NHL Rumor Mill – October 5, 2026

by | Oct 5, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 5, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have suggested destinations for Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson and the reasons why the Oilers won’t acquire Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

LATEST SIMON EDVINSSON SPECULATION

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Eric Cruickshank referenced Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reporting Saturday that unsigned Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson would prefer a trade.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

Cruickshank listed the San Jose Sharks, St. Louis Blues, and Toronto Maple Leafs as potential destinations for the 22-year-old Edvinsson.

The Sharks must improve their blueline puck-moving abilities, which would make Edvinsson a perfect fit. The Blues could pivot to Edvinsson if their efforts to acquire unsigned Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin fall through. Edvinsson could inject youth into a Maple Leafs blueline with Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Chris Tanev at the tail end of their careers.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Nashville Predators might be another suitor. They were also reportedly interested in Nikishin.

How about Edvinsson to the Winnipeg Jets in a package deal for goalie Connor Hellebuyck? Nah, Hellebuyck wants to go to a Stanley Cup contender.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: William Espy pondered how much it could cost the Sharks to acquire Edvinsson. He believes Sam Dickinson would have to be part of the deal to fill the gap on the Red Wings blueline after Edvinsson’s departure. It would also cost them a prospect like Filip Bystedt, Quentin Musty, or Ryan Lin. The Sharks would need to include a salaried player like Adam Gaudette or Ty Dellandrea to free up salary-cap space.

SI.COM: Tyler Miller believes the Pittsburgh Penguins would be a perfect trade partner if the Red Wings peddle Edvinsson. They’re in dire need of young left-side defensemen. Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff has a connection with the Penguins. His son, Will Horcoff, is a Penguins prospect.

PHILLY HOCKEY NOW: William James believes Edvinsson would be a “can’t-miss trade opportunity” for the Flyers. He suggested moving Cam York or Nick Seeler to make room for Edvinsson. James thinks the asking price from the Red Wings would be “the equivalent of the next two first-round picks, a second-rounder, and a third-rounder.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings reportedly want to re-sign Edvinsson, who is in Sweden awaiting a new contract or a trade. If it comes to the latter, the aforementioned clubs could be among the suitors.

It’s been suggested the Montreal Canadiens should pursue Edvinsson. That’s unlikely to happen because of their left-shot blueline depth. Unless they’re parting with Mike Matheson (which they aren’t), they won’t be pursuing Edvinsson. Besides, they’re more interested in adding a scoring forward (preferably a center).

DON’T EXPECT THE OILERS TO TRADE FOR CONNOR HELLEBUYCK

EDMONTON JOURNAL: Gerry Moddejonge and Kurt Leavins shot down suggestions that the Oilers could or should pursue Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Moddejonge pointed out that the Oilers already acquired Frederik Andersen, who is sidelined until December with a knee injury. He believes the Oilers must improve their defensive play to cut down on the number of scoring chances and goals against them. Moddejonge also noted that the Oilers can’t afford to acquire Hellebuyck.

Leavins also cited the high cost of Hellebuyck. He believes the Jets’ high asking price would offset whatever gains an elite goalie would bring to the Oilers.

A three-time Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in August. The Jets have suspended the 33-year-old goalie without pay for not reporting to training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Hellebuyck to Edmonton was always a long-shot option at best. For now, they have to stick with the tandem of Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi and hope for the best until Andersen is ready to return.










Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 4, 2026

by | Oct 4, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – October 4, 2026

In the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup: Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson prefers a trade, Aleksander Barkov’s injury resurrects speculation linking Red Wings center Dylan Larkin to the Panthers, and the latest Oilers speculation.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reports that word is “around the league” that unsigned Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson would “prefer a trade.”

Edvinsson, 22, is a restricted free agent who returned to Sweden last week after failing to reach a new-contract agreement with the Red Wings.

Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson (NHL Images)

Friedman said the Red Wings and Edvinsson’s agents aren’t talking about this rumored trade request. The Wings have told other teams their priority is to sign the young blueliner, but his frustration about this situation has led him to prefer a trade.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The train wreck that is the Detroit Red Wings’ front office continues to crash downhill.

Edvinsson was patient and loyal to this franchise. He understood the club was seeking a new general manager, declined offer sheets from several teams, and took part in training camp drills with his teammates, staying hopeful that both sides would agree to a new contract before the season began.

