NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2026

by | Jul 24, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 24, 2026

Pursuing Connor Hellebuyck could be expensive for the Sabres; the Senators continue to search for a scorer; and an update on Canadiens defenseman Arber Xhekaj in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I will be off Saturday (July 25) and Sunday (July 26). The next update to this site will be Monday, July 27. Enjoy the weekend, everybody!

WHAT COULD IT COST THE SABRES TO ACQUIRE CONNOR HELLEBUYCK?

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert recently pondered whether it would be worth it for the Buffalo Sabres to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

The Sabres were reportedly working on a trade for Hellebuyck with the Winnipeg Jets that fell through before the 2026 NHL Draft last month. It’s rumored the Jets sought the Sabres’ 2026 first-round pick (fourth overall), goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, winger Jack Quinn, and a prospect.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Lambert suggested a package of Luukkonen and Quinn (or a player of similar value), a pair of first-rounders (to replace the value of that fourth-overall pick from the original offer), and maybe a pair of decent prospects might get it done.

It would be a worthwhile bet for the Sabres but would raise the bar for them to exceed expectations.

WINNIPEG FREE PRESS: Ken Wiebe looks at what it might cost the Sabres now to acquire Hellebuyck from the Jets.

Promising defenseman Radim Mrtka would be a good addition, but Wiebe believes the Sabres would have to add one or two good forwards in the deal. They won’t part with Zach Benson or Konsta Helenius. Options could include Quinn, Jiri Kulich, Ryan McLeod, or Noah Ostlund.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck was reportedly open to waiving his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo. It was also reported that the Sabres wanted the Jets’ 2026 first-rounder (eighth overall), which may have spiked the deal.

The two sides could revisit those trade discussions, but Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will still insist on a significant return. With Hellebuyck under contract for five more seasons, he’s not in a hurry to move him, and it doesn’t appear that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is pushing him for a trade.

SENATORS STILL SHOPPING FOR A SCORER

OTTAWA SUN: Callum Fraser reports Senators GM Steve Staios remains in the market for a scoring forward.

Staios acquired wingers William Eklund and Andre Burakovsky via trades and brought back forwards Claude Giroux and Nick Cousins.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert looked at possible options available for the Senators.

Former Senator Vladimir Tarasenko is still out there in the free-agent market, but he’d have to take a pay cut to return to Ottawa. Patrik Laine is another, but he’s a streaky scorer with a long injury history.

Lambert noted that Brock Boeser of the Vancouver Canucks could be an option if he’s willing to waive his no-trade clause. Pavel Zacha of the Boston Bruins and Kirill Marchenko of the Columbus Blue Jackets have also surfaced in the rumor mill, but it’s questionable if they’re available.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Senators’ search for a pure scoring winger could carry on into the regular season.

Tarasenko has put up decent numbers, but his best years are now behind him. Laine’s declining speed has also been an issue, and he’s more of a power-play specialist now.

Boeser has been loyal to the Canucks despite their difficulties. The Bruins seem intent on re-signing Zacha. Blue Jackets GM Don Waddell swears that Marchenko will be in the Blue Jackets lineup this season.

UPDATE ON ARBER XHEKAJ

TVA SPORTS: According to Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Arber Xhekaj.

The 25-year-old Montreal Canadiens defenseman is a restricted free agent, and he has been the subject of trade speculation since last season. The Calgary Flames were also believed to be interested in the rugged blueliner.

Pagnotta claimed the Canadiens and Xhekaj’s camp are still negotiating a new contract for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There have been mixed reports out of Montreal regarding Xhekaj’s value to the Canadiens. Some believe head coach Martin St. Louis lacks confidence in the big defenseman, but others believe his physical presence fills an invaluable role as the club’s enforcer.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2026

by | Jul 23, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 23, 2026

 

Check out the latest on Red Wings center Dylan Larkin, plus updates on the Blues and Canucks in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Max Bultman wondered if Steve Yzerman stepping down as general manager of the Detroit Red Wings would affect center Dylan Larkin’s trade request.

Larkin, 29, listed the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and Florida Panthers as his preferred trade destinations. It’s believed he expanded that list to include the Dallas Stars.

