Connor Hellebuyck, Alexander Nikishin and Kirby Dach headline new NHL trade rumours

Connor Hellebuyck, Alexander Nikishin and Kirby Dach are front and centre in the latest batch of NHL trade rumours, with the Winnipeg Jets, Carolina Hurricanes and Montreal Canadiens all tied to significant early‑season decisions. Reports from league insiders outline how those situations are unfolding and which teams are circling.

Jets’ Hellebuyck stalemate draws interest from Sharks and Hurricanes

Winnipeg’s standoff with starter Connor Hellebuyck has now carried into the regular season. The 33‑year‑old goaltender revealed more than a month ago that he had requested a trade and remains suspended without pay after failing to report for training camp. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has indicated that Winnipeg is open both to a return and to a trade that works for team and player, but no solution appears close.

Among the clubs that looked into Hellebuyck in the off‑season were the San Jose Sharks. San Jose Hockey Now, citing Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet, reported that the Sharks “kicked tires” on the three‑time Vezina Trophy winner. At that time, the Jets’ reported price was steep: a first‑round pick, a top‑six forward — ideally a centre — plus a goalie or prospect. Observers in San Jose suggested such a package could require including forward prospect Collin Graf and goalie Yaroslav Askarov, an expensive gamble for an older, high‑priced netminder.

Friedman also pointed to Winnipeg’s recent claim of goaltender Clay Stevenson off waivers from the Washington Capitals and wondered if that move might soften the Jets’ insistence on getting a goalie back in any Hellebuyck deal, particularly if Stevenson proves a reliable backup to Stuart Skinner.

Hurricanes still working on a path out for Nikishin

In Carolina, restricted free agent defenceman Alexander Nikishin remains unresolved. The 24‑year‑old has asked for a trade and, according to reports, is not interested in signing with the Jets, which complicates the idea of simply sending him to Winnipeg as part of a Hellebuyck package. Friedman has suggested that if including Nikishin were truly on the table, Hellebuyck might already be a Hurricane.

Instead, the Hurricanes are believed to be exploring a three‑team framework that would bring in Hellebuyck while routing Nikishin to a club willing to commit to him. The St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators are among the teams linked to Nikishin. A deal with the New York Rangers reportedly came close in June but fell apart when the sides could not come to terms on a new contract.

Dach’s future in Montreal and Oilers’ interest in Shane Wright

Attention is also turning to Montreal, where forward Kirby Dach continues to surface in trade chatter. The 25‑year‑old, described as a versatile forward on a one‑year deal and fighting to keep his roster spot, has been linked to both the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, with Edmonton said to be the most engaged suitor.

Friedman has noted that the Oilers’ lack of a right‑shot centre makes Dach a natural target. Edmonton has also taken a long look at Seattle Kraken centre Shane Wright. The Kraken are believed to have tested Wright’s trade value over the summer but were unable to find a return that met their high asking price, leaving the 22‑year‑old still in Seattle for now.

None of these situations has yet produced an actual trade, but together they highlight several key pressure points early in the year: a star goaltender on strike, a young defenceman seeking a fresh start and a pair of centres whose futures could reshape depth charts in Winnipeg, Carolina, Montreal, Edmonton and Seattle.