“I’m very comfortable (with) what we accomplished here over the period of time,” Cheveldayoff said via NHL.com. “I certainly wish we could have done it four months ago, or whatever, when the opportunity started and we were looking (for a trade), but here we are here today.”

Hellebuyck was entering the third season of his seven-year, $59.5 million contract, carrying an $8.5 million average annual value, when he requested a change of scenery. For Cheveldayoff, it is now all about wishing his former goaltender the best.

“We want to thank Connor Hellebuyck on behalf of the fans of Winnipeg and the Winnipeg Jets,” Cheveldayoff said. “We had lots of good memories, and I choose to remember those as we continue to move forward. That’s what I talked to Connor about today when I called him and wished him all the best. So, thank you very much to him and all his family.”

The end of an era for Hellebuyck in Winnipeg

Connor Hellebuyck’s run with the Winnipeg Jets solidified him as a true franchise icon. Across 625 regular-season games in Winnipeg, “Bucky” put up an insane 345-208-55 record with a 2.58 GAA, a .916 save percentage, and 45 shutouts, single-handedly carrying the team’s defense for years.

His resume in Manitoba is completely stacked: he bagged three Vezina Trophies as the league’s top goaltender, won the William M. Jennings Trophy twice, and took home the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP following a legendary 2024–25 season where he posted 47 wins.

Goaltending options for the Jets

Following Hellebuyck’s departure, the Jets are piecing together a brand-new crease tandem to keep things steady in net. They made their biggest splash on July 1st by locking up Stuart Skinner on a two-year, $7.5 million deal ($3.75M AAV), and he’s been holding down the primary starter duties with a solid 3-1-3 record, 2.67 GAA, and a .912 save percentage through seven starts.

Behind him, Winnipeg claimed Clay Stevenson off waivers from Washington in late September (1-2-0, 3.08 GAA, .893 SV% in three starts) and picked up 25-year-old Nico Daws (2-2-0, 2.78 GAA, .872 SV% in four starts with New Jersey) as a capable third option to add extra depth to the rotation.

Key takeaways

• Connor Hellebuyck officially joined the New Jersey Devils after requesting a trade from Winnipeg.
• Kevin Cheveldayoff wished trade had happened four months ago when opportunities first started.
• Connor Hellebuyck held an $8.5 million average annual value under his Winnipeg contract.

To pull off the transaction for the elite netminder, New Jersey surrendered a massive package anchored by established scoring depth, top-tier blue-chip prospects, and draft picks. Remarkably, Devils general manager Tom Fitzgerald managed to complete the deal without parting with a future first-round draft pick. The return fulfills Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s core requirement of securing dynamic offensive weapons and future assets to sustain the franchise’s competitiveness.

Heading back to Winnipeg in exchange for Hellebuyck is a robust six-piece package: versatile forward Dawson Mercer, goaltender Nico Daws, veteran forward Nick Bjugstad, and center Alexander Command—whom New Jersey selected No. 12 overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. Additionally, the Jets acquire a 2029 second-round draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.

What did the Devils give up to trade for Connor Hellebuyck?

While losing a generational goaltender is a tough pill to swallow, Winnipeg secured immediate NHL talent along with elite future upside to bolster their roster:

• Dawson Mercer: The 24-year-old forward provides proven top-six scoring punch and positional flexibility, giving Winnipeg an energetic, durable building block up front.
• Alexander Command: The crown jewel of Winnipeg’s prospect return, Command was selected 12th overall in the 2026 NHL Draft. The 18-year-old Swedish center possesses high-end offensive vision and projectable top-line center upside.
• Nico Daws & Nick Bjugstad: Daws gives Winnipeg a young, NHL-tested goaltending option to compete for starts, while Bjugstad offers steady veteran bottom-six center depth and penalty-killing utility.
• Future Draft Capital: A 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick round out the return, stocking Winnipeg’s cupboard with additional assets.

What Connor Hellebuyck’s arrival means for the New Jersey Devils

For New Jersey, landing Hellebuyck eliminates their biggest roster question mark and installs a proven, game-changing wall in net. Coming off a season where subpar goaltending held back a talented young core, pairing Hellebuyck with stars like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier elevates the Devils into immediate Stanley Cup favorites in the Metropolitan Division.

By holding onto their future first-round picks, the Devils preserve valuable draft flexibility while securing a top-tier netminder ready to anchor their championship push for years to come.