Several weeks ago, I said on this site that the Red Wings risked bungling Edvinsson’s contract negotiation. And lo, it has come to pass: he’s thinking about a trade.

It could simply be the Edvinsson camp trying to pressure Wings management into meeting his asking price, though we don’t know what it is. However, it appears he’s lost patience about how this situation has unfolded.

So, the Red Wings remain without a full-time general manager as their search goes on; their former captain wants out, their fans chanted “Sell the team!” during their home opener, and now they’re about to push away their second-best defenseman.

The “Dead Things 2.0” era continues.

THE ATHLETIC: Eric Stephens reports that the possibility of Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov being sidelined for a while has renewed speculation about the Panthers acquiring center Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings.

Larkin, 30, requested a trade during the offseason. The Panthers were reportedly on his list of preferred destinations.

However, the Panthers are pressed against the salary cap and will only garner limited cap relief by placing Barkov on LTIR. That won’t leave enough to absorb Larkin’s $8.7 million average annual value unless Barkov is out for the rest of the regular season and the playoffs.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Even if the Panthers could do enough creative math to make the salary cap dollars fit, they used up most of their trade capital acquiring Brady Tkachuk and Jacob Markstrom this summer.

The Red Wings insist they’re not rebuilding. They want a return for Larkin that will help them right now. During his Friday appearance on NHL Network, Friedman suggested Panthers forward Eetu Luostarinen as a trade chip, but I doubt the Red Wings would accept him as the centerpiece of the deal. They’ll want Anton Lundell, whom the Panthers refused to send to the Ottawa Senators as part of the return for Tkachuk.

In other words, if the Panthers don’t offer Lundell for Larkin, the Red Wings won’t be interested.

SPORTSNET: Elliotte Friedman reported the Edmonton Oilers have a lot of injuries to their defense and some among their forwards. They have explored a “lateral trade”, maybe a defenseman for a forward. Their injured forwards aren’t out long-term, so they’re not feeling pressured to do so, but if there is a lateral defense-for-forward depth move to be made, they could do it.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zach Hyman, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Matthew Savoie, Jason Dickinson, and Mattias Janmark are the Oilers forwards who are currently sidelined. Alec Regula is the only injured defenseman, and he’s on LTIR.

They have eight defensemen, three (Jake Walman, Connor Murphy, and Mattias Ekholm) with no-movement clauses and Ryan Shea with no-trade protection. Evan Bouchard lacks no-trade protection, but the high-scoring blueliner obviously isn’t available. That leaves Shakir Mukhamadullin, Spencer Stastney, and Ty Emberson as potential trade candidates.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 3, 2026

by | Oct 3, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 3, 2026

Could the Panthers acquire Red Wings center Dylan Larkin if Aleksander Barkov is sidelined again? Did the Maple Leafs try to flip recently acquired forward Miles Wood? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL NETWORK: Elliotte Friedman was asked if there was a situation where Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin might become available to the Florida Panthers if their captain Aleksander Barkov is out long-term.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Barkov injured his left knee during Thursday’s game between the Panthers and San Jose Sharks. He underwent an MRI on Friday, and an update is expected on Saturday. Barkov underwent season-ending surgery last September on his right knee, so there’s concern he might be sidelined for a while.

Friedman thinks the Panthers are among the teams on Larkin’s list of trade destinations.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers are on his list, though his rumored preference is the Minnesota Wild.

According to Friedman, the Panthers expect Barkov to miss some time, but the hope is he won’t be out long term. They had interest in Larkin earlier this summer.

Red Wings interim general manager Shawn Horcoff said his club isn’t looking at rebuilding. They want a return for Larkin that will help them right now. Friedman thinks the Wings would point to what the Columbus Blue Jackets got from the Toronto Maple Leafs (Matthew Knies) in the Kirill Marchenko trade earlier this week and will want a comparable return.

Friedman believes the Panthers may have been willing to part with Eetu Luostarinen when they were looking at Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck before settling on Jacob Markstrom. They really like Luostarinen and won’t want to move him, but it could come down to whether he’s the kind of player the Red Wings would want for Larkin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Red Wings probably wouldn’t mind Luostarinen as part of the return, but not the centerpiece. The Panthers would have to include more to meet the Wings’ immediate needs, but they have limited trade capital.

DAILY FACEOFF TORONTO: cited Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman saying the Maple Leafs attempted to flip forward Miles Wood after acquiring him from the Columbus Blue Jackets in the Marchenko trade.

