NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2026

by | Oct 28, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 28, 2026

Check out the latest on the Red Wings, Kraken, Predators, and more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN AND SIMON EDVINSSON

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Montreal Canadiens and Boston Bruins are two teams not on Dylan Larkin’s 10-team trade list that are rumored to be interested in the Detroit Red Wings center.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Understandably, the Canadiens might be interested in Larkin because they need a second-line center. However, I’m skeptical that the Bruins would be a suitor. They’re doing quite well thus far with Pavel Zacha, a resurgent Elias Lindholm, and promising youngsters Fraser Minten, James Hagens, and Matt Poitras.

Granted, Zacha is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer and hasn’t committed to a new contract. Lindholm is 31 and has been inconsistent in recent years, while Minten, Hagens, and Poitras have yet to reach their potential. Nevertheless, they don’t appear to have an immediate pressing need for someone like Larkin.

Dreger wondered whether the Buffalo Sabres, Nashville Predators, and St. Louis Blues might be interested in pursuing Larkin if he expands his trade list. He indicated the Red Wings are conducting due diligence by scouting some of the clubs not on Larkin’s current list in case he changes his mind.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Predators and Blues are trying to retool, and Larkin’s preference is for American-based teams that give him the best chance to win the Stanley Cup. The Sabres showed promise last season, but their current struggles could make him leery of joining them.

As for Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson, Dreger believes the Predators are among “nine or 10 other clubs” interested in the 23-year-old restricted free agent. Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff prefers signing Edvinsson, but he’s also taking trade calls.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The clock is ticking for Edvinsson and the Red Wings. Dec. 1 is the deadline for restricted free agents to be signed. Otherwise, he’ll be ineligible to play the remainder of this NHL season.

KRAKEN PURSUING A SCORER, PREDATORS WANT TO ACQUIRE YOUNGER PLAYERS

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Seattle Kraken continue to search for a “top-line scoring winger.” To address that need, general manager Jason Botterill could be willing to draw on some of his promising young centers as trade bait.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Matty Beniers recently surfaced in the rumor mill as a target for teams seeking a top-six center, but it’s unlikely Botterill parts with the 23-year-old center. Sophomore center Berkly Catton is having a promising start with nine points in 12 games, but that performance is also a good reason to hang onto him.

Shane Wright frequently appeared in trade rumors last season and into the offseason. However, no one made an offer that would entice the Kraken GM to part with him. He’s currently playing right wing alongside Catton and winger Kaapo Kakko on their third line.

Nashville Predators GM Chris McFarland remains “very, very interested in adding some young skill.” He might be willing to dangle a veteran defenseman like Brady Skjei or Nicolas Hague. Dreger also speculated that McFarland might move some of his veteran forwards for some younger talent.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Center Ryan O’Reilly is the most likely trade candidate because he’s eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer. Winger Jonathan Marchessault occasionally popped up in rumors during the last two seasons.

UPDATE ON ARTTURI LEHKONEN’S CONTRACT TALKS WITH THE AVALANCHE

TSN: Chris Johnston reports Colorado Avalanche winger Artturi Lehkonen is UFA-eligible next summer. He’s off to a hot start to this season and is in line for a substantial raise.

Johnston said there’s nothing imminent between Lehkonen and the Avalanche. The 31-year-old winger would like to stay in Colorado, but he could price himself out of that market if he maintains his current production.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Lehkonen is earning an average annual value of $4.5 million. He has a 12-team no-trade list and has 10 goals and 14 points in 12 games this season skating alongside center Nathan MacKinnon.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2026

by | Oct 27, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 27, 2026

Check out the latest on the Maple Leafs and Flames in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

SPORTSNET: Luke Fox reports that Toronto Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka still wants to improve his club’s defensive play. However, he doesn’t necessarily think a trade is necessary, citing the club’s internal improvement in recent games.

Chayka also downplayed the club’s limited salary cap and tagging issues. He believes they have “good flexibility” and doesn’t see it as a barrier to a trade.

Toronto Maple Leafs forward Easton Cowan (NHL Images)

Maple Leafs sophomore winger Easton Cowan has avoided the sophomore slump with 13 points in 14 games. The 21-year-old Cowan has been rumored as part of potential trade packages, but Chayka believes he’d be difficult to replace.

