Check out the latest on Dylan Larkin, Mark Scheifele, Connor Hellebuyck, Kirill Marchenko, Alexander Nikishin, Jason Robertson, and Matthew Knies in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos published his first trade board of this season. Here’s a look at some of the more interesting rumors:

The Montreal Canadiens tried to convince Dylan Larkin to accept a trade “to come and help Nick Suzuki.” However, the 30-year-old Detroit Red Wings center “still has no interest in coming to Canada.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rumors surfaced earlier this month linking the Canadiens to Larkin, who hasn’t expanded his three-team list of trade destinations, with the Minnesota Wild at the top. He’s made it clear where he wants to go.

Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele (NHL Images)

Kypreos also claimed the Canadiens are among the teams asking about Winnipeg Jets center Mark Scheifele. He believes it would cost a hefty price that could include top prospect Michael Hage, or center Oliver Kapanen, “among others”, claiming Kirby Dach “is wrapped up in this too.” He also stated that the thought of adding goalie Samuel Montembeault to work in tandem with Stuart Skinner is intriguing to the Jets because they wouldn’t need to get a goalie back in a Connor Hellebuyck trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: According to Kypreos, if Hellebuyck is on his way out of Winnipeg, the Jets are asking themselves if it’s better to keep or trade Scheifele.

Montreal Hockey Now’s Marc Dumont pointed out that Scheifele is a villain among Canadiens fans for his illegal hit on Jake Evans during the 2021 playoffs, earning the Jets center a suspension. However, given the Canadiens signed former public enemy No. 1 Chris Kreider, they probably wouldn’t be too troubled about Scheifele’s history.

Acquiring Scheifele would more than address the Canadiens’ need for an experienced second-line center. However, the 33-year-old center is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.5 million and a full no-movement clause this season.

Assuming Scheifele would be open to a trade to Montreal, the Jets will set a high price, as Kypreos suggested. While he’s coming off a career-high 103-point campaign last season, he’s approaching the stage in his career when decline is inevitable, which could make his contract burdensome over its final years despite the anticipated rise in the salary cap during that period.

Speaking of Hellebucyk, Kypreos reports the Buffalo Sabres, Utah Mammoth, and San Jose Sharks are among the teams monitoring the 33-year-old goalie’s situation. He claimed those clubs are trying to convince the Jets to accept returns of blue-chip prospects over roster players.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has stressed he wants a return that’s fair for both sides. He’s indicated he has no intention of rebuilding his roster, and wants players over futures. Given Cheveldayoff’s well-earned reputation for patience in trade talks, he’s unlikely to bend on his asking price.

Kypreos believes the Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers “seem poised to try and make something work” for Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ addition of Chris Kreider takes them out of the market for Marchenko, at least for now, but that could change later in the season if he remains available. Like Cheveldayoff in Winnipeg with Hellebucyk, Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell isn’t interested in futures for Marchenko.

Kypreos believes the reason why restricted free-agent defenseman Alexander Nikishin hasn’t been signed and/or traded by the Carolina Hurricanes isn’t necessarily because he’s seeking a massive contract. The young blueliner seeks an opportunity where he can become a top-three defenseman.

Jason Robertson has a one-year contract with the Dallas Stars, but Kypreos wonders what happens next. The two sides can start extension talks on Jan. 1, but Kypreos doesn’t think that could happen because the 27-year-old winger lacks no-trade protection. He envisioned a scenario where the Stars sign him and then trade him to the Seattle Kraken, where Robertson already rejected a move to. Kypreos also noted that Robertson is the radar of the Pittsburgh Penguins, who acquired his younger brother Nick this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stars GM Jim Nill recently said he met with Robertson and his family to mend their relationship. He insisted that re-signing the high-scoring winger remains his priority.

The Matthew Knies trade rumors won’t go away. Kypreos believes the 24-year-old power forward remains the Toronto Maple Leafs’ best trade chip if they want to land a big fish this season, especially because he lacks no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Knies could still be a valuable trade asset for the Maple Leafs, but I think GM John Chayka sees him as a key part of the roster core regardless of whether they’re retooling or rebuilding.