NHL IN 60 SECONDS
Dylan Larkin’s trade list remains central to Detroit’s options, with Montreal reportedly ready to act if he becomes willing to go there. Connor Hellebuyck is also widely expected to be traded, although the destination and timing remain uncertain. Dallas has two separate personnel stories: Jim Nill plans to begin Jason Robertson contract talks around the start of December, while David Perron has joined the Stars on a one-year deal. Elsewhere, discussion around no-trade clauses could become a major issue in a future collective bargaining agreement. Columbus coach Rick Bowness has demanded a defensive response after his club’s poor start.
THE BIG FIVE
Larkin retains control over potential Detroit trade
Dylan Larkin has a list of 10 teams and, according to reporting, remains firm on that current list with his family. Montreal is not presently among the confirmed destinations. The Canadiens have reportedly been among clubs to enquire, and there is an expectation that a deal could be completed quickly if Detroit were told Larkin was willing to go there. Montreal is said to have a proposal it believes Detroit would accept. Larkin reported to training camp and has continued to face questions while waiting for a possible move. The situation could change if it extends towards the quarter mark of the season, but that is only a possibility raised in the reporting, not an indication that he will expand his list.
IHM Signal: Montreal’s reported readiness matters only if Larkin changes his position on the current list.
Coach Mark: Detroit’s planning is constrained by the player’s approval rights, so the club must keep its options open rather than force a preferred outcome.
READ FULL STORY: Dylan Larkin Holds Key to Reported Montreal Trade
Hellebuyck trade expected, but landing spot unclear
Connor Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg future remains unresolved, but Elliotte Friedman said he believes the situation will end in a trade and suggested all sides may increasingly prefer it to happen sooner rather than later. Los Angeles has drawn speculation, though Friedman questioned what package the Kings could put together that would meet Winnipeg’s needs. He identified Buffalo and possibly Utah as more likely scenarios, while saying Carolina’s interest could require a three-team arrangement. Friedman also said there is concern about Hellebuyck reporting to the Jets, with uncertainty around how long Winnipeg could keep him away from the roster. No timetable or completed deal was reported, and the destination remains unknown.
IHM Signal: A trade is expected, but the market has not yet produced a clear match for Winnipeg.
Coach Mark: The longer the impasse continues, the more important it becomes for Winnipeg to balance return value against the practical roster complications described.
Stars target December start for Robertson talks
Dallas general manager Jim Nill said the Stars expect to begin contract discussions with Jason Robertson around the start of December. Nill said he does not want negotiations to become a distraction as the club establishes its season, and intends to meet Robertson’s representatives then. Robertson signed a one-year, $12 million contract on July 21 after avoiding salary arbitration as a restricted free agent. He is eligible to sign a long-term deal from Jan. 1, 2027. The 27-year-old had five points, including two goals, through seven games, after leading Dallas with 96 points last season. Robertson said his priority is the opening 20 games, when players can begin to assess the season more clearly.
IHM Signal: Dallas has set a deliberate timetable rather than opening long-term negotiations immediately.
Coach Mark: Keeping the first stretch focused on results gives Robertson and the Stars a defined checkpoint before contractual attention increases.
READ FULL STORY: Stars set December window for Robertson talks
No-trade clauses tipped as future CBA issue
No-trade clauses could become a significant subject in the next collective bargaining agreement, according to Elliotte Friedman. He said teams had raised the matter in discussions before the current agreement, but were told it would not be part of that process because other objectives took priority. Friedman described the present agreement as a period of labour peace, while suggesting the subject is likely to return in future negotiations. Possible questions include whether a player seeking a move while holding trade protection must provide a list, or whether asking to be moved changes any of those protections. He stressed that such issues would be negotiated trade-offs. The discussion followed trade requests involving Connor Hellebuyck and Dylan Larkin, who reportedly would waive protection only for selected destinations.
IHM Signal: The reported debate is about future bargaining, not an announced change to existing player protections.
Coach Mark: For clubs, the issue underlines how contract protections can shape roster decisions long before a trade request becomes public.
Perron joins Dallas on one-year contract
David Perron has signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Dallas Stars. The 38-year-old forward was an unrestricted free agent from July 1 and will enter his 20th NHL season. He recorded 28 points, comprising 13 goals and 15 assists, in 65 regular-season games last season with the Ottawa Senators and Detroit Red Wings. Perron scored three goals in 16 games for Detroit after being acquired in a March 5 trade. Across 1,239 regular-season games, he has 812 points, and he won the Stanley Cup with St. Louis in 2019. General manager Jim Nill cited Perron’s competitive mindset, big-moment record, veteran leadership and skill set as qualities Dallas believes will help its group.
IHM Signal: Dallas has added an experienced forward on a short-term, clearly priced contract.
