NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 18, 2026
Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff talks about Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request; Red Wings center Dylan Larkin declines to discuss his trade request; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.
TSN/SPORTSNET: Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff met with the media on Thursday to talk about Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and the decision to suspend the 33-year-old goaltender for failing to report to training camp.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Cheveldayoff said he’ll keep seeking a trade for Hellebuyck. He wants a resolution that works for both sides, won’t be rushed into trading the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, and wants to get it right.
The Jets GM hasn’t ruled out the possibility of Hellebuyck returning to the Jets, pointing out that the netminder is under contract for the next five seasons (including this one). He wouldn’t go into the reasons for Hellebuyck’s trade request. “The choices that he makes are the choices he makes,” he said.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff has a well-earned reputation for patience when dealing with players who’ve requested trades in the past, like Evander Kane, Jacob Trouba, and Pierre-Luc Dubois. He received solid returns for those players, so it’s not surprising he’s using the same tactic with Hellebuyck.
Cheveldayoff also dismissed the notion there was a “gentlemen’s agreement” to trade Hellebuyck if he ever wanted out when the contract was signed three years ago. “A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League. Period”, he said. “There are no side agreements, there are no gentlemen’s agreements. The league doesn’t allow for that, so any notion around that would not have any merit.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The “gentlemen’s agreement” theory was floated by Jeff Marek and Dave Pagnotta during a recent episode of Marek’s podcast “The Sheet.” They mused about the possibility, but couldn’t confirm it. Cheveldayoff was accused of deflecting with his response, but he’s right about the league’s contract rules.
It’s easy to speculate about side deals but it’s just chatter without proof. What isn’t up for debate is that Hellebuyck wants out, and Cheveldayoff will keep trying to move him.
The Jets have reportedly encountered difficulty moving Hellebuyck. Cheveldayoff explained he’s received no offers worthy of consideration. “We’re still talking about moving a player that’s been very, very important to this franchise and is a very good player in the National Hockey League,” he said. “And we expect, I guess, that a level of return would be commensurate to that.”
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff’s legendary patience in trade negotiations will be tested like never before with Hellebuyck. His critics argue he should’ve traded the goalie to the Buffalo Sabres in June instead of pushing for a better deal. Recent reports suggest offers open to the Jets earlier this summer aren’t available now.
By revealing his trade request and refusing to report to training camp, Hellebuyck didn’t improve his trade value. Teams are reportedly making lowball offers, hoping the Jets get desperate to move him quickly.
NHL.COM: Jets players are trying to deal with the Hellebuyck drama as they begin training camp this week. Jets winger Kyle Connor admitted it’s a difficult situation, saying many of his teammates are heartbroken.
DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Red Wings center Dylan Larkin declined to discuss the reasons for his trade request during his press conference on Thursday.
“There’s a lot of personal stuff about that,” Larkin said. “And, you know, to be honest with you, I’m trying to be honest with you guys today, and I’m not ready to go there yet.”
Larkin said he didn’t want his request to be a distraction for his teammates. “I guess I didn’t foresee what happened,” he said. “Some of it was out of my control, to be honest with you.” He told his teammates his request had nothing to do with them.
As for a possible reconciliation with the organization, Larkin said he was keeping that to himself. He also acknowledged that giving up the captaincy was the right thing to do.
Larkin admitted that he didn’t know how he would handle the discontent of Red Wings fans when he takes the ice this season. “I can’t really control that. Obviously, they’re passionate fans. There’s frustration there. I’m frustrated as well,” he said, adding that he intends to take things one day at a time and one game at a time.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin deserves some credit for reporting to training camp and stepping up to face the music, and he’s right that some of this was beyond his control. The club’s slow approach to finding a full-time replacement for former general manager Steve Yzerman left his situation in limbo for most of the offseason.
Nevertheless, Larkin created this situation by requesting a trade and giving the Wings a limited list of trade destinations. His reluctance to explain the reasons for his request won’t mollify fans upset about his decision. He looked very uncomfortable discussing situation, and it won’t get any easier if a trade doesn’t materialize soon.
TSN: Washington Capitals captain Alex Ovechkin addressed the media on Wednesday to defend his appearance in a recent video for Russian president Vladimir Putin’s United Russia Party ahead of the country’s parliamentary elections.
“I’m Russian,” Ovechkin said. “As soon as I’m done playing hockey, I’m probably going to stay there. I’m going to live there. My kids are going to live there, my family. I’m for peace and love. I hope everything is going to be okay”. Ovechkin said he agreed to appear in the video after being asked to do so.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is receiving growing criticism for supporting Putin, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing war between the two countries. In a one-on-one interview, ESPN’s Robert Klemko pressed the Capitals captain about his support of Putin. The discussion grew tense until Ovechkin abruptly ended the interview by walking away.
TSN: Florida Panthers winger Brad Marchand is expected to miss the first month of this season as he recovers from offseason surgery for a lower-body injury. Forward Jonah Gadjovich remains sidelined indefinitely after undergoing neck surgery last season.