Key takeaways

• The Winnipeg Jets traded goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils, as confirmed by ESPN’s Emily Kaplan.
• The Jets receive Dawson Mercer, Alexander Command (No. 12 overall pick in 2026), Nico Daws, Nick Bjugstad, a 2029 2nd-round pick, and a 2027 7th-round pick.
• New Jersey successfully acquired the superstar goaltender without surrendering a future first-round draft selection.

ESPN’s Emily Kaplan broke down the sudden momentum shift between both front offices as negotiations escalated. “The New Jersey Devils are closing in on a deal for Connor Hellebuyck, per sources. As of this weekend, Winnipeg felt it had terrible offers for the goalie but things seemed to have progressed last night. Believe Jets have been focused on scorers in return.”

Moments later, insider Elliotte Friedman backed up Kaplan’s update, indicating a resolution is nearly complete. “Sources: New Jersey and Winnipeg are working on a Connor Hellebuyck deal. We will see what develops.” With both top-tier insiders pointing toward the same finish line, an official announcement could materialize imminently.

Will Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck?

It’s close. The Jets will trade Connor Hellebuyck and the Devils seem to be the destination. The veteran’s fractured relationship with Winnipeg has been one of the worst-kept secrets in the NHL.

After making his public trade request during the offseason, the 33-year-old Michigan native held out during training camp and subsequently faced team discipline and suspension. Hellebuyck has consistently voiced a desire to play in an American market with a legitimate Stanley Cup window, making Winnipeg’s lingering re-tool a non-starter for his long-term ambitions.

The tension reached a boiling point in recent weeks, with Winnipeg allowing Hellebuyck to stay away from the team while continuing to scout potential trade partners. By targeting New Jersey, Hellebuyck aligns himself with a talent-stacked roster seeking elite goaltending stability to push them into true championship favorite status.

What the Jets are seeking in a trade with Devils?

Jets’ general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff’s stance throughout negotiations has been firm: trading a generational goaltender requires an elite return, specifically immediate scoring depth.

Winnipeg’s front office has prioritized high-end goal scorers and proven top-six wingers to offset the void left by off-season departures. The Devils boast a rich pool of talented young forwards and draft capital, giving GM Tom Fitzgerald the exact leverage needed to meet Winnipeg’s price tag.

Landing Hellebuyck provides New Jersey with an elite, game-changing presence in net, transforming their defensive core into a formidable force in the Eastern Conference. If the final trade details are processed, Hellebuyck’s arrival in New Jersey instantly reshapes the NHL’s playoff picture.

Key takeaways

• Emily Kaplan and Elliotte Friedman confirm the Devils and Jets are actively working to finalize a deal for Connor Hellebuyck.
• Winnipeg has focused negotiations on landing dynamic scorers to bolster their top-six forward group.
• The move fulfills Hellebuyck’s trade request following a tense holdout, sending the elite goaltender to a top Eastern Conference contender.

Although Dylan Larkin shut down the rumors of a trade to New York with his new trade list, the Rangers may still see their name linked to another disgruntled U.S. Olympic gold medalist actively requesting a trade in the NHL. However, the Blueshirts may play a role in Hellebuyck’s trade without landing the three-time Vezina Trophy winner themselves.

“I’m hearing [Karel] Vejmelka’s name a lot being linked to the Rangers. [Connor] Hellebuyck, by way of Vejmelka coming to New York, would be going to Utah,” Stephen Valiquette reported on Sportsnet.

NY Rangers could help Hellebuyck out

Thus, the Rangers may play a facilitator’s role in Hellebuyck’s escape plan from Winnipeg. With reports hinting that the Jets may lift Hellebuyck’s unpaid suspension soon, it seems a trade is imminent. As for the Blueshirts, they don’t really need Hellebuyck.

Shesterkin is out for the 2026-27 NHL season, but he is under contract through 2033. There is no realistic scenario in which the Rangers boast a Hellebuyck-Shesterkin tandem. Instead, New York could go after Vejmelka, who could form a tandem with Dylan Garand.

Though off to a red-hot start and in a market like New York City’s, the Rangers aren’t under immense pressure to win a championship this season. Opting to roll with such a goaltending duo until the wheels come off may be a wise decision, and one that comes at a relatively low price.

New York would prefer a goalie set to become UFA

Ideally, the Rangers would trade for a goalie on a contract year, adding a true rental to address the injuries in net without making a long-term commitment. However, they won’t shut their options, and Vejmelka might make sense, too, even though he’s under contract through 2030.

