BS Meter on Connor Hellebuyck, Bowen Byram and the Latest NHL Trade Rumors

The 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs are history, and the NHL offseason is now underway. That means the business of hockey begins in earnest, as all 32 teams can now make trades.

Activity in the trade market has already begun. There were four notable trades last week involving established NHL players, with the biggest move being the Toronto Maple Leafs acquiring defenseman Darren Raddysh from the Tampa Bay Lightning and signing him to a new contract.

Given the lack of depth in this summer's free-agent market, especially after the Raddysh trade, teams will likely turn more to the trade market for help.

A growing number of notable players have surfaced in the rumor mill in recent weeks. They include Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski, and Buffalo Sabres blueliner Bowen Byram.

How much stock can we put into the conjecture surrounding those players? Follow along as we break out our trusty BS meter to determine fact from fiction.

Boston Bruins Listening to Offers for Pavel Zacha

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The Boston Bruins' retooling process last summer prompted rumors that Pavel Zacha could be available. He appeared on our October 2025 NHL Trade Block Big Board, and we looked at possible trade destinations for the 29-year-old center.

However, the Bruins held on to Zacha, who had a career-best performance with 30 goals and 65 points. His performance as their first-line center helped them rebound from their disappointing 2024-25 campaign, finishing the season in the first Eastern Conference wild-card berth with 100 points.

Zacha has a year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.8 million and an eight-team no-trade list. He'll be eligible to become an unrestricted free agent next summer, but the Bruins can sign him to an extension as early as July 1.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic reported the Bruins' top priority this summer is re-signing Zacha. However, they're also listening to trade offers from other clubs seeking help at center. LeBrun believes that how the contract talks go will be balanced by whether teams step up with meaningful trade offers.

BS Meter: Not BS

This report doesn't mean for certain that Zacha will be traded. Bruins management is likely keeping their options open in case getting him signed to an extension proves difficult. Nevertheless, the limited depth at center this summer could result in a team making the Bruins an intriguing offer.

New Jersey Devils Shopping Jacob Markstrom

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It was two years ago this month that the New Jersey Devils acquired Jacob Markstrom from the Calgary Flames. However, it's believed they're looking into moving the 36-year-old goaltender, earning him a spot on our latest NHL Trade Block Big Board.

On June 13, ESPN's Kevin Weekes reported sources claiming the Devils were gauging Markstrom's value in the trade market. He said that a deal wasn't imminent, but the lack of quality goalies in this summer's trade and free-agent markets could make Markstrom an enticing option.

Markstrom was a Vezina Trophy finalist in 2021-22, but he had his worst performance as a starter this season with a 3.07 goals-against average and an .883 save percentage. He's completing a six-year contract with a no-movement clause, but starts a two-year extension on July 1 worth an AAV of $6 million.

The Devils could use the cap savings from trading Markstrom to put toward re-signing team captain Nico Hischier or defenseman Šimon Nemec. They could also use it to find a new starting goaltender, especially if someone such as Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets became available.

BS Meter: Not BS

Markstrom has a 20-team no-trade list for 2026-27, and his cap hit could be a sticking point. Nevertheless, there will be teams desperately seeking goaltending depth that could be willing to take him on. They include the Edmonton Oilers, Florida Panthers, and Detroit Red Wings.

The Buffalo Sabres Are Getting Calls About Bowen Byram

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A year ago, Bowen Byram topped our June 2025 NHL Trade Block Big Board. Uncertainty over whether the Buffalo Sabres defenseman would be re-signed prompted reports that the club was entertaining trade offers for him.

Byram ultimately signed a two-year contract on July 14, 2025, worth an average annual value of $6.3 million, ending all chatter that he'd be moved. The 25-year-old blueliner netted a career-best 42 points this season, helping the Sabres end their 14-season playoff drought.

However, Byram recently surfaced in the rumor mill. On June 18, TSN's Darren Dreger reported "multiple teams" were exploring a trade with the Sabres for the puck-moving rearguard. Dreger noted that Byram's agent, Darren Ferris, has a history of marching his clients up to unrestricted free agency.

NHL insider Frank Seravalli believes Byram wants to become a No. 1 defenseman, but won't get that chance in Buffalo. Meanwhile, Buffalo Hockey Beat's Bill Hoppe thinks that Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is listening to offers, but will set a high asking price.

Byram won't be the top defenseman in Buffalo, with team captain (and Norris Trophy finalist) Rasmus Dahlin holding that role. If his camp is unwilling to discuss a contract extension this summer, the Sabres could have little choice but to gauge his value in the trade market and hope for a suitable return.

Does Blue Jackets Defenseman Zach Werenski Want Out of Columbus?

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This season was a notable one for Zach Werenski. The Columbus Blue Jackets star was part of Team USA's Olympic men's gold-medal team in February, and he won the James Norris Memorial Trophy for the first time as the NHL's top defenseman.

However, the Blue Jackets missed the playoffs for the sixth straight season. A coaching change that brought Rick Bowness behind the bench in January rallied them into a postseason berth by mid-March, but they couldn't hang on, falling out of contention by the end of the season.

Earlier this month, Dylan Larkin requested a trade from the Detroit Red Wings. On June 10, Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic noted that Larkin and Werenski were good friends and played on Team USA, but pointed out that there was nothing to suggest the Blue Jackets blueliner would follow Larkin's lead.

Nevertheless, LeBrun didn't rule out the possibility of Werenski considering a trade. He felt that the defenseman and Blue Jackets management would want to discuss the future at some point, and whether he sees himself in Columbus for the long term.

BS Meter: It's BS...for now.

Werenski has two years left on his contract and has spent his entire NHL career with the Blue Jackets. Given how close they've come to the postseason in the last two years, he could stick around and help them become a contender. However, he could reconsider if the Jackets continue to spin their wheels.

Could the Winnipeg Jets Trade Connor Hellebuyck?

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Following completion of the 2026 Stanley Cup Final, Connor Hellebuyck's name appeared in the rumor mill. According to TSN's Darren Dreger and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman and Nick Kypreos, there was "a lot of noise" about the Winnipeg Jets' goaltender, earning him a spot on our latest NHL Trade Block Big Board.

Hellebuyck raised eyebrows around the league in April when he expressed frustration about his performance and his team's effort following a disappointing season. Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff defended his goalie, praising his competitiveness.

That seemed to be the end of it until now. According to TSN's Chris Johnston, teams are calling the Jets to find out what it might take to acquire Hellebuyck. However, he claimed it was only at the conversation stage, and no decisions were made.

Ken Wiebe and Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press believe the speculation doesn't mean Hellebuyck will be traded. They feel it's an example of "connect-the-dots", citing his Team USA teammates Dylan Larkin's trade request from the Detroit Red Wings and Quinn Hughes forcing a trade from Vancouver.

BS Meter: It's BS...for this summer.

Teams are likely calling the Jets, and Cheveldayoff could be listening, but it's unlikely that Hellebuyck will be dealt. He has a full no-movement clause, and there's no indication he's asked for a trade. However, that might change by next summer if the Jets haven't improved.

Stats and standings via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.