Edmonton Oilers

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Kings, Jets, Oilers & Maple Leafs

The Hellebuyck standoff takes a surprising turn, Edmonton makes a quiet swap, and McKenna’s first NHL goal comes with a funny family story.

by
Old Prof
October 7, 2026

In today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap for October 7, 2026, the trade season is heating up around the league. Today’s roundup has a surprise team creeping into the Hellebuyck sweepstakes. Edmonton and Pittsburgh made a trade that fits both rosters. And Gavin McKenna’s first NHL goal came with a funny story about who wasn’t there to see it.

NHL Trade Talk Recap Feb 8 — NHL Trade Talk Recap October 7, 2026

Could the Kings Be the Surprise Team in the Hellebuyck Sweepstakes?

The Hellebuyck standoff is still dragging on with no real movement, and according to David Pagnotta, the early favourites were Buffalo, Utah and Carolina, while San Jose looks like it’ll take a more patient approach. Now he’s wondering about a left-field team, the Los Angeles Kings, since there are some internal questions about whether Darcy Kuemper can handle a full season. Pagnotta figures Laferriere would likely be part of any package, and Carolina’s Alexander Nikishin could even get worked in if a three-team deal came together.

The idea has a couple of big problems, though. The Kings don’t look like an obvious contender, and Hellebuyck wants to win. So it’s fair to wonder if he’d waive his no-move to go there. Winnipeg also isn’t under any pressure to rush, since Skinner and Stevenson are holding down the crease, which means the Jets can let Hellebuyck sweat it out for a while.

Insider Claims Left-Field Team Suddenly in Trade Mix on Hellebuyck

Oilers Swap an Extra Defenceman for Forward Help in a Quiet Trade With Pittsburgh

Edmonton sent defenceman Spencer Stastney to Pittsburgh for forward Filip Hallander, a practical depth move rather than the splashy one fans were guessing at. The Oilers had been running eight defencemen, Stastney hadn’t played a game this season, and injuries have left their forward group thin. Hallander is a 6’2″ forward who makes less money, and he had a strong season opener with Pittsburgh (a goal, two assists and a +4). He should get a real shot at sticking in Edmonton’s bottom six.

Pittsburgh gets something out of it too. Their defence got a little thin after Declan Carlile moved up the lineup alongside Erik Karlsson, and Stastney gives them another left-shot option. He’ll probably be their No. 7, which beats being stuck as Edmonton’s No. 8. The bigger names like Poitras, Dach and Kent Johnson could still be in play, but for now this is a tidy move that makes sense for both sides.

Oilers Acquire Filip Hallander from Penguins for Spencer Stastney

McKenna’s Parents Missed His First NHL Goal — And He’s Got a Joke About It

Gavin McKenna finally broke through Tuesday night with his first NHL point and first NHL goal, and the funniest part is who wasn’t in the building. His parents had flown back home to Whitehorse after watching him go pointless in his first three games, so they caught the 5-4 overtime win over Nashville on TV instead. McKenna grinned about it afterward and joked they might have to stay home from now on. He also said he’s glad they’re proud of him and that he wouldn’t be here without them.

His teammates clearly enjoyed the moment too. Nylander called the goal a bullet, top shelf, and Matthews said McKenna is comfortable in the room and predicted he’ll go on a tear now that he’s got the first one out of the way. McKenna says he’s leaning on the veterans, living with Tavares and even having a sleepover at Matthews’ place, which he joked should become a weekly thing. Not a bad way to get the monkey off his back.

Gavin McKenna Takes Friendly Jab at Family Following Big Night