Coach Mark: The one-year structure gives Dallas an immediate veteran option without committing beyond this season.
READ FULL STORY: David Perron joins Stars on one-year contract
IHM SHORT ICE
Utah linked with Edvinsson; Kings check Hellebuyck
Utah has been linked with interest in Detroit defenceman Simon Edvinsson, with one report saying he could improve its second pair.
Los Angeles has checked on Connor Hellebuyck’s price, but no increased trade talks were confirmed and Winnipeg is reportedly seeking an NHL-calibre forward.
Friedman addresses Konecny report
He said Philadelphia general manager Daniel Briere is trying not to make a bad move under pressure, while the Flyers seek their first win.
Bowness demands Blue Jackets response
Rick Bowness said Columbus should be angry with its position after allowing 4.20 goals per game, tied for the NHL’s third-highest rate.
The Blue Jackets had allowed at least three goals in four of five games, and Bowness said professionals must prepare properly to play.
READ FULL STORY: Bowness demands Blue Jackets anger after leaks
Detroit marks Hockey Fights Cancer Night
Dave Coulier joined Detroit’s Hockey Fights Cancer Night to raise awareness and funds, urging people to pursue early screening after his cancer experiences.
The evening carried added meaning after Jenny Baumann, wife of assistant athletic trainer Russ Baumann, died from cancer at age 55.
READ FULL STORY: Coulier joins Red Wings’ Hockey Fights Cancer night
Hellebuyck expectation and Toronto blue-line uncertainty
Darren Dreger said he does not expect Connor Hellebuyck to return to Winnipeg as the Jets continue to work towards a trade.
Toronto does not know how long Chris Tanev will be unavailable and was not reported to be pursuing short-term blue-line help.
Detroit’s reported Larkin asking price
Detroit is reportedly seeking three or four assets for Dylan Larkin, including two high-quality prospects, a top-nine NHL forward and a first-round pick.
Montreal is reported to be exploring star or superstar players in their mid-20s and to have young assets it is prepared to move.
Anderson wants Montreal stay; Larkin interest persists
Josh Anderson reportedly told Montreal before the season that he wants to remain with the Canadiens for the long term.
Montreal fans chanted for Dylan Larkin, while reporting said a Canadiens offer could be ready if he approved a move there.
READ FULL STORY: Anderson Extension Talk Meets Larkin Trade Link
IHM NHL PULSE
Trade protection is shaping the Larkin market
The Larkin reports point to the same limitation from two angles: Detroit may have a reported asking price and Montreal may have a reported package, but a move depends on Larkin’s willingness to waive for a destination outside his current confirmed list. The wider no-trade clause discussion shows why those rights remain consequential in trade talks.
Goaltending uncertainty remains a Winnipeg focus
Hellebuyck has been linked to several clubs, including Los Angeles, Buffalo, Utah and Carolina, but the reporting offers no completed deal or firm timetable. The consistent theme is that Winnipeg is working towards a trade while prospective clubs must satisfy the Jets’ desired return and Hellebuyck’s own movement protection.
Dallas balances an immediate addition with a longer-term decision
The Stars have added David Perron for one season while postponing Jason Robertson’s longer-term negotiations until around the start of December. The two decisions reflect different timelines: a completed short-term signing and a planned opening to extension talks.
Early-season pressure is producing different responses
Columbus coach Rick Bowness has openly challenged his team after its defensive record, while Philadelphia’s Daniel Briere is reported to be resisting pressure to make a move that does not make sense. Both stories centre on difficult early results, but their immediate responses differ.
WHAT WE’RE WATCHING NEXT
- Dallas plans to begin discussions with Jason Robertson’s representatives around the start of December.
- Jason Robertson can sign a long-term contract beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
- Robertson identified the first 20 games as a point when players can start to reassess their season.
SHORT ICE Q&A
What is the reported obstacle to a Dylan Larkin trade to Montreal?
Montreal is not currently on Larkin’s confirmed list of 10 teams. Reporting says the Canadiens could move quickly if he became willing to go there, but that approval has not been reported.
Has Connor Hellebuyck been traded by Winnipeg?
No completed trade was reported. Elliotte Friedman said he expects the situation to end in a trade, but did not provide a date or confirmed destination.
When will Dallas speak with Jason Robertson about a new contract?
Jim Nill said he expects to sit down with Robertson’s representatives around the first of December. Robertson can sign a long-term contract from Jan. 1, 2027.
What are the terms of David Perron’s deal with Dallas?
Perron signed a one-year contract worth $850,000. He will play his 20th NHL season.
FAN PULSE
Which developing story will you be watching most closely?
A) Dylan Larkin’s possible trade destinations.
B) Connor Hellebuyck’s Winnipeg situation.
C) Jason Robertson’s future contract talks.