Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 23, 2026

by | Aug 23, 2026

Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup – August 23, 2026

Why hasn’t Connor Hellebuyck been traded yet? Will we see more eight-year contract signings before the Sept. 15 deadline? Find out in the Sunday NHL Rumor Roundup.

SPORTSNET: The status of trade talks for Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck topped Emily Sadler’s recent list of lingering offseason questions.

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).

Sadler pointed out that a Hellebuyck trade seemed imminent two months ago. Since then, the chatter regarding the 33-year-old netminder has grown quiet. However, she noted that her colleague, Elliotte Friedman, recently suggested that it could pick up around training camp next month.

Hellebuyck’s teammate, defenseman Josh Morrissey, hopes that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner will stay put. “You can’t believe everything you might see or hear out there,” he said.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Jets captain Adam Lowry also hopes Hellebuyck stays. “Until something happens, he’s a Jet, he’s a good friend, and we’re excited to get him back”, Lowry said.

DAILY FACEOFF: Tyler Yaremchuk and Carter Hutton recently discussed why Hellebuyck hasn’t been traded yet.

Hutton doubted that there’s any “buyer beware” attached to Hellebuyck. He thinks the Jets should move him at some point because of his age, pointing out that he won’t have much value left if they wait two or three years.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Jets were reportedly working on a trade before the draft in late June that would’ve sent Hellebuyck to the Buffalo Sabres, but the deal fell through. There’s been no indication that the two sides have revisited those discussions, and nary a peep from the vacationing insiders (such as Friedman) that they’re having any trade talks with other clubs.

That doesn’t mean a trade won’t happen once the calendar flips to September when training camps approach. It seems like the Jets prefer to hang onto Hellebucyk, hoping he’ll backstop them to a bounce-back performance following a disappointing 2025-26 campaign, but that could change if a rival club steps up with an acceptable offer, whatever that might be.

TSN: With the maximum term for re-signing players to eight-year contracts dropping to seven years for deals signed after Sept. 15, some observers wonder if we’ll see any further eight-year deals signed before then.

The last eight-year contract signed was Ville Koivunen’s recent deal with the Pittsburgh Penguins for an average annual value of $4 million. It could be the last one ever signed. 

Cutter Gauthier of the Anaheim Ducks is the top player still unsigned among this summer’s restricted free agents. Others include Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, Simon Edvinsson of the Detroit Red Wings, and Alexander Nikishin of the Carolina Hurricanes.

Gauthier and Fantilli could be considered the most worthy of inking eight-year contracts, but they could follow the recent trend of short-term deals for higher average annual salaries.

Next summer’s unrestricted free-agent class includes defensemen Cale Makar of the Colorado Avalanche and Quinn Hughes of the Minnesota Wild. Both are in their late-twenties and prime candidates for eight-year contract extensions before Sept 15. While Makar may be open to that deal, Hughes reportedly prefers a three-year extension.

Tampa Bay Lightning winger Nikita Kucherov is the top forward in that UFA class, but at 33, he’s unlikely to get an eight-year extension offer.

Others include Detroit Red Wings forward Alex DeBrincat, Ottawa Senators winger Drake Batherson, Boston Bruins center Pavel Zacha, and Dallas Stars winger Jason Robertson.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: DeBrincat’s status remains in limbo until the Wings find a new general manager, who might not be hired until sometime in September. Batherson reportedly wants an eight-year deal, but the Senators seem cool to that possibility. The Bruins are believed to be interested in re-signing Zacha, but nothing suggests the two sides are close.

Robertson recently signed a one-year contract. Given how contentious those negotiations were, which included his rejection of a trade to the Seattle Kraken because he wouldn’t sign an eight-year deal with them, it’s unlikely he’ll be inking an eight-year contract with the Stars before Sept. 15.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2026

by | Aug 21, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 21, 2026

Sidney Crosby to the Canadiens? Cutter Gauthier back to the Flyers? We’ve truly hit the silliest part of the offseason dog days, folks. Check it out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE SID SEIXEIRO SHOW: On Wednesday, Seixeiro dismissed the notion of Sidney Crosby signing a contract extension for one or two seasons with the Pittsburgh Penguins before the start of the season. “I’ll believe that when I see it,” he said.

