NHL Trade Talk Recap: Jets, Kraken, Oilers & Cap Space

In today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap (July 4, 2026), NHL GMs are busy. Three teams in particular are basically working the phones right now. The Jets are keeping things quiet around Connor Hellebuyck even after adding Stuart Skinner. The Kraken are reportedly preparing to give Shane Wright a fresh start. And the Oilers have some cap room available to acquire a veteran winger like Vladimir Tarasenko. All three stories remain up in the air, with nothing is fully locked in yet, but the wheels still turn.

Jets GM Stays Quiet on Hellebuyck, Skinner Steps In Anyway

Connor Hellebuyck is still the headline over Winnipeg, but GM Kevin Cheveldayoff isn’t really saying much about whether a trade is even on the table. One thing is clear: signing Stuart Skinner doesn’t change the Jets’ plans for Hellebuyck.

That kind of tight-lipped approach usually means they want to keep options open without turning it into a full trade circus. And while Skinner gets added, the silence and the trade chatter suggest Winnipeg is still sorting out what they want to do with Hellebuyck behind the scenes.

Why the Jets’ Goalie Situation Is Far From Being Settled

Shane Wright Reportedly Headed Out of Seattle This Summer

Shane Wright’s time with the Kraken is apparently ending. Elliotte Friedman reports Seattle has agreed to trade the young center this summer, and Wright’s agent Kurt Overhardt confirmed they’ve had “positive conversations” with GM Jason Botterill about moving him to a team that needs a top young center.

Seattle hasn’t commented, but the trade talk has been building for months after Wright’s production dipped this past season. Teams like the Flyers and Rangers were mentioned earlier. The big question now is who lands him and what Seattle will demand in return.

Kraken Agree to Trade Shane Wright to a Team in Need of a Young Center

Oilers Have Cap Space—Could Tarasenko Be the Move?

The Edmonton Oilers have a little over $7.25 million in cap space right now, and you can pretty much assume they’ll spend it. That’s especially true with Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl’s contract situations becoming more urgent.

Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman even floated the idea of Edmonton taking a look at Vladimir Tarasenko, who’s a free-agent winger after a productive year (47 points in 75 games) in Minnesota. It sounds like Tarasenko could still help as a top-nine/top-six type option. But the Oilers won’t be the only team interested.

Insider Connects Oilers to Veteran Free-Agent Winger

Today’s Posts:

How Offer Sheets Work—and Why Canadian Teams Can’t Ignore Them
Is the Door Still Open on Claude Giroux to Edmonton?
Maple Leafs Sign Emil Andrae: Next Moves to Get Under the Salary Cap