NHL Rumor Mill – September 25, 2026
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.
So realistically speaking, adding Scheifele w Helle would help facilitate the trade and prompt a better return….however
They are not going to come out of that with a better forward or goalie than they are trading.
There is no indication they want to go into a rebuild or that Scheifele wants out. Also trading Helle AND Scheifele may ikely also be followed by a request from Connor for a trade
So no they had 3 stars locked up, 1 wants out…you dont add 1 of the other 2 to help make that deal happen unless the goal is full rebuild.
Scheifele to MTL makes them a contender…waiting to see how Hage develops does not. It could but not necessarily. It’s probably worth it for the Canadiens to make that trade.
More nonsense outta toronto.
No the Jets are not trading Scheifele.
No the Jets are NOT going into a rebuild.
The return for Hellebuyck will stabilize the 2nd line, a problem for years, and make them a more complete team.
Not sure why the Jets would go into a rebuild after they strengthen the team via a Hellebuyck trade.
If the Jets were rebuilding they would have accepted picks & prospects months ago and moved from Hellebuyck.
Its amazing how clueless the so called ‘experts’ are.
Currently that’s the case. It all depends what the offers are and what will entice. If the team trading for CH isn’t willing to give up a second like player because it makes a hole while filling a hole, then the Jets are SOL.
Who knows what the offers are and what the Jets consider a solid second line player.
Lots of ways it could play out.
I understand what youre saying, but the Jets are not going to trade for something they dont want or need.
Are you familiar with Cheveldayoff’s trading style? He will wait till he gets want he wants. There will be a team that will offer the Jets legit 2nd line help.
If that wasnt the case the Jets would have traded him by now for what ever package they could get.
Either way I’m sure we’re all bored of this story and hope it goes away!!!
Amen HockeySwami, not surprisingly these types of comments come out of Toronto and Montreal about nearly every high end player. Scheifele has continued to announce how he wants to retire a Jet, he’ll end up within the Jet upper management team eventually, ala the Yzerman and Sakic’s.
HockeySwami
By Toronto I’m guessing you mean coming out of Kypreos? Honestly feel he has no inside info and just makes it all up. How exactly do teams mentioned fit Hellebuyck under their cap if they’re trying to convince Jets to only take prospects? Utah has the most cap space out of the 3 but they’d still need to clear space. They gave up a 1st round pick at draft to acquire Cossa from Detroit. Maybe they send Vejmelka the other way but then Cossa is a backup for foreseeable future? I’ve picked Detroit as landing spot for Hellebuyck but they have another highly drafted goalie in Augustine. Did Detroit figure he was goalie of future when they traded away Cossa? They signed Tarasov to backup Gibson so future isn’t this year. Would think a lot of these questions get answered before regular season
Yes kypreos, simmons & the other lot who just make stuff up or are pawns of agents.
I havent said anything about what teams are offering for Hellebuyck. I’ve only stated what the Jets need and dont want.
Yes teams will offer roster players but some will not be what the Jets are looking for. If the Jets need 2nd line help why would they trade for a defenceman if it helps the other with their cap management?
Cheveldayoff will just wait till he gets something he likes. Look at his trade history, he does amazing trades. But he’s the most frustrating GM in the NHL, cause he can take forever to make a move.
Spot on Swami. Kypreos doesn’t have anything else to talk about so he starts making crazy **it up.
Proven number 1 C who produces at + point per game for a college player, a bottom 6 prospect and a goalie that could be picked up for a 3rd or 4th round pick? Must have been a long night on the town in Montreal for Kypreos
And to those who looked at that and thought
“Ya that could happen ….”
Time to try some smelling salts.
Kapanen, Dach and Montembeault for Scheifele is a trade I’d make all day long.
I like Montembeault and feel he’ll bounce back this year, he’d be a good tandem with Skinner.
Dach is in his show me year and execs around the league see a big western boy ready to break through.
Kapanen was to our surprise a competent 2C last year that we are trying to find fault with and can’t, other than the season was too long and grinding for a European rookie.
Cheveldayoff has the time to maximise a return on Hellebuyck while seeing the impact of these three guys.
Scheifele is a contract that won’t look good in a few years, he’s 33y/o and it runs till he’s 38y/o.
Until and during the decline he mentors Beck and Hage for continuity and he’d slide down in the roster to bottom 6.
Interestingly the one weak facet of his game that is face off%.
Money balances out, Habs pay $800k more after trade.
