NHL Rumor Mill – September 19, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, it’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin.
SPORTSNET: During his latest “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman reported the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers were interested in acquiring Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck earlier this summer.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Friedman noted the Jets and Sabres discussed Hellebuyck in late June before the 2026 NHL Draft. He said the Jets wanted the Sabres’ 2026 first-round pick (fourth overall) as part of the return. To do that, the Sabres wanted the Jets to include their first-rounder (eighth overall), but the latter declined.
Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen was believed to be one of the pieces in that deal. However, the 27-year-old goalie’s five-team no-trade clause kicked in on July 1, and Friedman believes the Jets are part of that list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Luukkonen seems out of the picture for the Jets. He recently shrugged off the trade rumors, saying he’s happy in Buffalo and wants to stay there.
THE WINNIPEG SUN: Hellebuyck has been linked to multiple teams, including the Sabres, Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, New Jersey Devils, and Utah Mammoth.
Despite Hellebuyck’s full no-movement clause, reports suggest he’s willing to waive it to join a competitive US-based team.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers interest in Hellebuyck came before they acquired winger Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators and goalie Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils. They used most of their trade capital on those two, which likely takes them out of the running for Hellebuyck.
As for the Devils, general manager Sunny Mehta claims he’s comfortable with his current goalie trio of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich. That might change if the Devils struggle at some point this season. Rumors suggest Mehta prefers to retain his trade capital in case Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes becomes available before the March 1 trade deadline.
The Hurricanes and Mammoth appear to be more likely trade destinations. However, those clubs are also reportedly happy with their current goaltending.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman noted Detroit Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff’s recent remarks about his team not undergoing a rebuild. He also pointed out that one of the things flying around this summer was the Wings’ unwillingness to trade Dylan Larkin for a return that didn’t bring immediate help.
Friedman claimed former Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman warned the team’s ownership that if they traded Larkin, they probably wouldn’t win in the short term. “It would be for longer-term help, and I don’t think the Red Wings liked that.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: In other words, they’re not interested in a package of future assets (draft picks and prospects) for Larkin. They want an established player.
That jibes with their reported asking prices for Larkin from the Minnesota Wild and Dallas Stars. It’s rumored they sought winger Matt Boldy from the Wild and center Wyatt Johnston from the Stars.
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Hellebuyck and Larkin both made the mistake of going public with their trade demands. Hellebuyck then doubled down by not reporting to training camp. What a mess. I give Larkin props for at not only reporting to camp but also being a man about being stripped of his captaincy.
So does Hellebuyck eventually buckle under and report to the team or wait for a trade?
Gary, I’m still not sold on the idea that Larkin’s camp leaked the trade request. It wouldn’t surprise me if MN did to try and get Detroit to make the trade for futures.
Ed,what about Larkins agent? How do you think the so called insiders get the information they spew out?
The reports are, that Helle told Jets’ management of his desires at the end of the season. It didn’t come out in the media until later. I bet he preferred that the Jets moved in his request in a timely manner. Of course, they needed the right offer to make that work.
Agreed. I was disappointed Tkachuk decided to call quits in Ottawa, but like his brother respect how he went about it. Staois made out great in that trade imo. Brady has turned into Eklund, Haltunen, and interesting top prospect and another 2nd and first round pick. Larkin and Helly should have called Brady up for some advice. Likewise for Chevy and Yzie on Staois.
Both Larkin and Helle will need a third team to make the trade work.
Get young guns and prospects from the Wild, then flip them to Kraken Canucks Rangers Blue Jackets.
Beniers EP40 Zibanejad would be good replacement for Larkin
Not sure the Wild have many young guns or prospects left. Fire off a few future 1st round picks?
Detroit needs Chris Ilitch to back off and let whoever is the GM do their job. And I guarantee you that Larkin won’t waive his NTC to go to Edmonton to be the third banana behind McDavid and Leon.
I believe the red wings wanted those players and were wise not to accept anything less; on the flip side I can understand why either dallas or Minnesota wouldn’t be willing to make those deals. I wouldn’t give up either guy for larkin! Both those younger guys are or should be long term members of their teams ; where as larkin despite being a great player isn’t worth giving up the farm for so to speak?
