NHL Rumor Mill – June 24, 2026
Check out the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Jason Robertson, Morgan Rielly, Jake DeBrusk, Kirill Marchenko, and much more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE LATEST ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK
TSN: Darren Dreger reports there’s some interest in goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, though not as much as Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff would want at this point. Dreger thinks a number of teams have made inquiries, including the Florida Panthers, but the offers simply haven’t been good enough.
Dreger also pointed out that the Jets aren’t in a rush to move Hellebuyck, who is signed through 2030-31. To get him moved, the offers must improve.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers lack sufficient trade assets to land Hellebuyck. The Jets would likely want center Anton Lundell as part of the return, but the Panthers don’t want to part with him. They would also have to free up cap space to absorb his $8.125 million cap hit, and it’s doubtful that the Jets would retain any part of it.
FRANKLY HOCKEY: NHL insider Frank Seravalli suggested the Panthers, Utah Mammoth, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks, Detroit Red Wings, and Buffalo Sabres as possible landing spots for Hellebuyck.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That’s assuming any of those clubs would be acceptable destinations for Hellebuyck, who has a full no-movement clause. Some of them probably are, but you can make cases for and against each of them.
WILL THE STARS RE-SIGN OR TRADE JASON ROBERTSON?
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Dallas Stars are expected to make their best, perhaps final offer to Jason Robertson. The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, and is a year away from UFA eligibility.
Dreger noted there’s been a lot of interest in Robertson, with speculation about a possible sign-and-trade scenario. There’s also the threat of an offer sheet. He could also end up going to arbitration, getting a one-year arbiter-awarded contract, and then departing next summer as a free agent.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Since his rookie campaign in 2020-21, Robertson has become one of the highest-scoring players in the league. It’s rumored he’s seeking a deal comparable to the eight-year contract ($12 million AAV) signed by teammate Mikko Rantanen last year. That’s put the cap-strapped Stars into a bind, which is why he’s popped up so much in trade and offer-sheet rumors.
If they re-sign Robertson, they’ll have to move a player or two in cost-cutting deals. It could also make young RFA forward Mavrik Bourque a tempting target for an offer sheet.
UPDATE ON THE MAPLE LEAFS
TSN: Darren Dreger reports the agent for Toronto Maple Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly submitted a list of four preferred trade destinations in the Western Conference. “This will be a team-by-team assessment, and depending on the fit, there could be some flexibility to add teams to the list.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Rielly, 32, has been the subject of frequent media trade chatter for weeks. He has a full no-movement clause, giving him control over where he can go. As of this writing, there was no indication of what clubs he’s willing to join, but the Anaheim Ducks, San Jose Sharks, and Utah Mammoth are teams that could use some experienced blueline depth.
Rielly isn’t the only Leafs defenseman in the rumor mill. Dreger’s colleague, Chris Johnston, mentioned that Brandon Carlo has surfaced in trade speculation.
SHARKS LISTENING ON SECOND OVERALL PICK
TSN: Chris Johnston reports the San Jose Sharks are still entertaining offers for the second-overall pick in this year’s draft. He claimed they’re getting serious interest in that pick, but it would take a substantial offer to pry it away from them.
SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: Sheng Peng believes Sharks general manager Mike Grier isn’t done making moves in the trade market. He speculated that Grier could use the No. 9 pick in this year’s draft as trade bait to acquire an established defenseman, pointing out that the Sharks GM was reportedly interested in Bowen Byram before his trade to Chicago on Tuesday.
Peng suggested Filip Hronek of the Vancouver Canucks as a trade option, suggesting that the No. 9 pick would be a suitable centerpiece for a deal. He also wondered if they might package the No. 2 and 9 picks to Columbus for Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski is scheduled to meet with the Blue Jackets after the draft to discuss his future. That makes it unlikely that the Sharks will make that package offer unless Werenski forces the issue before the first round of the draft on Friday.
MORE TRADES COMING FOR THE DEVILS?
TSN: Chris Johnston noted the New Jersey Devils received two future first-round picks in the Simon Nemec trade with the Calgary Flames. They also hold the No. 35 pick in this year’s draft.
