NHL Rumor Mill – September 7, 2026
Which five players could hit the trade market if their teams get off to a slow start to this season? Are the Utah Mammoth a worthwhile destination for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert recently listed five players who should be on the trade market if their teams get off to a slow start this season.
Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).
Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators topped Lambert’s list. The 35-year-old center is in the final season of his contract. The previous management treated him as though he had a no-trade clause, but Lambert suggested current GM Chris MacFarland consider moving him if the Predators stumbled from the gate.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacFarland has shaken up the Predators roster since taking over as GM earlier this summer. O’Reilly could be a prime trade candidate if they struggled through the opening weeks of this season, though MacFarland would likely ask him for a list of destinations.
Zach Whitecloud could be a valuable trade chip for the rebuilding Calgary Flames if they start poorly. The 29-year-old defenseman carries an affordable $2.75 million average annual value through 2027-28.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames reportedly have no intention of trading Whitecloud after acquiring him in January from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Rasmus Andersson deal. He quickly adapted to his new team and fit in well, so much so that they see him as a mentor for their young defensemen. That doesn’t mean he won’t be moved if a rival club makes an irresistible offer, but it’s unlikely the Flames will peddle him if they start poorly.
Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann could be a trade option if his club decides to rebuild. The 30-year-old scoring forward is in the final season of his deal with a $5 million AAV.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann, defenseman Vince Dunn, and goalie Philipp Grubauer are UFA-eligible next summer. They’ll be prime trade candidates if management decides to retool or rebuild.
Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi could become available if the Jets trade franchise goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The 27-year-old winger is signed through 2030-31 with a $7.5 million AAV. He also lacks no-trade protection.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season could be teardown time for the Jets’ roster if they struggle without Hellebuyck between the pipes. They might prefer hanging onto Vilardi, but we can’t discount the possibility that he’ll be among the players they could make available this season.
Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers rounds out Lambert’s list. He believes it’s put-up-or- shut-up time for the 24-year-old winger, who has never really delivered on his promise since being chosen first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another inconsistent performance could see Lafreniere become available in the trade market. However, they’re unlikely to get a significant return given his erratic production and $7.45 million AAV through 2031-32.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara recently wondered if the Utah Mammoth would be interested in Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, provided the latter was willing to accept a trade to Utah.
O’Hara believed the Mammoth aren’t ready to go all-in on a big-ticket player like Hellebuyck. While they have the tradeable assets to make a competitive bid, they’re not yet a Stanley Cup contender, which has to be a consideration for potential destinations for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.
He also felt that maintaining the current process of building their roster toward potential championship contention would be better than trying to accelerate the process by sacrificing assets for an elite goalie.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebucyk is reportedly willing to consider a wide selection of teams as potential destinations, but we don’t know how many. My guess is 10, since his no-movement clause becomes a 10-team trade list after this season. We also don’t know which clubs would be his preferred landing spots, which explains the guessing game about where he might go.
Until we know Hellebuyck’s, we can’t rule out the Mammoth making a bid for him. They possess plenty of trade capital, and GM Bill Armstrong has shown in recent years that he’s willing to make significant moves to acquire veteran talent.
A bit surprised that Ryan Lambert’s list of “players who should be on the trade market if their teams get off to a slow start this season” wasn’t extended to 6 by the inclusion of RW Drake Batherson of the Senators.
Why, George? Are you expecting the Senators to start poorly this season? Because those are the type of teams Lambert was referring to.
Not for that reason in particular … just that, if he and his agent are indeed pushing for an 8-year extension at something in excess of $9 mil AAV (as has been reported) – making him the highest-paid player on he team (he’s good … but nowhere near that good) – he’d be pushing 38 in the final season. No thanks.
George, Batherson has been a bargain at just under 5m aav. Last 4 years has only missed 3 games. Points per 82 in 60’s. Don’t you think he’s earned a nice deal? Bday in April so an 8 year deal will expire at end of age 37 season. P Kane is 37 and just got 2 year deal for 8m per. He’ll be highest paid only cause of the crazy jump in salaries. Ottawa imo in a good place. They can afford that proposed deal you mentioned.
