The Connor Hellebuyck trade is no longer a hypothetical scenario. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner has officially begun his New Jersey Devils career, and his first appearance gave fans an early look at just how dangerous his new team could become.
Hellebuyck made his Devils debut Tuesday night in Dallas, helping New Jersey defeat the Stars 5-1. Nico Hischier scored twice, Jack and Luke Hughes each contributed a goal and an assist, and New Jersey extended its winning streak to four games. The victory was particularly significant because Dallas entered the matchup riding five consecutive wins.
Meanwhile, Wednesday’s NHL news brings another major trade development. Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin remains connected to the Montreal Canadiens, but a new report suggests the asking price could be prohibitive. Edmonton has also placed Zach Hyman on injured reserve ahead of the Battle of Alberta.
From a blockbuster trade paying immediate dividends to new injury concerns and a wild night of NHL scores, here’s what matters across the league on October 28, 2026, and what could happen next.
Connor Hellebuyck’s Devils Debut Could Change the Eastern Conference
New Jersey’s acquisition of Connor Hellebuyck was already one of the biggest stories of the young 2026-27 NHL season. His debut against Dallas added something the original trade announcement could not provide: an actual result.
The Devils won 5-1, outshooting the Stars 27-18 and controlling significant stretches of the game. Hischier scored twice before the contest reached its midpoint, while the Hughes brothers helped create additional separation.
What impressed me most about the result wasn’t simply that Hellebuyck earned a victory. It was that New Jersey gave its new goaltender a relatively manageable introduction against a strong opponent.
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A great goalie can steal games, but a team becomes a much more serious contender when it doesn’t need him to steal every game.
Speaking to the Devils’ team reporter after the victory, Hellebuyck said:
“The guys in front of me just played a perfect game for me to get acclimated.”
That was an interview conducted by New Jersey’s media team, not an NHLTradeRumor.com interview. It reinforces the impression that the Devils’ defensive structure helped make the transition easier. New Jersey Devils+1
What the Hellebuyck Trade Actually Cost New Jersey
On October 23, the Devils acquired Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets for Dawson Mercer, Nick Bjugstad, goaltender Nico Daws, the rights to Alexander Command, a 2029 second-round pick and a 2027 seventh-round pick.
That’s six separate assets moving to Winnipeg.
For the Devils, the decision was straightforward in principle: sacrifice valuable future and present-day resources to acquire a proven elite goaltender.
For Winnipeg, the trade created opportunities to reshape its roster after an increasingly difficult situation involving Hellebuyck’s request to leave.
Earlier speculation surrounding destinations such as Carolina, Utah and Buffalo must now be treated as historical possibilities, not active destinations. The confirmed transaction was with New Jersey.
The next test arrives quickly. New Jersey travels to Colorado on Wednesday night, and the Devils must show that their impressive Dallas performance wasn’t simply an emotional lift following a blockbuster acquisition.
One game cannot establish whether the trade was successful. However, it is difficult to imagine a more encouraging beginning.
Dylan Larkin Trade Rumors: Montreal Faces a Major Obstacle
While Hellebuyck’s future has been settled, Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin remains one of the NHL’s most intriguing trade situations.
Sportsnet’s Eric Engels reported Wednesday that the current asking price for Larkin is not merely expensive but potentially prohibitive.
The Canadiens remain connected to the centre, and Detroit assistant general manager Kris Draper has been spotted scouting Montreal on multiple occasions.
Larkin’s reported willingness to consider leaving Detroit has generated considerable speculation, but his no-movement clause remains a critical obstacle. Montreal is not publicly confirmed as an approved destination.
According to the report, the Red Wings are also reluctant to lower their asking price while the team remains competitive. Larkin carries an $8.7 million annual cap hit through 2030-31.
Why a Larkin Trade May Be Harder Than Fans Expect
I believe the biggest issue isn’t whether Montreal could benefit from another established centre. It’s whether acquiring Larkin at Detroit’s asking price would improve the Canadiens enough to justify sacrificing several important assets.
Montreal has young talent and future flexibility. Giving up too much of either could undermine the progress the organization has made.
There are three obstacles that must align: Detroit’s return, Montreal’s willingness to pay, and Larkin’s contractual approval.
Friedman has suggested that a potential deal could need to be worked out between the clubs before Larkin is approached about approving Montreal.
That makes this a serious story to monitor, but there is no confirmed Larkin-to-Montreal trade agreement. It is important to distinguish continuing negotiations and speculation from a completed transaction.
NHL Injury News: Zach Hyman Placed on Injured Reserve
The Edmonton Oilers received concerning injury news Wednesday when Zach Hyman was placed on injured reserve with a neck injury.
Hyman was hurt during Monday’s game against Detroit after being checked into the boards by Andreas Englund. The Oilers have described the injury as neck-related, and coach Mike Babcock emphasized that the team was taking precautions.
Hyman will miss Wednesday’s game against Calgary. There is no confirmed return date.
For Edmonton, this is another setback in a season that has already featured several injury challenges.
Hyman is particularly valuable around the crease. His ability to retrieve pucks, establish position and convert rebounds helps create space for Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
His absence could force adjustments to the team’s power-play and even-strength combinations.
From a fantasy hockey perspective, managers should monitor Edmonton’s line combinations rather than automatically assuming one replacement will inherit all of Hyman’s opportunities.
More NHL News: Penguins Trade Watch, Leafs and Canadiens
Penguins Veterans Remain in NHL Trade Discussions
Pittsburgh continues to attract attention amid speculation that general manager Kyle Dubas could listen to offers involving several established players.
