The latest NHL News today has delivered something much more interesting than a routine late-August rumor cycle. Connor Hellebuyck remains one of the biggest names to watch on the trade market, but Winnipeg Jets captain Adam Lowry just poured some cold water on the idea that a deal is inevitable. Lowry says he expects Hellebuyck to report to training camp, even though general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff acknowledged earlier this summer that Winnipeg was listening to trade offers.
At the same time, the Colorado Avalanche appear to be making progress on the most important contract negotiation in hockey. Joe Sakic said Monday that dialogue with Cale Makar remains strong and that he is confident Colorado’s franchise defenseman will be signed before the season begins. Meanwhile, Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid have resurfaced in the NHL rumor mill, although the substance behind those stories is dramatically different from the situation unfolding in Winnipeg.
Latest NHL News and Rumors for August 24, 2026
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Watch Gets an Important Update
The most consequential piece of NHL news Monday comes out of Winnipeg.
Sportsnet reported that Lowry expects Hellebuyck to be back when training camp opens. His message was straightforward: “I expect him to come to camp.” Lowry also stressed that until something actually happens, Hellebuyck remains a Jet.
That matters because this isn’t a rumor created entirely from speculation. Cheveldayoff publicly confirmed in June that Winnipeg was listening to offers for Hellebuyck. The 33-year-old has five seasons remaining on his seven-year, $59.5-million contract at an $8.5-million AAV and owns a full no-movement clause. Sportsnet also reported that trade discussions have included the Buffalo Sabres.
Hellebuyck’s complicated value is what makes this story so fascinating. He is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and helped the United States capture Olympic gold, but he finished last season 23-23-11 with a 2.86 goals-against average and .895 save percentage. One difficult NHL season doesn’t erase his résumé, but it does affect what another general manager should be willing to surrender for a goalie entering his mid-30s with substantial term remaining.
My read: Lowry’s comments don’t disprove the earlier Hellebuyck trade reports. They actually clarify them. Winnipeg has listened, but no transaction has reached the stage where teammates should prepare for life without him. Unless Cheveldayoff receives a package that helps reshape the Jets immediately, bringing Hellebuyck to camp remains perfectly logical.
NHLTradeRumor.com Hellebuyck Trade Value Model
For context, the 2026-27 NHL salary cap is $104 million. Hellebuyck’s $8.5-million hit therefore occupies approximately 8.17 percent of the ceiling. Cale Makar’s existing $9-million hit represents roughly 8.65 percent. Those percentages are NHLTradeRumor.com calculations based on the reported contracts and current cap ceiling.
Cale Makar Contract Talks Are Getting Serious
Colorado’s situation is different because the Avalanche are trying to prevent their superstar from ever reaching the open market.
Sakic said Monday that Colorado and Makar’s camp “continue talking” and that he is confident an extension will be completed before the season. Makar currently carries a $9-million cap hit and can become an unrestricted free agent following 2026-27.
The calendar adds urgency. Under the new CBA, Makar can sign for as many as eight years through September 15. After that date, the maximum term for a player re-signing with his current club falls to seven years.
Makar is coming off 20 goals and 79 points in 75 games. At 27, this isn’t simply another extension for Colorado, it is potentially the contract that defines the next phase of the franchise.
My expectation remains that this gets done. Colorado has every incentive to maximize term, and Makar has every incentive to use the rising salary cap and his status as one of hockey’s premier defensemen to establish a new benchmark.
Sidney Crosby and Connor McDavid Rumors Need Context
Monday also brought the names guaranteed to dominate any NHL rumor conversation: Crosby and McDavid.
The Hockey News examined renewed speculation that Crosby could eventually tire of Pittsburgh’s roster transition and consider a move, potentially even Montreal. But the same report emphasized that previous reporting has Crosby’s camp expected to discuss another short-term Penguins extension after the summer. There is currently no reported Crosby trade request.
McDavid’s story is even more hypothetical. NHL Network’s E.J. Hradek discussed Philadelphia, Detroit and the New York Rangers as possible future destinations if McDavid eventually decided to leave Edmonton, but McDavid is only entering the first season of his current two-year extension.
That distinction is critical.
Crosby and McDavid make terrific NHL trade rumor headlines, but neither story should currently be presented with the same urgency as Hellebuyck.
And McDavid certainly isn’t showing signs of slipping on the ice. NHL Network’s rankings released Monday placed him No. 1 among NHL centers, ahead of Nathan MacKinnon and Macklin Celebrini. McDavid produced 138 points last season, while MacKinnon finished with 127 and Celebrini exploded for 115. Crosby was still ranked seventh at age 39.
Seattle Kraken Could Be a Sneaky Team to Watch
NHL.com’s 32-in-32 series also turned its focus to Seattle on Monday.
The Kraken finished 34-37-11 last season after an extended late-season collapse ended their playoff hopes. Seattle ranked 28th offensively at 2.73 goals per game, but management is betting on improvement from Bobby McMann, Mackie Samoskevich, Berkly Catton and a healthier Jared McCann rather than tearing apart the roster.
Samoskevich is especially interesting. Seattle paid a significant acquisition price and should give the 23-year-old considerably more opportunity than he received in Florida.
From a fantasy and roster-building perspective, Seattle is one of the NHL teams I will be watching closely in September. There may not be one superstar driving the offense, but the Kraken could have enough speed and depth to stay in the Western Conference playoff race if their young forwards take another step.
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The post NHL News Today: Hellebuyck Trade Update, Makar Contract Talks and Crosby Rumors appeared first on NHL Trade Rumors.
