NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2026

by | Sep 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 10, 2026

Sabres star Tage Thompson would love to have Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck as a teammate, the latest Blue Jackets speculation, and suggested landing spots for Chris Kreider in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

TAGE THOMPSON STUMPS FOR CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Michael Traikos reports Buffalo Sabres center Tage Thompson made no secret that he’d love for his club to acquire Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Thompson said he and his Team USA teammates regularly text with Hellebuyck in their group chat. Since the Jets goaltender’s trade request has gone public, Thompson said he’d love to have him in Buffalo.

“He’s the best in the world,” Thompson said of Hellebuyck. “There’s things that are out of your control. We’d love to have him, but if that doesn’t happen, then we just move forward with the group we got.”

The Sabres and Jets reportedly held trade discussions involving Hellebuyck before the 2026 NHL Draft, but the two sides failed to find common ground on a deal. However, it’s believed the two sides have re-engaged in their talks as the regular season approaches. Traikos believes any potential deal would have to include one of the Sabres’ goaltenders.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Where the Sabres and Jets have better luck reaching a deal remains to be seen. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman last week indicated that trade options open to the Jets in June might not be available to them now.

In case you’re wondering, Thompson’s comments and his texting with Hellebuyck don’t violate the NHL’s anti-tampering rules. Those restrictions apply to coaches, general managers, team owners, and other team executives.

THE LATEST ON THE BLUE JACKETS

THE SICK PODCAST: Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell acknowledged that he’s received trade offers for Kirill Marchenko. However, he hasn’t received one yet that would convince him to part with the 26-year-old scoring winger.

Marchenko is reportedly unwilling to sign a contract extension, and his agent has made that clear on social media. However, Waddell indicated he won’t move the winger for less than his desired return.

THE HOCKEY WRITERS: Mark Scheig reports Waddell remains “100% confident” that a new contract for center Adam Fantilli will get done. “It’s not imminent, but we’re talking on a pretty regular basis now. I talked to his agent over the weekend and going to talk again here today or tomorrow.”

Fantilli, 21, is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Marchenko was the subject of trade speculation from late June into late July. That speculation faded throughout August, but his absence from the club’s annual golf tournament earlier this week has resurrected them. However, he’s contractually bound to report to training camp unless someone meets Waddell’s asking price.

Fantilli also skipped the golf tournament, prompting some to wonder if it’s time to worry about the status of his contract negotiations. The young center has little leverage except withholding his services, a tactic that rarely ends well for players who’ve gone that route.

WHERE COULD CHRIS KREIDER LAND?

THE SCORE: Josh Wegman listed what he considers to be the five best landing spots for Chris Kreider. The 35-year-old winger is on unconditional waivers for the purpose of terminating his contract, making him an unrestricted free agent.

Kreider reportedly wants to return to the Eastern Conference to be closer to his family in the New York area. Wegman listed the Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Philadelphia Flyers, and Tampa Bay Lightning.

DETROIT HOCKEY NOW: Bob Duff listed why adding Chris Kreider might make sense for the Red Wings and why he wouldn’t.

The Red Wings need more scoring. However, they’re not geographically close to the New York area, and they haven’t been in the playoffs for a decade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: In case you’re wondering why there are no Canadian teams on that list, it’s down to geography. Kreider probably prefers remaining in the United States.

The Bruins and Flyers are more in the market for top-six centers, but they could opt for a scoring winger in the short term. The Sabres are more likely to give their young players more ice time. The Hurricanes and Lightning could be too far from home for Kreider’s liking.

Kreider could be a good short-term fit for the New York Islanders. Yes, I appreciate the rivalry between the Isles and Rangers, but the Isles need more scoring and didn’t really address that issue this summer.

It’s doubtful Kreider lands with the New Jersey Devils after their offseason acquisitions of Evan Rodrigues, Anthony Mantha, and Luke Evangelista. They also have Timo Meier, Jesper Bratt, and Arseny Gritsyuk as their top three left wingers.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 9, 2026

by | Sep 9, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 9, 2026

Is Quinn Hughes reluctant to commit to the Wild? What’s the latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report Quinn Hughes will join Minnesota Wild teammate Matt Boldy on the NHL/NHLPA player media tour in Las Vegas on Wednesday. He will likely be questioned about where things stand with his contract extension talks.

Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (NHL Images).