Everyone wants to roast yzerman for not trading or making a deal but he had to do what he thinks is best . Same with Chevy in Winnipeg, he has to make a difficult decision in regards for what is best for the team! IDK, to me these guys are under contract and can’t expect the management not to hold out for a better deal. It would be a difficult position to be in; they are in a kind of no win situation where they could get blamed for it no matter what they decide to do
I get why Yzerman didnt trade Larkin, I do blame him for not signing Edvinsson, and Chevy might have done good before in forced trades, but this time he overvalued Hellys value in the market. Goalies joust dont fetch that much, and Helly hade a mediocre season and is 33
As a Jets fan I place no blame on the club or Helly for the trade delay. It’s frustrating for us fans but we have to understand this is just a business transaction and these take time.
I fully believe in what Chevy said in his presser that they will work out an agreement that both sides will be happy with in the end. It’s just business.
Hate to see him go as all Jet fans are but, if he comes back I won’t be booing him.
He’s been a great Jet and fan favorite for 10+ years I’ll never turn my back on him.
He’s welcome on my team anytime
It’s nice to see a comment that doesn’t rip on folks involved in this situation. Good on you. Go Winnipeg!
Well stated. The same Sabres’ fans did for Hasek when he wanted to move on.
Unfortunately, Minnesota will again be using Ryan Hartman at #1 Center, a position he is clearly not suited for. Larkin is a THE missing piece that could make the Wild a genuine Cup contender.
Would you look at Zacha from Boston to add to your center position. Cheaper than Larkin .He and Ericsson. Ek would be 2a and 2b. Boston transitioning to. Younger players and may be interested!
Sr
Who are bruins getting from wild for him. Dont see any player available that makes sense
Minny has Erikson-Ek as their clear #1 and Boldy does play there at times.
Larkin addressed press. Obviously there’s reasons for wanting out that he wasn’t willing to discuss. My thoughts are possibly a personal issue with Yzerman. Seems a long shot he goes to 1 of his teams of choice. I think he stays.
Besides trade capital for Devils, they don’t have the cap space to fit both Hughes and Hellebuyck. Too much cap to clear out and would decimate roster. Next year would be worse with Hughes more than doubling his cap hit.
Dach to Wild for Charlie Stramel.
Top9 centre who fits on the roster right away for a prospect who’ll play in Laval.
After the Kreider trade the Habs are full of forwards and others are knocking on the door.
I think the idea of Dach ever living up to any expectations is long gone.
He’s can’t stay healthy. He hasn’t passed 38 points. And he’s a year away from being a UFA. Where’s the value?
He’s not a guy you’re going to get value for in a deal. If anything, it may cost you.
He certainly isn’t landing you a 1st rounder who is a native Minnesota guy, big frame and looks pretty promising. And has yet to even play a pro game.
Says the guy who averred that the NYR do not need a backup for Shesterkin since Garrand would do the job.
Not sure how or why Korpisalo is with the NYR now.
Who am I stomp on your dreams with a dose of reality?
How dare I shut down your daily dose of ridiculous Dach proposals!!!
But I think we all know that much better players than Dach have been traded for the kind of return you’re dreaming of!
Probably why he’s included in EVERY single trade proposal you throw out there DAILY!
And I never said “they don’t need a backup”. What I said was they weren’t taking 💩 💩 Montembeault for the 1000 trash returns you were dreaming up for yet another useless guy!
And , we don’t know who Shesterkins backup is yet do we????
Hold off on your victory lap until someone actually wins the job….. or 💩 Dach actually garners the slightest interest from another team…. For the ridiculous returns you anticipate.
Seems like 10 teams are looking for a center. The only way Detroit could trade Larkin is to get a good center back and that is not easy. Larkin for Erikson-Ek might work but Minny needs to add something. Larkin is more of a workhorse without as many injuries. Tough spot for Wings and a 3 team trade list didnt help Stevie Y. THX
Dang that canibis in the air really habing a huge impac eh
Larkin blew it by having a short list. Those teams have no assets or cap space amd the gm owes you nothing he owes the owner and team. If you want to break the contract you signed then it is on you to make it happen.
3 Way
Det.- Nikishin, Minny’s 2028’s 1st Kotkaniemi (50% retained)
Minn- Larkin
Car.- Yurlov, Bernard-Docker , Minny’s 2027’s 1st, Compher (50% retained)