We've had our first blockbuster NHL trade since the puck dropped on the 2026-27 regular season on Sept. 29. On Friday, the Winnipeg Jets shipped superstar goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to the New Jersey Devils in a multi-player deal.

In today's salary-cap era, trades of that magnitude rarely occur this early into the season. With the rising salary cap giving clubs more cap space to work with, some of them are able to make big deals much earlier.

It could lead to more notable players getting moved during the autumn months instead of waiting until the March trade deadline, when teams have accrued sufficient salary-cap room to make those moves. Some teams could attempt to address roster issues now before they become bigger problems.

The rumor mill keeps churning, but which of the latest notable speculations should we believe? Follow along as we use our trusty BS Meter to separate fact from fiction.

Will the Toronto Maple Leafs Pursue a Defenseman?

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The revamped Toronto Maple Leafs are off to a good start after missing the playoffs last season. However, the recent loss of oft-injured shutdown defenseman Chris Tanev has raised concerns about how the Maple Leafs can replace him.

On Oct. 14, Jonas Siegel of The Athletic speculated that Tanev's latest injury could send general manager John Chayka into the trade market. Given the 36-year-old blueliner's history, Siegel believed there are no guarantees that he won't get hurt again.

Three days later, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported that the Maple Leafs had informed teams they're not interested in "band-aid solutions". He said they're willing to part with a "premium asset" for a difference-maker on their blue line.

Friedman also said the Maple Leafs were willing to move an older player for a younger one. However, he didn't indicate which Leafs would be available or which younger defenseman they could be watching.

BS Meter: Not BS

The Maple Leafs are 5-2-1 since Tanev was sidelined on Oct. 10, meaning Chayka can afford to be patient. However, his penchant for bold moves suggests he'll monitor the trade market for affordable defensemen to bolster his blue line.

Could the Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Dmitri Voronkov?

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Before the regular season began, the Columbus Blue Jackets swung a six-player trade with the Toronto Maple Leafs. The centerpiece was winger Kirill Marchenko, whom the Blue Jackets traded to the Maple Leafs for winger Matthew Knies.

Since that blockbuster deal, the Blue Jackets lurched from the gate with a 4-5-0 record. By Oct. 25, they were sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings.

The Blue Jackets risk becoming an also-ran unless they shake things up. That could force general manager Don Waddell to consider moving another player.

On Oct. 22, TSN's Pierre LeBrun reported that some teams were calling the Blue Jackets about winger Dmitri Voronkov. LeBrun couldn't say if the 6'5", 230-pounder would be traded for sure, but claimed the Jackets were listening to offers.

BS Meter: Not BS

Voronkov is slated to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights next July, when he'll also be a year away from unrestricted free-agent eligibility. If the big 26-year-old winger won't sign a long-term extension, Waddell could peddle him before the March 1 trade deadline.

Could the Pittsburgh Penguins Trade a Veteran Player?

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Expectations were high for the Pittsburgh Penguins after the retooling club surprised experts last season by clinching a playoff berth. However, hopes of improvement this season are fading following a 5-6-1 record through their first 12 games, including just two wins in their last nine contests (2-6-1).

On Oct. 17, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported the Penguins were willing to trade a veteran forward for draft picks and prospects. He said they wanted to create room on the roster to give more playing time to their younger players.

Six days later, TSN's Pierre LeBrun confirmed that Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas was open to offers for some of his veteran players. He believes Dubas is listening on defensemen Erik Karlsson and Kris Letang, and forwards Rickard Rakell and Bryan Rust.

Karlsson($10 million) is slated to become an unrestricted free agent on July 1. Letang ($6.1 million average annual value), Rust ($5.15 million), and Rakell ($5 million) are signed through 2027-28. Karlsson has a full no-movement clause, Letang and Rakell have modified no-trade clauses, and Rust lacks no-trade protection.

BS Meter: Not BS

Dubas has been transitioning his roster toward younger players over the past two seasons. With the Penguins struggling, it's not surprising he's open to trade proposals for aging players not named Sidney Crosby or Evgeni Malkin.

Will the Philadelphia Flyers Trade Travis Konecny?

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The Philadelphia Flyers' season-opening nine-game winless skid (0-6-3) raised concern among the club's followers. During a 4-1 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Oct. 11, their fans called for head coach Rick Tocchet to be fired and booed the team off the ice at the end of the game.

That skid also sparked speculation about whether Flyers general manager Daniel Briere would make a trade or two before the season got out of reach. Long-time winger Travis Konecny (currently on injured reserve) was among the players mentioned as potential trade chips.

On Oct. 13, Daily Faceoff's Anthony Di Marco included the 29-year-old Konecny among his list of trade candidates. He cited team sources claiming there was some frustration within the organization about his performance, suggesting he might be asked to waive his no-movement clause if the club didn't improve.

After the Flyers finally picked up their first two wins, Di Marco subsequently reported that winger Owen Tippett was drawing more interest from other clubs than Konecny, likely because of the latter's NMC. However, he felt Konecny was the better trade candidate because of his all-around play.

BS Meter: It's BS

Flyers beat writer Kevin Kurz of The Athletic and Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman were skeptical. Kurz cited Konecny's contract and commitment to the team, calling it "incredibly unlikely" that the Flyers would trade the player who's led them in scoring for five of the last six seasons.

Are the Montreal Canadiens in the Market for a Center?

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After reaching the Eastern Conference Final last season, the Montreal Canadiens were expected to take another step toward Stanley Cup contention this season. However, their erratic start (5-3-2) in their first 10 games has raised concerns among Montreal fans and pundits.

That concern reached new heights when team captain Nick Suzuki injured his hand during an Oct. 20th game against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Selke Trophy winner is sidelined for two to four weeks, prompting Adam Proteau of The Hockey News to wonder if the Canadiens would shop for a center.

On Oct. 22nd, TSN's Pierre LeBrun said he believed there's a chance Detroit Red Wings center Dylan Larkin might include the Canadiens on his trade list. They're not on his current list, which he recently expanded to 10 teams.

LeBrun reported the Red Wings are actively scouting the Canadiens, among other teams, saying they were conducting due diligence in case Larkin adds them to his list. He also claimed the Habs interest in the Red Wings center predates Suzuki's injury.

BS Meter: Not BS, but not necessarily for Larkin

Larkin hasn't included any Canadian teams on his trade list, which suggests he believes his best chance of winning the Stanley Cup lies with American-based teams. The Canadiens will remain patient since Suzuki isn't out long-term, but his absence could put more urgency on their efforts to land a reliable top-six center.