NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2026

by | Jul 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – July 1, 2026

Zach Werenski rejects a trade to the Stars, the latest UFA speculation, and updates on Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Vincent Trocheck, and Alexander Nikishin in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

ZACH WERENSKI REJECTS A TRADE TO THE STARS

TSN: Chris Johnston and Darren Dreger reported that Zach Werenski was presented with an opportunity to be traded to the Dallas Stars. However, the 28-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman was unwilling to waive his no-movement clause to facilitate the deal.

Earlier in the day, Pierre LeBrun speculated that the Stars could be among the teams interested in Werenski. He speculated that defenseman Thomas Harley could be heading to Columbus in the deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

According to Dreger, Werenski would prefer to be traded to an Eastern Conference club. LeBrun had previously mentioned the Tampa Bay Lightning and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations. However, he wasn’t sure if those clubs could meet the Blue Jackets’ asking price.

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who said the Stars and Blue Jackets had a verbal agreement in place that would’ve seen Harley go to the Blue Jackets as the centerpiece of a return that might’ve included other players and draft picks.

The deal was reached on Monday night, but the Stars had no idea that Werenski would veto the move hours before it was to be finalized on Wednesday morning.

Werenski has two years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of over $9.5 million.

This is the second trade within a week involving the Stars to be vetoed by a player. Their attempt to send winger Jason Robertson to the Seattle Kraken was nixed because the 26-year-old winger wouldn’t agree to sign a contract extension with the Kraken.

THE ATHLETIC: Chris Johnston and Aaron Portzline report Werenski hasn’t formally requested a trade, but he’s had multiple discussions with management since April about his uncertain future beyond the expiration of his contract.

The Blue Jackets seek a return built around a player or players who can help them immediately.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports a rumor making the rounds is that the Werenski camp is so upset over recent developments that all trade possibilities will be rejected. He believes that’s what happened with the Stars. However, Friedman thinks that might be “short-term hot-headiness, as opposed to realistic long-term outcome.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars’ offer of Harley in a package deal would’ve helped to address Werenski’s absence from the Blue Jackets’ defense corps. However, that deal won’t be revisited if the Norris Trophy winner prefers to remain in the East.

Werenski’s rumored unhappiness over what’s transpired could be the result of someone telling the press about his reluctance to sign an extension. If it came from the Blue Jackets’ side, it could irreparably damage his relationship with management and grease the skids for his departure.

The Maple Leafs could offer up Matthew Knies as part of a package offer for Werenski. He won’t fill that gaping hole on Columbus’ blueline, but he would replace Kirill Marchenko if his rumored unwillingness to sign an extension forces the Blue Jackets to part with him. In that scenario, Marchenko could be used as trade bait for a top-four defenseman.

LeBrun also mentioned that the Philadelphia Flyers were among the teams that badly wanted to get into the bidding for Werenski. However, they would probably be more interested in offering up draft picks and prospects, which wouldn’t address the Blue Jackets’ immediate need.

LATEST UFA SPECULATION BEFORE THE FREE AGENT MARKET OPENS

TSN: Chris Johnston believes the Maple Leafs could be among the suitors for Sergei Bobrovsky when the free-agent market opens today at noon EDT. The 37-year-old goaltender was unable to agree to a contract extension with the Florida Panthers, who acquired Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lance Hornby of the Toronto Sun shared Johnston’s belief that the Maple Leafs could attempt to sign Bobrovsky. We’ll find out soon enough if they’ll take the risk.

Johnston also believes the Vegas Golden Knights are on track to re-sign defenseman Rasmus Andersson after some recent cost-cutting moves. Since Friday, they’ve traded away Pavel Dorofeyev, Akira Schmid and Kaeden Korczek, freeing up cap room to retain the 28-year-old Andersson.

Regarding John Carlson, Johnston believed negotiations with the Carolina Hurricanes were trending toward re-signing him. He’d like a chance to win the Stanley Cup again, and the newly crowned Cup champions can give him that opportunity.

