Rumor Corner: Connor Hellebuyck to Toronto… and Alex Tuch to Washington?

Marc-Olivier Cook
Rumor Corner: Connor Hellebuyck to Toronto… and Alex Tuch to Washington?
Credit: Capture d'écran/Twitter

Since yesterday, it's been crazy what's been happening in the National League.

Rumors are flying as other teams make moves to strengthen their rosters for next season.

That said, what are the biggest rumors right now?

We have to start with the one involving Connor Hellebuyck… because according to Marco D'Amico, things are starting to heat up.

From what he's hearing, teams are calling about the goaltender, and D'Amico reports in a tweet that the Sabres and the Panthers are among those teams.

But D'Amico also claims that the Leafs (!) are currently involved in the American goaltender's situation. They've called the Jets to inquire about the goaltender, and that's an interesting development. 

And that's pretty big news, too. 

It's a big deal because Toronto has been looking (for what feels like a million years) for a goalie who can get the job done and help the team take it to the next level.

Can John Chayka pull a rabbit out of his hat by bringing Hellebuyck—who's considered the best goalie in the league—to the Queen City?

The goalie has a no-trade clause (it's important to mention that), and you have to wonder why he'd want to play in Toronto.

But nothing is ever impossible in the NHL, even if I don't necessarily believe in that particular scenario…

Alex Tuch to Washington?

Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen has confirmed that Alex Tuch won't be returning to Buffalo. The forward is due to sign a new contract, and his camp has been unable to reach an agreement on the terms of a new deal with the Sabres.

That said, Tuch's name is starting to get mentioned quite a bit… in Washington.

We could expect a sign-and-trade deal that might send him to the Capitals… and that would allow him to earn a salary similar to Adrian Kempe's ($10.6M per season):

If that happens, we might start wondering about Alex Ovechkin's future.

Because let's not forget that the Caps also acquired Jordan Kyrou late yesterday afternoon. The arrivals of Tuch and Kyrou could possibly signal Ovechkin's departure…

Alex DeBrincat, a name that's starting to gain traction

The Detroit Red Wings find themselves in a somewhat unusual situation.

Their captain, Dylan Larkin, has asked to be traded… and now we're wondering what's next for the team. Who's going to stay? Who's going to leave?

Is Detroit looking to start (another) rebuild?

Amid all this uncertainty, one thing is certain right now: the name Alex DeBrincat is starting to gain traction throughout the National Hockey League. And that's only natural…

DeBrincat is entering the final year of his contract ($7.875 million per season) and will become an unrestricted free agent next summer (2027).

He's coming off an 85-point season (41 goals), and at 28 years old, he's sure to attract interest from other NHL teams.

The Red Wings could lose him for nothing in a year, and with Larkin wanting to leave, perhaps it would make more sense to trade DeBrincat now to get some guaranteed value in return for his services…


In a nutshell

– To be continued.

– Nice list.

– Oh, really?

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