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The latest NHL News on September 16, 2026 has quickly turned training camp into something much bigger than line combinations and roster battles.
The biggest situation remains in Winnipeg, where Connor Hellebuyck’s public trade request is hanging over the Jets as their main camp prepares to open Thursday. There is still no completed trade, and conflicting expectations surrounding whether the three-time Vezina Trophy winner will report have made his situation the storyline I would watch closer than any other over the next 24 hours. NHL.com reported Wednesday that Hellebuyck remains with Winnipeg and is expected to report, while other recent reporting has raised the possibility that he could stay away. Until camp actually opens, a holdout should not be treated as confirmed.
Elsewhere, the injury list is already significant. Brad Marchand will miss the beginning of Florida’s season following offseason surgery, Cale Makar is unlikely to participate in Colorado’s first on-ice camp session, Montreal will be without Kaiden Guhle for approximately four to five weeks, and Tampa Bay expects Yanni Gourde to remain sidelined until December.
Latest NHL News as Training Camps Open Across the League
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Rumors Reach a Critical Point in Winnipeg
Hellebuyck publicly confirmed on August 27 that he had privately requested a trade several months earlier. The 33-year-old is entering the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract carrying an $8.5 million average annual value. He has won three Vezina Trophies and captured the Hart Trophy in 2025.
NHL.com identified Carolina, Buffalo, Utah and New Jersey as teams that have been connected to Hellebuyck in media reports. That does not mean a deal with any of those clubs is imminent, but it illustrates how difficult the Jets’ decision has become: elite goalies rarely become available, yet acquiring one at Hellebuyck’s age, cap hit and remaining term is a major organizational commitment.
From my perspective, Winnipeg’s leverage changes once Hellebuyck’s absence becomes tangible. A trade request made during the summer is one thing. An empty crease at the first meaningful training-camp practice would make the situation feel very different.
That’s why Thursday matters.
The Jets don’t necessarily need to make a bad trade simply to end the distraction. Hellebuyck remains under contract. But every day the story follows the team instead of disappearing into the background increases pressure on management to find a resolution.
NHLTradeRumor.com Hellebuyck Trade Value Index
The following is an original editorial model, not an NHL valuation or reported asking price. It weighs performance, contract certainty, positional scarcity, age and Winnipeg’s negotiating leverage.
NHLTradeRumor.com Trade Value Index
$8.5M annual cap hit
5 seasons remaining including 2026-27
$42.5M total remaining cap-hit commitment
Brad Marchand Will Miss the Start of Florida’s Season
Florida general manager Bill Zito confirmed Wednesday that Brad Marchand will miss the beginning of the 2026-27 season after offseason surgery.
The encouraging part for Panthers fans is that Zito expects Marchand back relatively early and indicated the organization is not overly concerned about his recovery. Marchand had 54 points in 52 games last season before injuries shortened his year.
Florida opens its regular season against Carolina on September 29.
My biggest question isn’t whether Marchand can return quickly. It’s how conservative Florida will be once he does.
At 38, there is little reason to chase September or early-October games if additional recovery time improves the odds that Marchand is healthy when the schedule becomes more demanding.
Cale Makar Injury Adds an Early Avalanche Concern
Colorado is also taking a cautious approach with Cale Makar, who is dealing with a lower-body injury.
Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said Makar has been skating on a lighter program and indicated that participation in the team’s first on-ice camp session is unlikely. Importantly, the issue is reportedly unrelated to the injury Makar dealt with during last season’s playoffs.
That distinction matters.
Makar is too important to Colorado’s season for the Avalanche to push him through the opening days of camp simply because practices have started. With the regular season still approaching, conservative treatment makes sense unless the injury begins lingering longer than expected.
Canadiens Lose Kaiden Guhle While Tampa Bay Waits on Yanni Gourde
Montreal received a more concrete timeline on defenseman Kaiden Guhle, who is expected to miss four to five weeks after undergoing minor surgery on his adductor muscle during the offseason. That immediately creates an opportunity for another Canadiens defenseman to claim a larger role during camp.
Tampa Bay faces an even longer absence.
Yanni Gourde is expected to remain out until December following offseason hip surgery, while Lightning forward Dominic James is also expected to miss several weeks after breaking his hand during offseason training.
Those are the types of camp injuries that can change opening-night combinations before teams even reach their first preseason game.
Connor Bedard Takes Over as Blackhawks Captain
Another major NHL News development entering camp is the official beginning of the Connor Bedard captaincy era in Chicago.
The Blackhawks named Bedard their 37th captain Tuesday. At 21 years and 60 days old, he became the second-youngest captain in franchise history behind Jonathan Toews.
For Chicago, the move feels bigger than simply sewing a “C” onto Bedard’s sweater.
The rebuild is increasingly becoming his team, and the organization is publicly putting responsibility for helping drive its next phase on its franchise player.
Bedard is also dealing with a shoulder injury that NHL.com reported could keep him out of training-camp action, making his health another situation worth monitoring.
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