Pittsburgh Penguins captain Sidney Crosby (NHL Images).

Despite Crosby’s loyalty to the Penguins, Seixeiro believes the day will come when the future Hall of Famer will lose faith in general manager Kyle Dubas’ roster building. He suggested that the Montreal Canadiens should make a pitch for Crosby. Addressing Canadiens fans, Seixeiro asked if they would swap prospect Michael Hage and a first-round pick for Crosby.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Josh Yohe of The Athletic reported earlier this week that contract extension talks between Crosby and the Penguins will start when the summer ends. He believes it’ll likely be a one- or two-year deal. Yohe hasn’t been wrong in any of his reports about Crosby’s contract intentions yet.

The “Crosby-to-Montreal” talk began among several pundits (some based in Toronto) two years ago when the Penguins captain was approaching the final season of his previous contract. It was merely suggestions or wishful thinking rather than anything based in fact.

Seixeiro loves to stir the pot, and since there’s been a dire dearth of real hockey news to talk about, he’s just resurrecting the Crosby-to-Montreal speculation for his own amusement and that of his listeners.

TSN 690: During a recent appearance on the Campbell vs Gallo show, Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff was asked if the Philadelphia Flyers might hit the Anaheim Ducks with another offer sheet, this time by targeting winger Cutter Gauthier.

The Flyers signed Ducks center Leo Carlsson last month to a five-year offer sheet worth an average annual value of $18 million, which the Ducks subsequently matched. Gauthier was a Flyers prospect who was traded to the Ducks in January 2024 after refusing to sign an entry-level contract.

Gauthier is a restricted free agent without arbitration rights. Di Marco doubted that the 21-year-old winger would be interested in signing with the Flyers. If there were another RFA they might take a shot at signing, it would be Adam Fantilli of the Columbus Blue Jackets, but Di Marco’s sources said it’s something the Flyers aren’t willing to do.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet because he hasn’t played the mandatory number of games to qualify. Even if he were eligible, Di Marco is right that he won’t sign with the Flyers.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Julian Gaudio wondered if the St. Louis Blues might be forced to explore a trade for Pavel Buchnevich.

The 31-year-old winger has struggled over the past two seasons. He’s entering the second season of an eight-year contract with an AAV of $8 million, and he carries a full no-trade clause.

Gaudio doesn’t believe Buchnevich’s situation has reached the “must-trade” stage. However, Blues GM Alex Steen may have to consider his options if the winger’s performance doesn’t improve.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: We finish with some conjecture that isn’t silly. Nevertheless, another subpar performance will make Buchnevich difficult to move given his cap hit and no-trade protection. They could be stuck with him for a while.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

by | Aug 12, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 12, 2026

How the Ducks might clear cap space to create room for Cutter Gauthier’s new contract, and the latest Flames speculation in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: Andre Leal listed three Anaheim Ducks players who could become salary-cap casualties to make room for a new contract for Cutter Gauthier.

Wingers Alex Killorn, Chris Kreider, and Frank Vatrano are Leal’s trade candidates.

Anaheim Ducks winger Chris Kreider (NHL Images).

Killorn, 36, is in the final season of his contract with a cap hit of $6.25 million. He also carries a 15-team no-trade list.

The 35-year-old Kreider is also in the final season of his contract. He has a cap hit of $6.5 million. Like Killorn, he carries a 15-team no-trade list.

Vatrano, 32, has two seasons left on his contract with an average annual value of $4.571 million and a seven-team no-trade list.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Gauthier, 21, could seek between $14 million and $15 million annually on his next contract. However, the Ducks have only $9.07 million in cap space this season.

