Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 6, 2026

by | Sep 6, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – September 6, 2026

Could the Flyers pursue Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli or Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes if either player becomes available in the trade market? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

THE ATHLETIC: Kevin Kurz was asked if the Philadelphia Flyers could get the cold shoulder from other NHL clubs for signing Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson to an offer sheet earlier this summer.

Kurz doesn’t consider it something they are concerned about, pointing out that three other clubs presented Carlsson with offer sheets before he signed with the Flyers. He also noted that other teams had expressed interest.

Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli (NHL Images).

Kurz also dismissed conjecture that the Flyers’ attempt to sign Carlsson had anything to do with any bad blood toward Cutter Gauthier’s unwillingness to sign with them, forcing them to trade him to the Ducks in 2025. “The Flyers would’ve pursued Carlsson whether Gauthier was on the Ducks or not.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Flyers general manager Daniel Briere probably isn’t on Ducks GM Pat Verbeek’s Christmas card list. And yes, another team likely would’ve signed Carlsson to an offer sheet if the Flyers hadn’t. There could be some general managers who didn’t appreciate that offer sheet driving up salaries. However, the rapidly rising salary cap made it inevitable. If it wasn’t Carlsson’s contract, it would’ve been somebody else.

Asked if the Flyers might attempt to acquire Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, Kurz was skeptical about that possibility. They have the cap space to sign the 21-year-old Fantilli, and not doing so wouldn’t sit well with the Blue Jackets’ already nervous fan base.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some observers (including me) wondered if the Flyers might attempt to sign Fantilli to an offer sheet after the Ducks matched the Carlsson offer. However, several reports indicated they had no intention of going that route.

Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell remains confident of having Fantilli signed when training camp opens next week.

Kurz also suggested the Flyers pay attention to Quinn Hughes’ contract negotiations with the Minnesota Wild. He noted that Hughes had a great relationship with Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet and is good friends with Flyers forward Trevor Zegras. Any Hughes trade would have to include a contract extension, likely be a three-year deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flyers might be interested if Hughes becomes available in the trade market. Whether they could meet the Wild’s asking price is another matter. For now, there’s no indication that Hughes is on the trade block as the Wild continue their efforts to re-sign him.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2026

by | Sep 6, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 6, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request puts the Jets at a crossroads; the winners and losers from the Cale Makar contract; this season’s top Norris Trophy candidates; six CBA changes you should know; and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE ATHLETIC: James Mirtle examines how Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request puts the Winnipeg Jets at a crossroads. They must either try to remain competitive with “an older, mediocre roster on the decline,” or begin a painful rebuild like the Calgary Flames and Vancouver Canucks.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Mirtle noted that more players are putting Canadian teams on their no-trade lists, including some that have listed all seven teams. He pointed to the recent departures of several other notable stars from Canadian teams, creating new existential questions north of the border, and how the rising salary cap could make it difficult for smaller-market clubs to retain or attract NHL stars.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Mirtle reminds us that stars like the Tkachuk brothers, Johnny Gaudreau, and Quinn Hughes had different reasons for leaving their Canadian teams. In Hellebuyck’s case, he’s concerned about the Jets’ decline and the difficult task of reversing their fortunes.

Nevertheless, the issue gained more attention after Hellebuyck’s request and Brady Tkachuk’s trade from Ottawa to Florida in June.

However, Hellebuyck didn’t want out a year ago after the Jets won their first Presidents’ Trophy, and Hughes wasn’t forcing a trade when the Canucks seemed a rising force in the Western Conference following their 109-point performance in 2023-24.

Mirtle briefly touched on what he called the “massive season change” the NHL is undergoing, with a rapidly rising salary cap and NHL stars using their considerable leverage for bigger contracts and where they want to play.

Those factors could affect small-market NHL teams in Canada (Winnipeg and Ottawa) and the United States (Buffalo Sabres, Columbus Blue Jackets) that already had issues retaining or attracting star talent. It could also affect other smaller-market teams like the Nashville Predators, Utah Mammoth, and the defending Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes.

