NHL Rumor Mill – October 2, 2026
In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes, Pavel Zacha, and Alexander Nikishin.
THE WAITING GAME CONTINUES FOR HELLEBUYCK AND THE JETS…
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets’ players have vowed goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s holdout won’t distract them this season. They are a younger, faster club, with confidence in the goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson.
Dreger also interviewed Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who said it was made clear during the conversations with Hellebuyck’s camp that it would take a while to find a suitable trade.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in August, hoping it would bring about a trade. So far, however, nothing has materialized. Cheveldayoff has repeatedly said his club is focused on remaining a contender and improving their team with the return he gets in a Hellebuyck trade.
Last month, Dreger’s colleague Pierre LeBrun reported the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Utah Mammoth were possible landing spots for Hellebuyck.
SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli wondered if Hellebuyck would consider a trade to the Edmonton Oilers, who are coming off a shaky start after Tristan Jarry gave up six goals in a 6-5 overtime loss to the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It didn’t get any better in goal for the Oilers in their rematch with the Canucks on Thursday. Backup Devon Levi allowed seven goals in a 9-7 win.
With Frederik Andersen sidelined until December with an injured knee, Seravalli wondered if the Oilers might consider making a play for Hellebuyck, and if the three-time Vezina Trophy winner would soften his stance.
The Jets could wait out Hellebuyck, who remains suspended without pay for not reporting to the team last month. They could also adjust their asking price if Skinner and Stevenson perform well between the pipes.
On the other hand, if goaltending becomes an issue for the Jets, they might have to take Jarry as part of the return to send Hellebuyck to Edmonton. The Oilers are also short on salary-cap space and trade capital.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ultimately, Seravalli considers it a long shot for Hellebuyck to land in Edmonton. Meanwhile, it appears this situation could drag on for some time until an opportunity arises that meets Cheveldayoff’s asking price.
…AND FOR THE WILD AND QUINN HUGHES
TSN: Turning to Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, Pierre LeBrun believes general manager Bill Guerin will remain patient as the 26-year-old superstar continues to mull over his future.
Hughes is UFA-eligible next summer. The Wild hope to re-sign him to a long-term extension. However, the blueliner isn’t in a rush to make a decision.
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report the Wild’s Stanley Cup window will depend, in the short term, on whether Hughes stays or goes.
If Hughes won’t re-sign, Guerin will have to consider “the nightmare scenario”: trading the former Norris Trophy winner a year after giving up a hefty return to get him. The loss of Hughes’ defense partner Brock Faber (fractured skull) could also factor into his decision.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: There is plenty of time for Hughes to make a decision. A solid performance by the Wild, even with Faber sidelined, could convince him that they are his best chance to win the Stanley Cup over the next several years.
Guerin gambled that Hughes could be swayed into re-signing with the Wild. He gave up a lot to get him, and now risks losing him for nothing to free agency, which could be a significant setback for the Wild, unless he can get a substantial return for him before the March 1 trade deadline.
UPDATES ON PAVEL ZACHA AND ALEXANDER NIKISHIN
TSN: Chris Johnston reports contract extension talks have taken place between the Boston Bruins and Pavel Zacha. The 29-year-old two-way center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.
However, the two sides haven’t found the right salary numbers as contracts skyrocket with the rising salary cap.
Johnston suggested Zacha’s situation could be worth watching. He could find himself the subject of trade speculation as one of the few top-six centers potentially available.
For now, Zacha’s in no rush and remains focused on his game, while the Bruins still hope to re-sign him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould writes that Zacha and Morgan Frost of the Calgary Flames headline a very thin market for free-agent centers next summer. “It’s a list populated by a handful of fading stars in their mid-to-late-30s, followed by a collection of bottom-six forwards of various ages.”
If the Bruins can’t re-sign Zacha, he could fetch a significant return before the March 1 trade deadline.
