Jets, Canes, Maple Leafs & PP Remakes

This edition (June 24, 2026) of NHL Trade Talk Recap includes three recaps all about the same big idea. The NHL draft and early offseason moves can shake up entire team identities fast. The Hurricanes are potentially making a serious play for Connor Hellebuyck. Gavin McKenna is talking like a guy who’s already thinking about what life could be like with the Maple Leafs. And teams’ power plays are getting redesigned after blockbuster trades. There’s a lot changing, and it’ll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Hurricanes Pitch for Hellebuyck (With Nikishin in the Package)

Frank Seravalli is reporting the Carolina Hurricanes have made a pitch for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The proposed return is believed to include a first-round pick plus pending RFA defenceman Alexander Nikishin. Carolina could be making him available after he reportedly isn’t on board with extending his deal.

Carolina reportedly has a lot of ammo for a trade. That includes multiple first-round picks over the next few drafts. They may also be open to moving on from Frederik Andersen. If the Jets move Hellebuyck, they’ll want the best possible return. Other teams like the Panthers and Sabres are also connected, and a longer list of clubs are supposedly interested.

Carolina Hurricanes Put Together Big Trade Offer for Connor Hellebuyck

Gavin McKenna on the Big “What If” and Making It to Toronto

Gavin McKenna sat down with Sportsnet’s Shawn McKenzie right before the draft, and most of the talk was about the possibilities of what it would feel like to go first overall to the Maple Leafs. He said he’s excited, but also that draft week moves super fast, especially for his family, and he knows the projections can be hard to ignore.

McKenna also shared that he enjoyed visiting Toronto (including non-hockey stuff like a soccer game and a World Cup match), and he was really grateful that John Chayka came to meet him in the Yukon. He closed by saying that where he’s from shaped him a lot. He carries that Yukon pride with him and really values the community and family support that got him there.

Inside Gavin McKenna’s Mind on the Verge of the NHL Draft

Power Play Makeovers After the Biggest Trades

Now that a number of NHL trades are already done, some teams’ power plays look totally different. The big names grab headlines, but the real story is how each team’s man advantage is going to work around the new guys they just brought in. This list could change as more deals get finalized, but the early impact is already pretty interesting.

The Capitals added Jordan Kyrou and Alex Tuch, giving them a major scoring boost and changing how defences have to deal with them on the power play. The Maple Leafs bringing in Darren Raddysh also feels like a clear “quarterback” move from the point, especially with Morgan Rielly’s future looking uncertain. Meanwhile, the Blackhawks are basically set up for Bedard and Byram to run things together. And Ottawa will miss what Brady Tkachuk brought in front of the net. So it’ll be on William Eklund (or someone else) to help fill that messy, tough-to-replace role.

NHL Shakeup: 4 Power Plays Rapidly Changing After Latest Blockbuster Moves

Today’s Posts:

Robertson Rejects 8-Year, $15M AAV Sign-and-Trade — Stars Seeking Trade
Ducks Weighing Two Offers for Mason McTavish, Rangers the Frontrunner
The One Oiler Best Qualified to Judge Mike Babcock Just Shared a Surprising Truth
Carlson Trade Interest Exists — But Teams Betting on a Werenski Bombshell
Avalanche Trade Nichushkin to Columbus for Package of Draft Picks
Blues Take 2 Huge Names Off the Table as Trade Deadline Approaches
Darnell Nurse and Morgan Rielly Trades Not So Certain?
$7M Forwards on Oilers’ Radar Amid Darnell Nurse Trade Talks
Connor Ingram “Bullish” on Returning, But Oilers Looking at Other Options
Waddell’s Cryptic Comments on Werenski Raise Red Flags in Columbus
Penguins Acquire Hendrix Lapierre from Washington in Draft Pick Deal
Two Teams Stand Ahead of Montreal in Matthew Knies Sweepstakes
Flyers Move Hathaway to Florida Panthers to Replace Key Departing UFA
6 Blockbuster NHL Trades We’re Expecting Any Minute Now
Could a Dream Winger Target Be Coming Available for the Oilers?
Oilers Prioritizing Darnell Nurse Trade, But No Deal Guaranteed
Alexander Nikishin Trade Market Heating Up as Carolina Weighs Multiple Offers
Who Gets Traded First?: Darnell Nurse and Morgan Rielly Updates
Kyrou and Tuch Hint Capitals Are Planning for Life Without Alex Ovechkin