Bultman believes it’s a complicated situation, looking at several possibilities.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

One of them could be a new general manager taking a different stance from Yzerman’s hard-line approach to Larkin’s request. That GM could be more collaborative toward getting a deal done, which could convince Larkin to expand his list.

For now, it’s too soon to say how this will unfold until a new general manager is named.

MLIVE.COM: Ansar Khan believes it would be worthwhile for the Red Wings if the new general manager can convince Larkin to stay. They have no one within their system to fill his role as first-line center, and such players are difficult to find in the trade market. His $8.7 million average annual value is considered a bargain in today’s market.

Larkin shouldn’t have any difficulty returning to the Red Wings dressing room if his strained relationship with Yzerman is the reason behind his trade request. Khan acknowledged that Larkin would be booed at first by Red Wings fans if he stays, but that could fade if he continues to produce as he has in recent years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s been over a week since the Red Wings announced that Yzerman was out as general manager and executive vice president. So far, there’s no sign that Larkin has changed his mind about his trade request.

Larkin could be waiting to see who replaces Yzerman. On the other hand, his mind could be made up that he wants out regardless of who becomes GM.

THE ATHLETIC: In a recent mailbag segment, Jeremy Rutherford was asked if Pavel Buchnevich will still be on the St. Louis Blues’ roster after the 2027 trade deadline.

Rutherford replied that he’d be shocked if the Blues were able to move Buchnevich, whose performance has declined in recent years. He noted that the winger will turn 32 in April and has four years remaining on his contract.

Rutherford was also asked if the Blues were interested in Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin and Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matthew Knies.

The Blues have shown an interest in Nikishin and will continue to do so if the price is right. Rutherford is sure they checked in on Knies, but the asking price sounded exorbitant.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blues have a better chance of landing Nikishin than they do Knies.

The Hurricanes are reportedly weighing trading Nikishin over re-signing the 24-year-old blueliner. Meanwhile, the new management in Toronto isn’t as keen to move Knies as their predecessor was.

THE PROVINCE: Patrick Johnston recently reported that the Vancouver Canucks’ ownership would like to reduce player payroll by $20 million.

He noted the Canucks are already down $12 million in payroll compared to last season. PuckPedia indicates that their current salary cap payroll is $86,185, 833.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Canucks could attempt to free up that $8 million by trading Elias Pettersson, but his $11.6 million AAV and his declining production make him difficult to move.

Brock Boeser ($7.25 million AAV) and Jake DeBrusk ($5.5 million) are more likely trade candidates. One or both could be moved at the deadline, provided those moves don’t put the Canucks below the salary cap minimum of $76.9 million.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2026

by | Jul 22, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 22, 2026

A look at the latest regarding the top remaining unrestricted free agents in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox recently looked at the latest speculation regarding the top remaining unrestricted free agents.

Detroit Red Wings forward Patrick Kane (NHL Images).

Patrick Kane tops Fox’s list. He noted there were rumors that the 37-year-old winger was considering contract offers from his former club, the Chicago Blackhawks, and his hometown team, the Buffalo Sabres.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kane seems to be taking his time to consider his options. He’s unlikely to be an expensive signing for either club.

Defenseman Logan Stanley is reportedly still weighing his options. The 28-year-old is said to be seeking a four- or five-year contract worth up to $25 million.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Stanley might have to revise his asking price. The best opportunity for him to get that deal was within the opening week of the market.

Winger Eeli Tolvanen is believed to be seeking term on his next contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 27-year-old Tolvanen is among the youngest players in this summer’s market. It’s a little surprising that he hasn’t signed yet. The longest term he’s had on his previous contracts was three years.

Some observers wonder if the Edmonton Oilers might have an interest in winger Vladimir Tarasenko after they previously “kicked tires” on Claude Giroux before he signed with the Ottawa Senators.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Julian Gaudio of The Hockey News has the Oilers on his list of suggested destinations for Tarasenko. The others include the Buffalo Sabres, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Utah Mammoth.

Defenseman John Klingberg is fifth on Fox’s list. He noted the Boston Bruins and Philadelphia Flyers remain eager to boost the right side of their defense corps.

Winger Patrik Laine remains available. The New York Islanders, Los Angeles Kings, Calgary Flames, and Minnesota Wild were reportedly considering him as a reclamation project.