“I don’t think any player is untradeable, but he’s a good player,” Chayka said of Cowan. “He is everything you’d want in a Toronto Maple Leaf. He loves the Leafs, is passionate about it, plays a 200-foot game, does whatever it takes, in the gym, doing extra on the ice.”

Chayka didn’t rule out making another blockbuster trade. On Sept. 28, he shipped popular power forward Matthew Knies to the Columbus Blue Jackets for Kirill Marchenko in a six-player deal.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Losing oft-injured shutdown defenseman Chris Tanev earlier this month sparked speculation that Chayka was shopping around for help. However, the Leafs’ recent four-game win streak and Tanev’s return to practice have likely prompted him to remain patient for now.

Cowan will be part of the asking price if Chayka wants to swing another blockbuster. However, it would have to be a significant return to include the promising young winger in a deal.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports Calgary Flames GM Craig Conroy will have some important decisions to make before the March 1 trade deadline.

Teams have called about Zach Whitecloud. The 29-year-old defenseman is signed through 2027-28 with an affordable $2.75 million average annual value. However, Conroy is reluctant to part with Whitecloud’s experience and skill. He also noted that the veteran blueliner wants to stay and be part of the club’s rebuild.

Center Morgan Frost is eligible for unrestricted free agent status next July. However, the 27-year-old center fits the age bracket of the roster, so Conroy is interested in keeping him.

LeBrun believes Ryan Strome is a more likely trade candidate. Like Frost, the 33-year-old center is UFA-eligible next July. However, Conroy is taking a wait-and-see approach.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Conroy has spent the past two seasons rebuilding his roster by shuttling out veterans for young players, draft picks, and prospects. However, it could be worthwhile retaining Whitecloud, Frost, and Strome if they’ve bought in and want to be part of the solution in Calgary.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 26, 2026

by | Oct 26, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 26, 2026

Could Dylan Larkin accept a trade to the Canadiens? Should the Lightning pursue him? Could trade rumors about Zach Werenski start up again? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE LATEST ON DYLAN LARKIN

NHL ON TNT: Jackie Redmond asked Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman if there was any chance that Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin might expand his 10-team trade list.

Friedman suggested that the game the Red Wings played against the Canadiens in Montreal earlier this month, where Canadiens fans chanted his name, “moved the needle a bit”, but not to the point where he says yes to Larkin in Montreal.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)

The only way he thinks it might happen is if the two teams were in a position where they felt they could make a deal, and go to Larkin to see if he’d agree to it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It obviously didn’t “move the needle” enough for Larkin to include the Canadiens among his 10 preferred destinations. Assuming he’d include them if he broadens his list again, the fact he never deemed the Habs worthy of being among his previous choices suggests they’d be his last resort.

And really, is that the type of player you want to pursue? “Oh well, if they’re the only team I can go to right now, okay, I guess so…”

I understand why the Canadiens remain interested in Larkin. But at some point, you’ve got to accept that he’s just not into you and move on. Save your assets for better options later in the season.

SPORTSNET: Turning to teams on Larkin’s trade list, Michael Amato believes the Tampa Bay Lightning should make a major push to acquire the 30-year-old center.

Amato noted that Lightning general manager Julien BriseBois has a well-deserved reputation for going all-in. They’ve been a perennial contender, they’re off to another good start, and Larkin could put them over the top and back on track to win another Stanley Cup.

However, Amato acknowledged the challenge BriseBois faces building a suitable trade offer and freeing up salary-cap space to add Larkin. He suggested building a package around futures such as Conor Geekie, other prospects, and first-round picks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Geekie fits the Red Wings’ rumored asking price of a young center (or centers) as part of the return for Larkin. Cap space would be the most difficult hurdle to clear.

The Bolts have $3.17 million in current cap space, meaning they’ll have to shed significant salary now to make room for Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value. And no, the Red Wings won’t retain half.

The Bolts could wait until the March 1 trade deadline, when they’ll have accrued over $12 million in cap space, but Larkin could be long gone by then.