Johnston wouldn’t be surprised if they use those picks as trade bait in a larger deal for an established player.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Devils GM Sunny Mehta wasn’t interested in rebuilding the roster when he recently took over his new job. He’ll likely use those picks to pursue a scoring forward.
UPDATES ON JAKE DEBRUSK AND KIRILL MARCHENKO
THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston reports that a source claims that Vancouver Canucks winger Jake DeBrusk doesn’t want to return to the Eastern Conference. The 29-year-old winger has a full no-movement clause, and while he wouldn’t be opposed to a trade, he’s not willing to go everywhere.
Trade rumors linked DeBrusk to the Ottawa Senators, but it appears that’s unlikely if he wants to remain in the West.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That could partly explain why the Senators acquired William Eklund from the Sharks. If they were interested in DeBrusk, they might’ve been told that he wasn’t available.
THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports teams have been calling the Columbus Blue Jackets about Kirill Marchenko. He stated that the Jackets aren’t shopping the 25-year-old winger and want to retain him, but his name has come up when other general managers make inquiries.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Like most general managers, Don Waddell is willing to listen to trade offers for most of his players. That doesn’t mean he’s going to move them. It would take a substantial pitch to tempt him.
If you notice there has been almost no mention of Bruins rumors because of Sweeney lack of aggressiveness. This is typical of him-he waits until many players that would benefit the team are gone before he acts with fewer choices of players in both trades and free agents.
Joined by Steve Yzerman in Detroit. Is this guy gone fishing somewhere in the wilds of Northern Ontario?
Joined by Drury in New York who is simply out to lunch.
I have to agree with you on this after the end of the season press conference. I thought things might be different but after seeing some of the huge trades already. I mean honestly there’s no way we we’re going to get Brady, but Kyrou, Byram, etc Getting what’s left isn’t good enough this time around I’ve seen it happen every year.
I’m a bit concerned right now. If you thought the fans at bs games last years were noisy against Sweeney if he comes away again with utility players. He’s going to have an uncomfortable year. I hope Sweeney gets something I’d rather him pick a good D and maybe 2nd line Just make the team competitive.
If the Sharks are lookng for a Dman, couldn’t they trade their 2nd at this point, and use the 9th pick to get a very highly projected D in the draft.
I keep hearing that there are at least 5 defensive players that are projected to be top pairing defenseman in the NHL. Wouldn’t one of those still be available at #9
Sure there could be or not but are you willing to wait it out until they become that player? These players are only 18 and you can’t expect any of them becoming a top defender on your team at least 5 yrs from now. Picks are futures or trade assets. If the Sharks want to be a playoff bound team, those picks may help them in the future, especially if they pop on their pick but those picks won’t help them now. That’s the choice.
I believe, if the player you can get today is what the picked player will be and you’re timing is now, make that trade, if not it might be better to wait it out with your picks.
They should have moved on Nemec…seems like exactly the player they were after.
Makes great sense. Or maybe a Misa plus move to go after a Big Z…I mean big D.
They wouldn’t have traded Eklund if they weren’t picking Stenberg, simple as that
Maybe they’re going after Knies with #2 to replace Eklund?
I’m surprised they didn’t use #2 to get Byrum and Kesselring from Buffalo.
Grier’s recent quote sounds like its not that simple.
I wonder if the sharks would go for one on one trade with Toronto ….to the sharks Matthews for the second pick in this year draft Stenberg imagine McKenna and Stenberg together….Toronto will probably loose Matthews anyway
You need another top center. Maybe Larkin for #2,9 and Misa.
3 top centers is a must to dream of SC.
With John Gibson as their starting goalie and 4 solid backup prospects, the last thing Detroit needs is Hellebuyck. I can see that Detroit has players the Jets could use but I can’t see Detroit making that trade.
Gibson only has a year left, Compared with 5 years with Hellebuyck.
If Hellebuyck wants to come home. I’d rather have him than John Gibson who’s always injured.
Gibson turns 33 in July and has 1 season left at a cap hit of $6.4 mil.
Hellebuyck is also 33 and costs $8.5 mil off the cap to 2031 when he’ll be 38 y/o.
