NHL Rumor Mill – September 17, 2026
Check out the latest on Nikita Kucherov, Connor Hellebuyck, and Pavel Zacha in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Tampa Bay Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois reiterated his intention to sign Nikita Kucherov to a contract extension. The 33-year-old winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. He’s in the final season of an eight-year contract with a cap hit of $9.5 million.
Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov (NHL Images).
BriseBois didn’t put a deadline on the negotiations, but he’ll keep working on it. “The sooner the better, obviously. If we want to get technical, I guess he won’t be a free agent until July 1 of next year. Hopefully, it doesn’t get to that point,” BriseBois said.
The Lightning GM believes both sides would’ve preferred getting a deal done by now. He said he’ll keep the lines of communication open with Kucherov’s agent. He also acknowledged the effect the rising salary cap has on player contracts, and how each one is different depending on the player and the team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Surprisingly, Kucherov hasn’t signed an extension yet. There’s plenty of time for the two sides to reach an agreement, but the longer he goes without a new deal, the more speculation grows about his future in Tampa Bay.
Kucherov is among the league’s elite stars. He’s a three-time winner of the Art Ross Trophy and a two-time Hart Memorial Trophy winner who also helped the Lightning win back-to-back Stanley Cups. Coming off 130 points last season, he’s showing no signs of slowing down. He could be the top player in next summer’s UFA market if he’s still unsigned by then.
Ryan Lambert of The Hockey News recently examined reasons why the Lightning should be concerned about Kucherov’s UFA status, citing his age and the limited competitive years remaining for the current roster. He also noted why they shouldn’t worry, suggesting they can pay him whatever he wants and that he might not want to leave.
It would be interesting to learn what the sticking points are in these negotiations. The Kucherov camp could be seeking a longer term or more money than the Lightning are willing to give. Given his age, those are reasonable concerns.
BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: Bill Hoppe reports Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen declined to comment about his rumored interest in Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
Kekalainen said he never told anyone in the media about his discussions with other general managers, so he doesn’t know where they’re coming from. He also expressed confidence in his goalie trio of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon, and Colten Ellis.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres were reportedly close to acquiring Hellebuyck in late June, but the deal fell through after a swap of draft picks before the 2026 NHL Draft.
Kekalainen won’t publicly admit any interest in Hellebuyck because it would violate the league’s anti-tampering rules. Nevertheless, don’t be surprised if the Sabres remain linked to the Jets goaltender in the rumor mill.
BOSTON HERALD: Earlier this week, Steve Conroy reported uncertainty remained about Pavel Zacha’s future with the Bruins.
The 29-year-old center is UFA-eligible next July. Bruins GM Don Sweeney said earlier this summer that signing Zacha was a priority, but a deal hasn’t materialized.
Zacha is due for an expensive raise from his current $4.75 million AAV. However, Conroy speculated the cost to re-sign the two-way center might not fit in the Bruins’ youth movement expected to take place over the next two years.
BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley reports Sweeney provided an update on Zacha’s contract situation. He stressed the center’s importance to the Bruins, adding that discussions are ongoing with his agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sweeney could take a wait-and-see approach with Zacha, who had a career-best 30 goals and 65 points last season. If he doesn’t meet or exceed those numbers, it could justify offering him a lesser deal. However, the asking price could be higher if he has another career year.
Zacha’s situation will be worth monitoring this season. He could become available by the March 1 trade deadline if the Bruins are out of playoff contention and he’s still unsigned. Contenders seeking depth at center will be very interested in Zacha.
This Winnipeg thing is a no win situation. Hellebuyck sitting out doesn’t solve anything and will hurt him long term. If he misses the entire year it gets added on anyway Does an acquiring team want a 39 year starter at $8.5 ?
Winnipeg without him will struggle and a valued asset on the sidelines. Maybe the offers are low ball but you are not going to maximize the return now.
2-3 assets tops. If you could get Nikishin in a deal, it would help the Jets.
Jersey needs him, Sharks would like him and Carolina should land him.