Johnston believes Jacob Trouba shouldn’t have much trouble finding a new club when the market opens today. The 32-year-old right-shot defenseman could be enticing to clubs that were hoping to sign Carlson, such as the Tampa Bay Lightning, Flyers, and Boston Bruins.

As for Patrick Kane, Johnston noted that he was interested in returning with the Detroit Red Wings. However, he wondered if the 38-year-old winger might take a look to see if other clubs might be interested, such as his hometown club, the Buffalo Sabres.

UPDATE ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

THE WINNIPEG SUN: Massimo De Luca-Taronno reports the Buffalo Sabres remain in the running to acquire Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

The two clubs were working on a deal that would’ve sent the 33-year-old goaltender to Buffalo, but it fell through hours before the opening day of the draft on Friday.

Interest in the three-time Vezina Trophy winner and Olympic gold medalist from the Carolina Hurricanes has reportedly cooled down. Meanwhile, the Florida Panthers are out of the sweepstakes following their acquisitions of Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid earlier this week. The New Jersey Devils need a starter after trading Markstrom to Florida.

If Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff intends to trade Hellebuyck, it must be for a return that helps them get faster and younger. If he keeps Hellebuyck, he must make moves to address the club’s need for a second-line center, a bottom-six winger, and a suitable defense partner for Josh Morrissey.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman doesn’t buy into the “Hellebuyck to New Jersey” hype. He believes that’s not a contract that fits the profile of Devils GM Sunny Mehta. Meanwhile, Friedman said Hellebuyck would waive his no-movement clause to go to Buffalo, but a couple of sources said a trade to the Sabres last week wasn’t as close as originally believed, with some of the rumored returns from the Sabres having no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Cheveldayoff was trying to find a suitable trade partner for Hellebucyk with that attempted move to Buffalo. While a lot of clubs would love to land the Jets’ starter, finding a return that meets Cheveldayoff’s asking price won’t be easy, especially if players won’t waive their no-trade clauses.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND VINCENT TROCHECK

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin has been unwilling to expand his three-team trade list, which puts the Wings in a bind. They know they must move on from the 29-year-old center and can’t afford to take a backward step.

Dreger thinks that Larkin’s limited trade list has some teams revisiting their interest in New York Rangers center Vincent Trocheck, whose 12-team no-trade list became a 10-team NTC as of July 1.

RANGERS ATTEMPTING TO ACQUIRE ALEXANDER NIKISHIN

SPORTS ILLUSTRATED: Cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting that he’d heard that the New York Rangers offered up draft picks, including a first-rounder, for Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin.

Friedman indicated that the Hurricanes want a player in return. He thinks the Rangers will try again.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 30, 2026

by | Jun 30, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 30, 2026

Check out the latest trade speculation about Zach Werenski, Connor Hellebuyck, and Darnell Nurse in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

COULD THE STARS OR SHARKS BE TRADE DESTINATIONS FOR ZACH WERENSKI?

TSN: Darren Dreger reports Zach Werenski would prefer to be traded to an Eastern Conference team, but the 28-year-old Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman is open to joining a Western Conference club.

According to Dreger, the Dallas Stars are very interested in Werenski, who won the Norris Trophy as this season’s top NHL defenseman. He believes the Stars could potentially offer Thomas Harley to the Blue Jackets.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

If so, Dreger doubted the Toronto Maple Leafs would be willing or able to match that level of an offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Stars are offering up Harley for Werenski, and if the latter is willing to go to Dallas, the Blue Jackets should jump on that proposal right away. Granted, the 24-year-old Harley isn’t on the same level as Werenski, but he’s still a big, skilled two-way defenseman who could fill the big gap left by Werenski’s departure. His contract is more expensive ($10.587 million), but he’s under contract through 2033-34. The Blue Jackets have the cap space to take on a skilled cost-controlled asset such as Harley.

And no, the Maple Leafs could not beat an offer of Thomas Harley for Werenski.

