Around the Hockey World — Friday, October 23

21 items · updated 6:24 PM

Top stories

• Winnipeg Jets Trade Connor Hellebuyck To New Jersey Devils In Blockbuster Five-Player Trade — The Hockey News11:37 AM
  Excerpt

  The Winnipeg Jets have traded Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils in exchange for goaltender Nico Daws, forwards Nick Bjugstad and Dawson Mercer, prospect Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick, the Jets announced.

News

• Stanley Cup odds: Devils' odds shorten after blockbuster trade — ESPN3:51 PM
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  The New Jersey Devils are among the Eastern Conference favorites after trading for Connor Hellebuyck.

• NHL Rumor Roundup: More Speculation About Travis Konecny, The Latest On The Blue Jackets — The Hockey News2:23 PM
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  Trade rumors continue to swirl around Travis Konecny despite the Philadelphia Flyers' recent improvement, while the Columbus Blue Jackets' early-season struggles could resurrect some of the trade speculation that dogged them during the off-season.

• Canadiens’ Mike Matheson to return vs. Blackhawks — Sportsnet1:54 PM
  Excerpt

  Mike Matheson will return to the lineup on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks, per Sportsnet's Eric Engels. The defenceman has missed the past four games with a lower-body injury. Prior to his injury, Matheson led the team in time on ice and had one assist over five games played.

• Red Wings, not Larkin, should be vilified for trade request — Daily Faceoff1:36 PM
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  It’s been about four months since the news went public that the former captain of the Detroit Red Wings , Dylan Larkin, had requested a trade away from the organization that picked him in the first round of the 2014 NHL Draft.

• Oilers’ dynamic duo dominated against reigning Cup champs — Daily Faceoff1:36 PM
  Excerpt

  The dynamic duo had a combined 10 points in the Oilers’ 6-5 shootout win over the Carolina Hurricanes Thursday night, a game that saw the two former Hart Trophy winners go toe-to-toe with the defending Stanley Cup champions.

• Ice Chips: Maple Leafs’ Tavares, Tanev still week-to-week; McWard, Mermis recalled to help blueline — TSN12:31 PM
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  Chris Tanev is travelling with the Leafs today, but still considered week-to-week New dad John Tavares not travelling … also still week-to-week (we haven’t seen him on the ice since injury) @TSNSports https://t.co/UaC3m3fpZ8

• Capitals D Desharnais out 4-6 weeks following appendectomy surgery — TSN
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  NHL.com
  12:14 PM
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  Washington Capitals defenceman Vincent Desharnais is expected to miss 4-6 weeks after undergoing a successful appendectomy surgery on Thursday. The 30-year-old, who is in this first season with the Caps, has three assists over nine games in 2026-27.

• NHL Rumor Mill – October 23, 2026 — Lyle Richardson of Spector's Hockey10:21 AM
  Excerpt

  In today’s NHL Rumor Mill: Red Wings center Dylan Larkin remains linked to the Canadiens, plus the latest on Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck , Hurricanes defenseman Alexander Nikishin , and Blue Jackets winger Dmitri Voronkov.

• Insider Trading: Could Hellebuyck’s status be delayed through the weekend? — TSN8:48 AM
  Excerpt

  James Duthie is joined by TSN Hockey Insiders Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun, and Darren Dreger to discuss the latest trade speculation on Connor Hellebuyck , Dylan Larkin , and Alexander Nikishin , what the Pittsburgh Penguins may do if their season goes south, and more on Insider Trading.

• NHL, Jets make $150,000 donation to create girls-only Learn to Play program — NHL.com8:44 AM
  Excerpt

  In celebration of the 2026 Tim Hortons NHL Heritage Classic™ between the Winnipeg Jets and Montréal Canadiens at Princess Auto Stadium on Oct. 25, 2026, the announcement includes $150,000 to establish and support a girls-only Learn to Play program with the Winnipeg Jets, as well as a $30,000 grant from the NHL/NHLPA Industry Growth Fund and support for the second annual Women’s Hockey Advancement

Columns

• How Hellebuyck trade could impact Larkin, Hughes — Sportsnet6:24 PM
• What are the Jets getting in Alexander Command? — Daily Faceoff1:36 PM
  Excerpt

  So, what are the Jets getting in forward Alexander Command, the prospect included in the deal? Command entered the 2026 NHL Draft as one of the safest center options available. A tag like that can sound concerning to some fans, as “safe” picks often lack high-end upside. But many scouting departments see things differently. They prioritize reliable players with a clear developmental trajectory to

• Why NHL save percentages continue to decline despite goalies getting better — Sportsnet12:15 PM
  Excerpt

  One thing we can be sure of when evaluating the evolution of NHL hockey is: nobody’s getting less talented. Fourth-line “grinders” have hands that rival your average skill player from the '80s, speed keeps ramping up each year, and goalies keep getting savvier and more athletic.

• The Hockey News Morning Skate: Connor McDavid Cannot Be Stopped, Stecher Steps Up For Maple Leafs — The Hockey News11:38 AM
  Excerpt

  In this edition of The Hockey News Morning Skate, Eric Cruikshank and Michael Traikos break down Connor McDavid's incredible five-point game against the Carolina Hurricanes and the Toronto Maple Leafs' depth stepping up in a win over the New York Rangers.