The latest on Connor Hellebuyck, Dylan Larkin, Vincent Trocheck, Erik Karlsson, Alexander Nikishin, Jake DeBrusk, Pavel Zacha, Blake Coleman, and much more in today’s NHL Rumor Mill.
COULD THE PANTHERS ACQUIRE CONNOR HELLEBUYCK?
THE HOCKEY NEWS: David Dwork reports the Florida Panthers haven’t closed the door on the possibility of acquiring Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets to shore up their goaltending.
THE ATHLETIC: Murat Ates and Shayna Goldman included the Panthers on their list of teams who could or should be pursuing Hellebuyck.
They point out that the Panthers lack sufficient trade assets to tempt the Jets into parting with their franchise goaltender. They shipped young winger Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken and three first-round picks to the Ottawa Senators for Brady Tkachuk.
If the Panthers are willing to part with two-way center Anton Lundell, he could be the centerpiece that makes the deal happen. Without him, it won’t be enough to make a deal happen.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Panthers reportedly refused to part with Lundell in the Tkachuk trade, so it’s unlikely that they’ll do it for Hellebuyck, assuming the goalie has requested a trade or is willing to waive his no-movement clause. Even with Lundell as the centerpiece, the Panthers lack the secondary pieces to get it done, unless they’re willing to give up another good roster player in the deal.
Meanwhile, George Richards of Florida Hockey Now reports the door isn’t closed yet on the Panthers’ efforts to re-sign Sergei Bobrovsky, their long-time starting goaltender.
THE WILD ARE STILL TRYING TO LAND DYLAN LARKIN
THE ATHLETIC: Michael Russo and Joe Smith report the Minnesota Wild continue to play the waiting game in their efforts to acquire center Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings.
Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin (NHL Images).
The Wild are on Larkin’s list of preferred trade destinations, but “it’s painfully obvious” that they lack sufficient trade assets to meet Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman’s asking price. Wild GM Bill Guerin remains in constant contact with Yzerman and Larkin’s agent, Pat Brisson.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Russo and Smith suggest it could take getting a third team involved to help the Wings acquire the assets they need to land Larkin.
THE LATEST ON THE RANGERS
THE ATHLETIC: Peter Baugh and Vincent Z. Mercogliano report that New York Rangers GM Chris Drury is still hoping to receive a return package for Vincent Trocheck that includes a young roster player. If that return fails to materialize, Baugh and Mercogliano wonder if he’d settle for a first-round pick and a prospect.
The Minnesota Wild have faded as a destination for Trocheck. Baugh and Mercogliano mused over whether the Pittsburgh Penguins and Boston Bruins might pay Drury’s asking price. Other clubs linked to Trocheck in the rumor mill include the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, Detroit Red Wings, Montreal Canadiens, and Toronto Maple Leafs.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The market could be awaiting the outcome of Dylan Larkin’s situation before shifting focus toward Trocheck, who has three years left on his contract. Drury could be content to wait until next year’s trade deadline if there are no suitable options this summer.
Alexis Lafreniere has also surfaced in the rumor mill. However, two sources told Baugh and Mercogliano that the 24-year-old winger will likely stay put unless they get a mind-blowing offer. The Rangers are seeking scoring forwards, not trying to move them.
COULD THE SENATORS BRING BACK ERIK KARLSSON?
OTTAWA SUN: Bruce Garrioch reported the Senators “visited a trade” for former captain Erik Karlsson during the 2022-23 season when he was with the San Jose Sharks. However, they decided that would undermine the leadership of then-captain Brady Tkachuk and opted against it.
With Tkachuk recently traded to the Florida Panthers and the Senators’ captaincy vacant, Garrioch wondered if they might take another shot at bringing Karlsson back to Ottawa.
Karlsson is now with the Pittsburgh Penguins and has a year left on his contract. Garrioch claimed that the Penguins aren’t interested in moving the 36-year-old defenseman, and if they were, they would want a decent return.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The Penguins surprised everyone by making the playoffs this season. They’ll likely want to add to their roster this summer, not subtract. After a couple of rough seasons with the Penguins, Karlsson had 66 points in 75 games in 2025-26.
It’s also worth remembering that it was the Senators’ former management that would’ve been interested in bringing back Karlsson. The current management probably has other plans this summer than bringing back a former captain.
HURRICANES OPEN TO TRADING ALEXANDER NIKISHIN
THE SCORE: According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Carolina Hurricanes are considering trading Alexander Nikishin. The 24-year-old defenseman is a restricted free agent coming off his entry-level contract.
