NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Oilers & Jets’ Hurried Move

In today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap (October 26, 2026), the Maple Leafs GM says Sergei Bobrovsky is just a slow starter, but not everyone’s buying it. The Oilers are 8-2-1, yet the numbers have people saying it’s time to split up McDavid and Draisaitl. And Elliotte Friedman thinks the Jets traded Connor Hellebuyck before he had the chance to start talking.

Maple Leafs GM Says Bobrovsky Is Just a Slow Starter, Not a Problem

Sergei Bobrovsky is projected to start in Calgary tonight, and he’s got a 3.10 GAA and .895 save percentage through eight games in Toronto. GM John Chayka isn’t worried, saying Bobrovsky has always been a slow starter and was brought in to be “a rock” when the pressure ramps up in the playoffs. The Leafs are also staying flexible on how they split starts with Anthony Stolarz, and they’ve got Artur Akhtyamov on the Marlies if needed.

Not everyone’s buying it, though. Nick Kypreos and Justin Bourne both think Stolarz has been the better goalie so far, which could mean a tough decision come playoff time. Still, if the Leafs keep winning even when Bobrovsky isn’t at his best, having Stolarz humming and Bobrovsky improving is a pretty good problem to have.

Are the Maple Leafs Already Making Excuses for Bobrovsky?

Oilers Are 8-2-1, But the Numbers Say It’s Time to Split Up McDavid and Draisaitl

The Oilers have their best start in years, but trouble is hiding under the hood. When the two superstars sit, the team has scored only 7 goals while giving up 18, and a sky-high 105.1 PDO says regression could be coming. Losing guys like Hyman, Nugent-Hopkins, Dickinson and Ekholm has made things tougher, and the Maple Leafs’ game pretty much exposed the bottom six.

The idea here is that putting your two best centers on the same line leaves the rest of the lineup getting buried. Splitting them up would spread the elite talent around and help the depth guys, even if it makes the top line a little less scary. It’s a tough call, but the writer thinks Edmonton shouldn’t wait long to make the change.

The Oilers Are Winning, But One Dangerous Problem Should Force McDavid and Draisaitl Apart

Jets Reportedly Traded Hellebuyck Before He Could Start Talking

Elliotte Friedman thinks Winnipeg moved Connor Hellebuyck partly because the Jets feared a public feud. His suspension ended Friday, and he was about to head to Winnipeg for a physical, which likely would’ve put him in front of the media. Friedman figures that if Hellebuyck spoke, the gloves would’ve come off and the Jets would’ve fired back, and nobody, especially the players, wanted that.

Now that he’s in New Jersey, Hellebuyck has said he has plenty to say but is waiting, so there’s clearly still something on his chest. The Devils might try to get him to let it go, but he may not listen. His debut could come Tuesday in Dallas or Wednesday in Colorado, and the big date to circle is November 10, when he goes back to Winnipeg.

Jets Reportedly Traded Hellebuyck to Avoid Him Going Public… But With What?

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