The New York Rangers delivered an emphatic response to losing Igor Shesterkin, but their 6-2 victory over Vancouver has created an intriguing question: Does New York really need to make a blockbuster goalie trade, or could Dylan Garand buy management enough time to find a better solution?
That storyline leads today’s NHL news, with the Rangers facing the remainder of the season without their franchise goaltender. Garand made 19 saves Sunday while Tye Kartye and Will Cuylle scored twice apiece. But one impressive victory does not eliminate the challenge of replacing a Vezina-calibre starter.
Elsewhere, the Dallas Stars confirmed that Matt Duchene will miss approximately three months following surgery, Detroit captain Dylan Larkin remains connected to Montreal Canadiens trade speculation, and Chicago Blackhawks superstar Connor Bedard is approaching his season debut.
Meanwhile, Alex Ovechkin scored his 930th career NHL goal, and the Carolina Hurricanes extended their winning streak to five games.
Here is your October 12 NHL News and NHL Rumors and NHL Scores roundup, including the latest injuries, potential trades, and every final score from Sunday night.
Latest NHL News and Trade Rumors: October 12, 2026
Rangers Goalie Trade Rumors: Dylan Garand Changes the Conversation
New York’s victory over the Canucks offered an encouraging glimpse of life without Shesterkin. Garand appeared composed, the Rangers generated consistent offensive pressure, and Alexis Lafrenière continued his impressive early-season production.
However, I believe general manager Chris Drury still needs to explore the goaltending market.
Joonas Korpisalo is also injured, leaving New York vulnerable if Garand struggles or another injury occurs. A veteran addition makes sense, but paying a premium for another expensive franchise starter could create problems when Shesterkin eventually returns.
Connor Hellebuyck has been mentioned in speculation, although Elliotte Friedman has publicly expressed doubt that a Rangers–Hellebuyck deal is a realistic fit.
New York’s goaltending need is confirmed; a blockbuster Hellebuyck trade is not.
My expectation is that the Rangers will evaluate Garand over several more starts before committing major assets to a trade. The smarter acquisition might be an experienced goaltender on a shorter contract rather than another long-term financial commitment.
Can the Rangers Afford a Hellebuyck Blockbuster?
Hypothetical contract-cost comparison only. This does not mean New York has $20.07 million in available cap space or has acquired Hellebuyck. Actual transaction feasibility depends on outgoing contracts, roster composition, trade protection, LTIR rules and applicable salary-cap accounting. Calculated using 2026-27 contract figures from PuckPedia and the NHL/NHLPA salary-cap ceiling.
Matt Duchene Surgery Creates a New Dallas Stars Problem
The Dallas Stars announced Monday that Matt Duchene underwent surgery to repair a core injury and is expected to miss approximately three months.
Duchene recorded 45 points in 57 games last season. His absence is particularly concerning because Dallas entered Monday averaging just 2.20 goals per game, with a power play converting at only 7.7%.
Those numbers create a clear problem for a team with Stanley Cup expectations.
Dallas has the defensive structure and goaltending to survive without Duchene temporarily. Nevertheless, relying on Jake Oettinger to steal games every night is not a sustainable long-term offensive strategy.
A short-term scoring addition could become attractive if the Stars continue struggling to generate goals. I would expect Dallas to explore value contracts and rental options before considering a significant trade involving premium draft picks.
Dylan Larkin and Montreal Canadiens Trade Rumors Refuse to Disappear
The Montreal Canadiens continue to feature prominently in discussions surrounding Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin.
During Saturday’s game in Montreal, Canadiens fans directed chants toward Larkin, fueling another round of speculation about his future.
NHL insider Elliotte Friedman continues to view a Larkin trade as unlikely, although he has not entirely dismissed the possibility.
My concern with this potential deal has always been Detroit’s asking price.
Larkin is a proven two-way NHL centre, a captain, and an established offensive contributor. Moving him would represent a significant change in the Red Wings’ direction.
Montreal certainly has the prospect depth to assemble an attractive offer, but surrendering several important young pieces could undermine the Canadiens’ longer-term plans.
My prediction: Larkin speculation will continue, but a trade becomes much more believable only if Detroit makes a clear decision to reshape its core.
Detroit also faces questions surrounding unsigned restricted free agent Simon Edvinsson. Friedman has reportedly indicated the Red Wings are seeking an exceptionally strong return if they consider moving the young defenceman. That is a negotiating position, not confirmation that a trade is imminent.
Connor Bedard Could Make His Season Debut Tuesday
The Chicago Blackhawks may finally be getting their captain back.
Connor Bedard participated in another full-contact practice Monday and could make his season debut against Pittsburgh on October 13.
Bedard underwent shoulder surgery following a July training injury. Chicago entered Monday with a 1-5-0 record, making his potential return particularly important.
