Hellebuyck not expected to report to Winnipeg camp on Wednesday
The Buffalo Sabres were one of a number of clubs to get a player signed to a long-term extension before the September 15th deadline, locking up forward Noah Ostlund to an eight-year, $52.8 million deal, but some of the Sabres competition in the Atlantic Division and the Eastern Conference also got their business done before 12 midnight Wednesday.
The Montreal Canadiens, on the heels of adding veteran winger Chris Kreider on a one-year, bonus-laden deal locked up winger Zach Bolduc, center and playoff hero Alex Newhook, and defenseman Arber Xhekaj. Bolduc($4.2 million AAV) and Newhook($5.5 million AAV) were signed to four-year deals, while Xhekaj signed a one-year deal for $1.5 million.
The Washington Capitals, after signing forward Ryan Leonard to an eight-year, $84 million deal on Monday, consummated another max deal with forward Justin Sourdif. The 24-year-old was acquired from Florida in June 2025 for a pair of draft picks and scored 35 points (15 goals, 20 assists) as a rookie with the Capitals last season. The deal which begins in 2027-28 carries a $6.35 million AAV.
The Ottawa Senators locked up veteran winger Drake Batherson on an eight-year, $86 million deal ($10.75 million AAV) and the New Jersey Devils late on Tuesday signed recently acquired forward Luke Evangelista to a five-year, $36.25 million deal ($7.25 million AAV).
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In the latest episode of “As Connor Hellebuyck Turns”, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported on Tuesday that the former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner will not report to training camp on Wednesday. The 33-year-old revealed publicly late last month through his agent that he had requested a trade after last season. The revelation put more pressure on GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to make a deal before the season.
Dreger revealed earlier in the week that the offers that the Jets have received for Hellebuyck have been “terrible” and well below expectations, but with it publicly known that the gold medal winner does not want to play in Manitoba any longer, it is hard to imagine that the offers will get significantly better. The Sabres were reportedly the leading candidate to land Hellebuyck around the NHL Draft i June, but recent reports have connected him to Utah, Carolina, possibly New Jersey and San Jose.
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