Buy or Sell Latest Dylan Larkin, Connor Hellebuyck and Top NHL Trade Rumors

Nearly three weeks into the 2026-27 NHL regular season, trade rumors are swirling around several notable stars.

A season-ending injury to New York Rangers starting goaltender Igor Shesterkin sparked speculation about whether they might pursue Winnipeg Jets holdout Connor Hellebuyck.

Meanwhile, Montréal Canadiens fans serenaded Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin with chants of "We want Larkin" during a recent game between the two clubs at the Bell Centre. That prompted some observers to wonder if it could lead to Larkin agreeing to a trade to Montréal.

How much stock should we put in that conjecture? Follow along as we examine the five most notable trade rumors to determine which ones are worth buying or selling.

On Oct. 10, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Vancouver Canucks were among the teams interested in Connor Zary. Earlier that week, the Calgary Flames waived and demoted the 25-year-old forward to their AHL affiliate.

The Flames chose Zary in the first round of the 2020 NHL Draft. A versatile forward who can play center or wing, he had a promising NHL debut in 2023-24, scoring 14 goals and 20 assists for 34 points in 63 games.

However, injuries hampered Zary's development over the next two seasons. He's signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $3.8 million. According to Friedman, a trade to the Canucks didn't seem imminent.

Canucks beat writer Thomas Drance of The Athletic likes Zary's game but noted his lack of size and physicality, singling out his below-average skating. Nevertheless, he thinks Zary could be a good reclamation project if another asset were included, or if the Flames would take back a contract the Canucks wanted to move.

The Canucks could be interested in Zary, but it doesn't seem like they (or other clubs) are currently keen to acquire him. That could change if he rebuilds his game in the AHL or if he performs well whenever the Flames recall him.

Alexander Nikishin Could Return to the Carolina Hurricanes

A fixture in the rumor mill since June, defenseman Alexander Nikishin sat at No. 3 on our October NHL Trade Block Big Board . He reportedly requested a trade soon after the Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup in June.

Since then, there's no indication the Hurricanes will be moving him anytime soon. A rumored deal with the New York Rangers fell through . The 25-year-old defenseman was linked to the St. Louis Blues and Nashville Predators, but there is no indication that any serious trade discussions took place.

Nikishin is coming off his entry-level contract. He's a restricted free agent, but his limited number of NHL games makes him ineligible to sign an offer sheet.

On Oct. 10, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman suggested the possibility of Nikishin returning to Carolina. He doesn't see any trade possibilities on the horizon, speculating that the Hurricanes would bring him back this season if the two sides can agree to a new contract.

Nikishin's rumored asking price of a five-year deal worth $9 million annually makes him difficult to move. So has the uncertainty over whether he'd agree to sign with clubs interested in acquiring him. He might have to accept a one-year deal that would be worth less than his asking price to return to the Hurricanes.

Philadelphia Flyers Could Make a Big Trade

After reaching the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs, the Philadelphia Flyers lurched from the gate this season with a 1-6-3 record in their first 10 games. Some of their fans recently booed the team off the ice, while others called for head coach Rick Tocchet to be fired .

Multiple pundits, including Flyers beat writer Kevin Kurz of The Athletic and Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco, reported that Tocchet's job is safe for now. They also wondered if a trade might right the ship and which players could become trade bait.

Kurz noted that the Flyers have several young players under long- and short-term contracts who lack any sort of no-trade protection. They include Trevor Zegras, Jamie Drysdale, Noah Cates, Tyson Foerster, Matvei Michkov, and Cam York.

Di Marco suggested long-time Flyers such as Cates, Owen Tippett, and Travis Konecny as potential trade chips. He cited team sources claiming Konecny's style of play was becoming a source of frustration and suggested he could be asked to waive his no-movement clause if things didn't improve.

On Oct. 13, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that Flyers general manager Danny Brière was getting plenty of calls, but no offers that would provide immediate help. LeBrun believes there's no blockbuster trade or easy fix to get the Flyers out of this mess, suggesting they'll have to deal with this internally.

Connor Hellebuyck to the New York Rangers

A season-ending leg injury suffered by superstar goaltender Igor Shesterkin threatens to derail the New York Rangers' strong start. Some pundits wonder if it would force general manager Chris Drury to make a pitch for Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets.

A three-time Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck went public with his trade request in August. The 33-year-old goaltender didn't report to training camp last month and remains suspended by the Jets without pay as he sits at home in Michigan awaiting a trade.

ESPN's Kevin Weekes included Hellebuyck among his list of suggested trade and free-agent options for the Rangers. Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman found the idea intriguing , calling it a move he'd love to see.

However, Friedman doesn't expect it to happen. The Score's Josh Wegman shared that opinion . B/R's Adam Gretz considered it "not logical," noting that Hellebuyck and Shesterkin would cost a combined $20 million in salary-cap space. TSN's Darren Dreger said the two teams spoke , but the Rangers won't pay the asking price.

For now, the Rangers are sticking with backup Dylan Garand and call-up Spencer Martin. They'll also get Joonas Korpisalo back from injured reserve next month. We can't rule out the possibility of them shopping for an experienced starter, but it won't be Hellebuyck.

It's no secret that the Montréal Canadiens are in the market for a top-six forward. They reportedly came close to acquiring Matthew Knies from the Toronto Maple Leafs at the March trade deadline. The Habs also pursued Kirill Marchenko before the Columbus Blue Jackets sent him to Toronto for Knies.

The Canadiens would prefer a reliable second-line center, but such talent is currently scarce in the trade market. Dylan Larkin of the Detroit Red Wings is the only one available after requesting a trade this summer, but his list of preferred trade destinations excludes the seven Canadian teams.

Nevertheless, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported on Oct. 8 that people were trying to talk Larkin into joining the rising young Canadiens team. He believes he'd be a perfect fit as their second-line center behind team captain and Selke Trophy winner Nick Suzuki.

Canadiens fans, spurred by Montréal radio host Georges Laraque, chanted "We want Larkin" during the Red Wings-Canadiens game in Montréal on Oct. 10. Larkin heard the chants and appreciated them, but it doesn't appear that they convinced him to accept a trade to Montréal.

Larkin would be a terrific candidate to address the Canadiens' need for a second-line center. However, he has full control over his situation, and that doesn't include coming to Montreal, no matter how loudly Canadiens fans chant his name.

Stats via NHL.com . Salary info via PuckPedia .