NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Jets, Red Wings & Canadiens

Today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap for October 17, 2026, has three big stories. Trade season is officially heating up, and today’s got three juicy ones. First, Elias Pettersson’s name keeps swirling, but that $11.6 million cap hit is scaring teams off. Next, Connor Hellebuyck could be walking back into Winnipeg’s locker room next week, and nobody seems pumped about it. Then there’s Dylan Larkin, who might be on the move from Detroit, with Montreal fans already begging for him.

Pettersson Trade Buzz Is Real, But the Price Tag Is Holding Everybody Back

Elias Pettersson’s name keeps popping up in trade talk, and with a point-per-game start, the chatter’s only getting louder. According to Rick Dhaliwal, teams have checked in on him at the last two deadlines and the draft. They’re not looking for a 100-point superstar, just a guy who can put up 80-85 points when they’re thin down the middle.

The problem is that $11.6 million cap hit. Dhaliwal says teams would be happy paying more like $8.5 to $9.5 million for that kind of production, so Vancouver would probably have to retain some salary to get a deal done. Until that number comes down, the interest is real, but the price just isn’t right.

Teams Keep Circling Elias Pettersson, Insider on What Canucks Need to Finalize Trade

Hellebuyck Could Be Back in Winnipeg Next Week, And Nobody Seems Thrilled About It

Elliotte Friedman dropped some big news: Connor Hellebuyck’s suspension ends Friday, Oct. 23, which means he could return to the Jets. Emphasis on “might,” because all that’s confirmed is that he’s allowed to rejoin the team. Apparently he told Winnipeg before their season opener that he wanted to end his absence and report, but since he never had permission to skip camp, the Jets used a CBA rule to keep him suspended instead.

The catch is that nothing’s actually fixed. Neither side has changed how they feel, and Friedman says nobody really wants this reunion, not Hellebuyck, not the Jets, not the players, not the fans. A trade could still change things, but if it doesn’t, things are about to get pretty awkward in that Winnipeg locker room.

Connor Hellebuyck Returning to Jets? Things Are Getting Weird in Winnipeg

Larkin Trade Watch: Is Montreal Really in the Mix?

The Dylan Larkin drama keeps heating up, with a couple of new twists. Detroit might not be as ready to move him as it seemed, since Chris Johnston says the Wings haven’t ruled out keeping him, and owner Chris Ilitch publicly said Larkin has his full support “until they’re not a Red Wing.” But Johnston still thinks Larkin wants out, and he might even add Montreal to his list after Habs fans chanted “We want Larkin!” at a recent game.

Montreal isn’t one of his top 10 preferences, though, and Detroit’s asking price is steep: multiple prospects, a top-nine forward, and a first-rounder. Still, John Buccigross says he’s heard a trade is coming within 7 to 10 days, and it’ll include Larkin.

Dylan Larkin Trade Decision Coming Within Days, and Montreal Now in the Mix

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