it doesn’t appear that they’re feeling any pressure to make moves based on the recent trade activity around the league. They’ll remain patient in the trade market as they search for the right deal. They could also look into the free-agent market for depth players this summer.
THE LATEST ON THE MAPLE LEAFS
SPORTSNET: Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka said he’s been receiving offers for Matthew Knies, but hasn’t gotten one yet that would convince him to move the 23-year-old winger.
TSN: Chayka also said that he doesn’t anticipate trading defenseman Morgan Rielly. However, those are discussions that he’s continuing to have.
However, Chris Johnston reports Rielly remains very much in play in the trade market. He claims Chayka continues to listen to trade offers.
SABRES NOT DONE IN THE TRADE MARKET
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman believes Buffalo Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen is far from finished in the trade market after shipping out Bowen Byram to Chicago and Alex Tuch to Washington this week.
Kekalainen is in good shape to make a major addition because his club holds the fourth overall pick in the upcoming NHL Draft. Friedman believes the Calgary Flames and Winnipeg Jets are eyeing that pick.
TSN’s Pierre LeBrun believes that the pick is definitely in play. He reported that the Sabres spoke to the Rangers about Vincent Trocheck, the Jets about Connor Hellebuyck, and the Maple Leafs about Matthew Knies.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers have suggested the Sabres offer up that pick plus goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen to the Jets for Hellebuyck. If he’s willing to go to Buffalo, that could be an offer that the Jets find tempting.
WHAT NEXT FOR THE SENATORS?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators hope to use the No. 25 pick in this year’s draft as part of the package for a top-six forward or a right-shot, top-four defenseman.
The Senators were interested in Ducks center Mason McTavish, but were told he’s not interested in coming to Ottawa. They had also “kicked tires” on Rangers winger Alexis Lafreniere. They’ve been chasing Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen since last spring’s trade deadline, but haven’t been able to come up with the necessary assets. The Sens have also been linked to Calgary Flames blueliner Zach Whitecloud.
Amazing that there is nothing about the Bruins. This is an indictment of Sweeney s ineptness . With the current team they are headed for last place in the division. With the Zacha trade rumors they appear to be tanking.
Just non stop crying from you. What do you want the Bruins to give up? Being a Bruins fan as well, i actually don’t mind Sweeney not looking to overpay for a quick fix
Barrp: You don’t really think Sweeny is not trying, do you?
The fact that there is no news out of Boston is likely the same reason there is no news out of Montreal: there is no deal to be had currently that fits the team’s need.
Half the league wants either a goalie, a RDH or a 2C. It’s a seller’s market and prices aren’t going to come down until later in the summer, if they come down at all.
Agree. Hell, almost three-quarters of the league have yet to make any trade that could be considered “significant.”
Agree Jason.
And of course Sweeney is working the phones.
Probably looking at both buying and selling.
Look at the Atlantic Div right now and ask yourself if the B’s can finish in the top 3.
Florida, Montreal and TBay are my top 3.
Also pushing hard for top 3 or at least a WC spot are Buffalo and Ottawa.
Next tier Boston, Toronto and we’ll see what Detroit does. But all have an outside shot IMO.
Metro is weaker after Carolina, but 3 of them get in regardless.
Barring injuries of course. If any of those teams experience what Florida did last season, then ya B’s have a decent shot. But that’s if we stay healthy.
Zacha & Mittelstadt need to be signed or moved. If not now then at the TDL if we aren’t in a playoff spot.
Our favorite team just isn’t that good, it’s just OK, and we have a shot at the playoffs if everything works out great. Again.
A home run swing at a guy like Larkin, gets us a closer to a likely playoff team, but at what cost? Hagens and a 1st likely won’t get it done. Something good comes off the roster as well.
Mushy middle.
No deal is better than overpaying, unless the player being acquired is exactly what your team needs.
Byram was an overpay, but he may be the guy the Black Hawks need on the back end.
It’s amazing how a hated team can make the playoffs for 10 straight years, win the division in the tenth year, then have one injury-plagued season with a team that quit on its coach, and suddenly they’re no longer considered a contender for a playoff spot.
WestBrantKid, if you mean my post, I said they were a contender for the playoffs. Just not one of my favorites. I am sure folks disagree with me. It’s a super tough division.
Not the same team that made it for 10 straight years IMO. Biggest one is no Marner. Raddysh will help though. We’ll see how the rest of the offseason goes.
