NHL IN 60 SECONDS
Dougie Hamilton has opened strongly for New Jersey after last season’s trade speculation, while Detroit’s Dylan Larkin situation remains defined by competing reports of a possible trade and a potential repair of the relationship. The Red Wings also face the unresolved Simon Edvinsson file. Elsewhere, Luke Glendening has joined the Rangers on a one-year deal, and Marat Khusnutdinov has agreed a three-year extension with Boston beginning next season. Carolina presented Frederik Andersen with a championship ring in Edmonton, where the Hurricanes were scheduled to face his new Oilers club. Around the League, contract talks involving Quinn Hughes and Nikita Kucherov remain unresolved.
THE BIG FIVE
Hamilton finding his stride with Devils
Dougie Hamilton has made a productive start to his 15th NHL season, putting the focus on New Jersey victories rather than the trade speculation that surrounded him last season. The 33-year-old defenceman has five points, including one goal, in 10 games, ranks tied fourth on the Devils with 26 shots on goal and is third in average ice time at 21:14. He had two assists and a plus-4 rating in New Jersey’s 7-1 win against the New York Rangers on Oct. 15. Hamilton signed a seven-year, $63 million contract with a $9 million average annual value on July 28, 2021, running through 2027-28. He said he likes being in New Jersey and signed there for a reason.
IHM Signal: Hamilton’s early production and workload have put the emphasis on his on-ice contribution.
Coach Mark: His volume of shots and substantial ice time suggest a confident defenceman can continue to influence play by getting pucks towards goal.
Detroit’s Larkin and Edvinsson questions remain open
A report on Detroit’s two major personnel situations says Dylan Larkin has expanded the group of teams to which he would be willing to move, while the Red Wings are also dealing with Simon Edvinsson’s unresolved position. It was reported that Larkin appears to be trying to facilitate a move, but Detroit’s desired return remains the central challenge. Reportedly, the club may be finding it difficult to persuade Edvinsson to play for it again, despite a preference to sign him. Detroit was also said to be looking at young centres in a potential Larkin trade, including some who may not yet be in the NHL. Larkin is playing for the Red Wings, but the reported complication is Detroit securing returns it considers appropriate.
IHM Signal: Detroit is reported to be balancing two cornerstone-player files while seeking value in any resolution.
Coach Mark: The prudent approach is to avoid forcing a return: the reported asking price means patience may be more useful than a hurried decision.
READ FULL STORY: Red Wings Face Larkin and Edvinsson Trade Tests
Rangers add Glendening on one-year contract
Luke Glendening has signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the New York Rangers. The 37-year-old forward split last season between the New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers, recording nine points from two goals and seven assists in 70 games. Since entering the League as an undrafted free agent with Detroit on July 5, 2013, Glendening has played 934 regular-season games for the Red Wings, Dallas Stars, Tampa Bay Lightning, Devils and Flyers. He has 175 regular-season points, comprising 85 goals and 90 assists, plus 11 points in 60 Stanley Cup Playoff games. His 57.5 per cent face-off rate since the beginning of 2020-21 ranks ninth in the NHL among players with at least 1,000 draws.
IHM Signal: The Rangers have added an experienced forward with a strong recent face-off record.
Coach Mark: Glendening’s draw-winning record offers a clear situational tool, particularly when possession after a face-off matters.
READ FULL STORY: Luke Glendening joins Rangers on one-year deal
Larkin trade viewed as likelier, but not imminent
Chris Johnston said he had no information confirming suggestions that a deal would happen this week and did not sense anything was imminent. He understood Larkin to have 10 teams on the list of destinations he would accept, which could leave interested clubs trying to create movement. Edvinsson was said to be a restricted free-agent defenceman who played on Detroit’s top pair last season and remains without a contract three weeks into the season. Detroit wants to re-sign him.
IHM Signal: The report sees a Larkin trade as the likelier eventual outcome, without evidence of an immediate deal.
Coach Mark: With no reported imminent trade, resolving the more pressing Edvinsson contract situation could give Detroit greater clarity around its broader roster planning.
Bruins secure Khusnutdinov on three-year extension
Marat Khusnutdinov has agreed a three-year, $11.85 million contract with Boston that begins next season and carries a $3.95 million average annual value. The 24-year-old forward is in the final year of his current two-year, $1.85 million deal, which has a $925,000 average annual value. His new agreement runs through 2029-30, and he would otherwise have been eligible to become a restricted free agent on July 1, 2027. Khusnutdinov has two goals and three assists in 10 games this season. In 2025-26, he established career highs with 15 goals, 18 assists and 33 points in 77 games for Boston. Across 178 regular-season games with the Bruins and Minnesota Wild, he has 54 points.
IHM Signal: Boston has secured Khusnutdinov’s next contract before his current deal expires.
Coach Mark: The extension gives Boston cost certainty around a forward coming off career-best totals while he continues this season.
IHM SHORT ICE
Carolina honours Andersen in Edmonton
The Hurricanes presented Frederik Andersen with his Stanley Cup championship ring during their visit to Edmonton on Wednesday. Andersen played his previous five seasons with Carolina before signing with the Oilers as a free agent in July.
Carolina coach Rod Brind’Amour called Andersen part of the family, and general manager Eric Tulsky handed him the ring before former teammates applauded.