They can exceed the $104 million salary cap by 10 percent during the offseason if they sign Gauthier now. However, they must be cap-compliant when their regular season opens in late September.

The Ducks can get some short-term cap relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve to start this season. However, they must shed salary to make room for him when he returns.

Kreider could draw more interest around the league given his bounce-back performance this season. Shedding his $6.5 million would create the most cap space to re-sign Gauthier. However, the Ducks could prefer moving Killorn and/or Vatrano.

CALGARY SUN: Daniel Austin wondered if there could be more trades coming for the Flames before the start of the 2026-27 campaign.

The Flames have nine defensemen jockeying for six positions this season. He assumes that Kevin Bahl, Simon Nemec, Zayne Parekh, and Zach Whitecloud will fill the top-four defense pairings. That leaves Yan Kuznetsov, Jake Middleton, Brayden Pachal, Joel Hanley, and Hunter Brzustewicz.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin’s colleague, Kent Wilson, noted that Whitecloud would draw a quality return given his experience, reputation, and affordable contract ($2.75 million AAV for two more seasons). However, moving Whitecloud would leave their blueline staffed almost entirely by kids.

Wilson noted that Whitecloud was a good fit with the Flames since joining them in January from the Vegas Golden Knights. He considers it unlikely that the 29-year-old blueliner will be traded.

Austin also noted that the Flames have plenty of wingers. He noted that trade rumors surfaced earlier this year about Connor Zary, suggesting that there are moves they could make among their forward lines.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Austin doesn’t expect a flurry of late August trade activity by the Flames. However, I agree that there could be a trade or two before training camp opens next month.










NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2026

by | Aug 11, 2026

NHL Morning Coffee Headlines – August 11, 2026

 

Lingering offseason questions remain to be answered. Check out the latest in today’s NHL Morning Coffee Headlines.

YAHOO! SPORTS/USA TODAY: Mike Brehm recently looked at five offseason questions still to be answered before the 2026-27 NHL regular season begins next month.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).

The Detroit Red Wings’ search for a new general manager tops the list, followed by Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin’s trade request.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It was reported last week that the Red Wings hired a search firm to help them find a new general manager. Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman indicated the search is ongoing.

For now, Larkin’s trade request will have to wait until a new GM is in place. Even then, there is no certainty that he’ll be moved quickly, if at all. A reconciliation is possible, though there’s currently no indication that a change of management will prompt Larkin to rescind his request.

Quinn Hughes’ contract extension negotiations with the Minnesota Wild must be resolved.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s not for lack of trying by the Wild. General manager Bill Guerin said he’d been in ongoing discussions with the Hughes camp thus far, and recently met with them in Michigan. Guerin is preaching patience, pointing out that it’s a big decision for both sides.

Several notable restricted free agents remain to be signed. They include Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier, Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli, Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson, and Carolina Hurricanes blueliner Alexander Nikishin.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Some Blue Jackets and Red Wings fans remain concerned that Fantilli or Edvinsson could sign an offer sheet with another club. It’s possible but unlikely, given that the Jackets and Red Wings have plenty of salary cap space to match an offer.

Gauthier is ineligible to sign an offer sheet, but the Ducks could be forced to make a cost-cutting trade or two to free up cap sroom for his new contract. Meanwhile, speculation persists over whether the Hurricanes will sign or trade Nikishin.

Unrestricted free agents still available include forwards Vladimir Tarasenko, Michael Bunting, and Eeli Tolvanan, defensemen John Klingberg, Logan Stanley, and Nick Blankenburg, and goalie Connor Ingram and Cam Talbot.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: It’s now mid-August with no indication that those remaining UFAs are any closer to getting new contracts. Most could be signed before training camps open in September, but others might have to sign professional tryout offers to prove their worth during training camp.