COULD TRADE RUMORS START SWIRLING ABOUT ZACH WERENSKI AGAIN?

SPORTSNET: Michael Amato wondered if defenseman Zach Werenski will soon reappear in the rumor mill if the Columbus Blue Jackets fail to improve.

Werenski at least thought seriously about trade options last summer, to the point that GM Don Waddell fielded trade offers for him. Ultimately, the pair released a statement in which the reigning Norris Trophy winner reiterated his commitment to the Blue Jackets.

However, the Jackets have started poorly this season. Amato noted that they’re not in a great position cap-wise, and lack difference-makers on their roster. Winger Dmitri Voronkov recently surfaced in the rumor mill as a trade candidate.

Werenski is signed through 2027-28, but the Blue Jackets will want to know if he’ll be willing to sign a contract extension. However, the club is running out of time to show him that they can become a winner.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Blue Jackets miss the playoffs again, Werenski’s a goner next summer. And I wouldn’t blame him. He’s spent 11 seasons with the Jackets, but apart from a few promising seasons earlier in his career, they’ve been mired in mediocrity.

Werenski turns 30 next July and only has a few seasons left before his performance inevitably declines. Like other players in similar situations (hello there, Dylan Larkin), he wants to play for a winner while he’s still in his prime.

If Werenseki goes, bigger changes could soon follow for the Blue Jackets. Their fans deserve better than what they’ve endured since the franchise’s inception in 2000-01.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 25, 2026

by | Oct 25, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 25, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: the Hurricanes tried to acquire Connor Hellebuyck, the latest on Dylan Larkin, and the Capitals granted permission for Ivan Miroshnichenko to speak with other teams.

HURRICANES ATTEMPTED TO ACQUIRE CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Carolina Hurricanes really wanted to acquire Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets. However, the Jets wanted immediate forward help, and the Hurricanes were unwilling to part with a player like Logan Stankoven, Seth Jarvis, or Jackson Blake.

The Hurricanes tried to reach out to other teams to find forwards the Jets might have interest in. They would’ve acquired those forwards and flipped them to the Jets for Hellebuyck, who was subsequently traded to the New Jersey Devils on Friday.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: No word on who those forwards might’ve been. Nevertheless, it’s another example of the creativity of Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky, even if it didn’t work out this time.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)

Friedman also wondered if Hellebuyck and the NHL Players Association would file a grievance against the Jets over his suspension without pay. He’ll have until early December to do so.

THE LATEST ON THE RED WINGS

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports nothing has changed regarding Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and unsigned defenseman Simon Edvinsson. He said the Red Wings continue to take calls on both players, adding that they’re interested in young centers, either in the NHL or not yet there.

THE SCORE: Joshe Wegman ranked the 10 teams on Larkin’s trade list by viability based on trade bait, salary-cap flexibility, and motivation.

The Utah Mammoth top his list. The Carolina Hurricanes are second, with the possibility of unsigned defenseman Alexander Nikishin being part of the deal. The Washington Capitals were third, with Wegman speculating that center Dylan Strome would be part of the return.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wegman’s list appeared before Friedman’s report indicating the Red Wings’ interest in getting young centers. Strome lacks no-trade protection, but the Wings might not be interested in the 29-year-old center unless he’s packaged with a good young center.

Wegman has the Minnesota Wild at No. 4, though it’s believed they’re atop Larkin’s trade list. However, he pointed out that if the Wild had enough tradeable assets, Larkin would already be in Minnesota.

The Lightning sit at No. 5, but Wegman acknowledged they’d have to get creative to free up the cap space for Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings could retain part of Larkin’s salary to facilitate a trade with the Lightning, but they’d prefer clearing his full cap hit.

Wegman listed the New Jersey Devils at No. 6. He acknowledged their acquisition of Connor Hellebuyck makes adding Larkin unlikely, but he doesn’t rule it out.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: I do, especially if they hope to reunite the Hughes brothers by acquiring Quinn via trade or free agency.

The Vegas Golden Knights, Dallas Stars, Colorado Avalanche, and Florida Panthers round out the list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Those clubs lack the cap space and tradeable assets to make it happen.

