NHL Rumor Roundup: Fallout From The Connor Hellebuyck Trade, Capitals Willing to Move Miroshnichenko

Uncertainty over Connor Hellebuyck's future was finally settled last Friday, when the Winnipeg Jets shipped the 33-year-old goaltender to the New Jersey Devils.

Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic believed the Carolina Hurricanes could feel the sting the most after watching a division rival reel in the three-time Vezina Trophy winner. He reported that Hurricanes general manager Eric Tulsky had pursued Hellebuyck for several months.

According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, the Hurricanes really wanted to acquire Hellebuyck. However, the Jets wanted immediate forward help, and Tulsky was unwilling to part with someone like Logan Stankoven, Seth Jarvis, or Jackson Blake.

Friedman said the Hurricanes tried reaching out to other teams, hoping to find suitable forwards that they could flip to the Jets for Hellebuyck.

The Buffalo Sabres nearly landed Hellebuyck in June before the 2026 NHL Draft. That deal reportedly fell through over a disagreement regarding which first-round picks would be involved.

LeBrun stated that the Utah Mammoth looked into acquiring Hellebuyck, but he doesn't believe they were seriously interested. The Jets probably weren't keen on sending him to a division rival.

The Vegas Golden Knights always seem to sniff around every major player available in the trade market. Danny Webster of the Las Vegas Review Journal reported that they kicked tires on Hellebuyck. It would've involved the Golden Knights sending goalie Adin Hill to the Jets, but Hill has Winnipeg on his no-trade list.

The Devils' acquisition of Hellebuyck raised questions about what other moves GM Sunny Mehta might have up his sleeve.

Daily Faceoff's Jeff Marek wondered if the Devils would try to land Quinn Hughes if the superstar defenseman is shopped before the March 1 trade deadline. It's well known that he'd love to play with his brothers, Jack and Luke. However, Marek believes Quinn would be concerned about taking playing time away from Luke.

Turning to the Washington Capitals, they are willing to move one of their promising forwards.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Saturday that the Capitals have permitted Ivan Miroshnichenko and his agent to speak with other teams about a trade.

Miroshnichenko was chosen 20th overall in the 2022 NHL Draft. The 22-year-old winger has top-six forward potential, but the Capitals’ depth on the wings prevented him from cracking the lineup.

Friedman said the Capitals won’t put Miroshnichenko on waivers because they know he won't clear. He indicated they want a "legit return" but didn't elaborate on what that would be.

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