ESPN.COM: Greg Wyshynski recently listed the winners and losers of Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar’s record-setting eight-year, $163.2 million contract, making him the first NHL player to earn an average annual value of over $20 million ($20.4 million).

Among the winners are New York Islanders promising defenseman Matthew Schaefer, who could join Makar in that rarefied contract air if his sophomore season is as good (or better) than his outstanding rookie campaign.

Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin is among the losers, as it will cost him a lot more to re-sign blueliner Quinn Hughes, though it’ll likely be on a shorter contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for Wyshynski’s follow list. Another notable winner is the Montreal Canadiens, who got rising star Lane Hutson inked to an eight-year extension last season worth $8.85 million AAV.

DAILY FACEOFF: Speaking of Makar, he’s on Matt Larkin’s recent ranking of his top-10 Norris Trophy candidates for 2026-27. Hughes and Hutson are also on this list, along with 2025-26 Norris Trophy winner Zach Werenski of the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Follow the link for the complete list and share your thoughts in the comments section below.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Adam Proteau examines six notable changes to the NHL collective bargaining agreement that begin on Sept. 15.

The reduction in contract term limits tops the list, with the maximum length for re-signing players dropping from eight years to seven, while those for unrestricted free agents drop from seven to six.

Others include an 84-game schedule with a shortened preseason, mandatory neckguards for new players, and stricter qualifications for emergency backup goaltenders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Reducing maximum contract lengths won’t affect most NHL players, as such deals are usually reserved for the stars. However, that could also be changing, as the best talent could start pursuing shorter, top-dollar deals enabling them to become UFA-eligible while still in their prime.

SPORTSNET: A group hoping to bring an NHL expansion team to Atlanta said a report claiming their bid was in its final stages was “premature and incomplete”.

Vernon Krause, CEO of Krause Sports and Entertainment, said the league “has made no decisions with respect to our project, and we are not in the expansion application phase.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That doesn’t mean the possibility of another NHL franchise in Atlanta is dead. Krause indicated that the ownership group “has a strong interest in making this vision a reality,” adding that they will continue discussions with the league as the latter sees fit.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2026

by | Sep 5, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 5, 2026

Check out the latest on the Wild’s Quinn Hughes, the Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck, the Ducks’ Cutter Gauthier, and the Blue Jackets’ Adam Fantilli in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL NETWORK: Elliotte Friedman joined the NHL Tonight show to discuss the rumors and notable storylines currently making the rounds.

Asking about Quinn Hughes’ contract talks with the Minnesota Wild, Friedman wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up with an average annual value of $20 million. He also thinks that the 26-year-old superstar defenseman isn’t seeking a long-term deal, which helps the Wild as it wouldn’t tie up too much money for too long.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Friedman noted the Hughes family connection, with brother Jack’s contract with the New Jersey Devils expiring in four years. Quinn is in the final season of his current deal and could seek a three-year extension.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The ongoing uncertainty over whether Hughes will re-sign and what type of contract he wants if he does stay in Minnesota continues to dominate the rumor mill. It’s also generated speculation that the Wild could trade him if he decides he’ll test the market next summer.

So far, there’s no indication that Hughes and the Wild are close to an agreement. General manager Bill Guerin has reminded anxious Wild fans that Kirill Kaprizov didn’t sign his extension until late September last year.

Nevertheless, the trade rumors could grow if Hughes isn’t signed when the puck drops on the Wild’s regular season schedule on Oct. 1.

Turning to Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request, Friedman believes the 33-year-old Winnipeg Jets goaltender made it public to get his situation resolved before training camp or the regular season begins.

Friedman said the big challenge facing the Jets is that some of the trade options they had before the draft or earlier in the summer are no longer available.

He believes the Florida Panthers were among the teams interested in Hellebuyck, but part of the package they would’ve offered was instead sent to the Ottawa Senators for Brady Tkachuk. The Jets and the Buffalo Sabres were believed to have discussed the fourth-overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, with the Jets wanting that pick and keeping the eighth overall, but the Sabres didn’t want to do that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s also rumored that the Sabres wanted to keep the fourth-overall pick and asked the Jets to include the eighth-overall pick in the deal with Hellebuyck. Regardless, swapping those picks is no longer an option, meaning the two clubs would have to discuss other possibilities if they revisit these discussions.

