NHL IN 60 SECONDS
The opening of NHL training camps is dominated by off-ice friction and leadership reshuffles. Connor Hellebuyck did not report to the Winnipeg Jets and was suspended after publicly confirming a trade request; Columbus centre Adam Fantilli is absent from Blue Jackets camp while he awaits a contract. Tampa Bay continues talks to keep Nikita Kucherov long term as he enters the final season of an eight-year deal. Meanwhile, Drew Doughty was named Los Angeles captain, Buffalo arrive with renewed hunger after ending a 15-year playoff drought, and Ryan Reaves announced his retirement.
THE BIG FIVE
Hellebuyck absent from Winnipeg camp, suspended by Jets
Connor Hellebuyck did not report to Winnipeg Jets training camp on Wednesday and has been suspended by the club. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner publicly confirmed on Aug. 27 that he requested a trade earlier in the off-season; his agent Ray Petkau released a statement saying Hellebuyck wanted to be open about his position as camp neared. Hellebuyck’s résumé includes a Hart Trophy in 2024-25 and three Vezina wins; he went 47-12-3 that season.
IHM Signal: Winnipeg must remain focused on camp while Hellebuyck’s trade request remains unresolved.
Coach Mark: Managing the dressing-room message and preparing other goaltenders for camp work will be important while the Hellebuyck situation remains unsettled.
READ FULL STORY: Connor Hellebuyck suspended after failing to report to Jets camp
Blue Jackets optimistic they will sign Fantilli after holdout
Restricted free agent Adam Fantilli did not join the Columbus Blue Jackets for initial physicals as he awaits a new contract, but GM Don Waddell said he is confident a deal will be reached. Waddell described talks as amicable and said the market shifted after an offer sheet for Leo Carlsson. Fantilli scored a career-high 59 points (24 goals, 35 assists) in 82 games last season and has 140 points (67 goals, 73 assists) in 213 NHL games since being the No. 3 pick in 2023.
IHM Signal: Waddell said negotiations remain active and expressed confidence that Columbus and Fantilli will find a resolution.
Coach Mark: Fantilli’s absence removes the centre who had been scheduled to open camp between Kent Johnson and Kirill Marchenko.
READ FULL STORY: Waddell confident Blue Jackets will sign Fantilli
Lightning pursue long-term deal for Kucherov as CBA window closes
Nikita Kucherov continues contract discussions with the Tampa Bay Lightning as he enters the final season of an eight-year, $76 million deal ($9.5 million AAV). GM Julien BriseBois said both sides would have preferred a deal sooner but remain in contact with the forward’s agent, aiming to keep Kucherov in Tampa “many years to come.” Kucherov was second in the NHL with 130 points (44 goals, 86 assists) last season and won his second Hart Trophy. Tuesday was the final day to sign an eight-year deal with his current club before the new CBA limited maximum term.
IHM Signal: Tampa Bay continues to pursue continuity with Kucherov despite the change in maximum contract term.
Coach Mark: Kucherov said his focus is on helping the Lightning this season as contract discussions continue.
Sabres hungry to build after ending 15-year playoff drought
The Buffalo Sabres enter training camp with an appetite to progress after ending a 15-year Stanley Cup Playoff drought and reaching the Eastern Conference Second Round, where an overtime goal by Montreal’s Alex Newhook ended their run in Game 7. Tage Thompson said the group still feels an “itch for more” and noted most contributors remain. Thompson led Buffalo with 40 goals and 81 points in 81 games last season and stressed that while breaking the drought was a huge step, the club must turn postseason experience into deeper success.
IHM Signal: Buffalo enters the season seeking to build on its first playoff appearance in 15 years.
Coach Mark: Thompson identified the Sabres’ Game 7 experience as a valuable part of the group’s perspective entering camp.
READ FULL STORY: Sabres carry ‘itch for more’ into 2026-27 training camp
Doughty named Kings captain, replaces Kopitar after retirement
Drew Doughty was named captain of the Los Angeles Kings, succeeding Anze Kopitar, who retired after a 20-year NHL career and 10 seasons as Kings captain. Doughty, an alternate since 2015-16, is the franchise leader among defencemen in points (709), goals (165), assists (544) and games played (1,279). He helped Los Angeles to Stanley Cups in 2012 and 2014, won the Norris Trophy in 2016 and has international honours including Olympic gold medals and a 2026 Olympic silver. GM Ken Holland said Doughty has earned the role and will set the standard the club wants.
IHM Signal: The Kings have chosen a long-serving veteran to succeed Kopitar as captain.
Coach Mark: Doughty’s experience as a long-tenured alternate captain gives the Kings continuity in their leadership group.
