No trades happened during Round 1 of the NHL draft, but rumors and media speculation continue for the Winnipeg Jets, Calgary Flames and Boston Bruins.
Connor HellebuyckFor the first time since 2007, the first round of the NHL draft passed without any trade activity. Not even any deals to move up or down in the draft order.
Trade speculation, however, continues to flourish heading into Day 2.
The Athletic's Pierre LeBrun reports the New Jersey Devils remain interested in Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. However, he doesn't believe that they're willing to pay a big price to get him.
LeBrun's colleague Murat Ates included the Buffalo Sabres, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, Los Angeles Kings and Edmonton Oilers among teams that could use the upgrade between the pipes.
Ates speculates that Hellebuyck won't be as desirable a trade asset if he's asking for a contract comparable to that of Andrei Vasilevskiy. The Tampa Bay Lightning goalie is earning an average annual value of $9.5 million. Hellebucyk's current cap hit is $6.166 million, according to PuckPedia.
In Calgary, Noah Hanifin remains a subject of trade chatter. LeBrun reports the Florida Panthers could be a suitor for the 26-year-old defenseman. There's talk of Anthony Duclair going the other way, but LeBrun doesn't think the Panthers have the best chance of landing him.
Meanwhile, there was speculation the Boston Bruins might not be done making cost-cutting trades after shipping Taylor Hall to Chicago on Monday. GM Don Sweeney indicated his club is in a good spot now with their $10.9 million in projected cap space to fill out the rest of his roster with younger players.
However, Boston Hockey Now's Jimmy Murphy reported ongoing conjecture suggesting Bruins goalie (and 2023 Vezina Trophy winner) Linus Ullmark could be available. He listed the Pittsburgh Penguins, Maple Leafs, Oilers, Kings, Arizona Coyotes and Carolina Hurricanes as potential suitors.