We’ll see, I guess, Slick62. As long as there’s no repeat of the down season following the signing of a long-term deal by Huberdeau in Calgary, Dubois in L.A., Seth Jones in Chicago and Phaneuf in Toronto.
I’d be surprised if Hellebuyck was traded between now and the start of the season. Teams may not be willing to shake up their lineups this close to the season. Same for Larkin.
not sure if I agree with your assessment that Utah isn’t in win-now mode. they have VERY solid depth in the forwards, a pretty good defense, it would seem goaltending could use an upgrade to Hellyebuck.
Utah owner wants the team to go for it, so I would consider the move for CH to be a shrewd move forward for the team.
Utah looks win now ready. Cossa should give Veggie good support in net. Will see how training camp turns out with Lee and Trochs fitting in
There is absolutely no way the Jets are trading Vilardi, total fantasy stuff
When players go public with their trade demands, they handcuff their GM’s by significantly decreasing their trade value.
Thus GM’s are forced to wait it out.
They won’t settle on a deal that’s good for the player, but not good for the organization.
We know Hellebuyck did and probably Larkin did as well give their trade demands in private with their respective GM’s. And I don’t blame either of them for going public.
From their perspective, they gave their GM’s adequate time to make a trade in private. And no trade was consummated.
The result.
The player utilizes his only leverage, which is going public.
IMO: The GM’s deserve what they get for not prioritizing a tradable asset properly. They must know that once the player goes public, they lose their trading leverage.
I don’t understand why they let this happen. Training camps open, and these two teams will have unhappy superstars in their locker rooms. It effects the entire team now. Not a good way to begin a new season.
I agree, but Chevy won’t let Hellebuyck go at a discount. He will hold out and let the player feel the wrath of the fans.
And that, if they struggle, can backfire by the team in general building resentment and a desire to get out of town themselves… same with Detroit and Larkin
George – which is why players who want out need to keep their desires between themselves and the team.
@Vinny I don’t know; it’s complicated. I can understand a player with two years or three years left on their deal notifying management that they don’t intend to re-sign. I can also understand a player with a no trade clause discretely notifying mgmt that it would be ok to be traded to a certain group of teams. But when they are signed to a contract I struggle with the idea that they can DEMAND to be traded.
It’s not as simple as that Vinny. When a player says they are going to only a few teams those teams don’t want to trade players off the roster as it wouldn’t make sense. They only want to trade prospects and picks. I’m sure Yzerman would have traded Larkin to Florida if Lundell was part of the package. If the player really wants out there are quite a few teams Yzerman could have traded Larkin to.. Those teams are Montreal, Utah and San Jose just to name a few. But Larkin wants to be in total control and force the team to make a bad trade. I would rather get fired for not making a bad trade than giving Larkin away for nothing.
No GM wants to keep a player who wants out but you just can’t accommodate the players and set your team back years.
Firstly the players request no trade contract to be included when they sign the said contract and they ask for a trade…to me its a violation of the contract they signed, therefore if
the player demands to be traded the clause should be invalid
Vinny P
Let’s be real…as much as Cheveldayoff may want to wait for the best deal…Winnipeg is not a desired destination for many NHLers.
Hellebuyck had a great Olympic performance but has looked very ordinary the last few NHL playoffs
Perhaps he has overestimated his position.
As much as he thinks so…he’s not dealing from a position of strength.
mikep I agree with your assessment.
GM Bill Armstrong has already brought in 2 veterans in Lee and Trocheck. Both of which are still offensively productive players.
They will have a tremendous influence on all of those young talented players in their organization. They are both leaders. Great job by Armstrong acquiring both of them.
To me, this indicates Armstrong is already operating in a win now mode.
Acquiring Hellebuyck wouldn’t surprise me in the least.
Besides, he also acquired Cossa this past off season, so he has the goalie assets to deal.
He’s the early favorite for GM of the Year, IMO.
Utah just gave up the 23rd pick in last draft for promising Detroit goalie Cossa. Would think they’d want to include Vejmelka and his 4.75m cap hit in a trade for Hellebuyck. Can’t see Jets wanting him. Still say he ends up in Detroit
Slick62 why would he want to go to that train wreck,if he intends to win!
