BS Meter on Dylan Larkin, Connor Hellebuyck, Simon Edvinsson and the Latest NHL Trade Rumors
It's been over a week since the puck dropped on the 2026-27 NHL regular season. As the 32 teams begin the long quest to determine the next Stanley Cup champion, the rumor mill is churning.
The buzz increased following the blockbuster trade on Sept. 28, in which the Columbus Blue Jackets shipped winger Kirill Marchenko to the Toronto Maple Leafs for power forward Matthew Knies in a six-player swap.
That's sparked renewed speculation about several notable stars who've been considered trade candidates since the offseason. Some of them, like Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin and Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, regularly appeared on our NHL Trade Boards.
Several other players also surfaced in the rumor mill. Among them is Larkin's teammate Simon Edvinsson, who's returned to Sweden to await a new contract or a trade.
Could these players be moved anytime soon? Follow along as we dust off our trusty BS Meter to determine fact from fiction.
Could the Calgary Flames Sign a Free-Agent Forward to Bolster Their Scoring?
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It was a disastrous opening week for the Calgary Flames. Outscored 16-3 in their first three games, they were last in the overall standings with the worst goals-per-game average (1.00) and the highest goals-against-per-game average (5.33).
Having traded away most of their veteran scorers, the rebuilding Flames are in desperate need of an offensive boost if they're to be competitive this season. That could send them into what's left of this year's thin free-agent market for help.
On Oct. 6, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that the Flames "kicked around" the possibility of signing Patrik Laine. Injuries have hampered the 28-year-old winger in recent years, but when healthy, he'd be an affordable 20-goal scorer.
The following day, Sportsnet's Frank Servalli reported that Laine isn't the only UFA the Flames could consider. He noted that veteran wingers like Vladimir Tarasenko, David Perron, and James van Riemsdyk are still available.
BS Meter: Not BS
The Flames must not only improve their scoring but also add a veteran who can mentor their promising young scorers. Those veteran UFAs are likely willing to sign with any team at this point. If they play well, they could be flipped to a contender at the March trade deadline for draft picks and prospects.
Has Vancouver Canucks Center Elias Pettersson Improved His Trade Value?
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For the past two years, Elias Pettersson has frequently been the subject of NHL trade rumors. The Vancouver Canucks' collapse over the last two seasons, combined with the 27-year-old center's declining production and hefty contract, has earned him a regular spot on our NHL Trade Boards.
It's early in the season, but the now-rebuilding Canucks are off to a decent start. Pettersson has played a key role with a solid two-way game and sits among their leading scorers.
Ben Kuzma of The Vancouver Province suggested Pettersson could be of value to the Canucks if he maintains his performance and helps develop promising young centers like Braeden Cootes and Caleb Malhotra. However, he might also be improving his trade market value.
Sportsnet's Michael Amato also noted Pettersson's opening-week play. He thinks the 27-year-old center's $11.6 million average annual value isn't as burdensome given the sharp rise in player salaries. The lack of quality centers in the trade market could also make him an enticing target.
BS Meter: It's BS
It'll take more than a solid week of play to convince teams seeking a top-six center that Pettersson's inconsistency is a thing of the past. Furthermore, he has a full no-movement clause and has maintained that he's not interested in a trade.
Dylan Larkin to the Florida Panthers?
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Only two games into this season, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov was placed on long-term injury reserve after sustaining a left leg injury against the San Jose Sharks. The 32-year-old center missed all of last season following knee surgery last September.
Some observers believed another lengthy absence for Barkov could force the Panthers to find a replacement, either within their organization or in the trade market. There was speculation that they might look into acquiring center Dylan Larkin from the Detroit Red Wings.
Larkin, 30, requested a trade during the offseason, making him a fixture in this summer's rumor mill. The two-way center was No. 2 on our October NHL Trade Block Big Board. He's signed through 2030-31 with an average annual value of $8.7 million and a full no-movement clause.
The Panthers are on Larkin's list of destinations. During an Oct. 2 appearance on NHL Network, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman said the Panthers had limited trade capital to acquire Larkin. Meanwhile, The Athletic's Eric Stephens questioned whether the cap-strapped Panthers could afford Larkin's contract.
BS Meter: It's BS
On Oct. 6, the Panthers announced that Barkov was sidelined for six to eight weeks. TSN's Pierre LeBrun believes that should silence the rumors linking Larkin to the Panthers, noting that they wouldn't pursue a replacement for their captain if he's returning within eight weeks.
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Connor Hellebuyck to the Edmonton Oilers?
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For the past four months, Connor Hellebuyck has been at the top of our NHL Trade Boards. The 33-year-old Winnipeg Jets goaltender made his trade request public in August. He remains suspended without pay by the Jets for failing to report to training camp while he tries to force a trade.
Meanwhile, the porous performance of goaltenders Tristan Jarry and Devon Levi in the club's first two games became an early concern for the Edmonton Oilers. With offseason acquisition Frederik Andersen sidelined until December, there was speculation that they could seek a short-term solution.
On Oct. 1, Sportsnet's Frank Seravalli wondered if the Oilers might make a pitch for Hellebuyck. He mused over whether the three-time Vezina Trophy winner might accept a trade to Edmonton, and whether the Jets might soften their stance on getting a goalie in return for Hellebuyck.
Seravalli acknowledged the stumbling blocks in the path to a trade with Edmonton. Hellebuyck might not want to go to another Canadian team; the Oilers lack the cap space and sufficient tradeable assets, and they could insist on the Jets taking Jarry in return.
BS Meter: It's BS
Seravalli admitted it's a long shot that Hellebuyck would accept a trade to Edmonton. Too many factors work against that option. On Oct. 6, TSN's Pierre LeBrun said Hellebuyck was "never gonna play in Canada."
Simon Edvinsson to the San Jose Sharks?
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The Detroit Red Wings are already dealing with a player who has wanted a trade since June, when center Dylan Larkin went public with his request. They could have another player who wants out, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the 23-year-old defenseman would prefer a trade.
Edvinsson is a restricted free agent who returned to Sweden to await a new contract with the Red Wings. Negotiations stalled during the summer when Steve Yzerman was removed as general manager, and there are no signs of progress in those discussions with interim GM Shawn Horcoff.
Friedman said neither the Red Wings nor Edvinsson's representatives would confirm that the blueliner wants a trade. He also indicated that the Red Wings' priority is to re-sign him, but laterย said they've gauged his value on the trade market.
William Espy of The Hockey News believes it would make sense for the San Jose Sharks to acquire Edvinsson. He'd provide a significant boost to the left side of their blue line. However, he would be expensive to acquire and sign.
BS Meter: Not BS
Sharks' general manager, Mike Grier, isn't afraid to make bold moves. He'd have to give up some promising assets to sign Edvinsson, and it could cost over $10 million annually. Nevertheless, he'd be a terrific addition to the rebuilding Sharks and could bring long-term stability to the left side of their defense corps.
Stats and standings via NHL.com. Salary info via PuckPedia.
-(1).jpg?w=2560 "Bleacher Report")
