NHL Rumor Mill – September 15, 2026
Check out the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Cutter Gauthier, Adam Fantilli, and Alexander Nikishin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
THE ATHLETIC’S Murat Ates cited a clip of TSN’s Darren Dreger explaining why Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck hasn’t been traded yet.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
According to Dreger, the offers for Hellebuyck were “terrible”. The 33-year-old netminder has a full no-movement clause, but there are “more than a few teams” that he’d be willing to go to.
However, Dreger claimed most of those teams have decent goaltending. While some see the three-time Vezina Trophy winner as an upgrade, they want him at a discount price, which the Jets can’t do.
Dreger also dismissed suggestions of trading Hellebuyck to the Edmonton Oilers or Montreal Canadiens. “He’s not waiving to stay in Canada,” he said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ates felt this could be humbling for Hellebuyck. It also makes it difficult for general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to find a suitable return.
The more immediate question is whether Hellebuyck reports to training camp if Cheveldayoff hasn’t moved him by then. We won’t have to wait long to find out.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: James Nichols took note of Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman last week claiming he was getting mixed messages regarding Hellebuyck and the Devils. “For a time, I heard they weren’t interested. I know some people think they are.”
Nichols is skeptical that the Devils want Hellebuyck. He pointed out that first-year GM Sunny Mehta has already addressed his goaltending by shipping Jacob Markstrom to Florida, re-signing Nico Daws, and adding David Rittich.
The Devils lack the salary-cap space to take on Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million AAV this season. They also don’t have a suitable goalie to offer up to the Jets as part of the return.
Nichols also noted that acquiring Hellebuyck would use tradable assets that might be required to land Quinn Hughes if the Minnesota Wild defenseman becomes available before the March 1 trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Devils reportedly looked into acquiring Hughes before he was traded to the Wild by the Vancouver Canucks last December. It’s no secret that he wants to play alongside his brothers Jack and Luke one day. Acquiring Hellebuyck could put that dream on the back burner.
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Anaheim Ducks have made progress in contract talks with restricted free agent winger Cutter Gauthier. Both sides remain determined to get a deal done before training camp opens later this week.
LeBrun speculated that the 21-year-old Gauthier could get a six-year deal with an AAV between $13 million and $14 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier reportedly rejected a four-year deal worth $13 million annually. If this gets done, it could be closer to $14 million.
As for Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, LeBrun reports the negotiations continue, but things are moving slowly. Both sides still have a substantial gap to overcome
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin “requested a change of scenery” after last season. According to LeBrun’s sources, the 24-year-old blueliner has not backed off from that request.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: That explains why Nikishin surfaced in the rumor mill in June after the Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup. He’s a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract last season and is ineligible to receive an offer sheet.
Nikishin has been linked to the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators. It’s also been suggested that he’d have to be part of the return to the Jets if the Hurricanes attempt to acquire Connor Hellebuyck.
That’s why Ates and Dreger get the big bucks. For telling us that Hellebuyck hasn’t been traded because the Jets haven’t yet been offered a suitable return. Something we couldn’t figure out for ourselves.
The Habs wouldn’t trade for Hellebuyck even if he was willing. They’re happy for now with Dobes and Fowler and don’t want to trade assets needed to fill other needs for a goalie well into his 30s.
The offers for Helley were “terrible”.
Who woulda thunk it?
Howard, I understand you could figure that out, not sure everyone on this site did, judging from some of the suggested returns might be.
It’s hard to trade expensive players in a cap world. Even harder when they are 33 and signed for 5 more years. Even harder when the player wants to go to a good team, as those generally spend $ to sign their current good players. Even harder when the Jets want a quality roster player(s) in return as those team are trying to win now.
Even harder when it’s a goalie.
Decision time for Chevvy, and if he doesn’t give in, it’s decision time for Helley. I can’t see him sitting out, he doesn’t seem like that guy. He’s been playing with some of these guys for a very long time, there has to be some loyalty to his mates there.
