The Dylan Larkin situation in Detroit is still murky, but the latest reporting points to a front-office split over what a trade might actually have returned.
Elliotte Friedman said on the 32 Thoughts podcast that Steve Yzerman warned Red Wings ownership that moving Larkin probably wouldn’t deliver an immediate boost. The return, according to that report, would have been more about future help than instant impact, and management apparently wasn’t on board with that direction.
Friedman stopped short of saying that disagreement directly led to Yzerman’s departure, but he did note that interim GM Shawn Horcoff now has a chance to make a case for the full-time job.
Larkin himself still isn’t opening up much. After speaking with the media on Thursday, he said he is not ready to “go there yet” when asked about the trade request, and he would not say whether that request has been taken back. For now, his status in Detroit remains unsettled.
In Winnipeg, Kevin Cheveldayoff pushed back hard on reports tying Connor Hellebuyck to a “gentlemen’s agreement.” The idea was that Hellebuyck had been promised a chance to chase a Stanley Cup and that the Jets would help work out a trade if that didn’t happen.
Cheveldayoff shut that down.
“A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League. Period,” he said, making clear there are no side deals and no loopholes. He added that the reports have no merit, though he did acknowledge the Jets have been trying to trade the goalie since Hellebuyck’s request.
The backdrop there isn’t pretty: Winnipeg missed the playoffs last season, and Hellebuyck put up the worst statistical season of his career.
Quinn Hughes, meanwhile, says there’s no drama with the Minnesota Wild as extension talks continue. As training camp opened, Hughes brushed off any suggestion of friction, saying it’s still September and that plenty of stars have signed later in the offseason.
He said he’s happy in Minnesota, loves the team and feels good with his teammates. Hughes also admitted the idea of eventually playing with brothers Jack and Luke Hughes has some appeal, but he made it clear he won’t walk away from a “great spot” in Minnesota just to make that happen.
The contract itself could become the real headline. Michael Russo and Joe Smith of The Athletic reported that Minnesota has signaled a willingness to offer Hughes the maximum eight-year term at an annual value above Cale Makar’s NHL-record $20.4 million. If that happens, Hughes would become the highest-paid defenseman in the league.
And in Columbus, there are still some uncomfortable questions looming over the Blue Jackets. Zach Werenski has made it plain that there are no guarantees he’ll sign another extension with the team when his current deal runs out after the 2027-28 season.
Kirill Marchenko may be headed in the same direction. His agent told ESPN and NHL Network’s Kevin Weekes in June that the winger plans to move on when his current contract expires, which would make him a restricted free agent after this season.
In Other News...
Sabres' Goalie Search Just Got More Interesting Than Fans Realized
The offseason goalie market had a little more intrigue than it looked from the outside, with Elliotte Friedman reporting on the 32 Thoughts podcast that the Buffalo Sabres and Florida Panthers both explored the possibility of landing Connor Hellebuyck from the Jets. Winnipeg was at least willing to listen, which fits the reality of how valuable a top-end goaltender like Hellebuyck is, but there was always a practical hurdle attached to any conversation about moving him.
The Jets were not looking at this as a simple futures deal, and that helped explain why nothing came together before training camp. Buffalo and Florida had offers on the table that centered on draft picks and players, but the discussions never crossed the line into an agreement, leaving Winnipeg with its No. 1 in place and the rest of the league still thinking about how hard it is to pry a goalie of that caliber out of Manitoba. [Read more 🡒]
Quinn Hughes Just Made Minnesotas Biggest Offseason Question Even Tougher
Quinn Hughes has only deepened the attention around Minnesotas offseason by saying he is in no rush to lock in a contract extension, even while acknowledging the pull of eventually playing alongside his brothers. For the Wild, that keeps the spotlight squarely on one of their biggest decisions, especially with reports already pointing to an eight-year offer that would set a new standard for the franchise.
The timing only adds to the intrigue across the league, with other major names making headlines as teams weigh their next moves. For Winnipeg, the bigger lesson is familiar: when high-end talent is involved, front offices tend to stay patient and measured, even as the market keeps shifting around them. [Read more 🡒]
Islanders Have An Early Camp Test For A Contract Fans Still Question
Training camps always bring a little inventory report along with the optimism, and the Jets are no exception as they sort through the early health status of a few players. Around the league, clubs are getting encouraging signs from familiar names like Owen Tippett and Noah Cates in Philadelphia, while Pierre Engvall is back on the ice for the Islanders after last season was wiped out by hip and ankle surgeries. San Jose, meanwhile, is already dealing with a couple of sidelined skaters before the preseason grind really gets rolling.
For Winnipeg, the updates center on two players whose recoveries are still part of the early-season picture. Elias Salomonsson is working back from shoulder surgery, and Walker Duehr has only recently started skating again after his injury, leaving the club with a clearer sense of where both stand but not much certainty beyond that. It is the kind of camp detail that rarely grabs attention outside the room, yet it matters for a team trying to keep its depth chart intact as October approaches. [Read more 🡒]