NHL.COM: Speaking of questions, the Edmonton Oilers have three facing them for the coming season.

Mike Babcock’s impact as head coach is the main questions. They hired the controversial coach this spring, hoping he’ll be able to get them back into Stanley Cup contention following last season’s early playoff exit.

Goaltending depth and defensive play are the other questions that must be addressed.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The defensive game should improve under Babcock, but the goaltending could remain their Achille’s heel if Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi struggle to adjust with their new club. Andersen’s injury history and Levi’s development remain concerning issues.

THE HOCKEY NEWS: The Carolina Hurricanes will be holding a yard sale of game-used gear and signed collectibles at the Lenova Center on August 15.

OTTAWA SUN: A year after the Senators signed their agreement with Ottawa’s National Capital Commission for a new arena at LeBreton Flats, the club says there is plenty of activity behind the scenes to make the new venue a reality.

Senators ownership has agreed to pay $37 million for the 11 acres, with the option to purchase for additional acres. There is no firm date when construction will begin. Cleaning the site of more than 514,000 cubic acres of contaminated soil still has to take place.

The Senators have also held several meetings with Indigenous groups to secure a financial agreement, which is paramount to the project.

TSN: The Vancouver Canucks hired Ryan Stewart as their new director of hockey strategy and player evaluation. He spent the past four seasons with the San Jose Sharks where he oversaw their professional staff in North America and Europe.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2026

by | Aug 10, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 10, 2026

Check out the latest on the Ducks and Stars in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL.COM: How Leo Carlsson’s new contract will affect the Anaheim Ducks is among the big questions facing the club this season.

Carlsson signed a five-year offer sheet with the Philadelphia Flyers last month worth an average annual value of $18 million. The Ducks matched the offer, but it was far more expensive than what they had been prepared to pay.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

The most immediate effect will be on the cost of signing restricted free agent Cutter Gauthier. Like Carlsson, the 21-year-old winger is coming off his entry-level contract. Unlike Carlsson, he’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

After matching the Carlsson offer, Ducks general manager Pat Verbeek said the intent was to get Gauthier signed. However, he acknowledged he had work to do to fit everyone within their salary-cap space for this season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space for this season. It’s rumored Gauthier could seek as much as $15 million. Verbeek will attempt to get him signed for less than that, but he could still end up having to make a cost-cutting trade or two at some point during this season to free up enough cap room.

The Ducks could get some relief by placing sidelined winger Troy Terry ($7 million AAV) on long-term injury reserve before their regular-season schedule begins next month. However, they’ll have to free up room to become cap-compliant once Terry returns from hip surgery later this year.

Veteran forwards Alex Killorn ($6.5 million) and Frank Vatrano ($4.57 million) have been rumored as trade candidates.

NHL.COM: Jason Robertson’s future is among the three big questions facing the Dallas Stars this season.

Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million contract for this season. The 27-year-old Stars winger is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next July.

The two sides can open contract talks on Jan. 1.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Robertson was the subject of trade rumors stretching back to last summer. Stars GM Jim Nill maintained his club wanted to keep the high-scoring winger in the fold, while Robertson insisted he wanted to stay with the Stars.

Nevertheless, the Stars had a deal in place to trade Robertson to the Seattle Kraken in late June, but the deal fell through when he declined to sign a contract extension.

The one-year deal buys time for both sides. It gives Robertson another season to prove his worth, while giving the Stars another opportunity to negotiate with him knowing they’ll have more salary cap flexibility with which to sign him.










NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2026

by | Aug 8, 2026

NHL Rumor Mill – August 8, 2026

Could the new contracts for Leo Carlsson, Macklin Celebrini, and Connor Bedard affect contract talks for Cale Makar, Quinn Hughes, Cutter Gauthier, and Adam Fantilli? What’s the latest on Connor Hellebuyck and Alexander Nikishin? Find out in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.