SAN JOSE HOCKEY NOW: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who dismissed the notion of the Sharks as a trade destination for Werenski.

Friedman believes Werenski wants to go to a club where he can win a Stanley Cup. However, he didn’t rule out the Sharks as a destination for the Norris winner when his contract expires in 2028.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sharks aren’t Cup contenders yet, but they could be within the next two or three years if all their young talent blossoms as expected.

JETS REPORTEDLY REJECTED SABRES’ OFFER FOR CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Jake Tye reports multiple sources claiming the Buffalo Sabres made a significant offer to the Winnipeg Jets for Connor Hellebuyck before the first round of the 2026 NHL Draft last Friday.

The offer was reportedly the No. 4 pick in the 2026 draft, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a player believed to be winger Jack Quinn, and at least one additional asset.

However, Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff rejected the offer. Tye believes Cheveldayoff wasn’t comfortable replacing the three-time Vezina Trophy-winning Hellebuyck with the volatile Luukkonen, who didn’t earn the bulk of the starts with the Sabres this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bear in mind that Cheveldayoff doesn’t have to rush into moving Hellebucyk, whose contract expires at the end of the 2030-31 season. There’s also no indication that the goaltender has requested a trade.

This report suggests that Cheveldayoff wants a reliable starting goaltender as part of the return for Hellebuyck. If so, it could take a while until someone makes a pitch to Cheveldayoff’s liking.

THE LATEST ON DARNELL NURSE

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli telling Oilers Now host Bob Stauffer that the San Jose Sharks have “made a play” for Darnell Nurse. The 31-year-old Oilers defenseman requested a trade earlier this month.

However, the Sharks aren’t believed to be on Nurse’s list of trade destinations. “And to this point in time, that hasn’t changed”.

THE BOSTON GLOBE’s Kevin Paul Dupont reports there were “murmurings” during the draft weekend that the Oilers would be willing to send Nurse to the Boston Bruins for Mason Lohrei, with the Oilers willing to “share” the difference in average annual values between the two players.

Nurse earns an AAV of $9.5 million, while Lohrei’s is $3.2 million. Dupont could see this move happening if the Oilers retain $3 million of Nurse’s cap hit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Oilers might have to retain some salary or take back additional salary in a deal to move Nurse. Unfortunately for them, the current CBA forbids three-team trades where each team picks up a piece of the playoffs AAV.










NHL Rumor Roundup – June 29, 2026

by | Jun 29, 2026

NHL Rumor Roundup – June 29, 2026

Check out the latest on Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, Islanders blueliner Alexander Romanov, Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TSN’s Chris Johnston reports there is some frustration among NHL general managers who haven’t been able to get the Columbus Blue Jackets to engage in trade talks for defenseman Zach Werenski.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 28-year-old Norris Trophy winner reportedly doesn’t intend to extend his contract next summer. He’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1, 2028.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

According to Johnston, there doesn’t seem to be any urgency from the Blue Jackets to move the Werenski situation along.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: To be fair to the Blue Jackets, they reportedly recently learned about Werenski’s intentions and were said to be gauging the trade market last week to determine his value.

Given the two years remaining on Werenski’s contract, Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell is in no rush to move him. The Jackets GM is also likely trying to plot a path forward for his club after learning of Werenski’s intentions. He’s also probably still dealing with learning on Friday that winger Kirill Marchenko doesn’t intend to sign an extension this summer. The 25-year-old winger is eligible to become a restricted free agent next summer with arbitration rights.

The best scenario for the Jackets would be to move those two players this summer for the best possible returns, thus avoiding speculation over their futures becoming an unnecessary distraction. However, doing so will also be a major setback for this club’s hopes of getting over the playoff hump after narrowly missing the last two postseasons.

THE HOCKEY NEWS’ Stefen Rosner observed there were some trade rumors regarding New York Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov.

Rosner considers the Romanov speculation to be similar to the chatter swirling around Islanders forward Mathew Barzal. Teams are calling, but that doesn’t mean the Isles are selling.