A Wednesday NHL rumors report, citing TSN’s Darren Dreger, identified Erik Karlsson, Kris Letang, Bryan Rust and Rickard Rakell among the veterans generating trade discussion.
The financial considerations are significant. Karlsson’s reported $10 million cap charge and Letang’s contract protections would complicate potential moves, while Rust’s injury adds another variable.
Listening to offers does not necessarily mean Pittsburgh has decided to trade any of these players. Nevertheless, the Penguins are a team worth watching as the season progresses. NHL News, Analysis & More+1
Jacob Fowler Gives Montreal Another Reason for Optimism
Montreal’s 2-0 victory over St. Louis provided another impressive performance from young goaltender Jacob Fowler, who made 46 saves for the shutout.
That matters beyond the two standings points.
Reliable goaltending can give the Canadiens more freedom to develop younger players without feeling pressured into an immediate blockbuster move.
It also strengthens the argument that Montreal should remain disciplined in any potential Larkin negotiations.
Maple Leafs Look to Rebound Against Seattle
Toronto visits Seattle tonight following a 5-2 defeat against Calgary.
The Maple Leafs have opened their Western road trip with mixed results, and injuries are becoming another area to monitor. Kirill Marchenko left Monday’s loss with a lower-body injury, while Chris Tanev has recently resumed skating in a non-contact jersey.
Auston Matthews also recently recorded his 800th career point, another milestone in his already impressive NHL career.
Seattle will be without Jared McCann, who is expected to miss approximately 10 weeks with a lower-body injury. Reuters+2
The Leafs-Kraken matchup offers an opportunity to measure whether Toronto can restore the defensive consistency that helped fuel its recent winning streak.
NHL Scores From October 27, 2026: All 11 Games and Highlights
Tuesday delivered 56 combined goals across 11 games, including two overtime finishes, one shootout and two shutouts.
The night’s biggest performances included Hellebuyck winning his Devils debut, Fowler stopping 46 shots for Montreal and Vancouver overcoming a three-goal third-period deficit against Anaheim. The Canucks’ dramatic overtime victory ended a 10-game winless streak.
NHL Scores: October 27, 2026
Game note: Kent Johnson scored in overtime after Philadelphia erased a 3-0 deficit.
Game note: Sebastian Aho delivered the third-period winner as Carolina edged Boston.
Game note: Wyatt Kaiser’s third-period goal put Chicago ahead for good.
Game note: Jacob Fowler stopped all 46 shots for a remarkable shutout.
Game note: New York prevailed in the shootout after Nashville rallied from three goals down.
Game note: Connor Hellebuyck won his Devils debut; Nico Hischier scored twice.
Game note: Carter Verhaeghe scored twice as Winnipeg’s winless streak reached six games.
Game note: Kirill Kaprizov scored his NHL-leading 14th goal; Quinn Hughes added two assists.
Game note: Raphael Lavoie scored his first NHL goal, which proved to be the winner.
Game note: Jonathan Lekkerimaki struck twice late before Filip Hronek won it in OT.
Game note: Colten Ellis made 23 saves to shut out San Jose.
The Numbers Behind the Biggest NHL Developments
Tuesday’s results are worth studying beyond the final scores.
New Jersey generated 27 shots against Dallas while allowing 18, a 60% share of the two teams’ combined shots on goal. Montreal, meanwhile, needed Fowler to handle a much heavier workload to preserve its shutout.
These are two very different paths to winning: territorial control and outstanding goaltending.
For the Devils, maintaining that balance is what could make the Hellebuyck acquisition especially valuable.
NHLTradeRumor.com Salary Cap and Trade Value Watch
The NHL’s 2026-27 salary-cap ceiling is $104 million. Hellebuyck’s standard $8.5 million annual cap charge represents approximately 8.17% of that ceiling, while Larkin’s $8.7 million represents approximately 8.37%.
Those percentages measure contract size against the league ceiling, not a team’s available cap space or confirmation that a trade can fit. nhlpa.com+2
The following proprietary NHLTradeRumor.com model scores New Jersey’s Hellebuyck acquisition at 82 out of 100 using an editorial assessment of goaltending pedigree, roster fit, contractual control and acquisition cost. This is an illustrative evaluation, not a prediction or an NHL scouting department rating.
NHLTR Trade Value & Cap Watch
2026-27 NHL salary cap ceiling: $104 million
NHLTradeRumor.com original editorial model. Component scores are subjective assessments, not measured NHL statistics. Annual cap-hit percentages use the league-wide ceiling, not current team cap space. Calculations exclude transaction timing, accrual, LTIR and other roster considerations.
NHL Games Tonight: October 28, 2026
Wednesday’s four-game schedule features several matchups directly connected to today’s biggest stories.
| Matchup | Eastern Time |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Flyers at Washington Capitals | 7:30 PM |
| Calgary Flames at Edmonton Oilers | 8:30 PM |
| New Jersey Devils at Colorado Avalanche | 9:00 PM |
| Toronto Maple Leafs at Seattle Kraken | 10:00 PM |
nhl-schedules.com+1
What NHL Fans Should Watch Next
The most important question in New Jersey is whether the Devils can sustain their strong defensive play with Hellebuyck in goal.
In Montreal, attention will remain on the Larkin situation, particularly whether Detroit eventually adjusts its asking price or an acceptable trade structure emerges.
Edmonton’s next injury update will also be significant, especially if Hyman’s absence extends beyond the immediate schedule.
My assessment: Hellebuyck’s move has already become a defining early-season storyline, but the long-term verdict depends on consistency and playoff performance—not one October victory.
For fans following NHL News and NHL Rumors and NHL Scores, those developing stories are worth watching as the season continues.
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