Other notables include forwards Michael Bunting, Reilly Smith, and Philipp Kurashev, and goaltender Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The remaining players on this list might have to wait until late August or early September to get new contracts. Some could end up on professional tryout offers during training camp.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2021

by | Jul 21, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 21, 2021

The latest on Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, and Kraken center Shane Wright in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates and Matthew Fairburn recently examined what a hypothetical trade sending goaltender Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets to the Buffalo Sabres would look like.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Hellebuyck, 33, was linked to the Sabres before last month’s NHL Draft weekend. The two clubs were reportedly close to a deal, but the Jets refused to part with the eighth overall pick.

Ates and Fairburn believe the Jets would covet a Sabres forward such as Josh Doan or Zach Benson. However, they speculate that a return of forward Ryan McLeod and a “substantial secondary piece” could be viewed as a success for the Jets.

The Sabres would likely prefer parting with futures such as draft picks and prospects. Their selection of defenseman Daxon Rudolph could make them more willing to part with prospect blueliner Radim Mrtka. They could also part with their 2027 first-round pick.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It remains to be seen if the Jets and Sabres can work out a deal involving Hellebuyck. Nothing seems imminent, but we have seen significant trades occur during training camp or preseason in September.

Hellebuyck has five years left on his contract, so the Jets aren’t in a hurry to trade him. They can take their time and wait for the right offer. It also buys them time for Hellebuyck and his teammates to bounce back this season, reducing any pressure to move him.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline looked at how the new contracts for Anaheim Ducks center Leo Carlsson (five years, $18 million average annual value) and Chicago Blackhawks center Connor Bedard (five years, $15 million AAV) could affect the Columbus Blue Jackets’ efforts to re-sign center Adam Fantilli.

Like Carlsson and Bedard, the 21-year-old Fantilli is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract. As much as Carlsson’s new deal seemed to blow up the market for young RFAs, Portzline suggested Bedard’s contract might tilt it back the other way. It could also set the parameters for Fantilli’s new deal.

Portzline cited a league source, who said an eight-year contract is unlikely to be Fantilli’s new term. It’s more likely that he’ll give a five-year term like Carlsson and Bedard.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Going for the shorter term could become a trend for good young RFA players. It doesn’t lock them into a deal for too long, enabling them to negotiate for a more lucrative contract sooner.

As for what Fantilli receives for an AAV, it could be between $12 million and $13 million, unless a rival club pushes it higher with an offer sheet. It was assumed Fantilli would be the Philadelphia Flyers’ alternate target when the Ducks matched their offer sheet for Carlsson, but they were reportedly only interested in Carlsson.

THE SCORE: cited The Athletic’s Josh Yohe, who reports the Pittsburgh Penguins are intrigued by the idea of trading for Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright.

Wright, 22, has reportedly been on the block since the March trade deadline. Yohe also noted that former Kraken general manager Ron Francis has returned to the Penguins’ organization, and he knows Wright well.

Yohe noted that the Kraken have set a high asking price for Wright, which could put him outside the Penguins’ comfort zone.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken are reportedly working with Wright’s agent to find a suitable trade destination. However, they won’t be pressured into accepting a lower return. This could carry over into the regular season.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 20, 2026

by | Jul 20, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 20, 2026

Catch up on some recent Oilers speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

EDMONTON JOURNAL: David Staples recently noted a couple of reports from Philadelphia and Montreal regarding Oilers superstar Connor McDavid.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid (NHL Images)

The first was from former NHL enforcer turned color commentator Todd Fedoruk, who speculated about the future of the Oilers’ captain during a recent appearance on a Philadelphia sports radio show.

Fedoruk suggested that McDavid, who is in the first year of a two-year contract, could request a trade if he doesn’t have a good start to this season. He claimed there are rumors that Philadelphia “is a place that Connor McDavid wants to go now.” However, Fedoruk wondered what the Flyers could get out of McDavid at this stage of his career.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If McDavid decides he wants out of Edmonton before his contract expires in 2028, he’ll want to join a Stanley Cup contender because a Cup champion is the only thing missing from his NHL resume.

All due respect to the Flyers, but they’re not a Cup contender yet and probably won’t be one in 2028. Sure, they could surprise us and vault into that category, but it’s unlikely that they will be among his list of preferred destinations.