DAILY FACEOFF: Los Angeles Kings winger Kevin Fiala (leg injury) is expected to return to the ice on his own next week. He could rejoin his teammates in three weeks. Meanwhile, defenseman Brian Dumoulin failed his training camp medical and is undergoing further testing. Winger Mats Zuccarello has a minor shoulder injury, but should be ready to return next week.
NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Devils forward Nick Bjugstad underwent surgery last week to repair a torn pectoral muscle and will be sidelined for four-to-six months. Defenseman Johnathan Kovacevic will be a limited participant in training camp as he rehabs from a minor knee procedure.
OTTAWA SUN: The Senators added defenseman Ben Hutton to their training camp on a professional tryout offer.
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH: Blue Jackets head coach Rick Bowness wasn’t pleased with two of his players who didn’t meet the club’s physical fitness standards. He didn’t name them but said they will address the issue.
THE MERCURY NEWS: The San Jose Sharks signed head coach Ryan Warsofsky to a multi-year contract extension.
TORONTO SUN: Former Maple Leafs forward Ron Hurst, the club’s oldest living player, died at 95. He spent two seasons with the Leafs from 1955 to 1957, finishing with 16 points in 64 games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: My condolences to Hurst’s family, friends, former teammates, and the Leafs’ organization.
Helle gave the Jets 11 seasons and was a big part of their success over the last decade. He signed what most would consider a friendly contract, committing long term. Now he looks around and has probably determined he’s not going to win in Winnipeg and goes to the management, not the press and asks for a trade.
And now the overall philosophy is let him rot. I am not supporting his stance, I think every player should play out the deal they signed. But you will have these situations, handled by the player within the team, not the media.
Cut the deal and move on.
I read somewhere (I can’t remember where exactly) that Hellebuyck’s wife was receiving threats and online attacks after the Olympics, which may have a lot to do with his desire to get stateside.
I get fans being made, I remember this happening with teams I supported when players wanted to leave before their current deals were up. It sucks, but you are not going to change their minds, nor do you really want a player back that is committed to leaving.
This is a negative cloud that will hang over the team until the deal is done especially when it sounds like a good deal was there at the draft.
PullingTheGoalie: Paul Friesen of The Winnipeg Sun noted the threat issue too. However, he pointed out that Hellebuyck praised Jets fans for not booing him when he returned from the Olympics. He said Hellebuyck barely mentioned the threats then and didn’t mention them at all in his critical comments about the club’s end-of-season performance. Long story short: the main reasons for Hellebuyck’s trade request is that he no longer felt the Jets were good enough to win the Stanley Cup, and he wants to move on to a team that will give him the opportunity to do so before his playing career is over.
Lyle, since I would venture that the vast majority of players are not naive and so are painfully aware that anywhere from 80% to 85% of them will go through their entire professional careers without ever winning the Stanley Cup, what makes guys like Hellebuyck – if that is his basic reason for wanting a change – think the grass will be greener somewhere else?
Online threats on Instagram from Russian bots or actual in person threats at the supermarket? Because there’s a big difference and if it’s the latter the police should have been involved.
Brock, if it was in a place like the super market we would know.
This is online, which is why Helley isn’t bringing it up as a reason. Unfortunately athletes and anyone remotely famous has to deal with this now.
Players should simply get off SM, life is better in the real world.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ovechkin is receiving growing criticism for supporting Putin, especially since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the ongoing war between the two countries. In a one-on-one interview, ESPN’s Robert Klemko pressed the Capitals captain about his support of Putin. The discussion grew tense until Ovechkin abruptly ended the interview by walking away.
Thats journalism at its finest
I don’t get why anyone cares about Ovie’s stance or relationship with Putin. Imagine a Russian superstar having a relationship of sorts with his country’s leaders and supporting his country’ stance in a conflict. Cripes.
What is the reason for having surgery right before the season starts instead of when it ends? Sometimes I guess its about trying to rehab and when it doesnt work, have surgery, but every time? Its just seems odd
Kent Nilsson: Most players prefer to try and rehab an injury instead of undergoing surgery if there’s a chance the rehab will address the issue. Surgery means being sidelined for months, depending on the nature of the injury, compared to a summer of rehab.
On a side note. On TSN Draisaitl looked really energized in his after practice interview. He praised the structure of practice that Babcock brought.
Also, did anyone else see Darren Dreger’s Babcock impersonation on SC with Jay Onrait? I’ll try and find a link to it. It was great! LOL
I found it! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahZxdZG-2Iw
It starts at 6 minutes and 30 seconds into the video.
This has been in my head for a while… and i know the money doesn’t work. Nor does the NMC, But if you’re Jim Nill, would you consuder trading Oettinger straight up for Helly?
Jake has had 6-7 years to “finish the job”, and always seems to come up short, especially in big games…. just saying