NHL NETWORK: Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman believes Connor Bedard’s new contract with the Chicago Blackhawks (five years, $15 million average annual value) has affected the contract negotiations of Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier and Columbus Blue Jackets center Adam Fantilli.

Anaheim Ducks winger Cutter Gauthier (NHL Images).

Gauthier, 21, scored 41 goals last season. While he might not be seeking a contract similar to that of teammate Leo Carlsson (five years, $18 million) or San Jose Sharks center Macklin Celebrini (five years, $18.8 million), he could consider his worth to be between $15 million and $16 million. That could make it challenging for the Ducks.

The 21-year-old Fantilli could also seek something in a range similar to Bedard, but the Blue Jackets’ preference could be in the $12 million to $12.5 million range.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Blue Jackets have over $13.4 million in cap space for this season, so it’s understandable why they’d want Fantilli inked to $12.5 million or less.

Meanwhile, the Ducks have just over $9 million in cap space, so they’ll have to shed some salary at some point to make room for Gauthier’s new contract. They can start the season with Troy Terry on long-term injury reserve, but they must free up cap space when he returns to the lineup, and that means a cost-cutting trade or two.

Friedman also believes the Carlsson and Celebrini contracts will affect the contract extension negotiations for Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar and Minnesota Wild blueliner Quinn Hughes. Both are established veteran superstars who are slated to become unrestricted free agents next July.

According to Friedman, the big question for Makar could be term, as he might not prefer doing the current league maximum of eight years. The cap number will also be a factor.

Friedman thinks Makar and Hughes are looking at each other’s situations and want to be in the same range contract-wise. He predicts that Hughes will sign a three-year deal worth $18 million annually with the Wild.

Some observers are surprised that Hughes hasn’t been re-signed yet. That’s raised speculation about his future in Minnesota and the possibility of reuniting with his brothers, Jack and Luke, in New Jersey. Friedman believes the time to worry is if Hughes and the Wild haven’t agreed to a new contract by the start of the regular season.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Makar is more of a certainty to re-sign with his club than Hughes is with his because of the latter’s family links with the New Jersey Devils. As James Nicholls of New Jersey Hockey Now put it, the longer Quinn goes without an extension with the Wild, the more it favors the Devils.

Nevertheless, the Wild have been having ongoing discussions with Hughes and his representatives this summer. It must be remembered that they didn’t get superstar winger Kirill Kaprizov re-signed until the end of training camp last year, so it could take as long to get Hughes under contract.

Friedman was asked about the possibility of Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck getting traded to the Buffalo Sabres. He indicated that things are quiet on that front. While Friedman believes Hellebuyck will get moved at some point, there’s nothing new to report thus far, though things might pick up closer to training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: The two clubs were reportedly close to a deal before the NHL Draft weekend, but things fell through. So far, there’s been nothing but silence from both clubs, though that doesn’t necessarily mean the trade discussions are over.

However, Hellebuyck is the Jets’ most valuable asset. He is under contract through 2030-31, so they’re in no hurry to move him even if the 33-year-old goaltender were trying to force the issue.

It will take a substantial return to pry Hellebuyck away from the Jets. The Sabres have plenty of good young players (especially forwards) to draw on for trade bait, but the Jets’ asking price could involve moving one or two that they don’t want to part with.

Friedman suggests keeping a close eye on Alexander Nikishin. The 24-year-old Carolina Hurricanes defenseman is a restricted free agent, and it’s been rumored the Hurricanes could attempt to trade him.

Nothing seems to be close to a deal right now, but Friedman thinks Nikishin could get moved at some point, perhaps around the start of training camp.

SPECTOR’S NOTE: Ryan Lambert of The Hockey News listed five NHL teams that should make Nikishin a trade target. They include the Calgary Flames, Philadelphia Flyers, Seattle Kraken, Vancouver Canucks, and Winnipeg Jets. It’ll be interesting to see if one of them ends up landing the promising blueliner.