A look at some potential offer-sheet targets, plus the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

WHICH RFA PLAYERS COULD BE OFFER-SHEET TARGETS?

SPORTSNET: Ryan Dixon looked at possible offer sheet targets in the wake of the Leo Carlsson offer sheet signing.

Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks are the two biggest potential targets among this summer’s restricted free agents.

Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (NHL Images)

Dixon wondered if any team that had contemplated an offer sheet for Carlsson would pivot to Fantilli. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks paid a heavy price to acquire and sign defenseman Bowen Byram. Dixon believes now is the time for them to lock down their franchise center.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said on Monday that his club is in a position to match any offer for Fantilli. I said he wasn’t expecting the 21-year-old center to receive an offer sheet, but didn’t rule it out.

The word out of Chicago is that Bedard’s shoulder injury might put any offer sheet talk on hold. It’s believed that he remains committed to the Blackhawks and isn’t interested in signing with another team.

Dixon also looked at how the Carlsson offer sheet could affect 2027 RFA-eligible players such as Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks, Matvei Michkov of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Kirill Marchenko of the Blue Jackets, and 2028 RFAs such as Matthew Schaefer of the New York Islanders and Beckett Sennecke of the Anaheim Ducks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The cost of re-signing Celebrini and Schaefer could exceed $20 million annually. They’re superstar franchise players and will seek top dollar on their next contracts.

Michkov isn’t expected to get an extension this summer while Marchenko reportedly isn’t interested in signing one. Depending on their performances this season, their asking prices could exceed $10 million.

Sennecke’s case will be intriguing. He finished second in points (62) among last season’s rookie class and was third among voters for the Calder Memorial Trophy. He could command up to $15 million annually if he has a strong sophomore season. However, that will take a huge chunk out of the Ducks’ cap space if they match Carlsson’s offer sheet and re-sign Cutter Gauthier for at least $10 million annually this summer.

DID THE AVALANCHE LOOK INTO ACQUIRING CONNOR HELLEBUYCK?

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Aarif Deen cited a report by Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who claimed “a couple of teams” told him that they wondered if the Avalanche attempted to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

Friedman didn’t indicate that there were any negotiations between the Avalanche and Jets. He wasn’t sure how that deal would work between the two clubs, or what the Avs could offer, or if the Jets would be interested.

Any deal to take on Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million average annual value would mean the Avalanche would have to move out some salary in the deal or in a separate cost-cutting trade. They also lack the tradeable assets to tempt the Jets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Avalanche management may have contacted the Jets to inquire about Hellebuyck’s availability. However, as Deen pointed out, they lack the cap space and trade capital to make it work.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

DAILY FACEOFF: cited Helene St. James of the Detroit Red Press, who reported that Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has not expanded his three-team trade list.

The Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers are Larkin’s destinations of choice. St. James stated those clubs have not made offers that have intrigued the Red Wings, who seek value-now players for a first-line center with a very favorable contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers made their big moves this summer by acquiring Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom. Their unwillingness to part with young two-way center Anton Lundell takes them out of the running.

Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review-Journal recently pointed out why the Golden Knights can’t afford Larkin. Put simply, they lack the cap space and the assets to meet the Red Wings’ asking price. They traded away their best trade chip (Pavel Dorofeyev) to the Rangers last month.

The Wild also lack cap space, but could move some money in the deal for Larkin or in a separate trade with another team. They also have some promising young players in their system. However, it’s rumored that the Wings want one of the Wild’s best players (Matt Boldy) in return, which obviously isn’t happening.

Unless one of those three teams can get a third team involved to acquire the necessary assets to acquire Larkin, he will remain with the Red Wings when next season begins, for better or for worse.