One of the prominent names featured in recent trade speculation has been Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. While a deal didn’t come to fruition at the draft, Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press feels a trade this summer remains extremely likely. With long-time playing partner Eric Comrie moving on in free agency and Stuart Skinner (a player who has made 50 or more appearances in four straight years) coming in, Winnipeg now has a bit of security if they opt to move the three-time Vezina winner. Buffalo was a speculated landing spot back at the draft while McIntyre believes that San Jose could be a suitable destination. While they have Yaroslav Askarov in the fold, their pivot to more of a win-now approach could make someone like Hellebuyck appealing while they have the cap space to fit him in. Hellebuyck hasn’t formally asked for a trade but that won’t stop the speculation about a possible move from continuing.
Elsewhere around the hockey world:
While Pierre-Edouard Bellemare’s playing days are over, his days in the NHL aren’t. The Lightning announced earlier this week that they’ve hired the former center as a Player Development Specialist. It’s a return to Tampa Bay for Bellemare, who played in 153 games with them between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons. Specifically, he will be working with their forward prospects while also spending time working in AHL Syracuse.
After being non-tendered by Dallas last month, defenseman Jeremie Poirier has found his next team. Adler Mannheim of the DEL announced that they’ve signed the 24-year-old to a one-year contract. Poirier started the season with Calgary but was traded back in February. Between the two organizations, he had 16 points in 51 games last season but also had two years of 40-plus points in Calgary’s system before then.
Blueliner Nick Cicek has found his next team. Earlier this week, Championat’s Anton Panchenko relayed that the defender has signed a one-year deal with KHL Shanghai. The 26-year-old last saw NHL action in 2022-23 when he played in 16 games with San Jose. Since then, Cicek has spent time in both the AHL and DEL. Last season, he played in 70 games with AHL Calgary, recording 25 points and 119 penalty minutes.