Sr. Detroit finished with same amount of points as Utah. More points than a few other teams that have been suggested landing spots. Should’ve made playoffs. He’s a Michigan guy. Maybe he wants to be part of the solution there. They’re in best position to get deal done. Plenty of assets. Plenty of cap space.
Will a trade for Hellebuyck change Larkin ‘s mind about a trade request? A move like that is what Larkin has been looking for all along. With a small trade list to teams that don’t have the assets or cap space, was this a ploy to get the Wings to get off there duff and finally do something? Of course at the same time Larkin probably wore out his welcome with fans and management.
Maybe the management but Yzerman was kicked to the upstairs booth. I can tell you with 100% certainty that asking for a trade because he’s sick of losing hasn’t changed my opinion or anyone I play beer leagues opinion. Still better with him and if he’s still on the roster and plays game 1 of the season I’m cheering not booing.
Yzerman and his goalie fetish is gone. Detroit does not need another goalie.
Only if Tasarov or Gibson go the other way. Gibson not likely because of the ntc but having Helly and Gibson split the season gets two notoriously over worked goalies into 42 game in a year positions. Then next year it’s Helly and Postava or Augustine.
Doesn’t Ottawa always start slow ? The November winds have not been kind over the years You could also spell that wins
SilverSeven. you are correct for the most part when it comes to their record by the end of November for 4 of the past 5 seasons – although last season that did improve:
2021-22 – 4-14-1 9pts .237 47gs 73ga -26
2022-23 – 8-13-1 17pts .386 64gs 74ga -10
2023-24 – 8-9-0 16pts .471 60gs 59ga +1
2024-25 – 10-12-1 21pts .456 71gs 79ga -8
2025-26 – 12-9-4 28pts .569 82gs 75ga +7
They sure can’t suffer a relapse this season or else the collars could tighten to such an extent they could be out of it by Christmas.
As I posted the other day, if the WC cut off i again around 97 points, they only need to drop 3 from their total of 99 last season to drop among the also-rans. There’s precious little room for error.
Yes, I agree that utah is probably all in already wether that means acquiring hellebuyck or not; they want a hated rivalry between themselves and the Avalanche in order to profit ; hence the outdoor game will contribute to that
The Avalanche need to oblige them. I have always felt the Avalanche aren’t ready to play them a lot of the time. Now, with them being in utah v arizona that is now even a more
interesting matchup . With the additions they made over the summer will make the mammoth that much better and they already are a difficult team to play against. The Central Division is not for the faint of heart, lol!!!
Tommy boy,top4 is a gauntlet,rest of the division doesn t match 1-8 in the Atlantic!
IDK Sr, perhaps in the last year or so but in the last decade or more it’s been a slog. nashville, st.louis and chicago although they have regressed are not easy to play against regardless. it’s big boy hockey all the time and they always look forward to playing the avalanche because they want to see how they measure up IMO
The Atlantic is the toughest division in the NHL. Not even close!
I can tell you don’t watch many central division games Johnny Z
Only a 3-team race there
It is a 6-team dog fight in the Atlantic
Jets should sit Hellebuyck, you gain 8.7 million come December (they didn’t pick up Skinner, just because he was there they knew something as going on). If he accepts a trade anywhere then you move him. If not he sits gets no money. the tema moves on.
The team also has to consider how they treat him relative to the other players in the locker room. Playing hardball sounds good, but do you want to show the other players on the team how you treat a guy who has been carrying a load there for a long time?
Better to get a favorable deal and move on.
monkman1967, I don’t think the Jets gain any cap relief in December or any other month by simply sitting Hellebuyck.
Under the CBA, that tactic will not affect his cap hit. The only 3 ways to gain relief from his $8.7 mil hit is through a trade, having a reason to place him on LTIR, or by suspension. And that latter only applies if he refuses to report to training camp. Otherwise, he remains on the books.
not seeing Utah go after Helley unless he comes cheap (meaning not a top level prospect) they need their kids. I can see Larkin as he fills a big need as a 1c and is younger than Helley
If I’m Pittsburgh and they get off to slow start I ask
Sid , Malkin and Erik Karlsson to waive.