The day's biggest NHL news: trades, signings, injuries, suspensions and officiating, from the league's top reporters.
Jets captain Adam Lowry said the team can move forward now that Connor Hellebuyck’s situation is no longer a “cloud hanging over” the Jets, adding that the roster includes players who want to be there.
Sportsnet’s “32 Thoughts” podcast hosts Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas break down the Connor Hellebuyck trade between the Winnipeg Jets and New Jersey Devils. The episode also covers Winnipeg’s Heritage Classic, Quinn Hughes’s return to Vancouver, and several other NHL storylines.
The page identifies a Mike Fink story titled “Devils Notebook: Hellebuyck Trade Lessons, Larkin, Upcoming Road Trip & More,” but provides no article text or details about its claims.
Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty, who turns 37 in December, says he hopes to play past 40 and is willing to take a team-friendly contract to stay with the club. General manager Ken Holland has said he intends to re-sign Doughty, whose current deal expires after this season; Doughty says winning another Stanley Cup is his main motivation.
Boston Bruins forward Fraser Minten has 10 points in his first 12 games of the 2026-27 season after signing a seven-year, $50.4 million extension in the offseason. On Daily Faceoff LIVE, analyst Pete Blackburn said Minten’s improved shooting is building on his smart, high-motor play and argued he could become an important player for Boston for years.
The Devils acquired goalie Connor Hellebuyck from Winnipeg to address a persistent weakness: poor goaltending despite New Jersey’s strong defense and shot suppression. The Athletic’s Harman Dayal argues Hellebuyck is a particularly good fit because his career-leading 176.0 goals saved above expected and strong record in low-shot games suggest he can stay sharp during quiet stretches and stop dangerous chances.
Hellebuyck to New Jersey for Mercer, Daws, Bjugstad, a prospect and two picks: what it means for each team's roster, cap and goaltending, who won, and the goalie market.
Seattle announced that forward Jared McCann is on injured reserve and will miss 10 weeks with a lower-body injury, likely sidelining him until the new year. McCann had eight points in 11 games; Kaapo Kakko is expected to take his spot on the top line with Matty Beniers and Jordan Eberle.
NHL.com reports David Perron could make his Dallas Stars debut against the Islanders on Sunday after signing a one-year deal, while Radek Faksa is also a possibility and Sam Steel is out. Chicago expects Andrew Mangiapane back against Florida, where defenseman Gustav Forsling is questionable after taking a puck to the face.
Islanders defenseman Scott Mayfield said he has no plans to seek a trade or waive his no-trade clause despite sitting out eight of the team’s first 10 games. Mayfield, under contract through 2030, said he loves playing for New York and is focused on staying ready for his next chance; coach Pete DeBoer has favored Matt Kessel in the lineup.
The New York Rangers signed 38-year-old goalie James Reimer to a one-year contract, according to a source cited by The Athletic; the team has not announced the deal. Reimer went 7-4-2 with an .886 save percentage for Ottawa last season, and New York is seeking another option with Igor Shesterkin out for the season and Joonas Korpisalo sidelined.
Michael Amato’s “Sunday Overreactions” considers whether the Columbus Blue Jackets’ slow start could revive trade talk around defenceman Zach Werenski, who seemed close to leaving this summer. The excerpt does not say whether talks have actually resumed.
The Montreal Canadiens will face the Winnipeg Jets in Sunday’s Heritage Classic without captain Nick Suzuki, who is expected to miss 2–4 weeks with an upper-body injury. After beating Chicago 4-1 in their first game without him, Montreal says it will rely on a collective effort, with Oliver Kapanen expected to center the top line and Jake Evans coming off a three-point game.
Nikita Kucherov became the Tampa Bay Lightning’s all-time points leader with an assist, reaching 1,138 points and passing Steven Stamkos’s 1,137. The Utah Mammoth rallied from a two-goal deficit to win 5-4 in overtime, with Dmitri Simashev scoring his second NHL goal at 1:44.
