WINNIPEG — With NHL training camps set to open in the coming days, talk finally gives way to hockey, but four major questions remain unsettled around the league, from trade requests in limbo to extension deadlines and bounce-back candidates.
The biggest spotlight is on Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, who went public with a trade request at the end of August months after privately asking to be moved. There was speculation he would be dealt right before the draft, yet he remains a Jet days before camp with no indication a trade is imminent. Jets captain Adam Lowry downplayed any locker-room fallout, saying, "Helly's a good friend of ours. It's not something that we think is going to really impact the room. It's not going to create a big divide. It's a personal decision he's made and thinks is best for his family." The Olympic gold medallist faces a difficult choice: reporting risks injury that could jeopardize a move, while sitting out is difficult for a goaltender. The cautionary tale is Boston Bruins netminder Jeremy Swayman, who missed training camp in 2024 during a contract dispute and finished with an .892 save percentage and a goals-against average over three, easily the worst numbers of his career.
In Ottawa, the focus is on whether the Senators and winger Drake Batherson can agree on an extension. Both Batherson and general manager Steve Staios want a deal, but terms are the hurdle. The 28-year-old is coming off a career-best 33 goals and 71 points and has increased his point total every season since entering the league. He is scheduled to earn $4.9 million in 2026-27 and will command a significant raise. Recent comparables include Adrian Kempe at $10.6 million per season and Alex Tuch at a $10.5 million AAV, both on eight-year deals signed before the NHL's financial landscape shifted this summer. A key deadline is Sept. 16, after which players can no longer sign for eight years, a structure both Kempe and Tuch used that Ottawa could leverage to lower the AAV in exchange for term.
Philadelphia Flyers forward Matvei Michkov enters camp seeking redemption after falling out of favour with head coach Rick Tocchet down the stretch and into the postseason. Michkov averaged less than 12 minutes per game in the playoffs, failed to score in eight outings and was scratched multiple times last spring. Tocchet noted he felt Michkov came to training camp last year not in shape, comments he recently said he probably should have kept to himself. A strong camp would help Michkov reclaim a top-six role and boost a Flyers offense that ranked 21st in goals per game last season and finished 12th out of 16 teams in that category during the playoffs. It was just two seasons ago that Michkov scored 26 goals and 63 points in an impressive rookie year.
In Detroit, the Red Wings are approaching two months since Steve Yzerman was relieved of his duties and still have not named a replacement general manager. The vacancy comes at a critical juncture. Restricted free agent defenceman Simon Edvinsson needs a new contract imminently; he has said he plans to participate in training camp even without a deal, though he cannot suit up on opening night without one. Alex DeBrincat has also recently expressed his willingness to sign an extension in Detroit after a career season, adding to the immediate business facing the next GM.