Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 18, 2026
The latest on Connor Hellebuyck and updates on the Maple Leafs, Penguins, and Capitals in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.
SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported that Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension from the Winnipeg Jets will end on Friday, Oct. 23.
According to Friedman, Hellebuyck informed the Jets before their first game of the season (Oct. 2) of his intention to return to the team. The club suspended him without pay for not reporting to training camp in September. He had publicly revealed his trade request in August.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
The collective bargaining agreement states that a player who hasn’t received permission to be absent from training camp shall be subject to a disciplinary suspension “of reasonable length.”
Friedman thinks some teams interested in Hellebuyck want to see what would happen if the Jets faced some kind of deadline pressure. They want to see if this situation might make the Jets more eager or determined to make a deal, but Friedman doesn’t think it will. They would rather make no trade than a bad trade.
The Buffalo Sabres could still be interested. Friedman also thinks the New York Rangers might have a lot to say about what could happen here; not for Hellebuyck, but to make potentially another move that could affect the goalie market. He also noted the Los Angeles Kings are reportedly interested. The Carolina Hurricanes were also rumored to be interested, but it’s been hard to make a match.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: I noted in today’s Morning Coffee Headlines that Jets captain Adam Lowry believes there must be “conversations” with Hellebuyck about this situation before he’s welcomed back.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski suggested several scenarios that could happen. Hellebuyck could be traded this week, or the Jets could pay him not to return, though Friedman said neither side wants that. He could also return hoping to play and improve his trade value, but the Jets will want him focused on helping them win.
Last month, Kyle Connor said he and his teammates were “heartbroken” over Hellebuyck’s trade request and his decision not to attend training camp. He said the three-time Vezina Trophy winner would be welcomed back with “open arms” if he changed his mind and wanted to return, but emphasized that Hellebuyck would have to recommit to the team.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has a well-earned reputation for patience when it comes to trading a high-value asset like Hellebuyck. He’s unlikely to be rushed into making a move now. It’ll be interesting to hear from him where things stand with this situation.
Friedman also reported on the Toronto Maple Leafs’ plans for their blueline to address the absence of sidelined defenseman Chris Tanev.
They made it clear to teams that they aren’t interested in band-aid solutions. They’re willing to part with a premium asset if they can get a difference-maker on the blueline. They won’t move any “A-level” assets for a “B-level” replacement. The Leafs would also consider moving an older player for a younger one.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Whether those types of deals are available this early in the season remains to be seen. Since the Maple Leafs made their blockbuster deal with Columbus for Kirill Marchenko on Sept. 28, subsequent activity in the NHL trade market involved depth players.
As for what the Maple Leafs might consider a premium asset they would part with, forget about Auston Matthews, William Nylander, John Tavares, Darren Raddysh, and Sergei Bobrovsky. They all have no-movement clauses.
Defenseman Morgan Rielly also has a full NMC, but he submitted a four-team list of Western Conference trade destinations upon request during the summer. Perhaps a deal might be found with one of those teams. However, moving him out wouldn’t really address their blueline issues.
Friedman also reported the Pittsburgh Penguins are willing to move a veteran forward for draft picks or prospects to give their younger players more opportunities for playing time.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dan Kingerski of Pittsburgh Hockey Now believes Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell could draw the largest returns. Both forwards have regularly surfaced in the rumor mill over the last two years.
Rust is signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $5.125 million and lacks no-trade protection. Rakell is also signed through 2027-28 and carries an AAV of $5 million. He has an eight-team no-trade list.
And no, Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin aren’t getting traded.
During Friday’s episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”, Friedman said there are teams keeping tabs on Ivan Miroshnichenko of the Washington Capitals.
The 22-year-old winger has struggled to earn a spot among the Capitals’ crowded forward lines. Nevertheless, Friedman said the youngster is making the most of his limited playing time and is getting noticed as a result.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Capitals might have to consider trading Miroshnichenko if there aren’t any full-time roster spots available. He’s no longer waiver-exempt and would be plucked away if they tried to send him to their AHL affiliate.
Who does the TML have as an asset for any trade. They keep talking about bringing people in but they have no one of substance to move.After being fleeced by Boston in the Carlo trade there doesn t seem to have much left for prospects!
Sr
The Leafs have a few pieces to trade that would draw interest from other teams.
Tinus Luc-Koblar and Ben Danford would be the top two prospects.
They have Colorado’s first round pick and 2nd round picks for the next three drafts.
The strange thing is they knew they had defensive deficiencies at the end of last year but used their three best trade chips (Knies, Woll, Hildeby) to augment their forward core. Trading away these players and not adding one decent NHL defenceman was a mistake.
Does Helly come back and face renewed threats from JETS FANATICS???
Chevy needs to trade him o he and his family are safe.
Johnny Z: Hellebuyck’s family received some online threats after he backstopped Team USA over Canada in the Olympic gold medal game. The Jets took the threats seriously, offering security if necessary to protect him and his family, and also had local police look into the matter. However, the threats went away as quickly as they emerged, likely coming from trolls who have nothing better to do with their sad little lives.
Hellebuyck never mentioned the online threats again, not even during his end-of-season comments where he criticized his performance and that of the team for not reaching the playoffs. He’s always expressed appreciation toward the Jets fans, even after the online threats were made, saying he’d been approached by Jets fans who congratulated him on winning Olympic gold.
If Hellebuyck were concerned about safety, why would he want to return to the Jets?
Johnny, you’re engaged in some trolling yourself by overhyping this story. It turned out that Hellebuyck and his family weren’t in any danger, and he and his family are perfectly safe to return to Winnipeg if they wish.
The fanatics haven’t sold out a game yet this year. I have said before that the team needed to make the deal by the draft, it’s been roughly five mos since the player asked the team to be moved.
This is the same player that committed to Winnipeg for 11 season, he’s just not a come and go player.
My heartfelt thoughts are with the members of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families following the explosion at CFB Wainwright. My sincere condolences to everyone affected, and wishing those injured a speedy recovery. 🇨🇦❤️
Obviously Hellebuyck is tired of sitting around and losing money. The way I see it, 3 options present themselves:
1. Hellebuyck returns to the team ready to play. First reactions are that neither the players nor the coaches are rolling out the red carpet for him.
2. The Jets tell him to stay home while they keep paying him. Doesn’t sound like a good option.
3. A trade.
We know Chevy does not want to rush into a bad trade. But the trade option seems the path of least resistance. It’s quite possible that Helly is willing to report because he sees it as the best option to force a trade.