READ FULL STORY: Hurricanes honour Andersen with Cup championship ring
Hughes and Kucherov extensions still unresolved
Quinn Hughes and Nikita Kucherov remain unsigned, with reports describing different obstacles in their extension discussions. Minnesota is said to be willing to offer Hughes a large contract at the term he wants.
Hughes is reported to be taking a wait-and-see approach, while Tampa Bay is said to be searching for a post-Leo Carlsson valuation with Kucherov.
READ FULL STORY: Hughes and Kucherov extension talks remain open
Flames, Kings and Flyers face separate issues
Ryan Huska is not reported to be on the hot seat despite Calgary’s difficult start. Los Angeles is facing questions around goaltending and offence, with Kevin Fiala possibly practising in the coming weeks.
Philadelphia is reported to have a potential wing logjam when healthy, while interest has been linked to Travis Konecny, Owen Tippett and Cam York.
READ FULL STORY: Flyers’ winger rumours gather pace around Konecny
Tkachuk returns to Ottawa with Panthers
Brady Tkachuk called Ottawa a special place as he prepared to face the Senators there for the first time as a Florida Panther. He played eight NHL seasons for Ottawa, including five as captain.
The Senators traded Tkachuk to Florida on June 21 after he said he would not re-sign when his contract, which runs through 2027-28, ends.
Maloney remembers former Rangers teammate Duguay
Dave Maloney remembered Ron Duguay’s positive attitude and determination during his battle with cancer following Duguay’s death at 69. The pair were Rangers teammates for six seasons from 1977 to 1983.
Maloney said Duguay and his brother Don were ahead of their era in physical fitness, and described Duguay as a dynamic character.
READ FULL STORY: Dave Maloney remembers Ron Duguay’s Rangers years
Beniers benefits from Seattle housemates
Matty Beniers says living with Seattle teammates Mackie Samoskevich and Berkly Catton has helped him move on from difficult games. Beniers has two goals and two assists in 10 games this season.
Samoskevich has five points in nine games and Catton has seven in 10, as the Kraken opened 6-3-1.
Cousins fined after Senators game
Ottawa forward Nick Cousins was fined $4,091.49, the maximum allowable under the Collective Bargaining Agreement, for unsportsmanlike conduct towards an opponent while on the Senators bench.
The Oct. 21 incident occurred at 3:35 of the third period. Cousins received a roughing minor and a 10-minute misconduct, with the money directed to the Players’ Emergency Assistance Fund.
READ FULL STORY: Nick Cousins fined after Senators bench incident
Hellebuyck talks reported to be gathering pace
Connor Hellebuyck trade talks are reported to be picking up, with Carolina, Buffalo, Utah, Los Angeles and San Jose among clubs said to have shown interest. Buffalo and Utah were described as the most interested.
Reportedly, Pittsburgh could consider moving veteran forwards for picks and prospects in order to create roster space for younger players.
READ FULL STORY: Hellebuyck interest grows as Penguins weigh sales
IHM NHL PULSE
Detroit’s decisions dominate the rumour cycle
The two Detroit reports point to the same broad pressure point: Dylan Larkin’s future remains unsettled, and Simon Edvinsson’s situation is also unresolved. Another says a trade is likelier eventually but not imminent, while characterising Edvinsson’s contract as the more pressing matter. Neither report presents a completed transaction.
Contract certainty arrives in Boston and New York
Boston and the Rangers have each added clarity through confirmed contracts. Khusnutdinov’s three-year, $11.85 million extension begins next season, securing a 24-year-old forward following career highs in 2025-26. New York’s one-year, $850,000 deal with Glendening brings in a 37-year-old veteran whose 57.5 per cent face-off rate since 2020-21 ranks ninth among qualifying NHL players.
Reports keep goaltending in focus
Goaltending runs through two reported rumour threads. Vejmelka has been linked to the Rangers, while Hellebuyck has been connected with several interested teams, notably Buffalo and Utah. These remain reported possibilities rather than completed moves.
Former teams and familiar bonds shape the week
Andersen’s ring presentation showed Carolina’s continued affection for a former Hurricanes goaltender, while Tkachuk described Ottawa as a special place before his first return as a Panther. Beniers also highlighted the value of teammate support away from the rink.
SHORT ICE Q&A
What are Dougie Hamilton’s early-season numbers for New Jersey?
Hamilton has one goal and four assists in 10 games, 26 shots on goal and an average ice time of 21:14. He is tied fourth on the Devils in shots and ranks third in average ice time.
What is known about Dylan Larkin’s situation in Detroit?
Reports say Larkin has expanded the teams he would accept in a move, but Detroit’s desired return remains a challenge.
How much is Marat Khusnutdinov’s new Bruins deal worth?
His three-year contract is worth $11.85 million, begins next season and has a $3.95 million average annual value. It runs through the 2029-30 season.
Why did Carolina present Frederik Andersen with a ring?
Andersen received his Stanley Cup championship ring from the Hurricanes during their Edmonton trip. He had played his previous five seasons with Carolina before signing with Edmonton in July.
FAN PULSE
Which development most shapes this edition’s NHL conversation?
A) Dougie Hamilton’s strong start with New Jersey.
B) Detroit’s unresolved Larkin and Edvinsson situations.
C) Boston extending Marat Khusnutdinov.