CAPITALS WILLING TO MOVE IVAN MIROSHNICHENKO

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports the Washington Capitals have given winger Ivan Miroshnichenko and his agent permission to speak with other teams about a trade.

Miroshnichenko, 22, was the 20th overall pick in the 2022 NHL Draft. Friedman said he’s a good young forward who hasn’t cracked the Capitals lineup. The club wants “a legit return” and won’t put him on waivers because they know he won’t clear.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 6’1”, 205-pound Miroshnichenko projects as a top-six scoring left winger. He could entice clubs with aging rosters looking for a promising, affordable young forward.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2026

by | Oct 24, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 24, 2026

A look at the fallout from the Connor Hellebuyck trade, plus the latest on the Penguins and Devils in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE FALLOUT FROM THE CONNOR HELLEBUYCK TRADE

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun examined how Winnipeg’s trade of Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils could affect the goalie trade market.

LeBrun believes this could sting the Carolina Hurricanes to see Hellebuyck traded to a division rival after pursuing the three-time Vezina Trophy winner for several months. He wondered if Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky will look elsewhere for a goaltending upgrade.

Winnipeg Jets trade goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils (NHL Images).

The Buffalo Sabres also tried for Hellebuyck, especially before the NHL Draft in June. The Utah Mammoth looked into it, but LeBrun doesn’t believe they were seriously interested.

LeBrun wondered if the addition of Hellebuyck would make the Devils more enticing to Quinn Hughes. The Minnesota Wild defenseman is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent in July and has not indicated his intentions. LeBrun also pondered whether this might spur Wild GM Bill Guerin to push harder to acquire center Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings.

DAILY FACEOFF: Jeff Marek also wondered if the Devils might make a play for Hughes and if the Wild could entice him to stay by acquiring Larkin.

Marek acknowledged that Hughes would love to play with his brothers Jack and Luke in New Jersey. However, it would take away playing time from Luke and reduce the latter’s role.

LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL: Danny Webster doubted the Vegas Golden Knights would’ve had a legitimate chance of acquiring Hellebuyck.

Webster believes they “kicked tires” on the 33-year-old goalie. However, they would’ve had to move Adin Hill in the deal, and the Jets are on his no-trade list. He also noted that the Jets didn’t want to move Hellebuyck to a Western Conference team.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Critics of Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff chided him for not getting a better return for Hellebuyck. However, he took the best deal, which means whatever the Hurricanes and Sabres proposed couldn’t beat the Devils’ offer.

Rumor has it that, before the 2026 NHL Draft, the Sabres offered up goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, winger Jack Quinn, the 2026 fourth-overall pick, and another asset. However, the Jets refused to part with their first-rounder (eighth overall), and the deal fell through.

If that speculation is true, Cheveldayoff blew an opportunity to get a better deal back then. Nevertheless, whatever the Sabres were offering now wasn’t as good as what they got from the Devils.

As for Quinn Hughes’ fate, it depends on whether the Wild prove themselves as a Stanley Cup contender. If they’re flying high in the standings by the March trade deadline but he’s still unsigned, they could retain him to push for the Cup in the hope that their performance entices him to stay. Landing Larkin could also convince him to stick around.

However, if the Wild decide to move him by the trade deadline, the Devils could have a difficult time winning the bidding war. They already gave up several tradeable assets to get Hellebuyck, and the Wild will set a high price for Hughes.

The Devils could wait for the offseason if Hughes decides to test the market. It’ll only cost them money instead of players, prospects, and draft picks. However, they have $16.8 million in projected cap space for 2027-28 with 16 active roster players under contract.

Hughes will likely seek over $20 million on his next contract, meaning the Devils would have to shed significant salary to free up sufficient room to sign him, but that wouldn’t leave much to fill out the rest of their roster.

LATEST ON THE PENGUINS

TSN: Darren Dreger reported Thursday that Pittsburgh Penguins GM Kyle Dubas is listening to offers for some of his veteran players.

Dreger claims Dubas is listening on players like Kris Letang, Erik Karlsson, Rickard Rakell, and Bryan Rust. However, he’s working with a “cash-strict budget, not just the NHL’s salary cap.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It sounds like the Penguins’ new ownership has set an internal cap ceiling. In other words, they’re not spending to the cap ceiling for the foreseeable future.