The bigger question would be what happens to Joonas Korpisalo in that event, but it seems that the Rangers will figure that out when they cross that bridge. Perhaps Korpisalo heads to Winnipeg, along with other valuable pieces, as part of a three-team trade between the Rangers, Jets, and Mammoth.

Rumors grow wild around Hellebuyck

Only time will tell, but rumors are heating up around Hellebuyck’s future, as well as New York’s search for help in net. Garand has played lights out ever since Shesterkin went down and his number was called, but the Blueshirts know that, sooner or later, adversity will come knocking at the door, and they need a Plan B.

Hellebuyck’s situation and trade request are complex in their own right, and it has often been said that they might require a multiteam deal. Perhaps the stars will align, and all parties involved will get what they are looking for, or something close enough.

Key takeaways

• New York Rangers are linked to Utah Mammoth goaltender Karel Vejmelka to fill Igor Shesterkin’s void.
• Stephen Valiquette reported that Karel Vejmelka moving to New York could send Connor Hellebuyck to Utah.
• Igor Shesterkin is out for the 2026-27 season with a right knee injury.

Who would’ve thought that, just months after Marchand lost to both Larkin and Hellebuyck in the 2026 Olympics gold-medal game, he would be joining the front lines in support of the U.S. Olympians? Many believe it may have something to do with the Panthers being among the teams linked to both Larkin and Hellebuyck, as both want out of their current NHL organizations.

Whether Florida can actually pull off a trade for either or both of the two gold medalists remains uncertain, but it’s clear Marchand won’t burn any bridges and may even build some in the meantime. As a social media personality went after Hellebuyck, Marchand had the Jets‘ goaltender’s back with a candid statement.

“Such a bad take,” Marchand said in response to BarDown’s Jesse Pollock’s comments on Hellebuyck’s trade request drama. “How is that any different from a team signing a player to a long term deal and sending him anywhere he wants if they don’t want to get traded. Stick to PlayStation big fella. Funny how you never see guys want to leave the sh—- city teams when teams are good, it’s only when teams are poorly managed and too cheap to spend to the cap to try and win.“

What did Pollock say?

“Honestly, kind of sucks that is coming at the Jets’ expense, but at the same time, there is an organization that has to stick it to these players who just want out. You signed a contract with the Jets, you’re going to stay with the Jets. That’s it. It’s a (expletive) joke,” Pollock said, via TSN’s BarDown.

“Someone needs to send a message to these players that this is not how the league works. The NHL is turning into something that a lot of fans do not want it to turn into in this regard. There needs to be stricter rules. You want to request a trade? Okay, your no-trade clause is gone. We’re going to send you to the worst team in the league if we have to. It’s a joke.”

Hellebuyck suspension update

According to a report from Elliotte Friedman on Sportsnet, Hellebuyck has let the Jets know he wishes to end his absence and report to the team, and he might be back soon. Friedman says he believes the official return date is set for Oct. 23, when Hellebuyck’s suspension will be lifted.

What happens next remains unclear, though. Hellebuyck might return to his role as Winnipeg’s starting goalie, or he might even be traded before making his NHL season debut. It’s all pretty much up in the air. All that appears clear is that Hellebuyck is on his way back.

Key takeaways

• Florida Panthers forward Brad Marchand remains on injured reserve while actively supporting Connor Hellebuyck.
• Brad Marchand publicly defended Connor Hellebuyck, telling critic Jesse Pollock to “stick to PlayStation”.
• Elliotte Friedman reports Connor Hellebuyck’s Jets suspension will end on Oct. 23.

For the goaltender, his absence is strictly related to his contractual situation with the Jets. The franchise decided to suspend its star without pay after he requested a trade and failed to report to training camp.

For Larkin, the reason he is unable to be with his teammates is related to his physical condition. The Red Wings placed their captain on injured reserve, meaning he will miss the first two games of the season with an upper-body injury.

What is Hellebuyck’s current situation?

Things between Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets have completely hit rock bottom. After making his trade request public over the summer, the three-time Vezina winner held out and refused to report to training camp, leading the Jets to officially suspend him.

Hellebuyck is reportedly pushing hard for a move back to a U.S. market, but despite five years remaining on his contract, both sides are stuck in a total standoff with no deal imminent. With the 2026-27 season kicking off, Winnipeg is rolling into their opener with Stuart Skinner in net while their superstar netminder waits at home for a trade package that satisfies the front office.

Larkin has yet to make his season debut

Dylan Larkin is currently sidelined with an upper-body injury that he suffered during an off-ice workout right before training camp started. It kept him out for all of preseason, and the Red Wings officially placed him on injured reserve, ruling him out for the first two games of the regular season against the Rangers and Jets.

