The latest NHL rumors involve Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, and Ottawa Senators winger Alex DeBrincat.
The NHL Stanley Cup Final has yet to conclude, but many NHL teams are already moving on their offseason plans. In the past week, the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and LA Kings participated in a three-team trade that included defenseman Ivan Provorov, and the Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils completed a sign-and-trade of defenseman Damon Severson. As offseason moves continue, so do the rumors about what's coming next.
Heading into his last season under contract with Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck has no desire to stay with the Jets. Auston Matthews is interested in an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Leafs aren't in a rush to talk with him. Alex DeBrincat wants out of Ottawa, and there's a lot of speculation about what teams could be on his list of preferred trade destinations.
Let's get caught up on three NHL rumors that are swirling around.
NHL Rumors: Connor Hellebuyck has no intention of staying in Winnipeg
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck reportedly has no desire to stay in Winnipeg. He isn't set to become an unrestricted free agent until next offseason, but rumors have been flying that he could be on his way out sooner than that. It's no surprise that he's considered one of the top trade candidates of the offseason, as the Winnipeg Jets would like to get a return for the 2020 Vezina Trophy winner who is a nominee for the award again in 2023. If the Jets don't move Hellebuyck prior to the end of his contract, they'll lose him for nothing in the 2024 offseason.
2022-23 was another strong season for the three-time All Star between the pipes. With a .920 SV%, Hellebyuck saved 2.49 goals against average and earned 37 wins. It was the fourth time in the 30 year old's career that he posted more than 30 wins in a season. The Jets made the Stanley Cup Playoffs but were eliminated in the first round. Hellebuyck has a career .916 SV%.
Hellebuyck is expected to draw a hefty contract. It looks like that won't be with the Jets, so the organization is now under pressure to figure out how to move him before they lose him. Some teams that could be in the market for a new goalie are the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, LA Kings, and Buffalo Sabres. The Jets will look into different options in hopes of a solid return for the elite goalie.
NHL Rumors: Maple Leafs not yet talking with Auston Matthews about extension
Auston Matthews has one year left on his contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but he's interested in an extension. The Maple Leafs reportedly don't have a sense of urgency to talk with Matthews and his agent, as they're currently evaluating their coaching staff. The conversation should happen this summer, though.
Undeniably, Matthews is an elite center. He consistently scores 40 or more goals in a season. Even in 2020-21 when the NHL season was shortened due to COVID, Matthews reached 41 goals. In the 2021-22 season, he scored 60 goals and in 2022-23, he scored 40. He tallied 106 points in 2021-22 and 85 in 2022-23. This past season, Matthews held a +/- of 31 and 28 power play points.
There's speculation that Matthews is interested in a short-term deal so that he can negotiate another deal in a few years when the salary cap rises. Fans and analysts are up in arms over Matthews' rumored interest in a short-term deal. Some fans are so heated over this that they're hoping Matthews will be traded. While he is a great player who deserves to get paid, there are concerns that he isn't worth what he might be looking for. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds once talks commence between the Leafs and Matthews.
NHL Rumors: Speculation circling about the teams on Alex DeBrincat's list of trade destinations
Alex DeBrincat submitted a list of preferred trade destinations. There's been speculation in the past week over which teams could be on that list. The Ottawa Senators could trade the restricted free agent during this offseason after learning from DeBrincat's agent that he's not interested in sticking around in Ottawa. It's becoming more and more likely that an offseason trade will include DeBrincat.
The Senators would benefit the most from sending DeBrincat to a team he'd want to sign an extension with because that would increase the value of the return the Senators receive. Some teams that are considered possibilities for the trade list are the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Dallas Stars, and Nashville Predators. Detroit is very likely on the list since DeBrincat is from the area.
The 25 year old winger just finished a three-year $19.2 million contract. He scored 27 goals this past season. DeBrincat previously played for the Chicago Blackhawks. He has been to the Stanley Cup Playoffs just once in his six year career so far. His preferred trade destinations list likely includes multiple teams that are expected to make playoff runs over the next several years. If the Senators deal DeBrincat this offseason, it's likely to be a very intriguing trade.