Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet joined NHL Tonight with Mike Rupp, Stu Grimson, and Jamison Coyle on NHL Network, following NHL Free Agency and was asked what will happen with Zach Werenski, Jason Robertson, Dylan Larkin, and Connor Hellebuyck moving forward.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Jamison Coyle: “Elliotte. Werenski, Robertson, Larkin, Hellebuyck, the big names, possible fireworks on this . Where do we stand on those names, and what might you be hearing?”
Elliotte Friedman: “Well, Werenski, I think there was a bit of a timeout call . was a very emotional day, vetoing the trade to Dallas. I think was about, okay, let’s tone this all down and let’s get everything back on track, and I think that’s what was about. We’ll see how that develops over the summer.
I think there were a lot of hard feelings , a lot. The organization, the player, Dallas, I think everybody was really upset at what transpired. And to me was about let’s just calm it down and we’ll see where we are as this progresses.
Robertson, I still think there’s a gap between the Stars. Like, I think he wants to stay there. I still think there’s a gap between the Stars and the player. We’ll see how that develops, but look they were worried about Mavrik Bourque getting offer sheeted , so they made the trade with Nashville before they could, before that could happen, and they freed up some cap space. Look, Dallas has been aggressive. I don’t expect that to change.
I think with Larkin, I think what Steve Yzerman said after the draft basically was, I’m not making a bad deal. If you want me to make a deal, get serious with your offers.
And Hellebuyck. I don’t know. Like some of the Buffalo guys, like, for example, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was rumoured in the deal, he’s got new trade protection now, right? So, like, it’s so funny, like, with Buffalo, and I think Hellebuyck was willing to go there.
I thought it was close. I had people say to me, ‘You were wrong, it wasn’t that close. Had people call me and say, ‘No, you’re wrong again; it was pretty close.’ I think the biggest issue there in that deal was, obviously, that the fourth pick was going to go to Winnipeg, and Winnipeg had the eighth pick, and Buffalo wanted that return, and Winnipeg was like, no, we’d like to keep that one too.
And I think that was one of the biggest reasons that one fell off. I still think we’re going to see Hellebuyck get moved. They got a good insurance policy today in Stuart Skinner, but I don’t think we’ve heard the end of that one yet.”
NHLRumors.com Note: The Columbus Blue Jackets and Zach Werenski calmed the waters somewhat by issuing statements following the vetoing of the trade that would have sent Thomas Harley back to Columbus from Dallas. However, getting everyone on the same page and in a room to work things out is the best course until a trade can happen. Hard to rush a trade given the limited trade partners.
Zach Werenski Staying in Columbus Now?
The Jason Robertson watch remains on. It will be interesting if he gets an offer sheet. Detroit Red Wings GM Steve Yzerman will get the price he wants or hold the asset until the beginning of the season.
As Connor Hellebuyck, you have to wonder whether he will be the Winnipeg Jets’ starting goalie by the end of September. Feels like that trade watch is still on.
We had to restart our X account. Please follow @MyNHLRumorsX
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and hot topics from around the league. We’re also posting some stuff on Instagram.
If you love our reporting, choose NHLrumors.com as a preferred source on Google.