Head coach Todd McLellan mentioned that he’s hoping Larkin can finally make his season debut in Game 3 on Tuesday, October 6, when Detroit hosts the Ottawa Senators—though his status will ultimately depend on how his recovery holds up over the next few days.

Key takeaways

• Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin will miss the game at Little Caesars Arena.
• Winnipeg suspended its star goalkeeper without pay after he requested a trade.
• Detroit placed its captain on injured reserve due to an upper-body injury.

Connor Hellebuyck is out for the Jets’ season opener against the Bruins as he’s currently suspended by the organization. After going public with his trade request from Winnipeg, Hellebuyck didn’t report to training camp ahead of the 2026-27 NHL campaign. As a result, the Jets responded with a suspension, which remains in place and only adds fuel to a smoking fire inside the organization.

“The Winnipeg Jets announced they have suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for failure to report to training camp,” the Jets’ public relations (PR) account reported back on Sept. 16 on X. There hasn’t been a new announcement on Hellebuyck’s status since.

Hellebuyck’s contract situation

Things have turned ugly between Hellebuyck and the Jets, with neither side giving the other an inch. Signed to a seven-year, $59.5 million ($8.5 million AAV) extension, Hellebuyck has five years left on his contract in Winnipeg.

As many similarities as there are between Hellebuyck’s and Dylan Larkin’s trade requests, reports state the three-time Vezina Trophy winner doesn’t plan to exploit his full no-movement clause (NMC) as Larkin has.

Instead, Hellebuyck simply wants to leave Winnipeg—reportedly hoping to head out of Canada and back to the USA. Most importantly, Hellebuyck hopes to play as soon as possible. And that’s exactly where the Jets’ leverage is.

Hellebuyck, Jets remain in standoff

Goalies are creatures of habit, and being sidelined with no injury doesn’t do Hellebuyck any good. The Jets know that and are keeping him away from the lineup for that purpose, to tire him out—all in the name of accountability and protecting the rest of the team from being distracted.

It’s unclear what the future will bring for Hellebuyck and the Jets, but it’s clear that as long as he remains under contract while suspended and not playing in the 2026-27 NHL season, what little is left of their relationship will only be shredded to pieces.

Key takeaways

• Connor Hellebuyck is suspended for failing to report to Winnipeg’s training camp.
• He signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension with five years remaining.
• The goaltender is hoping to leave Winnipeg and return to the USA.

Charlie McAvoy is not playing against the Jets because he is serving a six-game suspension to start the 2026-27 NHL regular season. McAvoy got the suspension because of a two-handed slash on Buffalo Sabres forward Zach Benson.

The action happened last season, in Game 6 of the First Round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs on May 1, 2026. Given how that ended the Bruins’ season, McAvoy is just starting to serve his suspension now.

Why did McAvoy slashed Benson?

The Boston Bruins defenseman slashed Zach Benson in retaliation for being tripped and slew-footed into the boards during the final minutes of Game 6 in their playoff series.

McAvoy was quick to get on his feet and skated towards Benson at full force and proceded to slash him right in front of the referee. There was 1:31 remaining in the third period and the Sabres were leading 4-1. It was an all-time moment of frustration.

When will McAvoy return?

McAvoy won’t play against the Jets, but he still needs to serve five more games after that to be fully free of ban. Hence, his eligible return date is October 13, 2026, when the Bruins face the San Jose Sharks.

Key takeaways

• Charlie McAvoy is serving a six-game suspension to begin the 2026-27 season.
• The defenseman slashed Zach Benson in retaliation after being tripped and slew-footed.
• McAvoy is eligible to return October 13, 2026, against San Jose.

However, there’s a big difference, and perhaps the reason why Hellebuyck might be traded and Larkin may not, or at least why Hellebuyck could be shipped off faster or more smoothly from Winnipeg ahead of the 2026-27 NHL season. Both have five years left on their contracts and hold no-trade clauses. But while Larkin has only submitted a three-team trade list (Minnesota, Florida, and Vegas) for the Red Wings to work with, Hellebuyck is much more open-minded and willing to waive his NMC.

“It does and has continued to sound like [Hellebuyck is] a lot more open to different scenarios than some of the other guys like Dylan Larkin, which is why you’re hearing teams like Utah and San Jose [for Hellebuyck],” as stated by David Pagnotta on Jets at Noon.