Staples also noted that Jack Todd of the Montreal Gazette believed the Canadiens wouldn’t need McDavid if he became available. He acknowledged McDavid as a great player but felt he would upset the Canadiens’ tight-knit chemistry.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Canadiens could add McDavid without gutting their roster, their prospect pool, or their salary-cap payroll, they would. Any team would. Nevertheless, it’s probably a moot point because McDavid might prefer going to a market where the spotlight isn’t a harsh after over a decade in Edmonton.

Jim Matheson reports the Oilers have 15 forwards signed for 13 roster spots this season. He speculates that Mattias Janmark and Max Jones could become the odd men out.










NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2026

by | Jul 18, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 18, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: five players who could seek maximum AAVs on their next contracts and the latest Rangers speculation.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I will be taking time off on Sunday, July 19. The next update to this site will be Monday, July 20. And now, on to today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Justin Arenburg recently listed five NHL players who could seek the maximum average annual value on their next contracts.

The maximum AAV for NHL players is 20 percent of whatever the salary cap is on the date the player signs their contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The maximum AAV for 2026-27 is $20.8 million. A player who signs a contract extension during this season would receive this season’s maximum rate.

The salary cap will rise to $113.5 million for 2027-28, making the maximum AAV $22.7 million. It would be beneficial for a superstar on an expiring contract to wait until July 1, 2027, when they can earn a higher maximum AAV.

San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (NHL Images).

Arenburg lists Macklin Celebrini of the San Jose Sharks and Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche as the top candidates for 2027. Celebrini will be a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract, while Makar will be the top unrestricted free agent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: As explained earlier, if Celebrini and Makar sign extensions during this season for the league maximum, it would be $20.8 million. If they wait until July 1, it’ll be $22.7 million.

Celebrini has indicated he could be open to signing for less than the maximum, but he’ll still get a substantial raise. With Leo Carlsson’s new contract with its $18 million AAV setting the benchmark, Celebrini would be justified in seeking more because of his status among the league’s elite players.

Makar is earning an AAV of $9 million on his current deal. Given that he’s considered the best defenseman in the league, he is expected to seek more than Carlsson’s $18 million AAV. How much more remains to be seen.

Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid and Toronto Maple Leafs captain Auston Matthews would be the top UFAs in the 2028 free agent market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Given their accomplishments, McDavid and Matthews would be justified in seeking top dollar from their existing teams or from other clubs on the open market. With the 2028-29 salary cap projected to be $123 million, the maximum AAV would be $24.6 million.

Arenburg also included Connor Bedard of the Chicago Blackhawks on this list. The 21-year-old is currently an RFA coming off his entry-level contract. He’s struggled at times to play up to the hype as “the next McDavid”, in part due to injuries that have hampered his performance.

Nevertheless, it was recently revealed that Carlsson’s agents said they looked at Bedard as a comparable player when negotiating their client’s current contract. Arenburg suggested the possibility of the Blackhawks center signing for the league maximum.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It will be interesting to see how Bedard’s contract negotiations pan out. He and the Blackhawks were reportedly negotiating an extension when he suffered a shoulder injury earlier this month that has sidelined him for four months. What effect that has on those discussions remains to be seen.

THE ATHLETIC: Vincent Z. Mercogliano recently looked at several options for the New York Rangers to add another forward to their roster during the offseason.

According to Mercogliano’s sources, the Rangers poked around on Anthony Mantha (before he signed with the New Jersey Devils) and Eeli Tolvanen. Patrik Laine could be an option on a one-year, “prove-it” deal, but “Drury’s interest is unclear”.

Young trade targets could include Shane Wright of the Seattle Kraken, Kent Johnson of the Columbus Blue Jackets, and Connor Zary of the Calgary Flames.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Kraken are currently entertaining trade offers for Wright, and it’s believed the Flames are open to offers for Zary. There hasn’t been much speculation about Johnson, but that doesn’t mean the Blue Jackets won’t entertain offers.

Mercogliano didn’t rule out the Rangers adding a veteran forward with ties to the club, such as Vancouver Canucks wingers Brock Boeser and Jake DeBrusk (through J.T. Miller) and Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust (through head coach Mike Sullivan). However, all those players are 29 or older, and each one carries a significant salary.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: My guess is Drury prefers adding one of those younger forwards. They carry reasonable contracts and could be solid additions for years if they flourish in New York.