“I think they were trying to flip Miles Wood that day,” Friedman said during a recent episode of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast. “I think they were trying to work on trades to see if they could move him elsewhere, but obviously that didn’t happen.”

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Maple Leafs took Wood as part of the return for salary-cap reasons because the Blue Jackets wanted to shed salary in the deal. The 31-year-old depth winger is in the fourth season of a six-year deal with an average annual value of $2.5 million. He also has a six-team no-trade list.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 2, 2026

by | Oct 2, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 2, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: the latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Quinn Hughes, Pavel Zacha, and Alexander Nikishin.

THE WAITING GAME CONTINUES FOR HELLEBUYCK AND THE JETS…

TSN: Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets’ players have vowed goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s holdout won’t distract them this season. They are a younger, faster club, with confidence in the goalie tandem of Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson.

Dreger also interviewed Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, who said it was made clear during the conversations with Hellebuyck’s camp that it would take a while to find a suitable trade.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in August, hoping it would bring about a trade. So far, however, nothing has materialized. Cheveldayoff has repeatedly said his club is focused on remaining a contender and improving their team with the return he gets in a Hellebuyck trade.

Last month, Dreger’s colleague Pierre LeBrun reported the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Utah Mammoth were possible landing spots for Hellebuyck.

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli wondered if Hellebuyck would consider a trade to the Edmonton Oilers, who are coming off a shaky start after Tristan Jarry gave up six goals in a 6-5 overtime loss to the rebuilding Vancouver Canucks.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It didn’t get any better in goal for the Oilers in their rematch with the Canucks on Thursday. Backup Devon Levi allowed seven goals in a 9-7 win.

With Frederik Andersen sidelined until December with an injured knee, Seravalli wondered if the Oilers might consider making a play for Hellebuyck, and if the three-time Vezina Trophy winner would soften his stance.

The Jets could wait out Hellebuyck, who remains suspended without pay for not reporting to the team last month. They could also adjust their asking price if Skinner and Stevenson perform well between the pipes.

On the other hand, if goaltending becomes an issue for the Jets, they might have to take Jarry as part of the return to send Hellebuyck to Edmonton. The Oilers are also short on salary-cap space and trade capital.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ultimately, Seravalli considers it a long shot for Hellebuyck to land in Edmonton. Meanwhile, it appears this situation could drag on for some time until an opportunity arises that meets Cheveldayoff’s asking price.

…AND FOR THE WILD AND QUINN HUGHES

TSN: Turning to Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes, Pierre LeBrun believes general manager Bill Guerin will remain patient as the 26-year-old superstar continues to mull over his future.

Hughes is UFA-eligible next summer. The Wild hope to re-sign him to a long-term extension. However, the blueliner isn’t in a rush to make a decision.

THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report the Wild’s Stanley Cup window will depend, in the short term, on whether Hughes stays or goes.

If Hughes won’t re-sign, Guerin will have to consider “the nightmare scenario”: trading the former Norris Trophy winner a year after giving up a hefty return to get him. The loss of Hughes’ defense partner Brock Faber (fractured skull) could also factor into his decision.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: There is plenty of time for Hughes to make a decision. A solid performance by the Wild, even with Faber sidelined, could convince him that they are his best chance to win the Stanley Cup over the next several years.

Guerin gambled that Hughes could be swayed into re-signing with the Wild. He gave up a lot to get him, and now risks losing him for nothing to free agency, which could be a significant setback for the Wild, unless he can get a substantial return for him before the March 1 trade deadline.

UPDATES ON PAVEL ZACHA AND ALEXANDER NIKISHIN

TSN: Chris Johnston reports contract extension talks have taken place between the Boston Bruins and Pavel Zacha. The 29-year-old two-way center is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

However, the two sides haven’t found the right salary numbers as contracts skyrocket with the rising salary cap.

Johnston suggested Zacha’s situation could be worth watching. He could find himself the subject of trade speculation as one of the few top-six centers potentially available.

For now, Zacha’s in no rush and remains focused on his game, while the Bruins still hope to re-sign him.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Daily Faceoff’s Mike Gould writes that Zacha and Morgan Frost of the Calgary Flames headline a very thin market for free-agent centers next summer. “It’s a list populated by a handful of fading stars in their mid-to-late-30s, followed by a collection of bottom-six forwards of various ages.”

