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.
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.
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.
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.
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