#2 OA and Misa for J Robertson
or….
#9 and #27 and Misa and Quinton Musty for Robo
Or…..
#27 and Ferraro’s signing rights for M Rielly (1M retained)
2,9,27 to the leafs for Mathews, who says no?
The sharks.
100%. They are looking for D, not more forwards. If I was Vancouver I’d ask Heonek if he was keen on a Sharks trade and see if they’d bite with some additional picks.
I really believe the Leafs need a major culture change. With this years draft looking strong what could they do if they traded both matthews and Nylander. (no way the Leafs win with either of them) If the Leafs cleared house they could own at least 3 picks in the top 5 and bring in some great young talent. They could secure the 2nd and 4th plus additional NHL ready talent and reset their future. With McKenna on the way, the rebuild should start now.
Captain Lou, Chayka has no doubt done his due diligence on both Matthews and Nylander to at least see if there was any interest from teams that would entice either of them to waive their full NMC.
But the top teams not only have limited cap space left, but virtually all still have their own internal signings to complete, and may not be willing to part with a high-end cap recipient to make room and that the Leafs would necessarily want. And at the same time Chayka is apparently trying to find a new home for Rielly who also has a hefty cap hit, not to mention a full NMC.
The problem is that McKenna will only replace Marner and the Leafs need to add defense a real no 1 Goalie and grind. As long as they keep putting everything on their offense, nothing will change (Same thing for the Oilers)
They have become two peas in a pod East and West, haven’t they?
Toronto says no. They would want established players for Mathews
Maybe we are entering an eta where draft capital is worth a little less. First time a top 5 has been moved in how long? Number 9 and multiple firsts thrown around with B Tkachuk the only player with some
productive certainty.
STL and SJ can’t be talking all those picks. Stayed tuned
It’s rare SilverSeven.
You have to go back 18 years to 2008 when the NYI sent the 5th overall to Toronto (who used it to select Luke Schenn), while the Islanders used the 7th obtained from the Leafs to again trade down, this time with Nashville, All told NY assembled 4 extra picks in that draft, including the 9th overall which they used to take Josh Bailey.
Before that, it went all the way back to 2003 when Florida dealt the 1st overall to Pittsburgh for the 3rd overall and Mikael Samuelsson. The Penguins drafted goalie Marc-Andre Fleury while Florida drafted Nathan Horton.
I think part of that is because it’s an extremely weak ufa. Quite a few top drafting teams want to get better without subtracting from their roster and need to experienced players to help them like the shark, leafs and hawks.
I suspect the value of these picks are actually higher with deep prospect pool and sparse free agent crop.
GMs can still stock prospect cupboards with their 2nd and 3rd round rounders.
Send 1st for top end now player vs waiting 1-2 years on forward development, 4-5 on dmen.
Lots of teams felt they where 2-3 games from being in playoffs. Or 2-3 games from being out. Whole middle of league trying to make push
Would Hellebuyck go to Edmonton? He would be the missing piece, they have cap space not sure what they would offer the Jets but Bowman should be all over it,
I seriously can’t see the Jets trading their star goalie to the team that has ruined every chance they’ve had at Stanley Cup success.
Edmonton doesn’t have any draft capital to trade back. Not much of anything the Jets need. The Jets need another year and to be a bit younger.
“According to one NHL source, the Stars had offered Robertson a contract of eight years with $12 million AAV, which would match the contract they handed Mikko Rantanen after acquiring the winger from the Hurricanes. Multiple reports have speculated that Robertson could be seeking upward of $14 million AAV — the same cap number his new agent, Andy Scott, secured for Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton two years ago.”
Trade him to the Hawks! They over pay!
Who goes to HOF first? Hage or Knies?
Saw a rumor going around Drury was abducted by aliens.
Did that happen while he was fishing somewhere in the wilds of Northern Ontario with Sweeney and Yzerman?
George. All I read since deadline was how Drury looking to take big swings in the offseason. Crickets. Nothing on Trochek. Nothing on Schneider. 3 players they had been connected to have been moved. Maybe it’s for better but they need help.
Kekalainen has said Tuch won’t be back in Buffalo. Wished him well.