The goaltender has learned the lesson. Being picky about his next club hasn’t done Larkin any good, he’s still in Detroit months after asking out, and fans in his home state have turned on him. Thus, Hellebuyck is reportedly going with a different strategy. Maybe it will help him reach his end goal—being traded—faster and without completely burning a bridge along the way.

Hellebuyck and Jets face less tension, but tense regardless

Hellebuyck going public with his trade request will come at a price for Winnipeg, which lost virtually all its leverage when the news broke. But still, Hellebuyck is giving the Jets a bit more leeway to explore the market and come away with the offer they feel is best. Larkin, on the other hand, hasn’t given Detroit that privilege, and there is little hope he will.

The Red Wings hold on to a sliver of hope that Larkin will walk back his trade request, but he isn’t budging for the time being. When all sides of the U.S. Olympians’ trade requests are put together, it’s clear to see Hellebuyck and the Jets are in a better place than Larkin and the Wings.

For starters, Detroit currently has no general manager in place, directionlessly wandering through a crucial stage of the NHL offseason and set to embark on a nerve-wracking stretch. In fact, a report reveals the Red Wings face an urgent timeline to hire a new GM amid Larkin’s situation.

Which teams could be in on Hellebuyck?

Long story short, about 25 of the 31 teams (not counting the Jets) in the NHL would love to land Hellebuyck. However, not every team is a good fit for him or can actually pull the trade off. That leaves the favorites: the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and New Jersey Devils.

Other teams to keep an eye on are the San Jose Sharks and Utah Mammoth, who are on a steady upward trend. A blockbuster move for arguably the best goalie in the NHL could be what puts them firmly in the conversation and opens their championship window.

Lastly, fans can’t overlook the usual suspects in the Vegas Golden Knights and Florida Panthers. Both have some cap and roster dilemmas to figure out, but that rarely stops them from making moves.

Hellebuyck’s trade list has yet to be disclosed, but there may be no need for it. According to most reports around the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres have been linked to Hellebuyck for a while. Maybe now is the time a deal actually gets done. However, the Sabres aren’t alone, and there will be other teams all over the 33-year-old netminder, who is under contract through the 2030-31 NHL season.

Carrying a more-than-reasonable $8.5 million cap hit and with a maximum total salary of $10 million in the next five seasons, there are no salary-cap concerns around Hellebuyck. However, most of the teams being linked to him may have to work some magic in order to land the Michigan native. When there’s a will, there’s a way, though, and some of Hellebuyck’s potential suitors have a history of making moves even amid a cap crunch.

Potential suitors for Hellebuyck

Buffalo is the favorite. It possesses the prospects, draft picks, and, most importantly, the cap space to land Hellebuyck. However, with the goalie holding the key to his exit, it may not come down to who has the best offer.

The Sabres saw their magical 2025-26 campaign come to a crushing end, in part because they could never firmly establish their starting goaltender. Hellebuyck would solve that, not only for next season but for five straight years, and perhaps even longer.

In addition to the Sabres, other teams who could be all over Hellebuyck include: the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Vegas Golden Knights. Let’s take a closer look at each of these Stanley Cup contenders, and why they could be Hellebuyck’s next destination.

Panthers could add yet another Infinity Stone

The Panthers have been favorites to land Hellebuyck ever since reports broke of the goalie’s frustration in Manitoba. What’s not to like about Florida? Playing for arguably the best team in the NHL when healthy, joining an undeniable Stanley Cup contender, reuniting with fellow Team USA teammates Matthew and Brady Tkachuk, and, to top it off, joining a franchise in a no-income-tax state.

From the Panthers’ standpoint, the main deterrent is that they just signed Jacob Markstrom to a two-year, $12 million contract ($6 million cap hit). They could always trade Markstrom to Winnipeg, but that would hinge on whether Markstrom hasn’t included the Jets on his 20-team no-trade list.

The Cats also have less than $35,000 available in cap space, which complicates a move for Hellebuyck. But that doesn’t feel like as big of an issue when they have Bill Zito working his craft behind the scenes. Adding Hellebuyck could be Florida’s best chance at replacing Sergei Bobrovsky and getting back to a Stanley Cup Final next year.

As for Hellebuyck, the Panthers may give him the best chance at winning a Stanley Cup in his NHL career while reuniting him with former head coach Paul Maurice. It just makes too much sense.

Hurricanes plus Hellebuyck: Back to back dream

In addition to the suspense around RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin, the reigning Stanley Cup champions face a large, unavoidable question in net. Frederik Andersen left for the Edmonton Oilers, and although Brandon Bussi proved he can hold his ground, the Hurricanes are missing a bona fide elite goaltender to cruise their way through the flagging Metropolitan Division and be firing on all cylinders by the time the postseason starts.

