NHL Rumours: Hischier Extension, Hellebuyck Blockbuster & Ovechkin’s Retirement

In today’s NHL rumour rundown, we start off with Nico Hischier and the New Jersey Devils, who have been getting closer to agreeing on a new contract. Next, there is more and more talk about Connor Hellebuyck‘s future with the Winnipeg Jets, and there could be a blockbuster trade coming.

Finally, we end with an update on Alexander Ovechkin. The Washington Capitals are waiting on his decision regarding retirement, and we now have a timeline on when that decision could be made.

Nico Hischier Extension Looking Promising for July 1

While we are still over a year away from Hischier hitting free agency, the Devils will certainly be looking to get clarity on his future sooner rather than later.

Hischier is eligible for an extension next week, and according to multiple insiders, there is more than likely going to be an extension ready to go.

Chris Johnston stated that he would be comfortable saying Hischier is way more likely to sign than move, and that it sounds like there’s been some real progress made towards an extension.

Last week, ESPN’s Kevin Weekes speculated that a deal is going to get done in a medium-term range, likely four to six years, between $11 million and $13 million.

Finally, The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun wrote, “I was told Thursday night that those talks were now over the hump in terms of the meaty part of negotiations…barring an unforeseen obstacle as talks progress, teams that were hoping the Devils captain would become available are now moving on.” (from ‘NHL rumblings: Pavelski on Leafs talks, how Raddysh got done, latest on Thomas, Zacha, Ovechkin, more’, The Athletic, June 19, 2026)

The Devils were on track to be a contender for many years, but they have now dipped back out of the playoffs. Throughout Hischier’s time with the team, the club has only made the playoffs in three of the nine seasons he has been there.

The thought that a shakeup could be helpful was certainly floating around the internet and among insiders, but it appears that the marriage between the Devils and their captain is going to continue.

Hellebuyck Trade Talks Continue, No Official Trade Request Yet

One potential trade candidate this offseason is going to be Hellebuyck. While there hasn’t been any reports about a trade request, TSN’s Darren Dreger stated that the Jets are willing to listen on their superstar goalie.

After winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Hart Trophy, and the Vezina Trophy all in 2024-25, Hellebuyck and the Jets had very high hopes heading into the 2025-26 season, but missed the playoffs.

Hellebuyck signed a seven-year extension in 2023 with the promise that the Jets would be competitive. There has been some great signs of this, but also some indications that the team is far away from being a true contender.

To play the devil’s advocate, general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has the hardest job in the league. Winnipeg is not a destination that players are lining up to go to, and it is a common place on no-trade lists.

But that is no excuse, especially when so many of the right pieces are in place, headlined by Hellebuyck.

We have seen American players look to rally on teams like the Minnesota Wild, Vegas Golden Knights, and the two teams in the state of Florida, but this one feels a bit different than that.

Hellebuyck doesn’t seem to be firm on moving away from the Jets. If he were, we likely would have heard some confirmation about a trade request. Hellebuyck seems to be looking for a place to win. If Winnipeg were able to show him they are taking the right steps, it might be a different conversation.

Looking at sensible destinations, the Florida Panthers are the first team that comes to mind. With Stanley Cup hopes for 2026-27, they need a goalie. They currently have no NHL goalies under contract, with Sergei Bobrovsky and Danill Tarasov both unrestricted free agents.

On an episode of Overdrive, Dreger stated, “I can confidently say that they’re not shopping Connor Hellebuyck. I don’t have the information that he has formally asked for a trade, but I think he wouldn’t mind a change”

Ovechkin’s Retirement Timeline Revealed

In LeBrun’s article referenced earlier regarding Hischier, he commented on the future of Ovechkin, stating, “I would venture to guess we’ll get a decision from Alex Ovechkin on his future sometime in July.”

Ovechkin is now 40 years old, and during the 2025-26 season, there was a ton of speculation about him finishing his career. While nobody knows the true answer yet, the absence of a farewell tour and ceremonial events for him has many thinking he is going to return.

The truth is, at this point, Ovechkin may not even know. There have been reports that he wants to play his final game with Dynamo Moscow, but that isn’t necessarily going to be a full-season commitment.