Slick62
I’d say Knies because he can probably walk to the HOF from his downtown condo 🤪
In all seriousness, if the sticking point in that deal was Hage I’m not sure who would regret it more, Hughes or the Leafs.
Hage MAY turn into an excellent C in a few years. Knies IS a very good LW but not really something Montreal really needs. Although Anderson is getting up there in age.
If Montreal’s 1st round picks were closer to the 10-15 spot instead of the 25-30 spot they’d hold more value. It’s tough to trade proven NHL talent for prospects, no matter how good they are.
With Tuch out of BUF, I wonder if they take another run at Knies with that #4 pick?
4 would seem to be an overpay from Jarmo, but I would not be surprised if #20 was in play as part of a package.
Rielly has listed 4 Western Conference teams as places he was willing to go to.
What if he listed Colorado, Dallas, Minnesota and Vegas?
He hasn’t won a Cup yet. He didn’t have to make it easy on the Leafs by giving them teams that may have cap space or a need for a defenseman.
He and his agent could be playing the media game by appearing to help the Leafs (even though he doesn’t want to go) So, he gives them a next to impossible list to move him.
Leafs pundits can spin this into a trade to San Jose, Anaheim or Vancouver……but, there is nothing more officially out there than 4 WC teams.
BigAl6884, Lebrun thinks Anaheim and San Jose are 2 of the 4. Both have huge cap reserves.
And, Vegas has less than 5 million left right now to sign 8 players – and have 8 UFAs to make a decision on. Hard to see how they fit Reilly’s 7.5 million into their cap for a player in decline.
Dallas is struggling to fit Robertson in and Reilly as a D doesn’t replace him.
Don’t see a fit for Manny, they are looking for a center.
Colorado has 7 players to sign to fill out its roster with decisions to make on Burns and Kulak. Don’t see a fit there either.
There is a bit of arrogance when a player submits a very small list of teams he is willing to go to. The assumption is, oh, they would love to have me. Even if that were so, the players we are seeing doing this come with cap implications and other players to consider.
Case in point: Larking having to extend his list of destinations very shortly after having only three.
The arrogance also might be that the player values himself way too high.
three more years at 7.5…the Leafs are paying someone to take him…not the other way around
Guys seriously? I don’t think Larkin expanded his list and as much as you can dislike a team, does not mean a player on said team sucks because if for nothing else, he plays for that team.
I don’t agree it has anything to do with arrogance…that’s a bit far fetched and silly.
The reality, like it or not, if this league continues to expand, there won’t be enough good players to stock a championship team, especially when they start to content. Players see this and if you’re not on a good team now, you may never be. I think that’s what a lot of these prime years stars are looking at and they want a chance to win which it might not be where they are currently at.
LJ, Andy Strickland reports that Petro is 100% healthy and plans on playing next year. This adds to Vegas’s cap problem.
Then even less reason for Vegas to be interested Vegas, Snold49.
Ron: it is in the public record that Larkin expanded his trade list from the initial three. This is easily checked on the internet:
https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/official-dylan-larkin-expanded-trade-143851884.html
Silly of me to suggest Larkin was arrogant thinking one of the original three would want him? If you say so. But this is not the first time that I have heard you characterize opinions different from yours as silly. Why, I wonder?
LeBrun speculated that based on their cap space. But, that is all that he can go on.
Chayka has now come out and said that Rielly, in all likelyhood would be a Leaf this season.
If that is the case, it may have something to do with the list that he provided.
If it is the 4 teams I originally stated, then Chayka knows that he has a very slim chance of moving Rielly.
Not sure Rielly really wants to go. That is why I am thinking that he gave them 4 teams that are extreme long shots in taking him.
Tuch sign and trade with Caps
10.5 x 8 years
This after taking on Kyrou?
Yep
https://www.sportsnet.ca/nhl/article/capitals-acquiring-alex-tuch-in-sign-and-trade-with-sabres/
So now what exactly is Drury planning on doing. Who could possibly be left for him to target that will actually improve the Rangers and at least get them back into the playoffs? Every player they have been linked to has already been moved. This is looking to be the worst and most boring offseason in Ranger’s history. How does this clown still have a job?