If the Bruins can’t re-sign Zacha, he could fetch a significant return before the March 1 trade deadline.

MAYOR’S MANOR: Scott Coffman looked at what it might take for the Los Angeles Kings to acquire defenseman Alexander Nikishin from the Carolina Hurricanes.

Nikishin, 25, is a restricted free agent who requested a trade following the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run. The Hurricanes’ asking price is reportedly two first-round picks or something comparable.

Coffman reports the Kings and Hurricanes discussed Nikishin at the 2026 NHL Draft in June. The asking price then was a 2026 first-rounder, a young NHL roster player, and one of the Kings’ top prospects.

Given the new price, Coffman speculated the Kings would have to give up their 2027 first-round pick and either Henry Brzustewicz or Elton Hermansson. With Nikishin seeking an AAV of between $7 million and $9 million, the Kings would have to move out two contracts to make the dollars fit.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It won’t be easy for the Kings to move out those contracts. Coffman suggested Cody Ceci and Trevor Moore, but acknowledged finding takers for them would be difficult.

They could also have trouble outbidding a club with more trade capital like the St. Louis Blues, who’ve been linked to Nikishin for months in the rumor mill.










NHL Rumor Mill – October 1, 2026

by | Oct 1, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – October 1, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we look at some bold trade predictions for 2026-27.

THE ATHLETIC: Jonas Siegel predicted the Toronto Maple Leafs will trade for Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski. We know that Werenski would’ve accepted a trade to Toronto this summer. The Maple Leafs could come calling if the Blue Jackets struggle again and he resurfaces in trade rumors.

Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was published before the Maple Leafs traded power forward Matthew Knies to the Blue Jackets for scoring winger Kirill Marchenko. The Leafs could be interested if Werenski pops up in the rumor mill before the March 1 trade deadline, but they probably lack sufficient trade assets now to win a bidding war.

Fluto Shinzawa believed the Boston Bruins will trade Pavel Zacha. He’s a very good center, is UFA-eligible next summer, and could seek to double his $4.75 million AAV on the open market.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Zacha turns 30 in April, meaning his next contract probably won’t age well in its final years. However, the Bruins could re-sign him if they’re trying to maintain a playoff contender. Much depends on the performance of promising centers Fraser Minten and James Hagens.

Shayna Goldman forecasted the Tampa Bay Lightning would trade for a top-four defenseman. A lack of speed on the blueline contributed to the Lightning’s early playoff exits. They must acquire “a more uptempo option) to play alongside Victor Hedman or John Carlson, depending on where J.J. Moser slots.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Lightning will have over $9 million in accrued cap space by the March 1 trade deadline to add that top-four blueliner. The question is whether they have sufficient tradeable assets to pull it off. They traded their 2027 first-round pick, and The Athletic’s Corey Pronman ranked their prospect pipeline 25th overall.

SPORTSNET: Frank Seravalli made 32 predictions for the coming season.

He forecasted that Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin will be traded to the Minnesota Wild before Christmas.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Seravalli didn’t indicate what type of return the Red Wings would get from the Wild. The Wings were rumored to have sought Matt Boldy, but everyone knows that’s a non-starter. The Wings probably still want a top-six forward in return, so unless they lower their asking price, Larkin won’t be going to Minnesota.

Zach Werenski will dominate the 2027 NHL trade deadline. He has a year remaining on his contract. Seravalli believes it’s a situation the Blue Jackets must address.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Werenski won’t be going anywhere if the Blue Jackets are in the thick of the playoff chase. If they’re out of it, however, they could entertain trade offers if he’s noncommittal about an extension.

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Samuel Montembeault would be the first player traded in 2026-27.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: This was published before the Marchenko-for-Knies swap. Technically, however, this happened before opening night of the regular season on Tuesday.

Montembeault could be peddled if he rebounds from last season’s poor performance. He might even get packaged with another player (Kirby Dach?) in a larger deal for a second-line center or winger.

DAILY FACEOFF: Matt Larkin predicts Auston Matthews will tell Toronto Maple Leafs management he wants to move on after they miss the playoffs again, suggesting he’ll be moved before the 2027 NHL Draft.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: That scenario could become reality if the Maple Leafs miss the playoffs. It wouldn’t surprise me if he seeks a trade if they make the postseason but get eliminated in the first round again.

