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.