For a 3rd round pick. I guess – if that’s the best they could – there just wasn’t a whole lot of interest. But 8 years???
Washington just took a massive leap forward in the last 24 hrs. I would say these moves would signal that Ovi is returning for at least 1 more season and another run at the Cup. Meanwhile, Drury seems poised to have the Ranger’s vying for another top 3 pick in 2027 with all the amazing moves he has completed so far. Not looking forward to Friday’s draft, knowing he is most likely going to screw up the #5 pick and select the wrong player. This has been a sad week indeed to be a Ranger’s fan
Ovi signs for $2M and bonuses???? That would be a cup run. Resign John Carlson or snag Rasmus Andersson? They still have 15M in cap with 4 to sign after Tuch!!!!
People know that history repeats itself yet they choose to pretend “not this time”.
The first million dollar man was a leap at the time but it was to an exceptional player.
Was just yesterday (figuratively) that TML were ridiculed for the expensive core when the cap didn’t rise as hoped.
Teams are doling out ridiculous long term contracts for big money to aging players, Everybody knows the contracts won’t age well but it’s the new normal for a segment of the league.
At this rate I’d be chasing $3-4 m players who need to be dropped for picks to make room for the “big” signings.
Minnesota Hartman, Trenin
Dallas Lyubshkin, Bourque
NJD Dillon, Cotter
HF30
You may be onto something.
I thought BUF was wise to allow Tuch to walk after hearing he wanted $10.5M AAV.
They have the assets to get Knies, a similar player, 7 years younger, at a controlled salary for the next 5 years and still have enough cap space to sign Krebs.
Apparently Knies and Josh Doan are good friends so there should be instant chemistry there.
With all the trades by Atlantic division teams, are you surprised Montreal has been so quiet?
I’m not surprised at all, why jump on a runaway train?
In my opinion, Habs have a skilled young core locked in long term and it’s sandpaper to complement them that’s needed not bloated contracts.
Give me Cotter, Pachal, Hartman and Trenin to replace Gallagher, Veleno, Dach, Struble and the Habs are better at a lower cap hit.
HF30: Cotter, a lot of minuses in his seasons, including last year’s -24.
Ok with Trenin as 4th liner.
You were ok with Veleno last year, I was skeptical. Now I wouldn’t mind keeping him. Good on face offs and has a physical presence.
LJ,
Look up and down the NJD roster
Jesper Bratt, -11
Timo Meier, -16
Luke Glendenning, -11 (defensive specialist)
Nici Hischier, -6
Jake Evans, -8
Joe Veleno, -12
Nick Suzuki, +37
Cotter on the Habs would have much better numbers, triple the points and 237 hits compared to Veleno’s 155
HF 30: You WAY overrate Cotter. He is great in the shootout, which should not be a part of the sport, but has a subterranean hockey IQ and is terrible without the puck. That said, I’d rather have him than Alexander Holtz…
HF30
Hartman might be a good stop gap Centre.
I know yesterday you mentioned MIN wanting a cap dump. Would you offer up MTL 2026 1st (28th) and 2026 3rd (93) for Hartman and Trenin?
Would you pitch an offer to DET for Larkin if the pieces going west were Zharovsky, Kapanen, and a 1st (28th)? Would you splash the pot for DeBrincat?
Don’t want DeBrincat, Habs have Caufield.
Don’t want Larkin, 30y/o for 5 more years, no winning pedigree, leading a team that consistently chokes down the stretch.
As for Hartman and Trenin, I think they could be had for 3rd 2026 and 3rd 2027. They are only available for a cap dump not value proposition.
HF30
Cap dump or not, I don’t think MIN is letting Hartman go for a 3rd round pick.
Centres are in high demand.
In a relatively minor deal by comparison the Predators send C Fyodor Svechkov & LW Zachary L’Heureux to Colorado for C Jack Drury, LW Chase Bradley & a 2029 3rd round pick.
I don’t consider Drury a minor deal. He’s actually one of the players around the $4m mark that are actually good effective and will outperform that contract figure.
Drury had no chance to move up in the line up on the Avs…that GM would know.