Larkin then predicts that Matthews gets traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in a blockbuster move that includes young winger Matvei Mitchkov being part of the return to Toronto.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Now that’s a spicy hot take, but if Matthew did request a trade, and if the Flyers were on his list of preferred destinations, Michkov would have to be part of the asking price.

The Winnipeg Jets will trade goaltender Connor Hellebuyck before November. He pointed out that the Buffalo Sabres have had a double-injury scare with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon. Meanwhile, the Carolina Hurricanes are trying to resolve their Alexander Nikishin problem.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Sabres could revisit their interest in Hellebuyck if Luukkonen, Lyon, and Colten Ellis struggle between the pipes. As for the Hurricanes, Nikishin reportedly isn’t interested in signing with the Jets, so if he’s going to be part of a trade for Hellebuyck, he’ll have to be going to a different club in a three-team deal.

Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat and Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Erik Karlsson will be the biggest names on the move by the March 1 trade deadline.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Wings are out of contention, they could put DeBrincat on the trade block. He reportedly wants to stay, but they could tear things down and rebuild if they’re about to extend their postseason drought to 11 years.

The Penguins could try to move Karlsson if they’re out of contention by the deadline. However, if they surprise us again and are contenders by March 1, he’s not going anywhere.

Larkin also believes the Red Wings will trade Dylan Larkin before Christmas, though he didn’t indicate where he’ll land.










NHL Rumor Mill – September 30, 2026

by | Sep 30, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – September 30, 2026

In today’s NHL Rumor Mill, we have updates on Dylan Larkin and Connor Hellebuyck, and the latest on the Maple Leafs, Canadiens, and Flyers.

TSN: Chris Johnston reports there’s been “no tangible progress” made towards the Detroit Red Wings trading Dylan Larkin.

The Red Wings are entering this season trying to support Larkin, get him involved in what they’re doing, and eventually move towards a trade. He’s expanded his list of preferred trade destinations, but it hasn’t prompted any more conversation.

Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin (NHL Images)

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bob Duff of Detroit Hockey Now believes Larkin’s days with the Red Wings will soon be over. Any hope of reconciliation after Steve Yzerman’s departure as general manager appears to be dashed.

Duff believes it will take time for a trade to happen despite the expansion of his trade list. Nevertheless, Larkin could be on the move at some point before the March 1 trade deadline.

Johnston believes the Toronto Maple Leafs aren’t done adding to their roster after acquiring winger Kirill Marchenko from the Columbus Blue Jackets on Monday.

Johnson said the Maple Leafs still have other futures they can peddle for “help now” solutions, including the 2027 first-round pick they received from the Colorado Avalanche and some young prospects. He believes they could seek a defenseman after including Emil Andrae in the return to Columbus for Marchenko.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Leafs will likely attempt to add players in their mid-to-late twenties as they did with Marchenko. They shouldn’t move those futures for older players with limited time remaining in their careers. Otherwise, they’re back in the trap of sacrificing their future for quick fixes.

Speaking of Marchenko, Pierre LeBrun reports the Montreal Canadiens tried hard to land him, envisioning the winger playing on the second line with rising star Ivan Demidov. However, they didn’t have any young roster players that they were willing to part with.

LeBrun believes the Canadiens will still be “big-game hunting,” especially next summer when they’ll have salary cap flexibility. He believes if Connor McDavid decides he wants out of Edmonton, the Canadiens will be all over that.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes will remain on the lookout for young talent leading up to the March 1 trade deadline. He lost out on Marchenko and on Matthew Knies earlier this year, but it’s a long season, and players no one thought would be available could be on the trade block by March.

Speaking of teams that missed out on Marchenko, Anthony Di Marco thinks the Philadelphia Flyers have Red Wings center Dylan Larkin on their wish list. The Flyers aren’t on Larkin’s list of preferred destinations, but sources claim they’re keeping tabs on him. They could also be on the lookout for a depth defenseman with size like Zach Whitecloud of the Calgary Flames.

Darren Dreger reports the Winnipeg Jets aren’t looking for a return of futures for holdout goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. They want something that will let their current players know help is on the way and they’re not rebuilding.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman pretty much said the same thing in his “32 Thoughts” column on Tuesday.

Dreger previously reported that the Jets hadn’t received any decent offers. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff is insistent that he wants a return that helps both sides, but he’s also giving Hellebuyck a chance to return to the Jets. It could take some time for one or the other to take place.