Carolina has roughly $9.8 million available in cap space, via PuckPedia, so that won’t prevent it from going after Hellebuyck. In Raleigh, Hellebuyck could reunite with fellow Team USA member Jaccob Slavin. That seems to be a trend among the gold medalists who asked out of their organizations after the national team provided them with the long-yearned-for feeling of being on a championship team.

Lastly, the Hurricanes own three of their next four first-round picks in the NHL Draft, which could come in handy in negotiations with the Jets. Entering a new season, no team is more favored to win than the reigning champs, and judging by the fact that there have been two back-to-back champions since the turn of the decade, if Hellebuyck wants to win now, Carolina might be his safest bet.

Hellebuyck can become a Golden Knight

Falling just short of the Stanley Cup last season, Vegas isn’t going anywhere. Bruce Cassidy and John Tortorella are gone, Ryan Craig is now in charge, but these are still the same old Golden Knights. If there’s a big name out there making himself available, best believe they will be all over it—and especially a goaltender like Hellebuyck.

However, Vegas has a lot of hurdles in the way. The organization in Sin City is currently $8.6 million over the salary cap, but it could always gain some ground by making timely long-term injured reserve (LTIR) decisions. The Knights could also clear some space by moving Adin Hill, maybe in exchange for Hellebuyck while giving up something more. Hill carries a $6.25 million cap hit. As long as Winnipeg’s name isn’t written on his 10-team no-trade list, the deal could happen.

The Golden Knights can’t trade either of their first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, as both have already been dealt on conditional terms. All in all, the Knights face a steep climb to make a trade for Hellebuyck, with battles on several fronts. However, if there’s one thing an organization named the Vegas Golden Knights will never back down from, it’s a fight and a gamble. Making a move for Hellebuyck provides both in perfect measure, so expect the Knights to be a player at this table.

“Nothing official, but at this point it seems likely Jonathan Toews is retiring,” Darren Dreger reported on his X account about the three-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks.

If Toews indeed calls it a career and hangs up the skates after his one-year stint with the Winnipeg Jets, that would be another centerman removed from the NHL free-agent market. In a free-agent class that is shaping up to be one of the thinnest in recent years, the trade market continues to make its case as the preferred alternative for contenders in need of reinforcements.

NY Rangers will set steep price on Trocheck

If any team is missing a veteran center who can perform in the postseason, the Rangers have one signed through the 2028-29 NHL season at a more than reasonable cap hit of $5.6 million per year.

Of course, acquiring Trocheck would come at a cost, but New York is more than willing to sit down and negotiate. With every passing day, however—and with developments such as the rumors surrounding Toews’ retirement—the interest in Trocheck figures to increase.

It’s a basic law of economics. There’s only one Trocheck, but several teams are after him. When supply is low and demand is high, prices skyrocket, and it looks like Chris Drury and company have the belle of the ball in their hands.

Rangers will look at every offer on the table

Trocheck is indeed available, but it will take lengthy conversations with New York to get a deal done. In case teams haven’t visited the Big Apple before, they should know that nothing comes cheap—especially around Midtown Manhattan.

Drury and the Blueshirts need all the help they can get. In Trocheck, they have a golden goose that could very well land them the assets to put the organization back on its feet.

Needless to say, the Rangers will take their sweet time and listen to every single offer before agreeing to a trade. However, all signs suggest a move will ultimately happen, most likely before the 2026-27 NHL season gets underway.

Toews’ retirement remains unofficial

For the time being, Toews’ retirement remains only a report. However, where there’s smoke, there’s usually fire, and this might not be an exception. Toews came out of a two-year hiatus from the NHL when he joined the Jets for the 2025-26 season.

After dealing with injuries throughout much of his professional career, Toews managed to play all 82 games for his hometown club. Hoisting Lord Stanley one more time—or even making the Stanley Cup Playoffs—would have been sweet, but Toews still proved something, most importantly to himself: he still has it. Perhaps it was the perfect way to end a career in which he won it all, including three Stanley Cups, a Conn Smythe Trophy, and a Frank J. Selke Trophy.

If this is indeed the end of the road for Toews’ playing career in the NHL, he can truly say he’s seen it all. He would be going out on his own terms, rather than allowing his physical and mental health to cut his career short. Toews endured a lot, battled even harder, and got to live out his dream. Whether he retires or not, his legacy in the league remains untarnished.