Calgary Flames

NHL Trade Talk Recap: Red Wings, Maple Leafs, Flames & Canadiens

Edvinsson returns to North America, the Maple Leafs eye Zach Whitecloud, and Montreal’s Dylan Larkin chase gets an intriguing new twist.

by
Old Prof
October 13, 2026

Today’s NHL Trade Talk Recap for October 13, 2026, features three trade storylines heating up today. Each one involves a team that might be closer to making a move than it looks. Simon Edvinsson is heading back to North America, with the Red Wings still hoping to sign him before December. The Maple Leafs are reportedly looking at Calgary’s Zach Whitecloud. And Montreal’s Dylan Larkin chase got a new wrinkle after that Bell Centre chant.

NHL Trade Talk Recap Feb. 23 — NHL Trade Talk Recap Feb 23

Simon Edvinsson Is Heading Back to North America, But Is a Deal Close?

Chris Johnston says Simon Edvinsson has left Sweden and is returning to North America, with a photo of him with his bags packed going around online. It isn’t a sign of a contract breakthrough. He wants to train with a trainer he’s comfortable with, which gets him closer to the NHL and, he hopes, into better game shape. Johnston did say that his return “symbolizes some good things.”

The clock is ticking, though, because Edvinsson has to sign with an NHL team by December 1 if he wants to play this season. Detroit says it wants to sign him and isn’t entertaining a trade, even though several teams have reportedly called interim GM Shawn Horcoff about it. Detroit wants a sizeable return, and some teams can’t get a straight answer from the organization.

Breakthrough on the Contract Front Between Edvinsson and the Red Wings?

Are the Maple Leafs Eyeing Flames Defenceman Zach Whitecloud?

NHL insider David Pagnotta says the Maple Leafs have had “exploratory” talks about Calgary defenceman Zach Whitecloud. He admits he’s not sure they’ve called since Chayka took over, but he knows Toronto had interest last year and would likely be one of the teams to look at him. The Leafs like that Whitecloud has “some jam” to his game, and GMs have been calling the Flames about him ever since they picked him up in the Rasmus Andersson trade.

It fits a Toronto team already looking for help on the back end, and that need could grow with Chris Tanev’s injury. Whitecloud is a 29-year-old Stanley Cup winner with 404 NHL games under his belt, but he’s still pointless in five games with a struggling Flames team. The Flames are listening but haven’t pulled the trigger, so for now this is just a name to watch.

Maple Leafs Exploring Trade for Flames Defenceman with “Jam”

Did the Bell Centre Plant a Seed? Montreal’s Larkin Chase Gets Interesting

Montreal is still hunting for a second-line center behind Nick Suzuki, and Dylan Larkin is believed to be at the top of their wish list. After Habs fans chanted “We want Larkin” at the Bell Centre, Larkin called it the best atmosphere in hockey, and Frank Seravalli wonders if the visit planted a seed that could make him reconsider waiving his no-trade protection. American-born Habs like Chris Kreider and Cole Caufield could help sell him on playing in Montreal.

Even if Larkin says yes, it would cost a lot. Seravalli pointed to Montreal’s earlier offer for Kirill Marchenko, which included two NHL forwards, an NHL defenceman, a first-round pick and a conditional pick, and he thinks Montreal might sweeten it for a bigger need. The catch is that Detroit is a divisional rival and probably doesn’t want to trade him inside the division, so for now the decision rests mostly with Larkin.

Canadiens Reportedly Prepare Massive Trade Package for Dylan Larkin