Scheifele has a NMC and Winnipeg says no because losing Scheifele after Ehlers and Hellebuyck soon probably upsets the fanbase.
Wow a a back up for a back up, Dach on injury list more than not, and Kapanen one of the cream puffs for Scheifle….who makes up this stuff. And all of this for a 1st line centre who has a great contract and term
Lmao
“Dach is in his show me year and execs around the league see a big western boy ready to break through.”
You mean break “SOMETHING “?
I’d have more faith in a can of Pringle’s surviving a drop from a 50 story building than Dach staying healthy.
This guy is pushing 26 and was originally offered a two way deal from his current team this offseason. The league brass isn’t sitting around drooling over this guy. If teams need a bottom 6 guy that plays 30-40 games a year they can sit it out until July when Montreal ultimately lets him walk as a UFA.
And and NOT give up a # 1 center in the process!
Is the can full or empty?
Scheifele is a Gary Roberts disciple and is amongst the fittest players in the NHL, his off ice work and dedication to improving himself continually is well known. Short of a freak injury he’ll be the farthest thing from a liability at the end of his contract, guys like this have traditionally even played as 40yr olds. This isn’t Guy Lafleur whose idea of prepping for training camp was dropping down to a single pack of smokes a day. I agree with Slick62 about Kypreos and his misguided attempts to trying to be relevant. Newsflash, you’re not Bob McKenzie, a few beers on the golf course with ex-NHLers doesn’t qualify you for Insider status.
Scheifele is 33 years old and under contract until 2031. He’d help the Habs for this year, and next, and then they would be saddled with the next three years. This isn’t the profile that Hughes and Gorton target, as seen signing Krieder for one year at 35.
Hey habfan30,
Let’s go through this trade offer together and see what it might look like if the shoe was on the other foot.
The centerpiece of your offer is Oliver Kapanen, a player who has played one year in the NHL and had less than half a point per game, while also being scratched in the playoffs.
Kirby Dach is a UFA after this year. So, the Jets would receive 1 year of a player who averages 43 games played per year over 7 years as a result of injuries, and averaged less than half a point per game in every season but 1.
Sam Montembeault is a back up goalie with a career save percentage under 900.
This, for a 1st line center point per game player making less than half of what Carlsson, Celebrini and the future of the NHL will make at that position?
What would a trade like this look like the other way?
Let’s say the Jets wanted Suzuki (both him and Scheifele are 100 point 1st line centers last year, on similar contracts AAV-wise). Of course, the Canadiens would never trade him, and he is 5 years younger the Scheifele, so for this exercise, I will try to offer up a package similar, but better to compensate for the age difference.
Jets offer Cole Perfetti as the centerpiece of this trade for Suzuki. He has 4 years experience to Kapanen’s 1, and managed to produce over half a point per game for 3 of them (not counting his 18 game debut year).
Nino Neiderreitter, a UFA after this year with similar production to Dach, albeit, without any of the injuries that have plagued his entire career.
Stuart Skinner, with a save percentage just barely above 900, and 2 Stanley Cup final appearances.
So, what do you think habsfan?
Scheifele = Kapanen, Dach & Montembault
Suzuki = Perfetti, Neidereitter & Skinner.
Deal?
Wesley Sylvester,
I’ll start with my saying that Winnipeg wouldn’t make that trade.
I said I’d do it all day long- an expression usually meaning in this case that i find it favouring the Habs by a lot.
You want to show your dislike of the trade with these players as an example.
Suzuki- just turned 27 y/o $7.875M
Dach- 25 y/o $3.6M
Kapanen- just turned 23 y/o $942.5k
Montembeault- 29y/o in October $3.15M
Scheifele- 33y/o $8.5M
Perfetti-24y/o $6M
Neidereitte34y/o $4M
Skinner- 27y/o $3.75M
On the most simplistic level, the age and cost of the players doesn’t ad up, especially the centerpieces.
Of course, any Hab fan would make that trade, which is probably why it would never happen. Chevy would be lauged out of town if he sold Scheifle for pennies on the dollar. Almost every team in the NHL could beat that return, even if you through in Hage.
HF 30, you Don t think you can survive for a year with Evans,Kapanen,Danault and even Dach until Hagens arrives?
Spot on, Sr. Particularly when you add Suzuki to the list.
Sr,
I’m really not worried about the centre position at all this year, it’s only outside of Montreal where people are thinking of yesterday.
Kapanen had a good year despite a rotating cast of LW which is now going to be filled by Slafkovsky.