From a fantasy hockey perspective, Bedard immediately becomes a player worth monitoring. His expected combination with Patrick Kane and Roman Kantserov could give Chicago a much-needed offensive boost.
However, fantasy managers should watch his confirmed status and deployment before assuming his usual workload.
More NHL Injury News: Rasmus Dahlin, Ottawa Senators and Washington Capitals
Buffalo defeated Florida 5-3 in Monday’s afternoon game, but the Sabres lost captain Rasmus Dahlin to an upper-body injury. Coach Lindy Ruff described him as day to day and indicated he would not travel to Montreal for Tuesday’s game.
Ottawa will also be without Jake Sanderson and Artem Zub against New Jersey on Monday. Sanderson has not played since the Senators’ season opener, while Zub has yet to debut this season.
Washington placed defenceman Matt Roy on injured reserve, and Winnipeg continues to monitor Josh Morrissey’s upper-body injury.
These developments could influence defensive pairings, power-play responsibilities and early-season fantasy projections.
Auston Matthews Headlines the NHL Three Stars of the Week
Toronto captain Auston Matthews earned First Star honours after registering nine points in three games.
Dallas goaltender Jake Oettinger was named Second Star after allowing just one goal across three starts, while Rangers forward Alexis Lafrenière earned Third Star with five goals and seven points in three games.
The selections underline an interesting early-season contrast: Toronto is leaning on elite offensive production, Dallas is receiving extraordinary goaltending, and New York is finding additional scoring while confronting its most serious injury challenge.
Alex Ovechkin Scores No. 930 as Seattle Keeps Winning
Alex Ovechkin scored his first goal of the 2026–27 campaign Sunday, pushing his career regular-season total to 930.
The milestone was not enough to save Washington, however, as Jared McCann scored the third-period winner in Seattle’s 5-3 victory.
Joey Daccord stopped 33 shots, including 17 in the final period.
Ovechkin’s farewell season will naturally command attention, but Washington needs to improve its puck management if it wants those memorable individual moments to translate into wins.
NHL Scores Yesterday: Sunday, October 11, 2026
Three NHL games were completed Sunday, producing 21 total goals.
NHL Scores: October 11, 2026
All final scores, period breakdowns and game highlights from Sunday night.
| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SEA | 2 | 1 | 2 | 5 |
| WSH | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
Game winner: Jared McCann scored at 14:33 of the third period.
Milestone: Alex Ovechkin scored career goal No. 930.
Goaltending: Joey Daccord stopped 33 shots for Seattle.
Official NHL game recap →| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VAN | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| NYR | 1 | 2 | 3 | 6 |
Top scorers: Tye Kartye and Will Cuylle each scored twice.
Goaltending: Dylan Garand made 19 saves in New York’s first game following Shesterkin’s season-ending injury.
Key moment: The Rangers scored three unanswered third-period goals.
Official NHL game recap →| Team | 1st | 2nd | 3rd | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CAR | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 |
| PHI | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
Top performers: Sebastian Aho and Andrei Svechnikov each finished with a goal and an assist.
Streak: Mark Jankowski scored for his fourth consecutive game.
Flyers: Philadelphia fell to 0-5-2 after seven games.
Official NHL game recap →The Rangers’ performance was the most significant result for the trade market, while Carolina’s fifth consecutive victory continued to establish the Hurricanes as an early Metropolitan Division contender. Philadelphia, meanwhile, remains winless at 0-5-2.
Insert the custom October 11 scoreboard HTML block provided below immediately after this section.
What Happens Next in the NHL?
Tuesday’s 16-game Frozen Frenzy slate will put every NHL team in action, creating another opportunity for early-season trends to develop.
For me, the three biggest situations worth monitoring are the Rangers’ goaltending decisions, whether Dallas searches for another scorer, and how Detroit handles its unresolved roster questions.
There is an important difference between a team needing help and a team being prepared to pay the price of a blockbuster trade.
That difference will shape many of the NHL’s most compelling rumors over the coming weeks.
Get the Latest NHL News
Stay on top of the latest NHL news, injuries, roster moves, contract updates, trade rumors and breaking stories from around the league with NHLTradeRumor.com. We cover the biggest developments involving all 32 teams so you can quickly catch up on the stories shaping the NHL season. While you’re here, join our NHL Fantasy Hockey Pool to test your GM skills against other hockey fans and compete for ultimate bragging rights. Looking for what NHL games are on TV today? Check our NHL TV schedules for game times, broadcast channels and where to watch. Bookmark NHLTradeRumor.com and sign up for our newsletter below so you never miss the latest NHL news, rumors and fantasy hockey updates.
Enjoying our trade coverage? Add us as a preferred source on Google to catch breaking rumors first.
