NHL Rumor Mill – August 25, 2026
Which goaltenders could be traded this offseason? Why hasn’t a team signed Connor Ingram yet? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael DeRosa recently looked at three NHL goaltenders who could be traded before the offseason ends in mid-September.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Connor Hellebuyck topped DeRosa’s list. The 33-year-old Winnipeg Jets netminder has been the frequent subject of offseason trade speculation. With the Jets suffering a downturn last season, DeRosa suggests this could be a good opportunity to peddle Hellebuyck while his value is still high.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Massimo De Luca-Taronno of The Winnipeg Sun noted the uncertainty surrounding Hellebuyck as training camp approaches. He doesn’t blame Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff for refusing to make a trade for the sake of doing so, or accepting a less-than-fair return. However, he also noted that the Jets GM risks Hellebuyck’s trade status becoming an unnecessary distraction for the team.
De Luca-Taronno believes Hellebuyck will likely start this season with the Jets as both sides see how things shake out. A bounce-back performance could quell any further speculation about his future in Winnipeg. However, if this season goes sideways, Cheveldayoff will feel the pressure to find a suitable trade partner.
Samuel Montembeault could be another trade candidate. The 30-year-old netminder dropped from being the Montreal Canadiens’ starting goalie to their third-stringer last season. With young goalies Jakub Dobes and Jacob Fowler ahead of him on the depth chart, it would make sense for the Canadiens to trade him.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeRosa noted that Montembeault’s trade value is low right now, but feels a rival club might buy low on him if they feel he can rebound from last season’s struggles. So far, no club seems willing to make that gamble. They’ll want to see him play some games first, and that could be difficult if he remains behind Dobes and Fowler.
DeRosa noted that Jordan Binnington of the St. Louis Blues was the subject of trade rumors throughout last season. With Joel Hofer taking over as the Blues’ starter, the 31-year-old Binnington could benefit from a change of scenery.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Binnington is in the final season of his contract. DeRosa acknowledged he’s more likely to be moved by the March 1 trade deadline, but still feels an offseason move is possible.
DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton discussed why an NHL team hasn’t signed Connor Ingram yet.
They believe there should be a market for the 29-year-old goaltender, who has a career save percentage above .900. Hutton believes he had a great year with the Edmonton Oilers last season, suggesting the Pittsburgh Penguins could be a destination given their need for some experienced depth in goal. The Ottawa Senators could be another possibility as a backup for Linus Ullmark.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ingram has proven himself as a reliable backup. A club could sign him to a one-year contract before training camps open next month. Whether the Penguins or Senators will be among the suitors remains to be seen.
If the pens wanted experienced depth in net they woulda signed skinner. They are going with their youngsters. It’s the position they have the most prospect depth in.
I doubt anyone wants that 3+ million contract. Maybe if the Habs hold 1/2. When you see a better option in ingram out there which would be cheaper….
How about
To MTL: Hellybuyck
To WPG: Hage Reinbacher a 1st and cap dump Montembeault
MTL swings big in push for the cup
WPG realizes they aren’t getting past AVS oilers Vegas stars wild so they retool
ihatecrosby: Mtl is sticking with Dobes and Fowler. Trading away Hage and Reinbacher uses up valuable trade chips needed to pursue a second-line center (if a suitable one becomes available, and even then, they may be unwilling to move Hage) to address an area that doesn’t need to be addressed.
Besides, Hellebuyck probably doesn’t want to go to Montreal.
This trade leaves Skinner as Winnipeg’s goalie so I doubt the Jets would consider it. IMO, any trade for Hellybuyck must have a goalie or a top goalie prospect in the return.
Why anyone would still be looking at Ottawa as possibly interested in Ingram is puzzling, considering Staios has already added Ersson to back up Ullmark. There is also analyst Kevin Woodley’s observation that some league executives may be hesitant to sign someone who has entered the Players Assistance Program twice, especially with Ullmark also having sought assistance for mental health issues last season.
The stigma on seeking out healthy option is sickening
Real shame. That’s what kills me. Be elite but don’t ever stress or be human.
Talent with support becomes better talent. Works for emotions and the brain too.
If true shame on those organizations
I agree IHC. There have been great strides…. but the fact there is still some stigma and worry that outweighs the concerns people have for physical wellness is just backwards.
I would look at it more like how you don’t want to sign multiple goalies that are injury prone. Its a business and you have to hedge your bets. To me that would be why Ottawa might balk. That shouldn’t be the case as much for other teams as Ingram has shown that he is more than capable of being an NHL goalie who can play 30+ games. I honestly thought he would have been signed at the start of free agency.
You took the words right out of my mouth George.
I am surprised Binnington’s name has been largely quite compared to Hellebuyck. Would have thought someone would have taken a run at him by now.
I thought that’s the first name that would have come up in Florida.
Oddly enough the Habs look well set in goal for the future.
Aside from Dobes, Montembeault and Fowler, there are 3 solid NCAA goalie prospects and 2 Russians.
We never know of course where they’ll end up but they keep drafting goalies.
Over the past 5 drafts where 126 goaltenders have been drafted, the Habs, along with Carolina, lead the way with 6 each, followed by Vegas and New Jersey who have each selected 5. The average per the 32 teams in that span is 4 each.
