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Around the NHL: Jets continue Connor Hellebuyck trade talks, Patrick Kane linked to 2 teams

Photo credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

By Jeremy Tingly

Jul 13, 2026, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Jul 13, 2026, 08:52 EDT

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Welcome back to another edition of Around the NHL, as we’re almost two weeks into free agency, and there’s still plenty of talent left on the open market. While there hasn’t been a major trade in a few days, several teams are still involved in discussions on some big names, as more significant deals are expected to commence before training camp.

Yes, transactions have certainly slowed down over the course of the last week, but it’s starting to feel a little bit like the calm before the storm. General managers continue to have dialogue, agents continue to sell their free agents, and talks continue throughout the league.

Here’s the very latest from around the NHL.

Connor Hellebuyck trade talks continue for Jets

The Winnipeg Jets continue to be involved in trade talks centered around their franchise goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. The former Vezina trophy winner has heard his name on the trade market for several weeks now, and while a couple of trades have fallen through, there’s still a very good chance a deal happens at some point this offseason.

Hellebuyck, 33, has five years left on his contract at $8.5 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause. It felt like a deal was very close at the NHL Draft recently, but apparently talks broke off when the Buffalo Sabres weren’t able to ante up an offer that appealed to Jets’ GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. The Sabres have certainly been the number one team linked to Hellebuyck so far this offseason, but they’re not the only potential landing spot, as the New Jersey Devils and Colorado Avalanche are still in the mix.

Hellebuyck posted a 23-23-11 record last season, in what many felt was a down year thanks to a bad team. The Jets’ netminder owned a 2.86 goals against average, and .895 save percentage, which was the first time he’s finished a season with a save percentage lower than .900. For comparison sake, Hellebuyck posted a 47-12-3 record two seasons ago, along with a 2.00 GAA, and .925 Sv.%.

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported recently that the Jets have some big questions to answer over the next month or so, as trade talks remain active. “We’ll see what happens with Hellebuyck,” Friedman stated. “They’ve talked about can they convince him to come back. I think that’s going to be a really hard thing to do. I’m not counting on that. The more I hear about it the more I believe the biggest hurdle with the Sabres was they were getting the fourth overall pick from Buffalo and (the Jets) wanted to keep eight.”

The Jets signed Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract to either backup Hellebuyck or be the security blanket to take on the majority of starts next season, should Hellebuyck get dealt and there isn’t a 1-A goaltender coming back the other way.

Patrick Kane headlines diminishing free-agent market

The majority of free agents have signed new contracts across the league, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t proven talent available to sign. Future hall-of-famer Patrick Kane continues to be the big fish in a small pond, as the shifty winger has yet to sign a contract for next season.

Perhaps it’s no coincidence Kane has yet to re-sign with the Detroit Red Wings, considering captain Dylan Larkin continues to ask out and trade talks are ongoing for GM Steve Yzerman. If Larkin is indeed dealt, it’s very likely Kane leaves, which could also result in Alex DeBrincat asking out.

Kane, 37, recorded 57 points in 67 games last season and is likely searching for a two-year deal on the open market. He’s been linked to several teams this offseason, including the Toronto Maple Leafs, Sabres, and Chicago Blackhawks. At this point, the favourites are the Sabres, followed by the Blackhawks. Kane’s from the Buffalo area and the Sabres have a giant hole at right wing with Alex Tuch heading to Washington.

The Blackhawks are looking to take the next step this upcoming season but will have to start the year with Connor Bedard on the sidelines, thanks to shoulder surgery from a recent fall in practice. Kane hasn’t been shy about how retiring a Blackhawk is something that appeals to him dearly.

The Leafs are a longshot as the third team in the mix, but after they missed out on Claude Giroux recently, it feels like John Chayka’s focus is to find a right-handed top six forward, to help balance out their roster, and specifically give them a right-handed shot for their second power play.

Quick hits from around the NHL

Vegas Golden Knights continue to try and move goaltender Adin Hill in a trade. Hill has five years left at $6.2 million AAV, and owns a 10-team no-trade list.
Free-agent forward Anthony Mantha, fresh off a 33-goal season last year, is still without a contract. Mantha’s been linked to the Montreal Canadiens, Edmonton Oilers, and Seattle Kraken. Mantha used to be represented by Canadiens’ GM Kent Hughes.
Pittsburgh Penguins and Vancouver Canucks continue to have dialogue around Elias Pettersson, as the Penguins are searching for a number two centre, who can take over for Sidney Crosby in a few years.
With the Anaheim Ducks matching Leo Carlsson’s offer sheet, the Philadelphia Flyers could turn their attention Columbus Blue Jackets’ restricted free-agent forward Adam Fantilli. Fantilli, 21, recorded 59 points in 82 games last season.
Carolina Hurricanes owner Tom Dundon has taken a ton of heat lately, after putting his wife and five children’s names on the top two rows of the Stanley Cup, and leaving out multiple players who played more than 15 games, and long tenured front-office employees.
Michael Bunting is still without a contract and continues to be linked to several Canadian teams, including the Maple Leafs.
Patrik Laine is a wildcard on the free-agent market, as he’s likely to sign a short-term, incentive-heavy contract. The Tampa Bay Lightning and Los Angeles Kings continue to be linked.
Towering defenceman Logan Stanley is one of the best blueliners left on the free-agent market, and while Stanley preferred a reunion with the Jets, that’s likely out of the cards with Mario Ferraro signing a long-term deal in Winnipeg. The Pittsburgh Penguins have emerged as a frontrunner.
Vladimir Tarasenko has yet to sign a new deal, and continues to be an option for the Oilers to mull over.
Colton Dach recently inked a two-year contract extension with the Oilers.
Vincent Trocheck and Anders Lee were introduced in Utah, and both players feel the Mammoth have the capabilities to make a Stanley Cup run as soon as next season.

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