Romanov’s no-trade clause doesn’t kick in until next July. Rosner’s believes the blueliner’s injury-shortened season has some general managers looking to buy low on a quality defenseman under a long-term contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Romanov, 26, completed the first season of an eight-year contract with an average annual value of $6.25 million. It’s doubtful that the Isles will move him at this stage of his career.

HOCKEY 24/7’s Frank Seravalli reports he’s not expecting the Carolina Hurricanes to buy out the remainder of Jesperi Kotkaniemi’s contract, even though this would be their last chance to do so at 1/3 the remaining value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Players who are 25 or younger can be bought out at one-third the remaining value of their contract over twice the remaining term. For those 26 and older, it’s two-thirds at twice the remaining term.

According to Seravalli, the Hurricanes are actively seeking to trade Kotkaniemi. With the salary cap rising, his $4.8 million AAV will be considered the norm for a third-line center. He’s seen as a player with trade value given how few centers there are in the market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A once-promising Montreal Canadiens forward, Kotkaniemi signed a one-year offer sheet with the Hurricanes in the summer of 2021. He signed an eight-year extension the following season.

Kotkaniemi seemed poised for a breakout season after tallying 18 goals and 43 points in 82 games during the 2022-23 campaign. However, he struggled over the next two seasons. His inconsistency this season made him a frequent healthy scratch, and he never played a single game during the Hurricanes’ recent Stanley Cup run.

The limited number of quality centers in this summer’s trade and free-agent markets could make Kotkaniemi a reclamation project, depending on the Hurricanes’ asking price.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW JOURNAL: Danny Webster recently reported that the Golden Knights are expected to have over $13 million in salary-cap space once sidelined defenseman Alex Pietrangelo is placed on season-ending long-term injury reserve on July 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There was some talk that Pietrangelo might attempt to return to action in 2026-27 after missing all of this season recovering from hip surgeries. It appears that’s not in the cards for the 36-year-old blueliner, who has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $8.8 million.

Webster expects that between $8 million and $9 million of that cap space will be put toward signing defenseman Rasmus Andersson to a new contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Golden Knights acquired Andersson from the Calgary Flames in January. Some observers wondered what was taking them so long to sign the 28-year-old blueliner to an extension. In March, TSN’s Pierre LeBrun reported the Golden Knights had to wait until July 1 to do so, as that’s when they would be cap-compliant.

Teams are allowed to exceed the salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason. However, they can only do that starting on July 1, when the new season officially begins. They must be cap-compliant when their regular-season schedule begins in October.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 28, 2026

by | Jun 28, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – June 28, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup, it’s the latest on Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Jason Robertson, Dylan Larkin, and Darnell Nurse.

UPDATES ON ZACH WERENSKI AND KIRILL MARCHENKO

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Columbus Blue Jackets face three possibilities regarding defenseman Zach Werenski. They can trade the 28-year-old Norris Trophy winner during this offseason, wait until next summer when he has a year left on his contract, or keep him for the remaining two years of his deal.

LeBrun indicated that Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell wants NHL players in return for Werenski, not draft picks and prospects. He also noted that the blueliner’s no-movement clause becomes a 10-team trade list next summer.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

It’s believed that eight to 10 teams have contacted the Blue Jackets about Werenski. LeBrun expects the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, San Jose Sharks, and Carolina Hurricanes to be among them. He also believes the Toronto Maple Leafs would be one team the blueliner might consider. It’s not believed that Werenski’s agent has given the Blue Jackets a list of preferred trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell can afford to take his time to evaluate his options and suitable trade offers. The fact that he wants players in return could make this situation drag on for a while.

Werenski’s $9.583 million cap hit for the next two seasons will also be a factor. It’s unlikely Waddell will retain any part of it. Of the teams noted by LeBrun, the Stars have the least amount of cap space ($9.26 million), plus they’re also dealing with the Jason Robertson situation. More on that below.

Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets must also deal with the news that Kirill Marchenko doesn’t intend to sign a contract extension. The 25-year-old winger is a year away from becoming a restricted free agent with arbitration rights.

LeBrun noted that Marchenko has not requested a trade and is ready to return to play next season and the season after that, as the Blue Jackets will still control his rights for that season. Nevertheless, he doesn’t want to stick around for the long term.

Several teams, including the Montreal Canadiens, have called about Marchenko. However, Waddell has told teams that he’s not going to trade the winger this summer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Waddell’s position could change if a team is willing to overpay for Marchenko. As with Werenski, he can afford to be patient with this situation.

STARS STILL NEGOTIATING WITH JASON ROBERTSON

THE DALLAS MORNING NEWS: Lia Assimakopoulos reports Stars GM Jim Nill said his club still wants to re-sign Jason Robertson.

The 26-year-old winger is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Last week, Robertson rejected a trade that the Stars had lined up with the Seattle Kraken by refusing to accept an eight-year contract offer ($15 million average annual value) from the Kraken.

It’s believed the two sides are $2 million apart, with the Stars offering $12 million annually while Robertson seeks $14 million. He lacks a no-movement clause, but many teams won’t agree to trade for him if he’s unwilling to sign an extension with them.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Nill and the Robertson camp could reach an agreement on a new contract. The winger could file for arbitration, forcing the two sides to settle on a one-year deal that takes him up to unrestricted free-agent status next July. If Robertson files for arbitration, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet from another club.

The fact that there was a sign-and-trade scenario with Seattle suggests that Robertson may have played his final game with the Stars. He could be on the move if the right team makes a contract pitch similar to what he received from the Kraken.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff reports Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman is no closer to trading center Dylan Larkin. The 29-year-old Red Wings captain submitted a trade request earlier this month.

Yzerman made a short statement yesterday, indicating that Larkin has five years remaining on his contract. He said that he will do what’s best for the Red Wings, adding that there is no guarantee that Larkin’s request could or should be met.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Yzerman’s statement suggests that he hasn’t received any offers that would entice him to move Larkin. He seems prepared to wait the entire summer if necessary.

Larkin initially listed three clubs (Minnesota Wild, Florida Panthers, and Vegas Golden Knights) as preferred destinations. It’s rumored that he’d be open to expanding that list, and he might have to if he hopes to be moved before the start of next season.

DARNELL NURSE IS STILL WAITING FOR A TRADE

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Robert Tychkowski reports the Philadelphia Flyers, Pittsburgh Penguins, and Boston Bruins are believed to be on Darnell Nurse’s trade list.

Tychkowski suggested the Bruins could be the most likely landing spot. The Bruins need a left-shot defenseman to pair with Charlie McAvoy. They might be willing to include Mason Lohrei in the return, but he’d only be suitable for third-pairing minutes with the Oilers.

The Anaheim Ducks have been mentioned as a destination for Nurse. However, they already have Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov as their top four on left defense, and they need depth on the right side of their blueline.

Moving Nurse became more difficult with Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski emerging as a trade candidate.

Meanwhile, Kurt Leavins believes Nurse’s situation is holding up management’s roster plans for next season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The decline in Nurse’s performance over the past two years, combined with his $9.25 million AAV for the next four seasons, already made him a difficult sell in the trade market. Werenski’s potential availability will make it even more difficult for the Oilers to move him this summer.










NHL Rumor Mill – June 27, 2026

by | Jun 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – June 27, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Zach Werenski, Kirill Marchenko, Connor Hellebuyck, Jason Robertson, Darnell Nurse, and Mathew Barzal heading into the second day of the NHL Draft.

WERENSKI AND MARCHENKO COULD BE ON THEIR WAY OUT OF COLUMBUS

TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports Zach Werenski is unlikely to sign a contract extension next summer. The Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman has two years remaining on his deal.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

Over the past week, the Blue Jackets have been taking calls to gauge Werensky’s value in the trade market. There’s no guarantee that he’ll be traded this summer, but there is now a little more urgency on the Blue Jackets’ part.

