The rumor mill around the NHL is moving fast, and a few names keep popping up in the middle of it.
One of the biggest is Connor Hellebuyck, with Kevin Weekes posting, “Connor Hellebuyck on the move?” That chatter has also tied into what the Carolina Hurricanes might be doing with defenseman Alexander Nikishin.
Zach Dooley said Elliotte Friedman believes the Los Angeles Kings are among the teams interested in Nikishin, and Auston Stanovich added, “Nikishin would be such a great get for LA. I just don’t see how they get that deal done, especially since it seems like CAR is dangling Nikishin to try and hunt a big fish like Hellebuyck.”
Around the league, several contract situations are also starting to take shape. David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period reported that Nico Hischier is expected to land an extension around five years and $60 million.
Quinn Hughes and the Minnesota Wild are still working through options, with Wild owner Craig Leipold saying it could be a three-year or five-year deal. Two sources also said the Colorado Avalanche and Cale Makar have not opened extension talks yet, though both sides are said to be calm about it and expect a deal eventually that would make him one of the highest-paid players.
There are other teams weighing roster moves, too. Signs are pointing to a Rasmus Andersson extension with the Golden Knights in the $7.5 million to $9 million range.
Las Vegas has $4.265 million in projected cap space with Alex Pietrangelo’s $8.8 million LTIR, and could create more room by moving Adin Hill’s $6.25 million. The Buffalo Sabres are offering forward Jack Quinn, while one Western Conference team tried to trade for Islanders defenseman Alexander Romanov.
The Maple Leafs are talking to multiple teams about Morgan Rielly, and the Stars and Jason Robertson are still in negotiations. Pierre LeBrun said contract talks are continuing as both sides try to find a middle ground. Elsewhere, the Canadiens are still looking for an impact forward, and the Kings and Lightning are both considering Patrik Laine.
There’s also interest in a few other players across the league. The Utah Mammoth are one of the teams in on Kirill Marchenko, while the Canucks continue trade talks involving Jake DeBrusk and Elias Pettersson.
The Penguins have plenty of cap space and are looking to make a big move, and they’ve been in on Robertson as well. The Flyers, meanwhile, have received multiple draft pick offers for Rasmus Ristolainen.
In Other News...
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Rumors Just Took A Troubling Turn
Trade buzz around Connor Hellebuyck has not completely gone away, and that alone keeps Winnipeg fans on edge. According to Elliotte Friedman, the Jets and Sabres are still not fully done talking about the star goaltender, with Buffalo lingering as a team to watch as both sides weigh what a deal would have to look like.
From Winnipegs side, the price remains steep, and that is the real reason this situation has not moved quickly. The Jets are still looking for meaningful return, which means any path forward depends on whether Buffalo and Winnipeg can bridge the gap, even as Hellebuycks interest in the direction of the other club has added another layer to an already delicate negotiation. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Offseason Just Took A Turn Fans Need To Watch
The first signs of Winnipegs offseason rhythm are already on display in the city, where Development Camp opened with 32 players and prospects on the ice. Among them were first-round pick Viggo Bjrck and seventh-rounder Alofa Tunoa Taamu, a reminder that the Jets are starting to blend the newest wave of talent into the system while the front office keeps shaping the roster around it.
The camp comes as Winnipeg has also been active on the transaction front, completing a swap that sent David Gustafsson out and brought defenseman Jack St. Ivany back from Pittsburgh. There was more roster housekeeping, too, with the club qualifying two of its three restricted free agents before the NHL deadline, leaving just enough unresolved to keep the rest of the summer worth watching. [Read more 🡒]