Connor Hellebuyck’s exit from Winnipeg, Matvei Michkov’s bench-side blowup, and the possibility of Jake Walman becoming available in Edmonton all landed in the same NHL trade chatter cycle, and each one carried its own kind of unease.
Hellebuyck finally spoke to the media and said the choice to leave the Jets was not simple. He described it as a decision tied to both his hockey career and, more importantly, his family.
He said there were experiences that “crossed the line” and left his family uncomfortable, though he did not get into specifics and asked for privacy. Later, it was reported that the incidents went beyond online death threats.
Hellebuyck also made clear that he still cares about Winnipeg and the people there, and he stressed that he did not leave because he wanted to play in the U.S. In his words, he felt he had to put his family first.
In Philadelphia, the Flyers got the win, but the postgame conversation centered on Michkov instead. His heated exchange with teammate Nick Seeler on the bench drew immediate attention, and teammates had to step in to calm things down.
Fans are already asking what set it off. The moment may turn out to be nothing more than a one-off disagreement, but it also added fuel to the broader questions that have already followed Michkov in Philadelphia.
For now, there’s no clear answer on whether the incident means anything beyond a tense moment between teammates, even if the speculation is already rolling.
Edmonton’s situation with Walman is a different kind of problem. He has not settled into the Oilers’ defensive system, and head coach Mike Babcock has made him a healthy scratch more than a few times.
Offense has not been the issue; the concern is his play in his own end. His contract and no-trade protection only make any potential move more complicated.
If the Oilers do decide to move him, Toronto, Utah, and Philadelphia have been mentioned as possible fits. Toronto may be the cleanest match for his style, while Edmonton might need to attach a draft pick or retain some salary to make a deal work. For now, though, there are no reported talks, and the whole thing remains hypothetical.
In Other News...
Oilers Fans Just Earned A Wild Online Reputation
A new online survey of fan chatter has given hockeys most passionate corners another talking point, and Edmonton supporters came out looking especially loose with the language. Action Network combed through more than 9.7 million Reddit comments across 205 pro sports communities in 2026, measuring how often posts included profanity, and the Oilers fan base landed at the top of the list.
The study stretched across major sports leagues and showed just how wide the gap can be in the way fans talk when they think nobody is grading them. Edmonton was followed by Athletic Bilbao and the Dallas Stars, while the St. Louis Cardinals were identified as the most polite fan base, a reminder that not every corner of the internet sounds the same when the game gets tense. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Goaltending Picture Suddenly Has A Prospect Fans Need To Watch
Samuel Jonsson has quietly become one of the more interesting names in the Oilers goaltending pipeline, and the appeal is easy to see. Over the past three seasons, he has moved through three different leagues while continuing to look like a goalie prospect worth tracking, and his start in the AHL this season has only added to that sense that he is trending in the right direction.
The next step is simple in theory and harder in practice: keep stacking quality outings in Bakersfield and make the organization consider what comes next. Jonsson has been solid in his first four AHL appearances, and if that level holds, he could put himself in position for an NHL opportunity down the road, which is exactly the kind of development arc the Oilers want to see from a young netminder. [Read more 🡒]
Oilers Injury Concerns Keep Growing Around One Absence In Particular
The Oilers injury picture has only gotten murkier as the 2026-27 season approaches, with several key names still working their way back and the depth chart taking hits in the process. Mattias Janmark is at least back on the ice in practice, while Frederik Andersen is not expected back anytime soon, leaving Edmonton to keep juggling availability at a time when every healthy body matters.
The more unsettling situation centers on Matt Savoie, whose return remains uncertain and has become a lingering concern for the organization. A third-party podcast added another layer to the story by suggesting the knee cartilage issue may be more severe than first believed, potentially stretching out the recovery even further, though that detail has not been officially confirmed. [Read more 🡒]