I am sorry saying Sweeney it’s trying -he I am sure is out there trying to signing more 4th liners as he did at the trade deadline .He typically signs lesser players to questionable contracts and then doesn’t have the cap space to sign top players. Since I root in other sports for the Phillies and Eagles, I am used to aggressive successful general managers (Dombroski and Roseman) and I am a Bruins fan, I would like a more aggressive ownership.
Who is responsible for the team being no good. Sweeney and Bruins management?
And to add on what Ray has said, Boston isn’t one piece away of becoming cup contenders. Why do a trade to give up a lot to go from meh to just good enough to make the playoffs?
Here is my thinking Barrp.
Perhaps it’s nobodies fault.
The B’s had been a contender, for the better part of 15 years until 2 seasons ago. They spent draft picks and prospects going for it year after year, more years than they didn’t. They did a quick retool in 2015 2016, and back at it with the same core. The guys that carry the team. Those guys are retired.
Sweeney did well extending that period.
It’s cyclical in my opinion. I would suggest in reality. I’m a big believer in tanking when it becomes obvious you won’t be a contender anytime soon. Some would say it’s obvious now, like me. Others would say it isn’t yet, fair enough, I’m no expert. Tough call is an honest answer.
But what I do know, having top 3 OA picks on your roster doesn’t guarantee a cup, but not having any almost guarantees you won’t.
In the last 25 years how many teams have won a cup without that? You can check, but I can save you some time, only 1. The 2001 Colorado Avalanche. Their highest pick was Forsberg at 6 OA. Sakic wasn’t until 15 OA which was a steal.
B’s don’t have any. The highest is H Lindholm at 6 OA. They likely need some elite players if they want a cup. They have 3 very good ones; McAvoy, Pasta, Swayman. Elite guys are usually found at the top of the draft. Especially C’s. Then they don’t get traded often.
In 3 years SJ will be a cup threat for a decade. 1 OA, 2nd OA and now 2 OA again. Bunch of other high picks mixed in. If they add around the core properly, look out.
This comment aged like milk
It’s gotta Just suck being the GM in a market that almost no one wants to play in. Same thing for fans in those markets. Imagine offering a player 15 million and him saying, no thanks. (and this goes for more markets than Seattle) Forget your theories about “tax free” states… It’s all about WINNING!
There’s news of Seattle adding an income tax. Could be part of it. May as well stay in Dallas at 12 then.
That has nothing to do with it, Travis. Robertson is not interested in joining a team that is not a contender. Simple as that.
Yeah, I think a lot of people tend to overlook this aspect. I can remember when the Panthers were an afterthought of an organization. Same for Tampa. Hell, even Nashville. But once they started producing results ON the ice, players warmed up to those locations real quick.
Tampa and the Panthers also offer a very player-friendly management, appreciative fan base, low stress media coverage, and a market where you can go out and about with your family without concern for harassment over your hockey play. And, recently, both teams have won a lot. When decisions come down to small things, such ambiance can make a difference. So can taxes and cost of living.
But I’ve observed, for many years and for many sports, winning cures pretty much any defect, and I’ve never heard any player in any sport say “yeah, it was great to win the title, but I hated living in this crummy town”.
Toronto St Pats
I agree that an overpay for what your team needs isn’t a bad philosophy when you’re knocking on the door. However, when you’re consistently in the bottom 5 of the league patience pays off.
Look at what Hughes was able to do in Montreal. With big cap space you need to use that to acquire draft picks from teams that are tight to it.
Also, if you have multiple 1sts in the same draft start throwing offer sheets out there towards teams that can’t afford to match.
CHI knows that Dallas is tight to the cap. Bourque is ripe for an offer sheet. CHI has the picks to make an offer Dallas can’t match. There is a good C/RW to play with Bedard or Nazar
Nickushkin would be another trade target. I bet Carolina would have accepted the 4th without the 2nd and Crevier.
Crevier and Nickushkin would have made for a big pairing on D.
SEA can’t get guts to agree to come there if they have a choice…target guys that don’t have one.
Seattle being a dumpster-fire of a city likely has a lot to do with it as well.
Part of the Blues offer is pick 11 and either Buchnevich or Suter with maybe a lesser piece. I don’t get it from the St. Louis perspective. If they want McTavish for 2nd or 3rd center why did they get McMichael to fill that same role? And if you get McTavish what are you doing with Dvorsky, moving him to wing? Have him compete for 4th line center? Seems so awkward just keep pick 11 and get a very good future player or use it in a bigger deal.