IHM SHORT ICE
McKenna leaning on Matthews and Tavares in Maple Leafs camp
Gavin McKenna, the Maple Leafs’ No. 1 pick from Penn State, arrived at Toronto’s media day with Auston Matthews and John Tavares beside him as mentors. McKenna is living with Tavares’ family and has had dinners at Matthews’ home as part of his transition to life in Toronto’s hockey spotlight. Both veterans emphasised simple advice: be yourself, work hard and learn. McKenna’s presence at camp will be watched closely as he adjusts to NHL routines and expectations.
READ FULL STORY: McKenna leans on Matthews and Tavares as Maple Leafs rookie
Ryan Reaves announces retirement after 16 NHL seasons
Ryan Reaves announced his retirement on Wednesday after a 16-season NHL career and 962 regular-season games. He scored three goals in 50 games for the San Jose Sharks last season and finished his career with 140 points (66 goals, 74 assists) across seven teams. In his retirement message, Reaves thanked supporters and acknowledged that “Father Time remains undefeated,”ending with “Mic drop, gloves drop.”
Interim GM Horcoff says Red Wings rebuild is ‘out of the question’
Shawn Horcoff, speaking in his first public comments as Detroit’s interim GM, said a rebuild is “out of the question,”noting the Red Wings have “too many good players” and are close to ending a 10-season playoff drought. Horcoff inherits uncertainty after Steve Yzerman moved to senior adviser and Dylan Larkin requested a trade; Patrick Kane left for Chicago on a two-year, $16 million contract ($8 million AAV).
READ FULL STORY: Horcoff: Red Wings rebuild ‘out of the question’
Matthews says he is fully healthy and committed to Maple Leafs
Auston Matthews said he is 100 percent healthy after the knee injury that ended his season on 12 March and expressed energy for the new season under GM John Chayka. Toronto added goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky and defenceman Darren Raddysh in the off-season and won the draft lottery to select Gavin McKenna at No. 1. Matthews has been skating in Toronto for weeks and Chayka described him as “full go 100%.”
Questions linger over Dylan Larkin’s future amid trade chatter
Trade speculation around Dylan Larkin continues as Detroit’s front-office situation remains unresolved. The Red Wings would need to secure immediate help in any potential return, while the appointment of a permanent GM could provide greater clarity around the club’s direction. Larkin is expected to report to camp.
READ FULL STORY: Will Dylan Larkin Still Be a Red Wing on Jan 1, 2027?
IHM NHL PULSE
Contract questions remain a camp theme
Fantilli remains unsigned in Columbus, where Waddell said the Leo Carlsson offer sheet changed the marketplace. In Tampa Bay, Kucherov remains in discussions on a new deal after the window for an eight-year contract with his current club closed under the new CBA.
Leadership and continuity frame several camps
Los Angeles has handed its captaincy to Doughty following Kopitar’s retirement. Buffalo returns with much of the group that reached the Eastern Conference Second Round last season, while Matthews and Tavares are helping McKenna adjust to his first Maple Leafs camp.
Absences create immediate uncertainty
Hellebuyck’s suspension follows his failure to report to Jets camp, while Fantilli was absent from Columbus’ initial physicals without a new contract. Both situations remain unresolved as teams open camp.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
- Whether Columbus and Adam Fantilli reach a contract agreement after Waddell said he remained confident a resolution could be found.
- Resolution of Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request and suspension after he failed to report to Winnipeg’s camp.
- Appointment of a permanent Detroit general manager, which could provide greater clarity around the Dylan Larkin situation.
SHORT ICE Q&A
What is the status of Hellebuyck’s suspension?
The Jets suspended Connor Hellebuyck after he did not report to training camp. His trade request remains unresolved.
What has Columbus said about Fantilli’s contract?
Waddell said talks with Fantilli and his agent have been amicable and that he remains confident the sides will find a resolution. Fantilli was absent from the Blue Jackets’ initial physicals without a new deal.
Does the CBA change affect Kucherov’s negotiating window?
Yes. The final day for Kucherov to sign an eight-year deal with Tampa Bay was Tuesday; under the new CBA, the maximum term for a contract with his current team is seven years.
What does Doughty’s captaincy mean for the Kings?
Doughty succeeds Kopitar after serving as an alternate captain since 2015-16. He is the Kings’ franchise leader among defencemen in points, goals, assists and games played.
How are Matthews and Tavares helping McKenna?
McKenna is living with Tavares’ family and has spent time with Matthews as he begins his transition to NHL life in Toronto. Both former No. 1 picks have offered guidance ahead of his first camp.
FAN PULSE
Which development do you think will have the biggest early-season impact?
A) Hellebuyck’s trade request and absence from Winnipeg camp.
B) The outcome of Adam Fantilli’s contract negotiations with Columbus.
C) Tampa Bay’s ability to finalise a long-term deal with Nikita Kucherov.