NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Oilers & Canucks Trade Chip

Today’s NHL Trade Talk roundup (November 6, 2026) is fun. Toronto fans are floating an eight-asset package for Dallas defenceman Thomas Harley, though most voters say it’s a non-starter. Edmonton’s Vasily Podkolzin got hit with a “one-man fight” penalty that has everyone asking what the rulebook actually says. And Vancouver’s Drew O’Connor is being floated as a trade chip for contenders, even though he’s off to a slow start. Let’s get into it.

Fans Pitch a Big Trade for Stars D Thomas Harley, and Most Say No Way

A fan-submitted PuckGM trade has Toronto sending Jake McCabe, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, Dakota Joshua, prospect T. Koblar, Brendan Brisson, two first-round picks (2027 and 2029) and a 2028 second to Dallas for Thomas Harley and his $10.6 million cap hit. There’s no report that Harley is actually available. However, his name came up this summer when Zach Werenski might have been moved. The idea is to trade depth for one high-end defenceman, since Toronto wants a difference-maker on the back end.

The community mostly hated it, with 87 percent of voters rejecting it and the site’s “Who Says No?” tool saying Dallas GM Jim Nill would turn it down. Dallas would be giving up a cornerstone defenceman for a pile of depth pieces, and it’s worth remembering this is just a fan exercise, not real talks. Several of the Toronto names also have no-trade or modified no-trade clauses, so even multiple firsts might not be enough.

Would the Maple Leafs Pay 8-Asset Trade Price for Thomas Harley?

A “One-Man Fight”? The Podkolzin Penalty Has Fans Asking What the Rulebook Even Says

After Connor McDavid was driven into the net, Ducks defenceman Drew Helleson exchanged words with him. Vasily Podkolzin stepped in and fought Helleson. Officials then called it a “one-man fight.” They gave Podkolzin an instigator, a fighting major and a game misconduct, even though Helleson dropped his gloves and threw punches. That left Edmonton with a five-minute Ducks power play and no Podkolzin for the rest of the game.

The author says this is part of a bigger problem. Nobody seems to know the officiating standard from night to night. The league has a credibility problem when the post-game talk with McDavid, Draisaitl, Gauthier, and Carlsson is about a penalty nobody could explain. The Aggressor Rule under Rule 46 would have made more sense. Fans want consistency from October through the playoffs.

Podkolzin’s ‘One-Man Fight’ Penalty Exposes the NHL’s Biggest Officiating Problem

Could Drew O’Connor Be Vancouver’s Next Trade Chip?

The Fourth Period put Drew O’Connor on its November trade watch list, saying he’s a versatile mid-six forward who’ll draw plenty of interest from contenders. He’s 28 and on an expiring contract. But he has only five points in 18 games and admits he hasn’t done enough of what makes him a good player. The suggestion is that Vancouver can wait until closer to the deadline, when contenders have injuries and might pay more, maybe a return like the two picks Kiefer Sherwood fetched from San Jose last season.

There’s also a case for keeping him. Rebuilding teams need experienced voices to set a standard for young players. And O’Connor could stick around if he’s open to an extension at a reasonable number. For now, the Canucks will likely listen to offers on several veterans, and whether he’s one of them remains to be seen.

Canucks Could Be Sitting on a Surprise Trade Chip Contenders Want

Recent Posts:

Larkin-to-Capitals Trade Pitch Gets Evenly Split Response

Devils Connor Hellebuyck Is Winning. But Something Else Is Changing
Malkin to Submit 3-Team Trade List to Penguins, Interesting Team Likely On It
McDavid’s Scare Reveals Something the Oilers Will Remember
Penguins Could Be Sellers, but One Thing Might Be Complicated
Fans Pile On McDavid for “Whiny” Comments Following Near-Injury Scare