Gary Bettman isn’t pretending no-trade clauses are being used the way they were originally sold. The NHL commissioner said the league has “gotten past the way no-trade clauses were originally intended,” arguing that these protections were meant to reward players who accepted team-friendly deals with some long-term security, not to hand them a lever to steer trades and pick their destination.
He didn’t sound alarmed about one isolated summer, but he was clear that the balance of power has shifted too far toward players in negotiations, and that makes life harder for teams and fans. If this keeps snowballing, it sounds like the league and the Players’ Association could end up having a real discussion about it.
One of the biggest near-misses in the recent trade chatter came down to Montreal and Marchenko, and the twist is that the player was in. Marchenko reportedly wanted the move and was even interested in joining Ivan Demidov, who shares his agent.
That wasn’t the obstacle. Columbus wanted a young player who could jump into the NHL right away, and Montreal simply didn’t have the right piece without taking apart what it already has.
The Canadiens did explore ways to make it work, including the possibility of involving a third team, but they never got close to the value Columbus was seeking.
Toronto, on the other hand, had the exact kind of asset that moved the conversation. Matthew Knies fit what Columbus wanted: young, cost-controlled, and ready now.
The Maple Leafs also helped their case by taking on Merzlikins and Wood, which only increased their leverage in the deal. In the end, Montreal’s effort never matched that package, and a trade it badly wanted never got over the line.
Then there’s the Oilers’ goaltending situation, which keeps hanging around like a bad problem that won’t go away. Frank Seravalli raised the idea that Connor Hellebuyck may not be as committed to staying in the U.S. as people had assumed, which naturally opens the door to a wild Edmonton thought experiment.
The timing is hard to ignore, either. Jarry gave up six goals in his season debut, and that made it 10 times in his 12 games as an Oiler that he’s allowed four or more.
Andersen’s return also keeps getting pushed farther out. At some point, Edmonton has to ask whether its crease is ever actually going to stabilize.
The reality, though, is that Winnipeg holds the upper hand. Hellebuyck is suspended without pay, so the Jets aren’t being forced into a move.
And even if Edmonton could convince him to consider something else, the Oilers run into the same old issue: they don’t have much to send back. Winnipeg would likely want a goalie in return, but Jarry has trade protection, Levi is still unproven, and Edmonton’s system doesn’t appear to offer a piece that helps a Jets team trying to win right now.
Still, with McDavid in his prime and the Oilers’ goaltending still unsettled, it’s the kind of phone call worth making even if the odds are long.
In Other News...
Canadiens Prospects Are Starting To Shape Montreals Next NHL Wave
As Montreal looks ahead to the 2026-27 season, the organizations prospect pipeline is beginning to take a clearer shape, and a few names are moving from long-term ideas to real players worth tracking. Michael Hage remains one of the most important development stories in the system, while Alexander Zharovsky and Gleb Pugachyov are each at stages where their next seasons should say a lot about how quickly they can push into NHL conversation. Luke Mittelstadt is also part of that group, giving the Canadiens a mix of skill sets and timelines as the front office tries to line up the next wave.
For a team still building toward its next competitive core, the stakes are more than just prospect rankings. These coming seasons will help show which players can handle bigger roles, which ones can keep climbing, and which ones might eventually force Montreal to make room. The Canadiens do not need all of them to arrive at once, but the organization would love to see this group start turning promise into something more concrete before the 2026-27 picture comes into focus. [Read more 🡒]
Kent Hughes Went Further Than Fans Realized For A Top Forward
Montreals summer was busy enough to make it clear Kent Hughes is still pushing to speed up the rebuild, but one pursuit in particular showed just how far he was willing to go. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Canadiens made significant efforts to land a top forward from Columbus, spending real time on a deal that would have fit their long-term plans and added more punch up front.
The interesting part is how far Montreal was willing to get creative in order to make it happen, even if the Blue Jackets never bit. It was a reminder that Hughes is not just looking for smaller upgrades around the edges, and with the Canadiens already among the leagues more active teams this summer, future free-agent windows could bring more swings at impact talent. [Read more 🡒]
Canadiens Lineup Decision For Pittsburgh Still Leaves One Tense Question
The Canadiens skated through practice with the same forward lines and defensive pairings ahead of their game in Pittsburgh, a clear sign that the staff is leaning toward continuity after the latest round of lineup decisions. Renaud Lavoie reported the setup, and it points to a familiar look up front and on the blue line as Montreal tries to keep its structure intact on the road.
What still hangs over the trip is the goaltending choice, which remains unconfirmed for Pittsburgh. The rest of the lineup appears to be settling into place, and that leaves the crease as the one remaining question mark as Montreal prepares for a game where every small adjustment tends to draw attention. [Read more 🡒]