Rumor traffic around the NHL is picking up, and several teams are getting pulled into the same familiar themes: trades, contract talks and the kind of roster decisions that can shape the next few seasons.
One of the bigger names in the mix is Matthew Knies. Frank Seravalli said on Frankly Hockey that the Toronto Maple Leafs had discussed Knies with the San Jose Sharks in a deal that would have brought back first-round picks, including the No. 2 selection overall. That’s the sort of offer that tells you how aggressively Toronto has been exploring the market.
Winnipeg is also drawing plenty of attention, especially with Connor Hellebuyck trade chatter still hanging around. Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet noted that the Jets’ waiver claim of Clay Stevenson could affect whether they would want a goalie included in a Hellebuyck return. Buffalo’s Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen can block a move to Winnipeg, and there is said to be another goalie who can do the same.
The Jets had also looked at other options. The Edmonton Oilers considered Stevenson before they completed the trade for Devin Levi.
And Winnipeg reportedly passed on a Florida Panthers offer for Hellebuyck that included Evan Rodrigues, another roster player that may have been Eetu Luostarinen, and the draft-pick package that was sent to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk. The Anaheim Ducks and Utah Mammoth may have checked in as well.
Scott Billeck said, “Between this and the admission that they’re going to have to likely take a deal for Hellebuyck that includes futures, it would seem they’re accepting the reality that at least some sort of rebuild is going to be needed with this aging core.”
Alexander Nikishin remains another name to watch, and his situation appears to be tied directly to Winnipeg’s plans. If Nikishin were willing to sign with the Jets, a Hellebuyck trade to Carolina would already have been completed. The belief is that Nikishin wants $9 million on a five-year deal, though some sources say it could be a little less in the right situation.
Other teams are still trying to get involved there. The St.
Louis Blues have been after Nikishin, while the Nashville Predators have made an effort but haven’t come close to the Hurricanes’ asking price. Carolina was also disappointed that a deal with the Rangers couldn’t be finished.
Detroit has its own contract business to sort through. The Red Wings had been set on a bridge deal for Simon Edvinsson, but the expectation is that they should be aiming for a longer-term agreement if they view him as a cornerstone piece. Detroit still needs to address Edvinsson, Dylan Larkin and Alex DeBrincat sooner rather than later.
Boston is also working the market. The Bruins are looking to move defenseman Henri Jokiharju, and teams are also wondering about Matthew Poitras.
In Edmonton, the need at center remains clear. The Oilers do not have a right-handed center, and they’ve shown interest in Kirby Dach. They also couldn’t land Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright.
There have been whispers connecting the Los Angeles Kings to Patrik Laine, but those rumors keep getting denied.
There is some contract noise in Seattle and Nashville too. Kraken defenseman Vince Dunn is a pending UFA, and there have been some talks between the two sides.
Predators forward Ryan O’Reilly is in the final year of his deal, does not have protection, and there is a verbal promise in place. Even with that, teams are still interested.
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There was also real substance in the way the Hurricanes handled the games pressure points. Their penalty kill was perfect, navigating seven Florida advantages without allowing a goal, and that kind of detail work tends to matter in October as much as it does later on. For a team trying to build on a championship backdrop rather than simply celebrate it, the opening night performance suggested there was plenty to like even if the final result did not break their way. [Read more 🡒]