NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Hurricanes, Canucks & Penguins

Today’s roundup (October 22, 2026) mixes good news with trade intrigue. Mike Babcock admitted Isaac Howard got shortchanged on ice time. And he had a good talk with the young winger about it. Elliotte Friedman revealed that Carolina was just as close to landing Elias Pettersson on the night it got Mikko Rantanen, and the Canucks reportedly fell short. And there’s a relief for the Penguins, as Ben Kindel’s scary collapse on the team plane turned out to be a vasovagal episode.

Babcock Admits Isaac Howard Got Shortchanged on Minutes

Mike Babcock said Isaac Howard deserved more ice time than he got in the Oilers’ last game, and that he talked to the young winger about it. His message was that you never let a coach be mentally tougher than you. And that you decide where you’re going. Babcock also called Howard a good player who’s going to be a really good one, pointing to a shot off the bar and a nice play in the slot.

Howard’s job is getting harder as Edmonton’s lineup gets healthier, with Nugent-Hopkins coming back Thursday and Hyman already returned. Babcock says “if they’re good enough, they’ll play.” Howard is still in the lineup on the fourth line with Dach and Frederic. He also has real trade value, so his name will keep coming up in upgrade rumours if he can’t find a bigger role.

Babcock Says He Had “Good Talk” with Oilers Forward After Losing Ice Time

Carolina Was Just as Close to Landing Pettersson Before the Rantanen Deal

Elliotte Friedman says the night Carolina landed Mikko Rantanen, the Hurricanes also had a deal in play with Vancouver for Elias Pettersson. He was convinced the Pettersson trade would get done first. Carolina told both teams it was time and asked for their best offer. Colorado delivered, and Vancouver reportedly didn’t, so the Hurricanes went with Rantanen.

Friedman’s bigger point is about how GM Eric Tulsky works. When Carolina says it’s time to deal, teams had better be ready. He brought the story up while talking about Carolina’s pursuit of Connor Hellebuyck. So the question now is whether Winnipeg and the other interested teams have learned from the Canucks’ mistake.

Canucks Were Told “It’s Time” and Reportedly Fell Short on an Elias Pettersson Deal

Ben Kindel Is Back in Pittsburgh After Scary Plane Incident

The Penguins say Ben Kindel’s collapse on the team plane has been diagnosed as a vasovagal episode, a temporary loss of consciousness caused by a sudden drop in heart rate and blood pressure. Kyle Dubas said he regained consciousness after getting oxygen, which is why the plane landed back in Salt Lake City, and he was cleared to fly home to Pittsburgh.

He’s back at the rink for treatment and more testing, and the team is putting him on injured reserve. Dubas said they’ll follow very strict guidelines for his return to training and play, because his health comes first. He has two goals and two assists in nine games this season.

Penguins Offer Update on Ben Kindel’s Health Following Scary Plane Incident

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