There is a really premier goalie prospect Yakov Kazantsev eligible for the 2028 draft class. Expect teams to be keen on him to fill the goaltender prospect pool.
I have a feeling montembeault is going end up playing a big role in Montreal this year.
Yakov Kazantsev is a prime goalie prospect coming out of Russia for the 28 draft class. Teams will be looking to add the stellar prospect into their pool.
The situation now with Merzlikins having surgery makes it more likely that CBJ has interest in Montembault. Plus you have the need to clear cap to sign Fantilli. So I’d say a good deal for both Mtl and CBJ is:
Montreal = Marchenko + Gudbranson + 3rd round pick ($5.6M total salary)
CBJ = Montembault (50% retained) + Struble + Beck + Mooney + 2nd round pick ($3.825M total salary)
For CBJ this adds 3 players on cheap contracts (Monty @ 1.575, Beck @ 0.85 and Struble @ 1.4) and by sending down Copley, plus one of Heinen or Del Bel Belluz it frees up almost another $2M.
Currently Puckpedia says CBJ has $12.6M in space, so add to that the trade difference (5.6 out minus 3.825 in = $1.77M). CBJ ends up with around $16.5M space to sign Fantilli. Plus this is without putting Merzlikins and Isac Lundestrom on LTIR.
So the cap works for both teams, now in terms of roster management:
CBJ:
– Montembault solves the issue of no NHL caliber backup goalie,
– they get a 4th line C to replace the injured Lundestrom in Beck,
– plus balances their D because they have 4 RD (Provorov who prefers R side, Severson, Fabbro and Gudbranson) and Gudbranson a vet at 1.75M is a luxury if he’s your 7th D. On LD they have Werenski, Mateychuk and Christiansen. I think Struble is an upgrade at LD (potential for top 4 but above average 3rd pair) and Christiansen is better suited for 7th D if Gudbranson is gone.
– Mooney gives them a potential elite fwd talent and he’s expendable for Mtl because it is unlikely they will make room for another undersized player with Caufield and Hutson already.
– It gets a good return for Marchenko for CBJ since he will likely be moved since he said he won’t re-sign.
Mtl:
– Marchenko fills the top 6 fwd slot they have been shopping for.
– Removes the problem of the 3 goalie system.
– Draws on the excess LD they have to add a 3rd pair physical RD in Gudbranson. Fills another hole they are rumoured to be shopping for.
– Plus for the picks, CBJ has an extra 3rd rounder so if Mtl gives up their 2nd round pick at least they replace the 3rd round pick Mtl had already traded away.
This trade leaves CBJ with centres:
– Fantilli – Monahan – Coyle – Beck and
– top 6 wingers Nichushkin, Garland, Johnson and Sillinger or Voronkov.
– then in the bottom 6 wingers there are Sillinger/Voronkov, Olivier, Lomberg and Wood. Overall a bit less scoring from the top 6 with Marchenko gone but the D and G are better. And the biggest issue of Fantilli signed, maybe for $14-15M x 8 yrs.
– plus they get two shots at adding to their roster in future with Mooney and the 2nd round pick.
This may be quantity over quality for CBJ but removes more problems and balances their roster.
How is no 1st going to CMB for Marchenko?
He is no slouch
Marchenko is a sure thing goal scorer and Beck isn’t projected to be a #1c not a top tier 2c
Also Ingram can be signed by CMB as a backup and won’t cost them a marchenko to do so
Ingrams has only 134 games played in the NHL, they might want a more experienced goalie. Definitely there would be a 1st, or a top prospect going to CLB.
Or you can pick up Johanson from Tampa for 6th or “PTBNL” and afford to waive or bury contract when Elvis returns, assuming you are committed to Jet & Elvis as a tandem you can win with.
So take our spare parts for a real good top 6 winger…. Makes sense.
It won’t be for that offer, Mooney might be included with another top prospect like Zharovsky,a 1st and probably more.
What I proposed above is not just spare parts. Yes, it is taking from Mtl’s surplus of goalies and LD but it is also taking from CBJ’s surplus of RD. But the main 2 things to consider is CBJ is trading a guy who does not want to stay so it lowers his value (this is also assuming he doesn’t sign an extension so the package is for 2 years of Marchenko), plus coming back is the cap space to get Fantilli signed. If Marchenko extended before a trade then absolutely the price goes way up.
If you take away the names and just list the asset it is:
To CBJ:
– former starting goalie coming off a down year, only $1.575M for 1 year.
– 24 yr old LD, former 2nd round pick, has played in a team’s top 4 D so hasn’t reached his ceiling.
– 22 yr old, former 33rd overall pick, NHL ready 4th line C with possible 3C potential.
– a top 6 fwd for the USDP and world juniors US team, projects to be a top 6 NHL winger albeit is undersized.
– a 2nd round pick
– $4M in cap space to sign your franchise center.
Basically 6 pieces for two years of a guy who won’t resign and a salary dump 7th D is in my opinion not a bad offer.
Drive for 25: MTL only trades for Marchenko if he agrees to sign long term
That’s the one thing the bruins have an overabundance of goalies what they need now is a #1 centre. Excited to see how Hagens does this year and of course Dipietro. There was a rumour a couple of days ago about the bruins showing interest in Nikita of Caroline haven’t heard much from it since. Anyway back to work before the boss discovers I’m on the net. Take care.