Nikishin joined the Hurricanes as a highly-touted defenseman following a successful tenure in the KHL. He had 33 points in 81 games during this regular season, but his playing time declined during the Hurricanes’ Stanley Cup run, picking up one assist in 17 games. He also suffered a concussion during their first-round series against the Ottawa Senators, missing two games.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 6’3”, 218-pound Nikishin is a promising right-shot defenseman who could draw lots of attention in the trade market. He’s ineligible to sign an offer sheet.
The Hurricanes have over $11 million in cap space. They could sign Nikishin to an affordable short-term bridge deal, but he could prefer a more lucrative long-term deal.
It’s been suggested that the Hurricanes could be a destination for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck. If so, Nikishin could be an intriguing trade chip as part of a package offer for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner.
ARE THE CANADIENS INTERESTED IN JAKE DEBRUSK?
THE SICK PODCAST: James Murphy reports a source claims the Montreal Canadiens have expressed interest in Jake DeBrusk.
The Canadiens reportedly attempted to sign DeBrusk when he was a UFA two years ago, and they looked into acquiring him at the trade deadline.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Patrick Johnston of The Province recently quoted a source claiming that DeBrusk isn’t keen to return to the East. If so, the Canadiens will have to look elsewhere for a top-six winger.
WHAT’S BRUIN IN BOSTON?
BOSTON HERALD: Steve Conroy reports Bruins GM Don Sweeney said all options are on the table to improve his roster as the draft weekend approaches.
Sweeney could use his first-round pick (23rd overall) as a trade chip. However, the St. Louis Blues and San Jose Sharks hold multiple first-rounders in this draft, and their intentions could affect the Bruins’ efforts to make an impact trade with just the 23rd overall pick.
The Bruins GM didn’t rule out moving a roster player for a return that bolsters the roster. Conroy speculates that Sweeney is likely getting plenty of calls about center Pavel Zacha, who is a year away from UFA eligibility and in line for a significant raise over his current $4.75 million cap hit. Sweeney said his intention remains to sign Zacha to an extension.
Defenseman Mason Lohrei could also be a trade candidate. Meanwhile, contract discussions with pending UFAs Viktor Arvidsson and Andrew Peeke continue, but there’s still a gap between the parties on terms and dollars.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: Bruins fans (especially some who are regular commenters on this site) have been grumbling over Sweeney’s inactivity in the trade market thus far. However, it’s apparent that attempts to use their 2026 first-rounder as trade bait are hampered by whatever the Sharks and Blues have in store.
Zacha is drawing a lot of interest, but moving him would weaken the Bruins’ depth at center. The clubs calling about him are probably offering draft picks and prospects. That return doesn’t provide immediate help for the Bruins. Sweeney could use them as bait for another roster player, but that can be easier said than done.
UPDATES ON FLAMES FORWARDS BLAKE COLEMAN AND CONNOR ZARY
TSN: Pierre LeBrun reports the trade market is quiet for the moment on Calgary Flames winger Blake Coleman. It appears the 10 teams on his list of approved trade destinations either lack sufficient cap room to acquire his $4.9 million cap hit or they’re working on other deals at the moment.
Meanwhile, Darren Dreger reported the Flames are open to trading Connor Zary. They’re seeking a second-round pick for the 24-year-old center, who has a year left on his contract with a cap hit of $3.775 million.
SPECTOR’S NOTE: The 24th overall pick in the 2020 NHL Draft, Zary was projected to become a top-six forward for the Flames. However, injuries have hampered his development. Zary had 34 points in 63 games this season.
WHAT WILL THE SHARKS AND BLUES DO WITH THEIR DRAFT PICKS?
THE MERCURY NEWS: Curtis Pashelka reports San Jose Sharks GM Mike Grier said he’s getting several calls about the No. 9 pick in the upcoming draft. The Sharks acquired that pick in the William Eklund trade from the Ottawa Senators, who acquired it from the Florida Panthers in the Brady Tkachuk trade.
Grier also said he got a “really interesting call” about the No. 2 pick, which the Sharks got in last month’s draft lottery.
THE HOCKEY NEWS: Lou Korac reports the St. Louis Blues have positioned themselves to make a major move in the trade market. They now have four first-round picks (Nos. 11, 15, 16, and 29) after acquiring one from the Washington Capitals in the Jordan Kyrou trade. The Blues hold 13 total picks in this year’s draft.
Blues GM Doug Armstrong said he’s open to using those picks to move up in the first-round order, especially if they can move into the top four. He could also use them to pursue a talented young NHL player.