Montreal Canadiens

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canadiens, Devils, Jets, Oilers & Huge Trade

Montreal faces life without Suzuki, New Jersey’s Hellebuyck gamble raises questions, and Zach Hyman’s wink has hockey fans debating.

by
Old Prof
October 23, 2026

Today’s NHL Trade Talk roundup (October 23, 2026) has a little bit of everything. Montreal now has to find a way to keep pace without Nick Suzuki. That opens a big door for Oliver Kapanen. Sunny Mehta is making people ask why he traded for Connor Hellebuyck after saying goalies aren’t worth the big money. And Zach Hyman gave hockey fans something to argue about when he winked after drawing a penalty against Carolina.

NHL Trade Talk Recap Mar 4 — NHL Trade Talk Recap October 23, 2026

Suzuki’s Injury Gives Oliver Kapanen a Big Chance as the Canadiens Stumble

Montreal was a trendy dark-horse pick, but the Canadiens are 4-3-2 and tied for last in the Atlantic. Jakub Dobes has struggled in net (4.47 GAA and a .847 save percentage), and now captain Nick Suzuki is out two to four weeks, ending his 546-game ironman streak. Ivan Demidov is also out, which puts even more pressure on the offence.

Oliver Kapanen gets the opening, with Caufield and Slafkovsky expected to see time on the first power play. Jacob Fowler has also been a bright spot with three wins in four appearances, and Mike Matheson is returning on the blue line. The Canadiens need wins fast, because the Atlantic isn’t showing much mercy.

Nick Suzuki’s Injury Opens the Door for Oliver Kapanen to Take Over

Why Did Sunny Mehta Trade for Hellebuyck After Saying Goalies Aren’t Worth It?

Devils GM Sunny Mehta said when he took the job that he was reluctant to spend big assets on goaltending because the position is so unpredictable. Then New Jersey landed Connor Hellebuyck, committing $8.5 million a season and sending out Dawson Mercer, Nico Daws, Alexander Command, Nick Bjugstad and two draft picks. The argument is that Mehta isn’t dropping his beliefs, just taking a calculated risk on a goalie with Hellebuyck’s track record, even after his worst NHL season and a strong Olympics.

The bigger idea is that the move shows New Jersey is going all in, which could make it more attractive to stars like Dylan Larkin and Quinn Hughes. Larkin reportedly added the Devils to his trade list, and Hughes has been linked to joining his brothers there. There’s no evidence of a coordinated plan to land all three, so that part is speculation.

Why Hellebuyck? Devils’ GM Walked Back Bold Take on Expensive Goalies

Sunny Mehta Devils trade Hellebuyck — Sunny Mehta’s Devils trade for Hellebuyck

Did Zach Hyman Just Sell a Penalty, Then Wink About It?

Hurricanes fans are fuming at Zach Hyman after Edmonton’s 6-5 shootout win. Sean Walker cross-checked Hyman from behind while he was already falling. Hyman hit the ice looking hurt, and once the whistle blew and Walker went to the box, Hyman looked up, grinned and winked. An angry Walker clearly felt conned, and fans are split on whether it was embellishment or Hyman making sure the refs saw a real penalty.

Either way, Walker deserves some of the blame, since it was a clear cross-check in a tied game when Carolina’s penalty kill had already given up three power-play goals. The wink became a side story in a game that felt like a playoff battle, with McDavid and Draisaitl each putting up five points. Edmonton improved to 8-1-1, and its power play has climbed to 31% since Hyman’s return.

Hyman’s Viral Wink Steals the Show in Oilers’ Shootout Win