The latest NHL News on September 19, 2026, has the league moving from offseason speculation to actual hockey, but the trade market remains just as interesting.
Gavin McKenna is set to make his Toronto Maple Leafs preseason debut against the Montreal Canadiens tonight, Connor Hellebuyck remains suspended by the Winnipeg Jets while new details emerge about previous trade discussions, and Kirill Marchenko did little to silence questions about his future with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Meanwhile, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned but is participating in training camp, and Pittsburgh Penguins legend Evgeni Malkin isn’t ready to say this will be his final NHL season.
With the NHL preseason officially beginning Saturday, several of the biggest storylines from the summer are about to collide with actual games.
Latest NHL News Today: McKenna Debut Headlines Opening Night of Preseason
The biggest on-ice story Saturday belongs to Gavin McKenna.
The first overall pick in the 2026 NHL Draft is scheduled to make his preseason debut when the Maple Leafs host the Canadiens at Scotiabank Arena at 7 p.m. ET.
More interestingly, Toronto isn’t easing McKenna into an anonymous preseason role. He is expected to play left wing alongside John Tavares and William Nylander, immediately giving Leafs fans a look at how the 18-year-old could fit alongside established NHL talent.
That is what I will be watching most closely.
McKenna does not need to dominate his first preseason game. What matters is how quickly he processes NHL pressure, whether he can create offense without needing the puck constantly and how comfortable he looks attacking alongside experienced linemates.
Toronto and Montreal are actually playing two simultaneous split-squad games Saturday, one at Scotiabank Arena and another at the Bell Centre. The games are part of the NHL’s shortened eight-day preseason, which precedes the newly expanded 84-game regular-season schedule.
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Rumors Get Another Important Twist
The Connor Hellebuyck situation remains one of the biggest NHL trade stories to monitor.
Winnipeg suspended the three-time Vezina Trophy winner after he failed to report to training camp. Hellebuyck publicly confirmed in August that he had requested a trade, but Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has maintained that Winnipeg will not simply move its franchise goaltender without receiving sufficient value.
Saturday’s rumor cycle has added more context.
Elliotte Friedman’s reporting indicates Buffalo and Florida both explored Hellebuyck trades during the offseason. Buffalo’s discussions around the NHL Draft reportedly involved the fourth overall selection, while Winnipeg wanted to keep its own eighth overall pick.
Another possible complication is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. Friedman said he believes the Sabres goalie has Winnipeg on his five-team no-trade list, although that has not been publicly confirmed by Luukkonen or Buffalo.
That’s an important distinction.
It does not mean Buffalo is eliminated. It means one potential structure for making a blockbuster trade work may be considerably more complicated than it looked earlier this summer.
Hellebuyck also carries an $8.5 million annual cap hit, has five seasons remaining on his contract and possesses significant trade protection, giving both the player and Winnipeg considerable influence over the eventual outcome.
Our observation: Winnipeg’s leverage is unusual. Hellebuyck wants a move and isn’t in camp, which normally creates pressure on a seller. But the Jets aren’t dealing an expiring rental. They control an elite goaltender for five more seasons. That gives Cheveldayoff considerably more reason to wait for a hockey trade rather than accept the best offer currently available.
Kirill Marchenko Isn’t Ending the Trade Speculation
Another player worth watching is Kirill Marchenko.
Asked about his future with Columbus, Marchenko declined to offer a long-term commitment and indicated that the business side of his situation belongs with agent Dan Milstein and Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell.
Marchenko produced 27 goals and 67 points in 76 games last season and carries a $3.85 million cap hit through 2026-27. His combination of age, size and top-six scoring ability makes his situation particularly interesting if Columbus eventually determines an extension isn’t realistic.
The important point for NHL trade rumor followers is that no Marchenko trade has happened, and hypothetical trade proposals circulating online should not be confused with reported negotiations.
For now, his comments simply ensure teams around the league will continue monitoring Columbus.
Simon Edvinsson Reports to Red Wings Camp Without a Contract
Detroit has another intriguing situation beyond Dylan Larkin.
Restricted free-agent defenseman Simon Edvinsson remains unsigned, but instead of staying away from the organization, he has joined his teammates at training camp.
Edvinsson can participate in individual work but not scrimmages while he remains without a contract. Negotiations were complicated by Detroit’s front-office changes, with Shawn Horcoff recently assuming the interim general manager role.
It is a positive sign that Edvinsson is around the team, but until a contract is signed, it remains another unresolved issue for a Red Wings organization already dealing with substantial uncertainty surrounding Larkin.
Evgeni Malkin Isn’t Ready to Say Goodbye
Finally, don’t automatically assume the 2026-27 season will be Evgeni Malkin’s last.
Malkin signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract to return to Pittsburgh for his 21st NHL season. The 40-year-old told NHL.com that he still loves playing and isn’t prepared to rule out continuing beyond this year.
Malkin recorded 61 points last season and enters another year alongside Sidney Crosby and Kris Letang, extending one of the longest and most successful teammate runs in modern professional sports.
For Pittsburgh, the question probably won’t be answered until much later in the season. If Malkin remains productive and healthy, another contract discussion suddenly becomes much more realistic.
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