Russo and Smith wonder if Hughes tells reporters he intends to sign with the Wild. If he ducks the question, it will put pressure on the Wild to trade him if they can’t reach an extension.

Hughes returns to Minnesota on Thursday. Wild general manager Bill Guerin hopes to sit down with the 26-year-old superstar defenseman and hammer out a deal in the coming days.

If the Wild hope to sign Hughes to an eight-year extension, they’ll have to do it by Sept. 15. After that, the maximum term for re-signing players drops to seven years. It’s rumored that the blueliner prefers a short-term deal of three years. If he wants three years at $20 million annually, Russo and Smith believe the Wild would do that.

RDS.CA: TSN insider Chris Johnston reports Hughes was having difficulty figuring out what he really wants for his future. He doesn’t believe the Wild have any restrictions on offering Hughes a big contract, but he has to be willing to sign it. “So far, I don’t believe he has committed to doing so or is even willing to do so,” Johnston said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Everyone knows that Quinn Hughes wants to play with his brothers Jack and Luke, who play for the New Jersey Devils. Guerin has preached patience, but Wild fans are growing concerned that Hughes could reject an extension, forcing Guerin to trade him before the March deadline, if not sooner.

If that happens, it will be a disaster for Guerin.

He gave up three promising young players to acquire Hughes from the Vancouver Canucks last December, betting that he could convince the puck-moving defenseman to sign an extension. However, if Hughes refuses to sign, he’ll be in a difficult situation.

The Wild GM could try to restock his prospect pipeline by trading Hughes, but if the blueliner intends to become an unrestricted free agent next July, few teams will want to part with a big return for a superstar who will walk on July 1. The Devils will be interested, but they won’t offer up much to get him, secure in the knowledge they can sign him next summer.

THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reports the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres, and Utah Mammoth are among the possibilities on the Connor Hellebucyk trade front.

LeBrun indicated the Hurricanes remain interested. He believes any potential deal might involve defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who remains an unsigned restricted free agent. He also noted that the Sabres and Jets had trade conversations in June, but nothing materialized.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There’s been no indication the Jets are close to moving Hellebuyck. That would explain why he recently made his trade request public, hoping to speed things up.

Just because it’s been quiet doesn’t mean Cheveldayoff hasn’t been talking quietly with other clubs. He prefers to take his time to find the best deal possible. Unless Hellebuyck ups the ante by refusing to report to training camp, he will remain patient in his search for a suitable trade partner.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2026

by | Sep 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 8, 2026

Check out the latest on Penguins captain Sidney Crosby, Senators winger Drake Batherson, and Bruins defenseman Mason Lohrei in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SHEET WITH JEFF MAREK: ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski weighed in on Sidney Crosby’s future with the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Wyshynski said he’s been in the “Sid’s gonna play somewhere else business for a long time.” He’d love to see Crosby join his friend Nathan MacKinnon with the Colorado Avalanche, or become the elder statesman for his childhood team, the Montreal Canadiens.

However, the more Crosby is in Pittsburgh, the more Wyshynski feels that the future Hall of Famer will stay there and finish his career as a “one-team guy.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Wyshynski wasn’t the only pundit wondering about Crosby’s future in Pittsburgh over the past couple of years.

The Penguins exceeded expectations last season by reaching the playoffs, silencing calls for Crosby to move on. That chatter could resume if the Penguins struggle this season, but it will probably be half-hearted.

Every indication is that Crosby intends to finish his career with the Penguins. Barring a significant change in his relationship with the club, he’s there to stay.

OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports we’ll learn by next week whether Drake Batherson and the Senators can agree to an eight-year contract extension.

Batherson, 28, is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July. Garrioch reports the winger wants to stay in Ottawa and the Senators want to keep him. However, they have until Sept. 15 to get a deal done for the current maximum of eight years.

After that date, the maximum term drops to seven years for re-signing players, and from seven years to six for unrestricted free agents.

Garrioch reports a gap remains between the two sides. Batherson’s current average annual value is $4.95 million. Garrioch cited sources claiming the winger’s camp could seek a deal comparable to Los Angeles Kings winger Adrian Kempe ($10.625 million AAV) or Washington Capitals winger Alex Tuch ($10.5 million AAV).

The Senators don’t want to lose Batherson, especially after trading Brady Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in June. However, Garrioch believes there’s a sense that Batherson could head to free agency next July if a new deal isn’t in place when the Senators open their season against the Toronto Maple Leafs on Oct. 3.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Basically, no change in the Batherson situation. However, talks could pick up now that he’s back in Ottawa for training camp, which opens later this week.