Karlsson is UFA-eligible next summer, so he’ll come off the books on July 1 unless traded before the March 1 deadline, assuming he waives his NMC.

Letang ($6.1 million), Rust ($5.125 million), and Rakell ($5 million) are signed through 2027-28. Letang has an NMC, but he has a 10-team trade list. Rakell has an eight-team no-trade list, while Rust lacks no-trade protection.

The 39-year-old Letang’s declining performance makes him a difficult sell to any of the teams on his list. Rakell and Rust could have some value as this season goes on.

BRENDEN DILLON DENIES RECENT TRADE RUMOR

NEW JERSEY HOCKEY NOW: Daniel Amoia cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, who clarified a rumor he’d heard earlier in the week that Devils defenseman Brenden Dillon rejected a trade last season.

Friedman followed up on the story after Dillon informed him that the rumor wasn’t true. He’d heard two Devils used their NTC, and thought Dillon was one of them.

Amaio noted that Devils blueliner Dougie Hamilton vetoed a trade last season that would’ve sent him to the San Jose Sharks.










Jets Trade Connor Hellebuyck to the Devils

by | Oct 23, 2026

Jets Trade Connor Hellebuyck to the Devils

The Winnipeg Jets trade goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils for goalie Nico Daws, forwards Dawson Mercer and Nick Bjugstad, prospect center Alexander Command, a second-round pick in 2029, and a seventh-round pick in 2027.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Hellebuyck saga has ended as he heads to a team that few predicted he would agree to be traded to. Most of the speculation had him going to the Carolina Hurricanes or Buffalo Sabres. 

Winnipeg Jets trade goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils (NHL Images).

Nevertheless, this was a move that Devils first-year general manager Sunny Mehta felt had to be made. His club began the season with two backup goaltenders in Daws and Jake Allen splitting the goaltending duties. As of today, their combined save percentage (.880) was among the league’s bottom third.

That wasn’t going to cut it for a team with aspirations of moving up into Stanley Cup contention, especially with superstars such as Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier on the roster.

Hellebuyck will need time to regain the form that made him the league’s only active three-time Vezina Trophy winner, a Hart Trophy winner in 2024-25, and the top goaltender in the 2026 Winter Olympics by backstopping Team USA to their first gold medal in 46 years.

Once Hellebuyck returns to game shape, the Devils could become one of the dominant teams in the Eastern Conference this season.

Trade rumors also linked the Devils to Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, who is UFA-eligible next summer. The cost of acquiring Hellebuyck could take them out of contention for the Wild’s superstar blueliner, dashing the hopes of Devils fans for a Hughes brothers reunion in New Jersey next year.

As for the Jets, they’re moving on from the greatest goalie in franchise history after 11 seasons. It’s not the ending either side envisioned when Hellebuyck signed his seven-year contract three years ago. However, he forced it by going public with his trade request in August and skipping training camp last month. That led to the Jets suspending Hellebuyck without pay, which was slated to end today.

General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has a reputation for patiently awaiting the right returns for players who’ve previously sought trades. That patience may have paid off again.

Mercer, 24, is a versatile young two-way forward who can play center or wing on the second or third line. He’s in the final season of a three-year contract with a $4 million AAV and will be a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next summer.

Daws is in the first season of a two-year contract with an average annual value of $1.1 million. He’s spent five seasons bouncing between the Devils and their AHL affiliate. The 25-year-old goaltender will get a chance to stick with the Jets this season as he’ll likely share duties with current starter Stuart Skinner.

The 34-year-old Bjugstad is a big, well-traveled checking-line forward who also plays center or on the wing. He’s in the second season of a two-year deal with a $1.75 million AAV.

Command was chosen 12th overall in this year’s draft. The 18-year-old center is considered an energetic, two-way playmaker. He’s currently playing for Örebro HK in the Swedish Hockey League.

It can be argued that the Jets didn’t get full value for Hellebuyck, but trades for superstars rarely fetch returns equivalent to their talent. It doesn’t make the Jets a Stanley Cup contender this season, but it should help them remain competitive now and in the future.