As a Sabres fan I wouldn’t throw 4OA in on a Hellebuyck trade. UPL and 20OA yes. If I’m trading 4OA than it’s for a top 6 forward named Robertson.
Think of the difference with Hellebuyck in net. Probably beat Habs in 2nd rd. Carolina? Possible
Still, 4OA for a goalie is a severe overpay.
Not so sure about that Slick. As good as he is during the regular seasons he has been meh the last three playoff years.
Slick
Have you seen Hellebuyck’s playoff save % the last few years?
I think that if Buffalo got more production from Tuch and Thompson they beat Montreal.
I believe there was a 4
goal difference for the whole 7 game series.
I don’t think trading for a goalie is really what they need.
Yes, Hellebucyk is fire in the playoffs recently…cough, cough
Sabres have to do something like Hellebuyck to get over the top #4 only, no other assets / maybe UPL
I would never spend a 4th OA pick on a tender. Especially an old one with a big ticket. Too volatile a position.
Helley’s #’s in the playoffs speak to that. He has struggled, a lot, more than once.
Then he stood on his head in the gold medal game. Bugger.
Canes just won with 2 tenders with not much playoff pedigree or cost attached to them. Both played well for stretches. At least good enough behind a great defensive team.
Is New Jersey just acquiring players because they like the sound of their names? Declan Chisholm, Amadeus Lombardi, and they’ve already got Angus Crookshank, Xavier Parent, Seamus Casey, Topias Vilen. What a roster!
Fish. It’s Jersey so they’ll be called Buddy, Bud, Guy, and Bro
So McTavish is a center who could play wing. I don’t recall talk about his speed last offseason when he was in rumors. I don’t see him a lot, so I’m in group that can only go by numbers and profiles. He played less than 15 minutes a game so pretty decent numbers considering. Had 6 points on 10 playoff games to boot. I also don’t see Knies much either but only 9 months younger than McT. Played over 3 minutes more a game, benefits from playing in top 4 and PP. Bigger player and can’t imagine he’s a better skater. Makes more too!
So far, Staios has shown that he’s able to negotiate decent returns when backed into a bad situation so, if he’s aggressively pursing another deal, using the # 25 pick +, I fully expect to hear “I have a trade to announce” tonight.
Over/Under on the number of times Bettman gets booed tonight?
I’m guessing 6-7.
Man that exhausts me. Don’t like everything he has done but he has brought much more good than harm to the game. I am happy he takes it in stride though.
And I’ll take under 6 boos on the night
high side ….9 ..lol
Spence re-signed.
Good deal too.
20m over 4.
1Oilerfan, right again, where the league is now compared to when he arrived is light years. Expanding exposure to the game, expansion, increased revenue for owners and players, greater television exposure especially in the states. Give the man some credit.
There are so many teams trying to do the same. That #25 pick. The value is low right now.
I wonder if Chayka mentioned that he doesn’t see the Leafs moving Rielly because of the 4 team list he provided the Leafs?
Seeing that he does not HAVE to provide a list for 2 more years, his agent obliged the Leafs. Say, if he chose Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota and Vegas as the teams…..I could see that as a reason why Chayka would say that. They are dealing with their own internal cap issues and would have no room for a guy making $7.5M for the next 4 years.
Rielly is under no obligation to make it easy for the Leafs to trade him. He doesn’t have to look at the cap situation in San Jose or the need for defensemen in Anaheim. He already has his contract and that won’t change no matter where he goes.
Just find him a landing spot on a Cup contender and he might be willing to go.
I have a question ?
Can theme Leafs not buy out Morgan Reilly’s contract .. I know $2,000 would go against the cap , but it would still free up 5.5 million to invest elsewhere
Reilly is not a fit in Toronto
Jarmo in Buffalo has been Clever , as per avoiding overpaid investments in Tuch and Byram – receiving a whopping 4th overall pick as well is very savvy on his part
The Jason Robertson fiasco is very problematic .., I wouldn’t want to touch that area of concern whatsoever .. Bon Voyage Mr Robertson
It’s too bad Larkin doesn’t have the Habs in his sights , It would be IDEAL for both the player and the team !!!
Playing for ST . LOUISE – Dream match IMO
Actually, to buy him out would be $3.5M for the next 4 years and then $2M for the next 4 years after that. I think the Leafs would love to be able to save on that portion of his cap hit.
To be honest, it would make sense for the Leafs to retain 50% and then they would save on that $2M for the last 4 years.
