Check out the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Chris Kreider, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: During Thursday’s “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Elliotte Friedman said he believes the Buffalo Sabres remain interested in Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. He also felt the Utah Mammoth and Carolina Hurricanes were “still around it.”

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Hellebuyck, 33, recently revealed that he requested a trade. Friedman said his list of preferred destinations is “much, much wider” than some other NHL players who have requested trades

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hello there, Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings. Friedman didn’t indicate how wide Hellebuyck’s trade list is, but it could be 10 teams, as that’s what his no-movement clause reverts to after this season.

Friedman also indicated he’s had “very mixed messaging” on the New Jersey Devils. He’d heard for a time that they weren’t interested in Hellebuyck, but some people believe they are.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: What I’ve read and heard is that the Devils intend to stick with the trio of Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich to start the season and see how things unfold. The Sabres, Mammoth, and Hurricanes also have more cap space and tradeable assets.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie believes free agent Chris Kreider could greatly help the Montreal Canadiens. The 35-year-old left winger became an unrestricted free agent this week after he and the Anaheim Ducks agreed to terminate his contract.

Lavoie believes the Canadiens have several factors that could entice Kreider. He has ties to the Habs president of hockey operations Jeff Gorton, head coach Martin St. Louis, and director of sports medicine Jim Ramsay from their days with the New York Rangers.

Kreider could quickly fill the void left by Brendan Gallagher’s departure and could be an affordable signing on a bonus-laden contract. Lavoie doubted there would be any bad blood regarding Kreider accidentally injuring Carey Price during the 2014 playoffs, especially since none of the Habs players involved at that time remain with the team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s no secret the Canadiens seek a second-line forward (preferably a center) to skate alongside budding superstar Ivan Demidov. Kreider might be a solid short-term addition, but he may prefer to sign with a team closer to New York, where his family lives.

LA PRESSE: Speaking of the Canadiens, Mathias Brunet recently previewed the Canadiens’ top prospects ahead of their rookie camp this week.

Among them was right-shot defenseman Bryce Pickford, who tallied 45 goals and 83 points in 55 games last season with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers. The 20-year-old blueliner will play for the Canadiens’ AHL affiliate in Laval, but will miss the opening months of the season recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.

Brunet acknowledged Pickford’s offensive gifts, but believes he’ll be stuck behind Lane Hutson, Noah Dobson, and Mike Matheson, and a defensive specialist role doesn’t suit him. He speculated that Pickford could be used as trade bait.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Unsubstantiated rumors earlier this year suggested Pickford may have been part of the Canadiens’ pitch to the Toronto Maple Leafs for winger Matthew Knies. Whether management intends to peddle him for immediate roster help remains to be seen.

THE ATHLETIC’s Aaron Portzline suggested Cam Talbot as a replacement for Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Elvis Merzlikins, who could miss the start of this season with an injured shoulder.

Talbot, 39, is an unrestricted free agent after spending the last two seasons with the Detroit Red Wings. Portzline proposed signing him to a low-salary contract with performance bonuses. He also pointed out that Talbot was a teammate of Blue Jackets netminder Jett Greaves on Team Canada at this year’s World Championships.