Lol
The Devils offered Jake Allen and David Rittich for Hellyebuck.
Not sure why the Jets turned that down…
I agree Slick. Solid signing and I think the NMT clause was a hurdle. Hes got one for his first 4 years and then it gets r moved. I think that’s fair. All the top boys are locked up now for a bit. Next biggest contract will be Zub. That could be an interesting scenario. Great player, elite shutdown guy, but he has had his injuries.
Yeah, Owen, Zub will definitely take some deep, serious contemplation leading up to his next contract negotiations.
He turns 31 on October 3 so, for starters, a long-term deal is out of the question, even before taking into account that, since joining the Senators, he has missed a full 17% of his games, although the fact he did manage to play in 81 this past season.
But over the 246 games over the previous 3 seasons the missing % vaulted to close to 28%. So I doubt that there will be any extension in his case until closer to the end of the season … and maybe not even until the season is concluded (and, depending upon how their season is progressing, he could become a trade-rental at Trade Deadline Day).
Another factor will be the progress this season of younger D like Yakemchuk, Matinpalo and the crop in Belleville.
Smart move by getting Batherson locked up for next 9 years. After Brady bolting, having a guy that’s committed is a nice change. Benefitted from crazy jump in salaries around league and is only top paid on team cause all the other stars are already locked up long term. Ottawa in good place imo
From what I can tell there’s only 6 USA teams with the cap space for Hellebuyck. Others would need to trade rostered players they might not want to part with. Especially if it wouldn’t be a huge upgrade in net for those teams.
I’m sticking with Detroit as landing spot.
Wings took the training wheels off Horcoff, sort of. They named him Interim GM, and are allowing him to do the duties of a GM. (With Chris Illich looking over his every move!)
What a bad joke the Red Wings have become. So does this mean that Horcoff MIGHT have the authority to negotiate Edvinsson’s contract so he can suit up for the new season?
Johnny Z, while I understand the importance of “due dilligence” when seeking to hire an NHL coach OR GM, what’s transpiring (or, more precisely, NOT transpiring) in Detroit is now bordering on the ridiculous, with training camp opening this week and not one, but possibly TWO major transactions hanging fire.
Hey, a bit of a reach but….
In an ever dwindling trade market for Helle, does Horcoff offer to bring him back home to Michigan and somewhat sooth his USA Olympian buddy Larkin buy flipping a package of Gibson with maybe someone like Sandin-Pellikka and home town boy Bear ? It would probably be the best deal that Chevy would see and smooth over some hurt feelings in Detroit.
Hellebuyck is not getting a return of perceived Winnipeg value. I don’t think it will get better with time and the rumoured Buffalo deal at the draft might have been a missed opportunity..
If you can get Nikishin Kochetkov and a pick take it.
The way the Wings have handled their GM search (and continue it) just bolsters why Larkin asked for a trade.
I don’t think hiring a GM should have Amazon prime expectations (next day delivery).
Not sure why people continue to say this is “botched” or being mishandled. What am I missing?
Yzerman stepped down 2 months ago to the day. This organization isn’t exactly racing toward a championship. They got through the draft and the beginning of free agency with Yzerman. What’s the rush?
IMO, regardless of who sits in the chair, the Larkin situation isn’t going to magically go away or change. He’s not going to waive to go to Vancouver, NY or Chicago.
I would almost get the impatience if they were in a playoff hunt and racing toward the deadline. But even then, an interim guy isn’t capable of dialing a phone?
Help me understand the rush to find this miracle worker GM?
Great comment Mr. Obvious
I agree a dedicated GM is the norm but teams have qualified hockey opps people ad nauseam and of course owners who pitch in once in a while just because they own the team.
You have want to be GMs the likes of Bergevin or jocks who think they are GMs as old boys club
Its not botched Detroit will name a GM in time and Larkin slike other players should just respect the contract he signed