Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 27, 2026
In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, we look at the latest on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko, and Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman’s recent report suggesting the Sharks may have “kicked tires” on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.
The 33-year-old Hellebuyck revealed last month that he requested a trade. He’s currently suspended without pay by the Jets for refusing to report to training camp.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.7 million. He has a full no-movement clause until July 1, after which it reverts to a 10-team trade list.
Friedman believes it’s a question of whether Hellebuyck believes the Sharks can become a winner while he’s still at his peak.
Peng wondered if the Sharks should take a chance on Hellebuyck. He speculated that it could cost them a first-round pick, winger Collin Graf, and goalie Yaroslav Askarov. “That’s a high price for an aging, expensive goaltender,” Peng wrote.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sharks general manager Mike Grier was likely doing due diligence by contacting the Jets to inquire about Hellebuyck. However, I agree with Peng that the asking price is too high for the Sharks. By the time the Sharks are contenders, Hellebuyck could be past his prime.
The Sharks seem content to stick with their current tandem of Askarov and Alex Nedeljkovic this season. That might change if they struggle or injuries strike, but for now, they still believe in Askarov as their starter.
THE SICK PODCAST: Nick Lariviere did a round-up of reports about the trade rumors swirling around Columbus Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.
Lariviere noted the Montreal Canadiens were among the most aggressive suitors for Marchenko. An NHL scout speculated it could cost the Canadiens a “solid middle-six forward and/or a top-four defenseman.” However, the scout wondered if they’re willing to risk the chemistry they currently have.
Kevin Paul Dupont of The Boston Globe believes it could cost the Bruins a promising young forward like Fraser Minten or James Hagens, a first-round pick, and another young asset like Mason Lohrei or better.
Long-time NHL analyst and co-host of The Eye Test Podcast listed the Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, Vegas Golden Knights, and New York Rangers as possible landing spots for Marchenko.
Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman mentioned the Canadiens, Golden Knights, New York Islanders, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Seattle Kraken as potential suitors.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canadiens’ interest in Marchenko may have waned since signing Chris Kreider earlier this month. Of course, they could still keep tabs on his availability and the asking price, but they don’t seem to be currently in a rush to make a big addition to their roster.
The asking price will be a sticking point for any club interested in Marchenko. Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell insists he doesn’t want a return of futures, preferring instead a comparable young scorer. Because Marchenko will be a restricted free agent next summer, Waddell isn’t facing the same pressure to move him as he would if the winger were UFA-eligible.
CASINO.ORG: NHL insider Frank Seravalli reports sources claim the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames are among the teams interested in Montreal Canadiens forward Kirby Dach.
According to Seravalli, multiple teams offered the Canadiens a second-round pick for Dach, who has struggled through injuries during his tenure in Montreal. However, the Canadiens sought more immediate help and could use him as a trade chip to land a bigger fish like Blue Jackets winger Kirill Marchenko.
Seravalli claimed the Oilers’ interest in Dach “bordered on drooling.” He noted that the 25-year-old forward was drafted by Oilers general manager Stan Bowman when he was GM of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2019. Bowman feels a poor run of bad luck due to injuries has prevented Dach from reaching his full potential.
Meanwhile, the Flames are believed to be interested in Dach “to play in concert with someone like Morgan Frost.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dach could become available if promising Florian Xhekaj earns a roster spot because of his strong preseason play. However, as Seravalli observed, the Canadiens could send the waiver-exempt Xhekaj back to Laval to start the season, wait for a better offer for Dach, and recall him after Dach has been traded.
As for the Oilers’ rumored interest in Dach, Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal believes they should proceed with caution, given the risk in acquiring an oft-injured player. The same advice applies to the Flames.
Who’d have thought that there were hockey execs out west interested in Kirby Dach??????
Shocker eh.
No way the Bruins give up Minten after signing him to a seven year deal PLUS Lorei and more. Also Sweeney never gets players when he has to compete with other teams to acquire. He is way too afraid of losing his job which he should with his tendency to give fourth liners like Jeannot and others player-friendly contracts and then having little cap space to sign better players .
Barry’s,Sweeney signs players so they can crawl into the playoffs,satisfying management because all they want is playoff revenues!
I could be wrong, but I don’t see Waddell trading anyone for Dach. Why would the Jackets want an injury prone center when one of the team’s strengths is the center position?
HF 30, many hockey people take on the idea that they can bring out what is missing in a player once he gets that big time reputation. You guys have a nice situation if they are drilling over Dach. Of course some teams might compare him to Morgan Geekie when he got his shot to be put in offensive situations he has recorded 33 and 39 goals the last 2 seasons. Doesn t hurt to be playing a lot with Pasternak!
I understand the allure of Dach for the Oilers , that elusive right hand center, a dynamic the team has long yearned for. it simply depends on the cost of the acquisition should the path be taken.
Somewhat related, on the other hand, Owen Michaels also a right hand center has stuck around camp right to the end. Longer than anyone expected i would say making the most of his opportunity with Dickinson injured he may more likely start the season with the big club than not.
I suspect he returns to the AHL to get more minutes as a pro with a healthy roster but for the first time in a long time, I feel the oilers farm club has legitate options for call ups and likely a number of future nhlers. Granted these range from middle 6 to depth players but still. Bowman has done well stocking the cupboards from alternatives to the draft.
Anyway kinda of a tangent there but as a guy that mourns the end of each summer the season being a few days away makes it a tad more bearable.