MAYOR’S MANOR: Scott Coffman looked at what it might take for the Los Angeles Kings to acquire defenseman Alexander Nikishin from the Carolina Hurricanes.
Nikishin, 25, is a restricted free agent who requested a trade following the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run. The Hurricanes’ asking price is reportedly two first-round picks or something comparable.
Coffman reports the Kings and Hurricanes discussed Nikishin at the 2026 NHL Draft in June. The asking price then was a 2026 first-rounder, a young NHL roster player, and one of the Kings’ top prospects.
Given the new price, Coffman speculated the Kings would have to give up their 2027 first-round pick and either Henry Brzustewicz or Elton Hermansson. With Nikishin seeking an AAV of between $7 million and $9 million, the Kings would have to move out two contracts to make the dollars fit.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: It won’t be easy for the Kings to move out those contracts. Coffman suggested Cody Ceci and Trevor Moore, but acknowledged finding takers for them would be difficult.
They could also have trouble outbidding a club with more trade capital like the St. Louis Blues, who’ve been linked to Nikishin for months in the rumor mill.
Here’s my proposals on trades for the guys that have asked to be traded. I’m a Habs fan so my team bias has no impact on these deals, they are just what looks to make sense to me.
Larkin deal:
To Min = Larkin (8.7M) + Hronek (7.25M) + Gibson @ 50% (3.2M) with Faber on LTIR frees up 8.5M
To Det = Pettersson (8.6M) + Gustavsson (6.8M) + Stramel (1.0M)
To Van = Hartman (4.0M) + Maatta (3.5M) + Yurov (0.9M) + Sandin-Pellikka (0.95M) + retains 3M on Pettersson + 1st round pick from Min
Det then still has about 14M to sign Edvinsson and they get legit players for Larkin and aren’t rebuilding (yet). Van cuts the salary even though they take a couple salary dumps back in Hartman and Maatta but they get some good pieces for their rebuild. Only issue is Hartman and Maatta have NTC and Van is likely on both.
Hellebuyck & Nikishin deal:
To Car = Hellebuyck (8.5M), Neighbours (3.75M x 1 yr then RFA)
To StL = Nikishin (9M new deal)
To Wpg = Jarvis (7.4M) + Kochetkov (2M now and 2 more years at 3.95M)
To make room StL sends Krug to a team with cap space (maybe Van) or a team that will use LTIR (maybe Leafs or Flo if Barkov is out a while). Car gets Neighbours (who is on the 3rd line in StL) to replace Jarvis in addition to Hellebuyck. Wpg gets a native of Manitoba in Jarvis and goes forward with Skinner and Kochetkov tandem. Jarvis and Kochetkov do not have NTC.
Thoughts everyone?
I dont see the canucks interested in moving EP in a dump.
He is not blocking a youngster, not holding cap space they need, centers of any calibre are hard to acquire. With him or without him the canucks season will be comparable (expected bottom5/bottom 10 team). He is skilled and you want your younger players to develop playing with skill.
He is also off to a productive start…be patient. His value can only go up.
You dont sell low unless you have to. And I say all of this as someone who is not a fan of the team or player.
Well Drive I like it when people post there trade ideas. To me this is fun, interesting and sometimes laughable.
You put some work into that trade proposal and imo it’s real close.
Saying that I lean into the Carolina side for my money.
Let’s do it finally and move forward it’s been too long
Drive for25. Give me a couple of scenarios if the Bruins trade Zacha!
I dont see Carolina trading Jarvis or it would have been done by now without the need of a 3rd team.
Plus the Jets dont need Kochetkov. They have Skinner & Clay, wheres Clay going to go? The Jets have zero goals against right now, they dont need goaltending help =)
Atleast your trade recognizes the Jets need for 2nd line help, which is more than the ‘experts’ understand.
Carolina isn’t giving up their RW1 for a (nice) piece that they don’t even need.
Drive for 5, as I’ve stated here before it would be bad business for the Blues to aquire a dman and pay him more than Broberg. No problem with trading Neighbors although he’s part of the leadership group but not to get someone that wrecks your salary structure.
