Just two days remain until the 2026 NHL trade deadline, and the rumor mill is starting to heat up around the league. Time is ticking for both buyers and sellers alike to make their final moves before 2:00 p.m. CT on Friday.
For the Chicago Blackhawks, there are still a handful of trade chips left on their roster, and an insider shared an update on a couple of them during CHSN’s pregame show on Tuesday, ahead of the matchup with Jonathan Toews and the Winnipeg Jets. Check out the links for the latest Blackhawks trade deadline rumors, plus the takeaways/recap from a frustrating 3-2 overtime loss to Winnipeg.
Also in Blackhawks news, top prospect Roman Kantserov tallied two points in another win for the KHL’s top team.
Around the league, the Sabres are pursuing Robert Thomas, Macklin Celebrini tallied four points in a win for San Jose, and the Predators made a pair of minor trades.
All that & more in the Daily!
Chicago Blackhawks Recap, News & Trade Rumors
Chicago Hockey Now: Oof, that was painful. The Chicago Blackhawks blew a one-goal lead in the final minute of regulation en route to a 3-2 overtime loss to the Winnipeg Jets, letting a second sound win in a row slip out of their grasp. If they just kept playing with the aggressive mentality that earned them the lead in the first place, that easily could have been avoided.
More CHN: Shortly before the morning skate, the Blackhawks recalled Ethan Del Mastro from the AHL, putting seven defensemen on the active roster once again. Surprisingly, Del Mastro drew into the lineup against the Jets, making just his third NHL appearance this season.
More CHN: With Del Mastro suiting up in Winnipeg, that left former first-round pick Kevin Korchinski watching from the pressbox as a healthy scratch on Tuesday. As a former seventh overall selection, Korchinski should be getting every chance in the world to play meaningful NHL minutes… but he isn’t. Instead, the Blackhawks are giving other young defensemen larger opportunities, like Sam Rinzel and Louis Crevier.
More CHN: TRADE! ICYMI, the Blackhawks made their first move as sellers on Monday ahead of the 2026 NHL trade deadline. Veteran defenseman Connor Murphy, who was the longest-tenured member of the team, was dealt to the Edmonton Oilers in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick. A savvy piece of business by GM Kyle Davidson.
In KHL news, 2023 second-round pick Roman Kantserov netted his league-leading 33rd goal of the season in a 3-0 win for Metallurg Magnitogorsk on Tuesday. Kantserov also added an assist and now has 61 points in 58 games this season. Magnitogorsk is 45-9-7 through 61 games and has the best record in the KHL. The Gagarin Cup Playoffs are right around the corner, with seven games left on Magnitogorsk’s regular-season schedule.
Lastly, NHL insider Frank Seravalli reported that Jason Dickinson and Ilya Mikheyev are both garnering interest around the league in the trade market. However, it’s not a foregone conclusion that either will be dealt before Friday. Between the two, Mikheyev seems more likely, but there’s a chance they both remain with the Blackhawks through the end of the season. We shall see.
NHL Trade Talk, News, & National Hockey Now
The Athletic: The Buffalo Sabres are reportedly trying to pry away Robert Thomas from the St. Louis Blues, but it’s going to cost them a pretty penny in return. Here’s what a potential deal between the two sides could look like.
NHL.com: The Nashville Predators seem unlikely to move veterans like Steven Stamkos and/or Ryan O’Reilly before the deadline, but they did make two minor trades on Tuesday. Before playing the Columbus Blue Jackets, Michael McCarron was traded to the Minnesota Wild for a 2028 second-round pick. Then, after the game, Cole Smith was dealt to the Vegas Golden Knights for a 2028 third-round pick. Pretty strong return for two fourth-line forwards.
More NHL.com: Macklin Celebrini became a 30-goal scorer in the NHL for the first time as part of a four-point night in the San Jose Sharks thrilling 7-5 win over the Montreal Canadiens. Kiefer Sherwood, who could get traded again before Friday, scored his first goal as a member of the Sharks in the victory.
Sportsnet: Leon Draisaitl backpacked the Edmonton Oilers to victory on Tuesday, recording five points in a comeback 5-4 overtime win over the Ottawa Senators. Draisaitl had two goals and three assists, with one helper coming on Evan Bouchard’s overtime-winner. Edmonton desperately needed that one.
ProHockeyRumors: The New York Islanders are reportedly in “serious discussions” with the Vancouver Canucks regarding forward Conor Garland. The 29-year-old has a six-year, $36 million deal set to kick in at the start of next season, which could make the transaction very interesting, should it end up happening.
Montreal Hockey Now: As the trade deadline looms, more names are being added to the Montreal Canadiens‘ rumour list, including defenceman Arber Xhekaj. According to a source from the Montreal Gazette, the Calgary Flames are interested in acquiring the 25-year-old, who’s been a healthy scratch numerous times in his NHL career.
Forever Blueshirts: The hits just keep on coming for the New York Rangers. What’s next for the struggling squad after captain JT Miller was placed on injured reserve?
Florida Hockey Now: Well, that might just do it. After an ugly 5-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils, the two-time defending Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers sure seem likely to miss the playoffs in 2025-26.
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