In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: The latest noise about Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, the Flyers could be interested in landing one of the Senators’ centers, and updates on Flames winger Blake Coleman and Canadiens winger Patrik Laine.
“A LOT OF NOISE” AROUND JET GOALTENDER CONNOR HELLEBUYCK
SPORTSNET: Nick Kypreos believes Connor Hellebuyck could be the player we hear the most about in trade rumors this summer. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender publicly expressed his frustration about the club’s direction at the end of this season.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (NHL Images).
Kypreos claims there’s “a lot of noise” about Hellebuyck, saying other teams are watching his situation closely. He’s not sure how this will end up, but he’s an intriguing name
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Kypreos’ colleague, Elliotte Friedman, said the same thing recently about “a lot of noise” around Hellebuyck.
This speculation is based on Hellebuyck’s end-of-season comments. With his Team USA teammate Dylan Larkin requesting a trade, some observers wonder if the three-time Vezina Trophy winner will do the same.
However, there’s a big difference between Hellebuyck’s situation and Larkin’s. The latter’s request was the result of the Wings’ decade-long postseason drought with no end in sight amid growing tension between Larkin and general manager Steve Yzerman.
The Jets, meanwhile, are a year removed from winning the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time. It’s understandable why Hellebuyck would be frustrated about their struggles this season, and his public remarks were likely no different than his private comments to Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff.
Nevertheless, that doesn’t mean that he wants out of Winnipeg, though he was likely putting Cheveldayoff on notice that he could go that route if things don’t improve down the road. So far, there’s no indication that he wants a trade or that the Jets intend to move him.
THE LATEST SENATORS SPECULATION
DAILY FACEOFF: Anthony Di Marco reports sources claim the Philadelphia Flyers are interested in Ottawa Senators centers Shane Pinto, Dylan Cozens, and Ridly Grieg, in that order. The two clubs have had off-and-on trade discussions going back to the 2024-25 season.
Senators GM Steve Staios is in the market for a right-shot defenseman. He’s reportedly shown on-and-off interest in Flyers blueliner Rasmus Ristolainen.
At this point, it’s uncertain if the Senators are willing to move one of their centers. Nevertheless, Di Marco believes the Flyers will be circling if they do.
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reports the Senators are interested in adding a top-six winger for Tim Stutzle’s line and a backup goaltender, as well as a top-four, right-shot blueliner.
They’re open to offers for defenseman Jordan Spence, who is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights on July 1. Winger Fabian Zetterlund is also out there in the trade market.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: If the Senators move a center, it could be Cozens, who hasn’t fully met expectations as a second-line center. However, it would likely be for that elusive scoring winger.
UPDATES ON BLAKE COLEMAN AND PATRIK LAINE
THE ATHLETIC: Pierre LeBrun reported the Calgary Flames will be gauging the trade market for Blake Coleman. However, they are open to re-signing the 34-year-old winger to a contract extension. If they move him this summer, they prefer a hockey trade over a return of draft picks and prospects.
LeBrun also reports there’s a decent amount of interest in Montreal Canadiens winger Patrik Laine. The 28-year-old winger is UFA-eligible on July 1 and isn’t expected to be re-signed by the Canadiens. A team can sign him to a low-risk, performance-bonus-based contract with a low AAV because he spent over 100 days on injured reserve this season.