The Canes are not trading Jarvis, maybe as part of a package if it would net them Werenski in a deal, but not for Helle. He certainly is on the Jets wish list though.
Still the best option for the Canes to net Helle is flipping Nikishin and others and having a 3rd team like LA or Stl in the mix to satisfy the Jets.
Helle to Car
Nikishin to Stl
Parayko, Neighbors, Nadeau, Car protected 1st to Wpg
Vancouver made out pretty well in that Hughes trade. It’s only 2 games but:
Rossi 3g 1a. Ohgren 2a. Buium 1st pair over 22 minutes per game. Used 1st rd pick on Novotney who starts season on OHL and has 4g 3a in 4 games. Have to wonder if Wild would’ve been better off. 4 good players for a guy who’s obviously the best player in deal but might bolt at end of season. If he doesn’t leave you’re going to have to pony up close to 20m per
Yeah, I’m liking that Canuck return, they’ve done a textbook job of acquiring high end assets for a superstar who wasn’t going to sign there, well done.
Well, if Hughes leaves Minnesota then the trade won’t have paid off for the Wild. That was part of the risk on their side. Very unlikely the Wild can recover anywhere near the same value if they’re trading Hughes at the deadline.
The new Canucks are playing well so far. Buium might develop into a good top pairing D, but it will take time.
Agree East Van Fan.
I get that this is an extremely difficult decision for Guerin as they are trying to win a cup and Hughes is a great player.
If it was me, I would have been very clear with Hughes early this summer that you would need to look at offers and trading him if they got a good one. Try and force a decision, because you need to know.
He knows he plays on a good team already, in a excellent hockey market, so if isn’t yet able to decide you have to wonder why and if he will stay. If we have learned anything of the last couple years, if they won’t commit there is a good chance they are moving on.
I dunno, and I’m just guessing but the risk seems too high to roll the dice and to me this feels like he’s leaving. And even if you knew he was, it’s still a tough call.
Theres zero chance oilers trade for Hellebuyck!!
They have nothing the Jets want and Hellebuyck wants to go to a contender and the oilers are not.
Nobodys going to edmonton. We’ve been hearing it all through mcdavids time there. They’ll be signing the big ufa or trade for a super star and it never happens.
edmonton is like Winnipeg, theyre the #1 places players avoid. Its just a fact of NHL life.
Swami I just shake my head when I see talk of Oilers getting Helly & if Jets take Jarry. Sheeeesh Oilers will have to attach a 1st to get rid of Jarry cap dump like they did with Mangi. I also scratch my head when I read Zacha could get a haul for the Bruins come March 1 but the Wild will get nothing for Hughes. Hughes as a rental will get a haul for some contender. The may not get what they gave away but they did purchase almost 2 years of Quinn & a good shot at extending him.
Agree boys, Helley isn’t a fit for the Oil and would be shocked if the Oil even called, so who cares if Helley would go there. They can’t afford an $8.5M tender, especially a malcontent.
So neither side wants or can afford the other, nothing to see here.
IMO Jets fans will be disappointed in the return for Helley.
Swami, for a guy who usually has quality posts, misfired on this one. Players are not avoiding Edmonton I could list a dozen guys who have come to Edmonton or extended here, some good, some depth, some misses. But they all chose to come or stay here.
As far as superstars, they’re good, no room for more in the cap world. Speaking of wanting to be in Edmonton, McDavid, Draisaitl, Bouchard, Nuge have all re-signed past UFA years. Hyman came as one.
I could list a bunch more if you like, but you get the point.
