Penguins, Kings in mix for Nurse — The Fourth Period
Penguins GM Kyle Dubas was Nurse’s GM in the OHL with the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds, while Kings GM Ken Holland was the man who signed him to his eight-year, $74 million contract in August 2021.
There are a lot of moving parts here and a trade is not yet considered imminent, but it seems likely, as it did at the end of the Oilers season, that Nurse would be lacing up his skates with another club to start the 2026-27 NHL campaign.
HELLEBUYCK CHATTER
The noise isn’t as loud in another part of Canada as it is in Edmonton right now, but it’s starting to mount.
As we reported last month, teams had been calling the Winnipeg Jets about goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who has a full no-movement clause, after his season-ended remarks sparked speculation over his future with the club.
Hellebuyck, 33, is entering the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract, and it is clear he wants to chase a Stanley Cup. He wanted to do so with the Jets, but after a rough season for everyone, his tune started to change.
On this week’s “Game Notes” podcast with former NHLers Matt Murley and Colby Armstrong, Murley reported that Hellebuyck has “asked for a trade.”
While we’ve not been able to confirm that information, the talk even last month suggested it is something he might be open to, for the right environment.
The Florida Panthers were a team that reached out about Hellebuyck last month, and according to Murley, they’re still in the mix now.
The Jets are not actively shopping Hellebuyck and do not want to move him, by every indication I’ve been given, but if the netminder wants out, Winnipeg will have to navigate the trade waters.
