Some of the latest NHL trade rumors involve Toronto Maple Leafs goalie Matt Murray, Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, and Calgary Flames defenseman Noah Hanifin.
It's been a busy NHL offseason so far. Now that the first weekend of free agency has come and gone, the free agent signings have slowed down a bit. UFAs will continue to sign throughout the summer. NHL teams will also continue to make trades to improve their rosters based on the needs of their organization.
Matt Murray of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets, and Noah Hanifin of the Calgary Flames are all names that have been a part of trade conversations. Murray, Hellebuyck, and Hanifin each have one year left on their current contracts. Hellebuyck and Hanifin have made it known that they don't want to stay with their current team. Murray, on the other hand, is a trade candidate due to injuries and cap space.
Let's get caught up on the latest with Murray, Hellebuyck, and Hanifin.
NHL trade rumors: Matt Murray trade is tricky
Matt Murray has been a possible trade candidate for a few weeks, but the Toronto Maple Leafs' recent moves have increased the need to shed the goalie. The Maple Leafs are now in a position where they need salary cap relief following the signings of Max Domi, John Klingberg, and Tyler Bertuzzi. More salary cap struggles could be coming. The Maple Leafs have extended a qualifying offer to goalie Ilya Samsonov, but he has the ability to file for arbitration.
Following time with the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Ottawa Senators, Murray has only been with the Maple Leafs for one season, and it was a mixed bag. He started off the season well, but he was bitten by the injury bug again…and again…and again. In one season, he suffered from an abductor injury, an ankle injury, and a head injury. This is nothing new for Murray. When he's healthy, he is serviceable. In 2022-23, Murray posted a .903 SV% in 26 games.
The Maple Leafs find themselves in a sticky situation here. Last offseason, the Senators tried to trade Murray to the Buffalo Sabres, but they're on his 10-team no-trade list, and Murray declined to waive the clause. Toronto could run into a similar problem while trying to shed Murray. There are limited options for where they can send him.
If the Maple Leafs fail to trade Murray due to his lengthy no-trade list, he could be a candidate for a buyout. The Leafs will want to do everything they can to avoid that, though. A buyout would mean a $687,500 cap hit in year one and a $2 million cap hit in year two. Given Murray's injury history, it will be tough to move him. Failing to trade Murray and resorting to the buyout route would be costly.
NHL trade rumors: Connor Hellebuyck contract a trade barrier
Connor Hellebuyck is perhaps the most talked about trade candidate of this offseason. Ever since news came out in mid-June that Hellebuyck isn't interested in an extension with the Winnipeg Jets, he's been the subject of trade talks. With his contract ending after next season, the Jets would like to get a return for him rather than lose him in free agency next offseason. Unfortunately, the Jets have hit a snag: Hellebuyck's desired price tag for his next contract.
It would make the most sense to send Hellebuyck somewhere he wants to sign an extension, because that would give the Jets the biggest return. The problem is, Hellebuyck is reportedly looking for something along the lines of $8.5-9.5 million AAV on his next contract. That's a hefty cost even for an elite goalie. A lot of teams are boxed out because they can't afford him, even if he's worth it.
Hellebuyck posted 37 wins during the 2022-23 season with a .920 SV%. The media and fans are curious to see who his next team will be. Some potential landing spots for the goalie are the New Jersey Devils, Buffalo Sabres, and Toronto Maple Leafs. There were other teams who might've been interested in a goalie, like the Carolina Hurricanes or Pittsburgh Penguins, but they've scooped one up already via their own free agents or the free agent pool. The possible destination list is getting shorter by the day.
It sounds like trade talks have stalled, at least for now. It's possible talks will pick up again, but there's now a decent chance Hellebuyck isn't moved this offseason. Hellebuyck might still be with the Jets come next season.
NHL trade rumors: Noah Hanifin
Noah Hanifin is a potential trade chip for the Calgary Flames. The latest report on the Hanifin front is that the Boston Bruins are interested in the two-way defenseman, a Massachusetts native. Hanifin played one season for Boston College. The question is: can the Bruins afford him?
Elliotte Friedman believes Hanifin wants to play for a team in the US. Since Hanifin is due to become a UFA after next season, it would be wise for Calgary to trade him before then so that they get a return instead of losing him for nothing.
The 26-year-old defenseman is in his prime. Hanifin is known for moving the puck. He regularly contributes assists, including on the power play. Hanifin blocked 129 shots during the 2022-23 regular season. He'd surely be a big upgrade for a team looking to boost their blue line.
If the Bruins want Hanifin, they need to make the cap space for him. This is a team that has been the subject of conversations about lack of cap space. They cleared some space by shedding winger Taylor Hall. The Bruins aren't done addressing their salary cap crunch. GM Don Sweeney will have to make some magic happen.
Besides the Bruins, another other team reportedly interested in Hanifin is the Florida Panthers. They're looking to add a defenseman. Pierre LeBrun doesn't seem to think that the Panthers have the best shot at landing Hanifin, though. Other teams that could be interested in Hanifin are the New York Rangers and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Hanifin is likely to be moved this offseason.
Trade talks surrounding these three players will continue.
