NHL rumors: Zach Werenski, Jason Robertson, Dylan Larkin, and Connor Hellebuyck

Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman joined NHL Tonight with Mike Rupp, Stu Grimson, and Jamison Coyle on NHL Network, following NHL Free Agency and was asked what will happen to Zach Werenski, Jason Robertson, Dylan Larkin, and Connor Hellebuyck moving forward.

Writing for NHLRumors.com

Jamison Coyle: “Elliotte. Werenski, Robertson, Larkin, Hellebuyck, big names, potentially some explosives this time. Where do we stand on those names, and what are you likely to hear?”

Elliotte Friedman: “Yeah, Werenski, I think there was a timeout call. It was a very emotional, trade-off day in Dallas. I think, okay, let’s put this all down and get everything back on track, and I think that’s what it was about. We’ll see how that goes in the summer.

I think there were many, many hard feelings. The organization, the player, Dallas, I think everybody was really upset about what happened. And for me it would be like let’s calm down and see where we are as this goes on.

2025-26 NHL Trade Tracker

Robertson, I still think there is a gap between the Stars. Like, I think you want to stay there. I still think there is a gap between the Stars and the player. We’ll see how that plays out, but look they were worried that Mavrik Bourque was going to be dealt, so they traded with Nashville before that happened, and they freed up some cap space. Look, Dallas was fierce. I don’t expect that to change.

I think with Larkin, I think Steve Yzerman said after the draft, I’m not making a bad deal. If you want me to make a deal, be serious about your offer.

And Hellebuyck. I don’t know. Like other Buffalo guys, like, for example, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, who was rumored to be in a deal, he has new trade protection now, right? So, like, it’s very funny, like Buffalo, and I think Hellebuyck was willing to go there.

I thought it was close. I had people say to me, ‘You’re wrong, it wasn’t that close. Have people called me and said, ‘No, you’re wrong again; it was close.’ I think the biggest problem there in that deal was, the fourth pick was going to Winnipeg, and Winnipeg had the eighth pick, and Buffalo wanted that back, and Winnipeg was like, no, we’d like to keep it.

And I think that was one of the main reasons that man fell. I still think we’re going to see Hellebuyck rocked. They got good insurance 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 opposition to a trade that would have brought Thomas Harley back to Columbus from Dallas. However, getting everyone on the same page in the locker room is the best course of action until a trade occurs. It is difficult to accelerate trade given the limited trade partners.

Zach Werenski Lives In Columbus Now?

Jason Robertson’s watch is always on. It will be nice if he gets an offer sheet. Detroit Red Wings manager Steve Yzerman will either get the price he wants or hold onto the asset until the start of the season.

Like Connor Hellebuyck, you have to wonder if he’ll be the Winnipeg Jets starter at the end of September. It sounds like that trade clock is still on.

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