With the start of the 2026-27 NHL season just a week away, theScore's Kyle Cushman, Sean O'Leary, and Josh Wegman discuss some of the hottest topics around the league.
Who will get traded first: Larkin or Hellebuyck?
Dylan Larkin: The relationship between Hellebuyck and the Jets might be more damaged than the one between Larkin and the Red Wings, but there's simply a bigger market for a top-line center in his prime than a high-priced goalie. The Minnesota Wild, reportedly one of three teams on Larkin's list of acceptable destinations, should be desperate to add a center of Larkin's caliber - more desperate than any team should be to add a 33-year-old goaltender coming off a down year. - Wegman
Connor Hellebuyck: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff conceded there isn't a strong trade market for Hellebuyck right now, but the pressure to make a move will presumably intensify once the netminder starts forfeiting salary come the start of the regular season. With Hellebuyck missing training camp, it may be in potential suitors' best interest to pony up sooner rather than later so their new No. 1 netminder can get up to game speed. - O'Leary
Hellebuyck: One player is in camp; the other is suspended by his team. Trading a goaltender is trickier than trading a first-line center, but Larkin is at least playing ball with the Red Wings, and ownership has said he could be in Detroit all season. The Hellebuyck situation needs a quicker resolution. - Cushman
Predict Quinn Hughes' future
Signs 3-year extension in October: The noise around Hughes leaving the Wild to join his brothers with the New Jersey Devils will only grow louder the longer he goes without an extension. But if Hughes was truly intent on leaving the Wild after this season, I think he would've had the decency to tell the team so it could trade him. A three-year extension, which would make him an unrestricted free agent the same year as Jack, always made the most sense. I predict the AAV will come in at $19.5 million. - Wegman
Traded to Devils: Let's get crazy. Similar to the way Hughes' tenure in Vancouver ended, I'm imagining the noise around his future becomes a distraction for the Wild, and they struggle to assert themselves in the competitive Central Division. Meanwhile, as the Devils enjoy the cushy Metropolitan, new general manager Sunny Mehta galvanizes his team and fan base by making an in-season move to unite the three Hughes brothers. - O'Leary
Signs with Devils on July 1: The Wild have frankly been an irrelevant team for much of their history. Minnesota is a Stanley Cup contender with Hughes. General manager Bill Guerin elects to keep the pending UFA all season rather than trying to recoup assets. No team will give up enough to make a trade worthwhile for the Wild given how much it would decrease Minnesota's chances of winning the Cup. Hughes plays out the season in Minnesota, then joins his brothers in New Jersey by signing a three-year, $60-million pact as a free agent. - Cushman
Which team had the worst offseason?
Red Wings: Going without a head of hockey operations for two months is inexcusable at this level of professional sports. Did Chris Ilitch forget he has a hockey team to run? Was he too focused on the Detroit Tigers and trading Tarik Skubal? Shawn Horcoff was finally named interim GM last week, but the franchise could've done that within a week of Steve Yzerman stepping down. By not having anyone in charge for two months, the Red Wings missed a glorious opportunity to sign cornerstone defenseman Simon Edvinsson to an eight-year deal before last week's deadline. - Wegman
Ducks: Anaheim's time as a contender in the West may be short-lived, as the Ducks' objectively horrible offseason may only be saved by playing in the Pacific Division. The Philadelphia Flyers strong-arming the Ducks into paying Leo Carlsson $18 million per season is far from the low point for GM Pat Verbeek; the club lost four of its six starting defensemen and had to cut Chris Kreider, who was fourth on the team in goals last season, due to poor cap management. July 1 feels like a lifetime ago, but the Ducks handed out questionable contracts to bottom-six forwards, and they desperately lack depth behind their young core. Anaheim still has some promising pieces, but based on all the key departures, a drop in the standings shouldn't come as a surprise. - O'Leary
Blue Jackets: Adam Fantilli remains unsigned. Kirill Marchenko plays hockey but won't talk about where he'll be doing that in the future. Zach Werenski was almost traded and then needed to clarify that he actually doesn't want out - at least not yet. Columbus has mishandled its most important players by taking a passive, overly conservative approach. It's a matter of time before Marchenko is out the door, which will put even more pressure on Werenski's future. - Cushman
Which player on a new team are you most excited to watch?
Bowen Byram: Between Cale Makar and Rasmus Dahlin, Byram has played alongside some world-class defensemen in his career, but he's never gotten a chance to be The Guy. That will change in Chicago, where Byram will be the undisputed No. 1 defenseman and run the top power play. A lot of critics think the 2019 No. 4 pick is incapable of handling such a role and the Blackhawks surrendered too much to acquire him, but I'm fascinated to see how it plays out. Although I agree that the price was too steep, I also think Byram, who's still just 25, is capable of much more than he's shown thus far. - Wegman
Patrick Kane: While it may not technically be a new team for Kane, we're looking forward to watching him suit up in the Windy City again. Some viewed the Blackhawks bringing back the franchise icon as a nostalgia play, but even at 37, he's one of Chicago's most talented forwards, and he should be able to create plenty of scoring opportunities for Connor Bedard (once the new captain is healthy). Kane produced electrifying moments for 16 years in his first stint as a Blackhawk. By all accounts, he's motivated to help the club return to relevance after too many years at the bottom of the NHL standings. - O'Leary
Darren Raddysh: The Maple Leafs finally got a first-pairing right-handed defenseman. Or at least they hope so. Raddysh had a massive breakout in Tampa Bay with 22 goals and 70 points, showcasing his rocket of a shot with regularity. He's also a 30-year-old who's logged a single NHL season as a No. 1 blue-liner and wasn't an NHL regular before 2023. Raddysh could be a huge difference-maker for Toronto - or the latest free-agent bust for a franchise that's seen quite a few. I expect the former result, but either way, it'll be thrilling to watch. - Cushman