Friedman also noted that no-trade lists can change on July 1. He wondered if some players that might’ve been obtainable to the Jets before July 1 are no longer available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sabres goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is often mentioned as someone the Jets would want as part of the return from the Sabres for Hellebuyck. However, his five-team no-trade list kicked in on July 1, and if the Jets are on that list, he won’t go to Winnipeg.

Friedman was asked whether there has been any progress in Cutter Gauthier’s contract talks with the Anaheim Ducks and Adam Fantilli’s negotiations with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Both forwards are restricted free agents who completed their entry-level contracts. Fantilli is eligible to sign an offer sheet from a rival club, but no indication that will happen. Gauthier lacks the required number of NHL games played to be eligible to sign an offer sheet.

Friedman said he’s heard rumors of some progress in the Gauthier’s talks, but it’s going to be “a really, really big number”. He wondered what the Ducks will do over the next couple of weeks to free up the salary cap space to re-sign the 21-year-old winger.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier reportedly rejected a four-year offer with $13 million annually.

Depending on how much Gauthier’s next contract is worth, the Ducks could place sidelined winger Troy Terry and his $7 million AAV on long-term injury reserve to start the season. However, they must be cap-compliant when Terry returns to the lineup later in the season. Cost-cutting candidates could include forwards Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano.

As for Fantilli, Friedman believes a gap remains with the Blue Jackets regarding the AAV. He hasn’t heard that the talks are on the road to any serious trouble, but the Blue Jackets haven’t reached a number they’re comfortable with yet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell recently expressed confidence that Fantilli will be signed before training camp opens. It’s rumored the club is willing to offer around $12.5 million annually, while the Fantilli camp could seek $15 million.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2026

by | Sep 5, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 5, 2026

The Canucks sign Zeev Buium to a lucrative extension, clarity on Flames winger Jonathan Huberdeau’s status, the latest on Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen’s contract talks, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

THE PROVINCE: The Vancouver Canucks signed defenseman Zeev Buium to an eight-year contract extension worth an average annual value of $9.38 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Buium, 20, is in the final season of his entry-level contract. He joined the Canucks last December as part of the return from the Minnesota Wild in the Quinn Hughes trade.

Vancouver Canucks defenseman Zeev Buium (NHL Images)

A skillful puck-moving defenseman, Buium had a promising rookie campaign with 26 points in 76 games, including 12 in 45 games with the Canucks.

The Canucks are taking a big gamble on Buium reaching his potential as an elite offensive blueliner. He’s only 20 years old, and there’s no certainty he’ll play up to the massive expectations that come with this contract. He’s shown promise, but hasn’t done enough to deserve such an expensive deal.

If Buium becomes a superstar, Canucks general manager Ryan Johnson will be praised for his foresight with this big investment. If he doesn’t, it could become one of the worst contracts in the league, derailing Johnson’s plans to rebuild this club into a contender.

SPORTSNET: Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy clarified the status of Jonathan Huberdeau’s recovery from hip resurfacing surgery in March.

Earlier this week, Conroy said that Huberdeau suffered “a little bit of a setback” with his skating about two weeks ago. The Flames GM now says it was “a poor choice of words” on his part.

“It’s not that there was a setback. It was more in the hope in me that he was going to be ready for camp.” Conroy said. “What I meant was it was a setback that he probably won’t be ready for the first day of camp. That’s where I made my mistake”.

Huberdeau is skating with his teammates and appears close to returning, but there is no timeline yet.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy hopes that Huberdeau might rejoin his teammates at some point during training camp. However, he stressed that it will be when the 33-year-old winger feels 100 percent.

COLORADO HOCKEY NOW: Avalanche GM Joe Sakic said contract extension talks with Artturi Lehkonen could stretch into the regular season.