LeBrun subsequently indicated that a dozen teams could become suitors for Werenski. He suggested the Dallas Stars, Philadelphia Flyers, and Carolina Hurricanes might come calling.

ESPN’s Kevin Weekes reported that Kirill Marchenko’s camp told him that it’s unlikely he’ll sign a contract extension with the Blue Jackets.

The 25-year-old winger has a year remaining on his contract and will become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer. He’s earning an average annual value of $3.85 million.

Weekes also indicated that the Marchenko camp will seek a deal comparable to what winger Pavel Dorofeyev signed on Friday with the New York Rangers. The Vegas Golden Knights traded the 25-year-old Dorofeyev to the Rangers, who promptly signed him to a seven-year contract worth an AAV of $11 million.

THE ATHLETIC: Aaron Portzline reports Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell didn’t rule out retaining Werenski and Marchenko for next season. Werenski’s no-trade clause becomes a 10-team trade list next July 1, while the Blue Jackets would still retain Marchenko’s rights.

Waddell will continue trying to improve his roster’s depth for next season, but Portzline believes it’s hard for the Blue Jackets GM to proceed when two of the pillars he was building around are starting to crumble.

MONTREAL HOCKEY NOW: Marc Dumont cited NHL insider Frank Seravalli, who claimed the Canadiens made a “MASSIVE” offer for Marchenko. “I don’t know the pieces involved,” Seravalli said, going on to say that he’d been told the Canadiens might look “borderline insane” for putting that deal on the table.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This news is a horrible gut punch for the Blue Jackets. Werenski and Marchenko are two of their core players. Having them indicate that they no longer see their futures in Columbus could have a demoralizing effect on the franchise and its fans at a time when they were hoping to build their roster this summer to push through as a playoff contender next season.

Waddell has a measure of control over this situation. He doesn’t have to move either player right away and can afford to wait for the right offers to come in. On the other hand, starting next season with two players who don’t want to be there will hang like a dark cloud over this franchise, becoming an unnecessary distraction for the players.

UPDATE ON CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

TSN: Darren Dreger reports there have been trade negotiations regarding Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Before Friday’s draft, there were “deep negotiations” with the Buffalo Sabres, with the fourth-overall pick in this year’s draft as part of those discussions, but those talks cooled before the draft.

Hellebuyck is under contract with the Jets for four more years, so they can afford to remain patient and await the right offer.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It looks like Hellebuyck to Buffalo isn’t happening as the Sabres used that pick to select prospect defenseman Daxon Rudolph. Of course, we can’t rule out other pieces being offered by the Sabres if they wish to revisit the talks, but that high draft pick was likely the main piece in their original discussions.

THE LATEST ON JASON ROBERTSON

TSN: Pierre LeBrun believes Jason Robertson wants to remain with the Dallas Stars, but the two sides are having difficulty finding the right number.

Robertson, 26, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1, and is a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. According to LeBrun, the winger seeks $14 million annually, while the Stars aren’t comfortable with going beyond $12.5 million.

LeBrun said the Stars have gone back to the teams that were interested in Robertson. However, there’s been nothing new because those clubs saw his rejection of a trade to Seattle and are concerned that he wouldn’t sign an extension.

An offer sheet is also a possibility on July 1. A $15 million AAV offer for seven years would mean the Stars would be entitled to four first-round picks as compensation.

THE ATHLETIC: Scott Powers and Mark Lazerus wondered if the Chicago Blackhawks have a shot at landing Robertson. They point out the Blackhawks have the financial freedom to sign Robertson, Connor Bedard, and Bowen Byram to $10-plus million contracts and still have plenty of cap space.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson and the Stars could agree to a new contract, but it seems more likely that he’s going to be playing for a new team next season. The Stars would’ve traded him to the Kraken if he’d been willing to accept their offer (eight years, $15 million AAV). They’re probably going to call around until they find a club he’d be willing to join before someone tries to sign him away with an offer sheet.