Caufield-Suzuki-Kreider
Slafkovsky-Kapanen-Demidov
is how the pre-season lines were, Kapanen scored 22G last year, more than Minten, Leonard, Demidov but he’s ignored outside Montreal.
My personal opinion(out on an island) Owen Beck is even better.
Regardless, Evans and Danault are perfectly fine in roles of 3rd and 4th line C, strong defensively, great faceoff, distribute well.
For the rest of you guys, I didn’t suggest the trade, Kypreos did, I said I’d take it from a Habs side and that the Jets wouldn’t.
As for the Dach comments, his name comes up in trades outside of Montreal usually as part of a package not from Hab sources or sites.
Two tears of the same ACL, to the MCL of the same knee, a fracture to his foot have held him back while playing 300 games in fits and starts so nobody has seen what he can be.
When he does play, like in these pre-season games he actually showed well, not that anybody wants to bother.
I’m not shy to say I didn’t think Dach should have been counted on for anything the last few years on account of his brutal injuries and hadn’t expected him to recover for anything close to game readiness.
Yeah, HF30, I think yours is a fair response. The first mistake some of us made is to give any credence to a Kypreos column (I usually never do; own goal!); the second was misreading your response to it. You didn’t deserve the blow back.
I agree with you habfan30, as a Mtl fan I would accept that in terms of getting a better asset but Wpg would NEVER EVER EVER accept that deal. Nor should they. What we take away from this topic is Kypreos just is a troll for clicks.
Regarding Scheifele I wouldn’t want him on my team at all. You brought in public enemy no.1 (Kreider) so don’t bring in no.2 in Scheifele. At that point may as well go bring Chara back from Czechia or Slovakia to complete the lineup of most hated players in the last 30 years in Mtl. At least with Kreider you don’t have Price still there. How would Evans feel about bringing in the guy who tried to decapitate him and never apologized (it’s true he didn’t go look it up).
Lastly, regarding Dach, he is the 13th fwd at this time but Hughes and Gorton (and MSL) just keep giving him chances because they don’t want to acknowledge the move was a catastrophic mistake. Would have been better off to keep the pick in 2022 and draft Nazar like Chi did with it. I see Dach as a piece that goes along with a pick/prospect package at the deadline for a rental 2C. A team rebuilding might take a flyer on him.
Forgot to add the deal I’d like to see including Dach is Dach (Alberta native) plus Struble to CGY for Zack Whitecloud. CGY is rebuilding so Dach can be, at worst, a placeholder if he doesn’t reach his ceiling and stay healthy. CGY could use another LD and Mtl could use a RD so it works for both sides literally. LOL
Df25
I don’t see Calgary trading Whitecloud though you’re right they are short LD and over RD.
I’d do Dach and Struble for Pachal and Brzustewicz
so will the Jets decide to blow it up? if Schiefele waives his NMC in addition to Hellyebuck, how soon before Connor leaves? Morrisson ?
WPG has had no luck in the postseason and that put a heavy weight on them last year, percolating into the Hellyebuck trade request. Maybe the team just needs a reset.
Cheveldayoff most likely knows that. But Jets ownership is probably standing in the way of that, afraid that would push away the remainder of Jets ticket holders, leading to the end of the franchise in Winnipeg.
Very tough situation
Lets try Morrissey, works better with respect
HF 30
Do you realize Dach entering his 8th season?
His per 82 game scoring is 14g 23a. I think he’s “proven” he’s a bottom 6 guy at best. Odds are against him breaking out.
That’s why he is included in every single trade proposal out of Montreal!
The guy has never hit 40 points and has missed roughly 50% of games in his career!
So if you add that 50+ his 38 point career year you get 88. Which is about where Montembeault sits over the last 5 years among goaltenders, which is why he is a no brainer to also add into every trade!!
By this math we can take Rempe , Korpisalo and Laffrienere and trade them for Celebrini!
I understand that the money does not align in that example, habfan30. I was comparing the quality of players in trade only to show what you admit is a lobsided trade.
Why do people suggest trades so lobsided that no GM would ever consider it? Seems insipid.
Because as evidenced by the content of this thread it causes people to talk and brings clicks. Those fellas know what they are doing. But at least on the positive side it trickles down to Lyle and brings content to keep things going.
Dach even broke his wrist at an exhibition game at the World Juniors
Does anything happen with Hellebuyck after Dec 1 Jan 1 ?
I know if he sits the year it gets added to the contract