As for Robertson, I am wondering if he didn’t accept the deal with Seattle because he really wants to stay with Dallas and would take less than that $15M to play with them. If he signs that offer, Dallas probably lets him go and he goes to Seattle and may not be competing in the playoffs for a bit.
It would not surprise me if he ends up signing a deal with Dallas in the $13M range.
Robo goes to arb, plays 1 yr in Dallas, then Dallas can pay more to him next year when Seguin is off the books. Or Dallas gets another shot at him but not all the assets they could have now if they trade him.
That’s my take as well on the Robertson situation Big Al.
Nill has said…”give me a minute to work on some other stuff” and then you’ll get THIS (probably 13.5 and a full no move.
Just a lot of hubub over nothing
And with just over $9 mil in cap space, that puts him $4 mil over the cap and still with 2 RFAs to sign, including Bourque. Nor would he have anything with which t sign any of his pending UFAs he might like to bring back .. not without having to move a term contract or two he otherwise would prefer to keep.
Ken:
Reilly still has value and will bring a decent if not spectacular return. No need to buy him out.
I think the same way as you do about Larkin, but apparently Larkin doesn’t.
LJ:
I don’t see teams lining up for Rielly right now. Supposedly, he was offered to the Sharks at the TDL for Future Considerations and they passed.
The teams that may have the slightest interest in him are probably not on his 4 teams that he would consider waiving his NMC.
At this point, Chayka seems to think that he will not be going anywhere. So, I doubt they are going to get “spectacular return”
BigAI: Sorry, I miscommunicated: I meant to say Reilly will not get a spectacular return, but a decent one.
Big Al, please remind me when a GM said yes we are moving this player and then getting something for them.
You know, no one knows what they are going to do and with as many mics as there is in Toronto, it would be in the team’s best interest to muddy the waters as much as they can. You can’t say have a definite answer when you include a but in your answer.
Rielly might be moved after July 1 once teams miss out on the other UFA defenders are signed since signing a UFA is free as long as you have cap space.
Look at Chevy in Winnipeg right now with Hellybuck. He has 5 years before he has to make a deal. He has had a couple of players that have asked to be traded and he waited up to 2 years to move those players to get the deal he wanted.
In this case, its the Leafs that want to move him out while he still has a full NMC for two more years. Rightfully, he doesn’t even have to give the Leafs a list until the summer of 2028.
My guess is that Rielly’s agent is playing the media game. If he doesn’t give the Leafs a list, then he becomes a pariah in Toronto. Seeing that the list is not disclosed to the media, then he can say Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota and Vegas. That way, his agent can say a list was provided.
If I was Rielly, I wouldn’t want to move my family after being in Toronto for over a decade unless I am moving to a team with a legit shot at winning a Cup next year.
Rielly is a serviceable defenceman in the NHL.
Is he a 1A or 1B? No. Is it his fault that the Leafs have not acquired that type of player to move Rielly into a spot he could thrive, 2nd pairing?
The previous regime has the opportunity to turn one of their top RW into a #1 defenceman and chose not to.
For comparison, Vince Dunn (29) in SEA makes 7.35M and scored 44 points. Rielly (32) is a little older, made $7.5M and scored 36 points.
Leafs fans have a tendency to vilify players they think are not performing.
Rielly should not have to be a throw away, 50% retention player. Trading him for a serviceable 3rd line RW would be tidy work.
In Dunn’s defense, he’s not playing behind guys like Matthews, Nylander, Knies, and Tavares. If I were a GM looking for depth defense, I’d take Reilly at $5M before taking Nurse at $5M, but both are overpriced. The Avs just re-signed Kulak at $4.5M. Granted, he’s more of a stay-at-home defender, but definitely more of what you’re looking for in a 2nd pairing.
The Senators just acquired goalie Samuel Ersson from the Leafs for a 5th-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft. He’s a pending RFA so there’ll be come contract negotiations.
” … some contract negotiations.” A fellow Swede b/o Ullmark, looks like …
What about Larkin and Debrincat to Buffalo for norris and the 4th and Lyon
??
LOL
Larkin > 4OA Pick
DeBrincat > Norris+Lyon
Not even close for an Atlantic Division trade.
But will Debrincat walk for nothing? Ala panarin
The problem is Buffalo is not on Larkins list
I suggested Montreal – Man – would that put the Habs in Glory – Glory – Halaluha land !!
Det should put Reilly next to seider