As for the Blackhawks, maybe the chance to play alongside Bedard would have more appeal, but Robertson’s preference seems to be playing with a contender.

NOTHING NEW ON DARNELL NURSE

TSN: Darren Dreger said there was nothing new to report on Darnell Nurse’s trade request. The Edmonton Oilers received a three-team trade list from the 32-year-old defenseman, but there’s been no headway with those clubs.

Dreger believes there is no benefit to either side in having this situation drag on through the summer. He speculated that Oilers management could ask the Nurse camp to expand their trade list.

TEAMS CALLING ABOUT MATHEW BARZAL

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Stefen Rosner reports cited sources claiming the New York Islanders are getting trade inquiries about forward Mathew Barzal as the trade and free-agent markets dry up.

Two of the teams are believed to be the Dallas Stars and Montreal Canadiens.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Stars could see Barzal as a potential replacement for Jason Robertson. The Canadiens are trying to find a top-six forward to skate alongside rising star Ivan Demidov on their second line. Rosner pointed out that the Isles previously told the Habs that Barzal wasn’t available.










NHL Trade Tracker – June 26, 2026

by | Jun 26, 2026

NHL Trade Tracker – June 26, 2026

The Utah Mammoth traded the 23rd overall pick to the Detroit Red Wings for goaltender Sebastian Cossa.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Mammoth needed a backup for Karel Vejmelka, who could one day become a starter. Cossa will have an opportunity to take over that role in Utah. 

The Anaheim Ducks trade Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues for the No. 15 and 29 picks in this draft (as per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet).

Anaheim Ducks trade center Mason McTavish to the St. Louis Blues (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McTavish was a fixture in the rumor mill for months. He’ll likely slot into their second-line center position with promising Dalibor Dvorsky centering their third line. He can also skate on the left wing. McTavish, 23, is a cost-controlled young player with an AAV of $7 million through 2030-31.

The New York Rangers acquire winger Pavel Dorofeyev from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for the No. 26 pick in this draft, a third-rounder in this draft, and a conditional 2028 first-round pick (top-10 protected). 

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Dorofeyev is a restricted free agent, meaning the cap-strapped Golden Knights might not have been able to match an offer sheet for him. The 25-year-old winger is a two-time 30-plus goal scorer who should be a solid fit among the Rangers’ top-six forwards. It’s also a significant loss for the Golden Knights’ offense. 

**UPDATE**  Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reports the Rangers will sign Dorofeyev to a seven-year contract worth an AAV of $11 million. 

The Boston Bruins have acquired winger JJ Peterka from the Utah Mammoth in exchange for a 2026 first-round pick and the 2028 first-round pick (originally from the Florida Panthers, top-10 protected).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: A year ago, the Mammoth acquired Peterka from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring, signing him to a five-year deal worth an average annual value of $7.7 million. After tallying 68 points with the Sabres in 2024-25, he had 47 points in 82 games with the Mammoth, and no points in six playoff games.

The Chicago Blackhawks trade winger Andre Burakovsky to the Ottawa Senators for a 2027 sixth-round pick (as per Frank Seravalli).

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Straightforward salary dump by the Blackhawks. Burakovsky has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $5.5 million. His best season was in 2021-22 with the Avalanche, netting 61 points. He hasn’t come close to those numbers since.

The Anaheim Ducks trade defenseman Olen Zellweger to the Buffalo Sabres for prospect center Anton Wahlberg and a second-round pick (45th overall) in this year’s draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s your replacement for Bowen Byram, Sabres fans.

Ottawa Senators acquire goaltender Samuel Ersson from the Toronto Maple Leafs in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2027 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs acquired Ersson from the Philadelphia Flyers in a multiplayer trade on June 16.

The Montreal Canadiens acquire forward Brett Berard from the New York Rangers for defenseman William Trudeau.