Winnipeg Jets coach Scott Arniel said trading goaltender Connor Hellebuyck brought him no relief despite Hellebuyck’s contributions to the franchise. Arniel also addressed how the team will move forward with the players acquired in the trade.
The Tampa Bay Lightning said defenseman Victor Hedman will miss Saturday’s game against Utah and is day-to-day with a lower-body injury. Hedman left Friday’s 6-3 loss to Colorado after playing one second-period shift; he has four points in nine games this season.
The Sportsnet page appears to be a video interview in which Mehta explains how he valued a trade, saying goaltending is difficult to predict. The provided text does not identify the trade or give further details.
Dustin Byfuglien returned to Winnipeg to play in the Jets alumni game tied to the 2026 Heritage Classic, saying he was glad to reconnect with former teammates. The former defenseman left the NHL during the 2019-20 season, and still holds Winnipeg’s franchise records for goals by a defenseman (122) and postseason points in one run (16).
Quinn Hughes said he is unsure how Vancouver fans will welcome him when he returns Sunday for the first time since the Canucks traded him to Minnesota in December 2025. The Wild defenseman, Vancouver’s all-time leading scorer among defensemen, said he is enjoying Minnesota and would not be surprised if he signs a new contract soon; Canucks forward Brock Boeser said Hughes deserves a warm reception.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes said his “feet are planted” in Minnesota and a contract extension could happen soon, though he is taking his time deciding. Hughes, who can become an unrestricted free agent after the season, said he is enjoying playing with the Wild and believes the team can contend for the Stanley Cup.
The Pittsburgh Penguins placed defenseman Sam Girard on injured reserve after he was hurt in a loss to Vegas on Oct. 17. Girard has seven points in nine games this season; the team did not disclose a timetable for his return.
Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman left Friday’s 6-3 loss to Colorado after playing just one second-period shift, finishing with 5:56 of ice time. The team gave no reason for his absence; Sportsnet Staff reported he had played all 10 games this season, recording two goals and four points.
Montreal Canadiens players and coach Martin St. Louis say Sunday’s 2026 Heritage Classic against the Winnipeg Jets will revive memories of playing on outdoor rinks as children. Defenseman Alexandre Carrier is getting his first NHL outdoor-game opportunity after an injury ruled him out of the 2022 Stadium Series, while the game will also be a first for St. Louis and defenseman Mike Matheson.
Rangers captain J.T. Miller said the team’s improved defensive commitment, physical play in one-on-one battles and more varied offense have stood out early in the 2026-27 season. He also said New York still needs to correct issues that have cost it points, according to the New York Post’s Mollie Walker.
The story says Rangers teammates have rallied around goalie Dylan Garand, and the team has earned points in five of his eight starts. The excerpt offers no details about how he became the starting goalie.
Former New York Rangers forward Ron Duguay died Thursday at 69 after battling colon cancer, according to his girlfriend, Sarah Palin. Duguay played 12 seasons in the NHL and was known for his time with the Rangers.
An NHL review determined there was no high stick earlier in the play leading to Jake Guentzel’s goal, so the Colorado Avalanche’s coach’s challenge was unsuccessful. Sportsnet posted video of the lengthy review on October 23, 2026.
The Utah Mammoth signed defenseman Artem Duda to a two-year extension beginning in 2027-28. The deal pays the 22-year-old $900,000 in the NHL in its first, two-way season and $950,000 in its second, one-way season; Duda has 45 points in 103 AHL games with Tucson.
Sportsnet’s Mark Spector reports that Oilers coach Mike Babcock is holding stars Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl accountable for defensive mistakes and setting clear, direct expectations across the roster. Edmonton is 8-1-1 after a month under Babcock, who says his focus is on improving the team day by day rather than looking ahead to the playoffs.
Pittsburgh Penguins winger Bryan Rust will miss at least six weeks with a lower-body injury, coach Dan Muse said, after Rust crashed into the boards during Monday’s game against Utah. Rust had five points in seven games; the team placed him on injured reserve and plans to use Tommy Novak on the top line with Sidney Crosby and Rickard Rakell.
