Columbus Blue Jackets

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Oilers, Maple Leafs & Blue Jackets Issue

Today’s NHL Trade Talk covers Babcock’s tough love, Bobrovsky’s impact, and three big questions facing Columbus.

by
Old Prof
September 21, 2026

Today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap for September 21, 2026, finds training camp officially in full swing, and there’s a lot to sort through. Edmonton’s testing out some tough love early. Toronto might’ve stumbled into more than they bargained for with their new goalie. And Columbus is staring down not one but three uncertain futures with its core pieces.

NHL Recap April 15 — NHL Recap September 21, 2026

Babcock Called Out Practice — And McDavid’s Totally Fine With It

After a rough Monday practice, Babcock didn’t sugarcoat it. He said he didn’t like the pace, the compete level, or how the team was taking in instruction. McDavid’s response? Basically, bring it on. He said the high standard is exactly what he loves and supports, and if the coach wasn’t happy with practice, that’s fair; the team just needs to be better the next day.

This is really the dynamic McDavid and the leadership group asked for when they pushed for Babcock in the first place. He made it clear the players are fully bought into letting Babcock coach his way, unless he genuinely steps out of line. But he wasn’t. With Tuesday’s skate being the last one before a preseason rematch in Winnipeg, all eyes will be on whether Edmonton actually responds to the blunt feedback the way McDavid says they will.

“We’ll Be Better”: Babcock Calls Out Oilers Practice, McDavid Responds

The Maple Leafs Might’ve Gotten More Than Just a Goalie in Bobrovsky

Signing 38-year-old Sergei Bobrovsky was already a real gamble. His age and the sheer number of games on his body are an issue. Last season, his save percentage dipped to .877 in Florida. But according to Elliotte Friedman, Toronto might be getting something they didn’t even fully bargain for. Bobrovsky is a genuine leadership presence in the room. Friedman says Bobrovsky’s already become one of the biggest voices on the team, someone teammates genuinely lock in on when he speaks, which is exactly the kind of veteran influence Toronto’s been missing since the captaincy shifted away from Tavares.

Of course, none of that matters much if he can’t actually stop pucks. Preseason hasn’t been a great early sign, with Toronto dropping both games to Montreal, and neither Bobrovsky nor Stolarz escaping the weekend without being scored on. But preseason results are basically meaningless until the real games start on September 29th. If Bobrovsky can stay healthy and perform close to his championship-tested best, this move could end up looking like a steal, not just for what he brings on the ice, but for what he’s apparently already bringing to the locker room.

When Bobrovsky Talks, “Mountains Move”: Leafs May Have Found Their Missing Voice

Columbus Has Three Core Pieces — And None of Them Are Fully Committed

Turns out Columbus has more than one uncertain star situation. Adam Fantilli’s still holding out of camp, waiting on a contract extension he sees as fair. Kirill Marchenko won’t commit to staying past his current deal. Now even reigning Norris winner Zach Werenski, who seemed like he’d quietly decided to stay, apparently isn’t fully locked in either. According to insider Frank Seravalli, Werenski’s internal stance hasn’t actually changed, and if the Blue Jackets forced him to answer today, they wouldn’t love what they’d hear.

The good news for Columbus is that Werenski genuinely wants to stay. He just needs real reasons to believe it’s worth it. And that likely depends on what happens with the other two. If Fantilli and Marchenko both walk and the team struggles again, Werenski sticking around becomes much less likely. If Columbus can keep its young core together and actually be competitive, that changes the whole calculation. Right now, all three situations remain very much unresolved heading into the season.

Insider Says Blue Jackets Aren’t Loving Latest Update on Zach Werenski