In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start off with Connor Hellebuyck and Alexander Nikishin, who could both be involved in a blockbuster three-way deal. Next, Vancouver Canucks forward Filip Chytil, who has dealt with plenty of injuries throughout his career, had another injury scare throughout the week.
Finally, there seems to be some traction on the Columbus Blue Jackets moving on from Kirill Marchenko, and the Boston Bruins could be the landing spot.
Hurricanes, Jets Working on 3-Way Trade with Hellebuyck & Nikishin
As the start of the regular season quickly approaches, two of the biggest question marks in the league revolve around both Hellebuyck and Nikishin.
Hellebuyck, a superstar goaltender, requested a trade and is refusing to report to the team as he awaits a new deal. Nikishin also requested a trade, but is not under contract, which adds another level of complication to any deal.
Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin and Chicago Blackhawks center Oliver Moore fight (James Guillory-Imagn Images)
The Hurricanes are interested in bringing Hellebuyck in, and it sounds like Hellebuyck would join the ‘Canes, but it’s a matter of finding the right deal.
Nikishin has been given permission to speak with other teams regarding a new contract, but the Jets are reportedly not a team he would sign with.
If the Jets send Hellebuyck to the Hurricanes, Nikishin wouldn’t be part of the return, which otherwise would have made a lot of sense.
The Nashville Predators have expressed interest in Nikishin, and according to Elliotte Friedman, he would be willing to sign there. With the assets acquired in the Luke Evangelista trade, the Predators have some extra draft capital to work with.
A three-team trade sending Hellebuyck to the Hurricanes, Nikishin to the Predators, and the Jets getting some picks and other assets back could be on the table.
Canucks’ Chytil Faces Another Injury
Throughout his relatively young career, Chytil has dealt with quite a few injuries, including multiple concussions and facial injuries.
During the Canucks’ preseason action, Chytil and the club were facing the Edmonton Oilers, and in a freak accident, Chytil and referee Riley Brace collided heading into the corner, and Chytil went shoulder-first into the boards.
While there hasn’t been an update on the exact injury he is dealing with, the Canucks announced that Chytil has been placed on the injured reserve. General manager Ryan Johnson told reporters, “As nasty as that looked, he came down on the shoulder, and it’s more of a muscular strain”
There hasn’t been a timeline placed on the recovery, but he has been listed as week-to-week.
Avoiding another concussion is a big win for the team and player. The contact was with the shoulder, but there was concern about his head jolting sideways upon contact.
Bruins Inching Closer to Marchenko Trade
When it comes to the Marchenko rumours, teams like the Montreal Canadiens, Toronto Maple Leafs, and Edmonton Oilers keep popping up, but the new front-runner appears to be the Bruins.
On the latest episode of 32 Thoughts, Friedman reported a number of teams that are interested in bringing Marchenko in, and noted that the Bruins had an offer for him.
In addition to that, Marchenko’s agent, Dan Milstein, shared a short video of a bear on X, and Bruins superstar David Pastrnak recently followed Marchenko on Instagram.
Could all of this be a coincidence? Absolutely, but a lot of fingers are starting to point at the Bruins as the landing spot.
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