Carolina does not need Hellebuyck with a good young tandem. They could trade Nikishin for a second line center and move Stankoven back to wing. That could break up the top scoring line that led them to the cup, so that’s does not seem feasible. They should look around for other forwards that can help them be a more physical team in a tough division. Let’s go back to back Caniacs
When it comes to these silly trades, Jarvis from Canes for no reason on earth, then I need to get some of that good stuff you are smoking while tying away. But seriously can I get some? It is becoming clear that any Larkin trade, or Hellebuck trade needs the help of a third team, even a 4th. There are few direct team to team fits. One that might fit is Connor H. to Panthers for Markstrom who has a short one year deal and would offer the Jets a 1-2 punch for this year, while I am also asking Panthers to throw in Loustarainen, spelled wrong I know. He is a solid 2 way forward who can get you 20-30 with ice time. As for Larkin there is no way Wings can trade him without getting a center back. I have said this before. Wings cant tank. When they do you will see a ton of empty seats and give people no reason to attend a game after dark in downtown Detroit. Now for the Quinn Hughes issue, Minny needs to make the move before Christmas to maximize value. I see him going to a contender for prospects and picks before he ends up next season at the destination team called the Devils. The top teams are short on 1st rounders so Minny will need to get young skill back. thx
Given the ask for Nikishin, maybe the Leafs do have a chance.
They have Colorado’s 1st, but that would be a low 1st. And they have Tinus Luc Koblar who may be better then a 1st because a first doesn’t always pan out.
I’m not saying Koblar is a sure-thing, but he’s looking very good in his development.
Given that LA is not in the East, that might mean the price is higher for Toronto, so I wonder if Colorado’s 1st, Koblar, and another prospect could get it done, while not having to give up Danford.
If Utah is a possible destination for Hellebuyck then so is Colorado. I can’t see Cheveldayoff trading him in-division but the longer it drags on, the more it becomes a distraction, regardless of what the team says.
The problem for Winnipeg is that all of their potential trade partners have starting goalies with some trade protection. I wouldn’t be shocked to find out that Winnipeg is on all of those goalies’ no-trade lists. If Peg isn’t on Blackwood’s list, I could see Colorado dealing him and Josh Manson for Helley.
re;fiskshun
I think the Jets are letting him sit abit just for spite.
JETS DONT NEED A STARTER!!!
If they were looking for goaltending help, why would they have signed Skinner and pick up Clay off waivers???
Why would the Jets want Manson??? They need 2nd line help not a 3rd pairing almost retired defenceman.
You obviously have no idea about trades or what the Jets need.
why would the Jets trade the best goalie on the planet for 2 nothings?????
Don’t hold back, Swami. Tell me how you really feel.
To be clear, if Chevelayoff trades him in the division, it’ll probably cost him his job. There’s also the knock on Helley that he shrinks in the playoffs, Olympics aside. That, plus Helley’s desire to go to a contender hurts any possible return.
Unless Tampa offers a straight-up swap of Vasilevskiy for Helley, Winnipeg will be getting a lower tier goalie in return. The Jets only real leverage is cap space.
re:fikshun
Its frustrating to read so called experts spout nonsense when it comes to the Jets. Like friedman saying the Jets want nikishin but he wont go to Winnipeg. When in fact Jets dont need him, they need help with the second like and theres no way Cheveldayoff would ever pay him the crazy money he’s looking for.
Then theres people who offer trades that make no sense for the Jets and then say the Jets have no options.
As frustrating as Cheveldayoff can be, one thing he does is good trades. So this is an area i have some faith in him to get a good return.
And theres no way Cheveldayoff is getting fired. Plus I dont see him trading within the division. The aves dont have anything that will help the Jets & utah is not a contender even with Hellebuyck.
Again Jets dont need a goalie!!!
Puckpedia is your friend.
Zacha isn’t going anywhere unless Minty or Hagens play give the Bruins no choice. And that’s even if he doesn’t resign. The Bruins will hold on to him for the playoffs like they did DeBrusk.Zacha is literally their most versatile forward. He plays all 3 forward positions well he is also on the PP and PK. Even if Boston aren’t contenders they are in win now mode. I highly doubt he’s moved. Yes anything can happen but my gut says he stays this year