Lehkonen, 31, is in the final season of his five-year contract with a $4.5 million AAV. He’s scored 20 goals three times over the past four seasons, but his availability is in question as he’s been frequently sidelined by injuries.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehkonen can become an unrestricted free agent next July. His future in Colorado depends on how many years and how much salary he’s seeking on his next deal. The Avalanche have a projected $11.646 million in salary cap space for 2027-28 with 18 active roster players signed. Nicolas Roy, Brent Burns, and Scott Wedgewood are also UFA-eligible next year.

TORONTO SUN: NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is believed to be closer to returning to Sportsnet. However, it’s rumored that Rogers Communications, which owns Sportsnet, doesn’t want Friedman to also work on Amazon Prime’s midweek games.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Friedman’s contract with Sportsnet expired on Aug. 31, prompting speculation that he could be joining Amazon Prime. Fellow NHL analyst Kevin Bieksa’s contract also expired on Monday, but there’s no indication whether Amazon Prime might be wooing him too.

ARIZONA SPORTS: Arizona State University defenseman and St. Louis Blues prospect Matthew Mayich “needs a miracle” after being hospitalized following a training incident last month, his family’s lawyer said.

Mayich collapsed from heat stroke during an outdoor bootcamp-style workout on Aug. 20. Lawyer Robert Carey said the 21-year-old is in a coma, adding that his body has ceased functioning in a fundamental way, and his condition is irreversible.

The university issued a statement on Sept. 3 that the school’s vice-president is reviewing “the workout and related university policies, procedures, and training protocols”.

Leonard Aragon, another attorney representing the Mayich family, claimed a former Green Beret led the workout, pushing the student-athletes beyond their limits. He also alleged the athletes would be punished for stopping or drinking water.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The more details revealed about what led to Mayich’s hospitalization, the worse it sounds. His family is pushing the school to do more than conduct a review.

THE SEATTLE TIMES: The Kraken signed winger Jacob Melanson to a three-year contract with a $1.45 million AAV.

BUFFALO HOCKEY BEAT: The Sabres signed defenseman Zach Metsa to a one-year, one-way contract extension worth $900,000.

TORONTO SUN: The Maple Leafs inked forward Brendan Brisson to a one-year, two-way contract worth $850,000 at the NHL level.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2026

by | Sep 4, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 4, 2026

Check out the latest on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and Red Wings center Dylan Larkin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates recently looked at which goaltenders the Winnipeg Jets might target to replace Connor Hellebuyck, who publicly revealed his trade request last week.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Pickings are slim in the free-agent market, with the best options being 29-year-old Connor Ingram and 39-year-old Cam Talbot.

Ates also looked at what the Jets could get from several teams suggested as trade destinations for Hellebuyck in the rumor mill. Those clubs include the Buffalo Sabres, New Jersey Devils, Vegas Golden Knights, Carolina Hurricanes, San Jose Sharks, and Utah Mammoth.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ingram is the best option in a thin free-agent market, but adding him would give the Jets the same goalie tandem the Edmonton Oilers started last season with, after signing Stuart Skinner in July.

Getting a goalie via trade is the best option. I’m ruling out the Golden Knights because they lack the cap space and tradeable assets to acquire Hellebuyck. The Devils are limited in cap space and goalie depth, carrying a trio of backups in Jake Allen, Nico Daws, and David Rittich.

The Sabres could offer up Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, provided the Jets aren’t on his five-team no-trade list. The Mammoth could propose Karel Vejmelka for Hellebuyck. Still, both have had consistency issues that could hurt their trade value.

Brandon Bussi or Pyotr Kochetkov of the Hurricanes could be tempting. However, we don’t know if Bussi is for real or a one-year wonder, while Kochetkov has struggled to establish himself as a reliable starter. Yaroslav Askarov has the most potential and could interest the Jets most, but the Sharks might not want to part with him.

What do you think, folks? Feel free to weigh in on this topic in the comments section below.

TVA SPORTS: Renaud Lavoie reports Dylan Larkin has not added the Montreal Canadiens to his list of preferred trade destinations.

Lavoie considers this to be “extremely unfortunate.” If Larkin is serious about winning the Stanley Cup, Montreal would be the place to do so. He also pointed out that the Canadiens have the trade capital to make an enticing trade offer to the Red Wings.