Well, it should have not come to this. Helly should have been traded at the draft for a good return from the Sabers. You are not going to get an optimum return from a goalie. It has not happened, and obviously this is not going to be the first!
That’s easy to say but no one knows the offers that the Jets got, only rumors. I agree if he doesn’t want to play suspend him.
What good return from the Sabres? Swapping a 8th to move to 4th when they got Viggo makes no sense nor would taking on Josh Norris and his horrendous contract.
Helly Connor and baron to CMB
Greaves sillinger Johnson and marchenko and a 1st protected to WPG
WPG gets a #1 goalie in return that’s only 25
2/3c and a scorer plus a first. Can flip marchenko if he doesn’t want to sign but they hold his rights
Cmb gets a USA buddy for werenski in net along with Connor
Marchenko is not going to sign in Winnipeg.
When is the last time a trade that looked anything like this happened?
I don’t get even proposing these type of deals. They died with the cap.
CO sorry you don’t “get even proposing”. Can’t fix your comprehension. Good luck with it
The possibility of great returns for Helle is gone. WPG now has to look for the best deal possible and move on. The teams that were looking at Helle have already done so.
Hellebuyck for Blackburn and Roy.
Blackburn is from Thunder Bay maybe playing close to home would interest him. Roy provides some good centre depth which Winnipeg needs.
Colorado’s window is now and getting hellebuyck will solidify there goalies position.
How would Colorado make that work with the salary cap? Winnipeg would not take that trade.
The money is a wash for this season
In my business like everyone else’s it’s best not to burn any bridges. looks like Connor’s incinerated his. Some friends of mine are die hard jets fans maybe even more so than I am a bruins fan. One friend who used to be goalie not professional threw his Hellebuyck Jersey in the garbage I watched him do it. He always has season tickets I don’t know how that’s going to go now. I’d be in 7th heaven just see my bruins once. I’m hoping even if it’s only. For a couple of games they have Hagens on the first and second line. Excited about this guy.
Nobody takes into account Helle’s family got death threats because he beat Canada for the gold. Then add the fact Canadian players do not want to play in the frozen tundra or that management promised help but can’t get anyone of note to go there. Must be nice to be able to throw a $300 jersey in the trash lol
“Canadian players do not want to play in the frozen tundra” That’ll come as a shock to the roughly 50 percent of players on all seven Canadian teams…🙄
Getting players to approve trades to Manitoba …same ol’ story
Seth Jarvis is a Manitobian…. but would Canes part with such an important player after winning the Cup with Jarvis+ decent enough goalies? dont think likely
Geekie is too but Bruins need his goal production unless its a 3 team trade with Helly
just my 2 cents for guys that might actually be happy at home
Boston is holding on to Zacha to see if the team responds to it s front office mandate which is make the playoffs at all costs. If they look like they will not qualify they will trade Zacha at the deadline and start what they are slowly doing now,a youth movement. Makes sense especially with TB and Fla. getting older each year!
Normal to have TB and Fla getting older as they are legit contenders. Only retooling or rebuilding teams are getting younger.
Chevy will get a Helly deal done soon.
The return might not be exactly in the form of what he wants but the asset value will add up to a nice sum.
I think he may have to settle for more of a prospect bundle instead of established NHL talent.
He can’t cave in and the other team can’t move fan favourites to make it happen.
There’s going to be risk on both sides and that is imo what’s holding up the deal. It’s just a matter of time.
I trust Chevy to get a nice return just don’t look for a home run valuation this year
Helle is a diminished asset who is on the backend of the road making 8.5 million for several more years. Need to move him before game #1. Skinner will be fine. Jets need a center and a RW. Lets get creative. See if Philly will take Samburg and Lambert plus a second for Tippett or Forester. Then replace Samburg by bringing back Stanley on a 3 year 12 million deal. Then send a few prospects including Barlow and Yaeger to Kraken and get Wright. He is good 2 way and ready to start scoring. Wright between Tippett and Perfetti is a good second line. Third line Nino, Iafalo and Lowry. thx
Lol you must be Stanley’s agent. He’s barely worth a PTO.