RG.ORG: James Murphy reports multiple league sources claim that Mason Lohrei is drawing trade interest around the league again.

Murphy indicated that the 25-year-old Boston Bruins defenseman was in play last season when the club looked into acquiring Rasmus Andersson from the Calgary Flames before he was traded to the Vegas Golden Knights.

BOSTON HOCKEY NOW: Jack Studley noted Murphy’s report, adding that Lohrei popped up on Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos’ trade board earlier this summer. Studley noted that Lohrei told NHL.com’s Belle Fraser that his goal this season is to play all 84 games with the Bruins and improve his game.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Bruins have a crowded blueline, which could result in one of their defensemen getting traded, perhaps in a deal to address another roster need.

Lohrei’s youth, affordable contract, and potential as a puck-moving defenseman could make him an enticing trade target.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 7, 2026

by | Sep 7, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 7, 2026

Which five players could hit the trade market if their teams get off to a slow start to this season? Are the Utah Mammoth a worthwhile destination for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan Lambert recently listed five players who should be on the trade market if their teams get off to a slow start this season.

Nashville Predators center Ryan O’Reilly (NHL Images).

Ryan O’Reilly of the Nashville Predators topped Lambert’s list. The 35-year-old center is in the final season of his contract. The previous management treated him as though he had a no-trade clause, but Lambert suggested current GM Chris MacFarland consider moving him if the Predators stumbled from the gate.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: MacFarland has shaken up the Predators roster since taking over as GM earlier this summer. O’Reilly could be a prime trade candidate if they struggled through the opening weeks of this season, though MacFarland would likely ask him for a list of destinations.

Zach Whitecloud could be a valuable trade chip for the rebuilding Calgary Flames if they start poorly. The 29-year-old defenseman carries an affordable $2.75 million average annual value through 2027-28.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Flames reportedly have no intention of trading Whitecloud after acquiring him in January from the Vegas Golden Knights in the Rasmus Andersson deal. He quickly adapted to his new team and fit in well, so much so that they see him as a mentor for their young defensemen. That doesn’t mean he won’t be moved if a rival club makes an irresistible offer, but it’s unlikely the Flames will peddle him if they start poorly.

Seattle Kraken winger Jared McCann could be a trade option if his club decides to rebuild. The 30-year-old scoring forward is in the final season of his deal with a $5 million AAV.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: McCann, defenseman Vince Dunn, and goalie Philipp Grubauer are UFA-eligible next summer. They’ll be prime trade candidates if management decides to retool or rebuild.

Winnipeg Jets forward Gabriel Vilardi could become available if the Jets trade franchise goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. The 27-year-old winger is signed through 2030-31 with a $7.5 million AAV. He also lacks no-trade protection.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This season could be teardown time for the Jets’ roster if they struggle without Hellebuyck between the pipes. They might prefer hanging onto Vilardi, but we can’t discount the possibility that he’ll be among the players they could make available this season.

Alexis Lafreniere of the New York Rangers rounds out Lambert’s list. He believes it’s put-up-or- shut-up time for the 24-year-old winger, who has never really delivered on his promise since being chosen first overall in the 2020 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Another inconsistent performance could see Lafreniere become available in the trade market. However, they’re unlikely to get a significant return given his erratic production and $7.45 million AAV through 2031-32.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Ryan O’Hara recently wondered if the Utah Mammoth would be interested in Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, provided the latter was willing to accept a trade to Utah.

O’Hara believed the Mammoth aren’t ready to go all-in on a big-ticket player like Hellebuyck. While they have the tradeable assets to make a competitive bid, they’re not yet a Stanley Cup contender, which has to be a consideration for potential destinations for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.

He also felt that maintaining the current process of building their roster toward potential championship contention would be better than trying to accelerate the process by sacrificing assets for an elite goalie.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebucyk is reportedly willing to consider a wide selection of teams as potential destinations, but we don’t know how many. My guess is 10, since his no-movement clause becomes a 10-team trade list after this season. We also don’t know which clubs would be his preferred landing spots, which explains the guessing game about where he might go.

Until we know Hellebuyck’s, we can’t rule out the Mammoth making a bid for him. They possess plenty of trade capital, and GM Bill Armstrong has shown in recent years that he’s willing to make significant moves to acquire veteran talent.










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 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.