It’s believed the Red Wings seek a first-line center in return for Larkin. However, Lavoie believes a trade won’t happen until the Wings lower their asking price and Larkin expands his trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Larkin has requested a trade to the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers. The Dallas Stars are also rumored to be on his list.

Based on that, Larkin’s preference seems to be joining a team in the United States. That rules out Montreal or the other six Canadian cities.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 4, 2026

by | Sep 4, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – September 4, 2026

Concerns over the Red Wings’ search for a new GM, Flyers coach Rick Tocchet regrets harsh comments toward Matvei Michkov, the Senators plan a tribute for former captain Brady Tkachuk, and more in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan reports the urgency for the Detroit Red Wings to hire a new general manager is rising as training camp approaches in less than two weeks.

While the search continues, the Red Wings have two significant unaddressed issues. They must address center Dylan Larkin’s trade request and must re-sign restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

Khan considers it highly unlikely that Larkin is traded before camp opens on Sept. 17. He believes it’s in the Wings’ best interest if the new GM can convince the 30-year-old center to rescind his request. If he still wants out, he must decide if he’ll report to training camp or hold out until he’s traded.

Edvinsson, 22, is due for a significant raise after completing his entry-level contract. If they hope to sign him to an eight-year deal, they must do so before Sept. 15. After that, the maximum terms for NHL contracts drop to seven years for re-signing players and six years for unrestricted free agents.

Kahn reports that interim general manager Shawn Horcoff and assistant GM Kris Draper have both interviewed for the position. Team owner Chris Ilitch wants the next GM to be analytics and data-driven.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings have had over six weeks to find a suitable new GM. They’re running out of time to fill that position before training camp opens.

The club could announce the hiring before Sept. 17. If this search continues through training camp, there will be more uncertainty about the status of Larkin and Edvinsson. It will also call into question the competency of those conducting the search.

THE ATHLETIC: Philadelphia Flyers head coach Rick Tocchet believes reports of a difficult relationship with Matvei Michkov last season were overblown. Nevertheless, Tocchet said he regrets his harsh criticism of the young winger’s preseason conditioning and hopes to reset the relationship this season.

Tocchet’s criticism of Michkov immediately raised questions about the promising winger’s future with the Flyers, prompting GM Daniel Briere to give the youngster a vote of confidence.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Tocchet could’ve handled that situation differently, but Michkov took the criticism well. He reportedly worked hard on his conditioning this summer, which could lead to a bounce-back performance from his disappointing sophomore season.

THE SCORE: The Ottawa Senators plan to air a video tribute for Brady Tkachuk when the former captain returns to Canadian Tire Center on Oct. 21. Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers in June after requesting a trade to reunite with his older brother, Matthew.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’ll be interesting to see how Senators fans react to Tkachuk’s return. Regardless of how his tenure ended, he played a significant role in the club’s rebuild, helping them to end a long postseason drought. He was active in the community in charity events and never badmouthed the team or the city of Ottawa.

Tkachuk took some heat for denying the trade rumors. However, keeping his request quiet avoided the unnecessary drama currently dogging Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck after their public trade requests.

TORONTO STAR: Maple Leafs defenseman Chris Tanev is awaiting clearance from team doctors to play this season. He missed most of last season recovering from surgery to repair a groin and core-muscle injury.

Tanev spent the summer working out with longtime trainer Gary Roberts and has been skating with a group of NHLers that includes Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and Chris’ younger brother, Brandon.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs’ defense suffered last season without Tanev. Whether the 36-year-old shutdown blueliner can regain his form in his 17th NHL season remains to be seen.

THE MONTREAL GAZETTE: Quebecor, Rogers, and the NHL announced Thursday that TVA Sports will renew its national broadcast rights for another 12 years.

TVA Sports will have national broadcast French-language rights to 32 of the Montreal Canadiens’ 84 regular-season games. They also have the rights to any playoff games involving the Canadiens. TVA Sports will also broadcast 22 regular-season Ottawa Senators games, and up to 350 NHL games a season overall.