Gino Reda: It\u2019s the season debut of Insider Trading with Chris Johnston, Pierre LeBrun, and Darren Dreger.<\/p>\n
Gentlemen, camps are set to begin opening up across the league and big questions loom large. None bigger than will Connor Hellebuyck<\/a> show up to Winnipeg Jets<\/a> camp.<\/p>\n Darren Dreger: There\u2019s always a possibility for a sudden change of heart, but as we have this conversation as a group of insiders, I do not believe Hellebuyck will report to the opening of training camp.<\/p>\n If that is the case, that forces the Jets to respond. That response will likely come Wednesday or Thursday.<\/p>\n I think it\u2019s important to note that there will be no immediate financial punishment. Obviously, NHL players don\u2019t start getting paid until the start of the regular season.<\/p>\n As we know, post-draft, the trade interest has been minimal. There was lots of activity with the Buffalo Sabres<\/a> leading up to the draft, but there has been very little since. Certainly nothing that would qualify as a package that general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and the Jets could work with in fair value in return for an elite-level goaltender in Hellebuyck with years remaining on his contract.<\/p>\n Reda: One of the biggest questions hanging over Toronto Maple Leafs<\/a> camp is how will they handle their first-overall pick Gavin McKenna<\/a>?<\/p>\n Chris Johnston: I think when McKenna was taken first-overall in late June, I think it was easy to imagine him, a talented playmaker, teaming up with [captain] Auston Matthews<\/a>, a world class goal scorer.<\/p>\n At least early on here, my sense is that the Leafs are going to take things easy with McKenna. They\u2019ll start him a little lower down the lineup as they take the ice for the first time as a team in camp this week and see where things go from there.<\/p>\n By no means am I saying it will be a permanent decision and maybe that duo will eventually link up. But in the early days, I think you\u2019ll see a veteran like Jack Roslovic slot in beside Matthews and Matthew Knies<\/a> and give McKenna, as an 18-year-old, a chance to get comfortable on the team.<\/p>\n Reda: As we edge closer to the opening of camp, there are some key restricted free agents still looking for new contracts. The list includes Adam Fantilli<\/a> with the Columbus Blue Jackets<\/a>, where the two sides still have a big gap to bridge.<\/p>\n Pierre LeBrun: It\u2019s a sizable gap that was relayed to me again on this day and the news is that the dialogue continues.<\/p>\n There have been offers and counteroffers throughout the summer, but the reality is that they are $2-3 million apart on average annual value.<\/p>\n There isn\u2019t this deadline that expires on Tuesday night that floats over this as far as the eight years. Neither side has been talking eight years \u2014 it will be less than eight years if and when this gets done. <\/p>\n But they got to get to the number.<\/p>\n They have not been able to get to the number as training camp approaches for Fantilli. Obviously, they don\u2019t want him to miss time in camp or miss time in season, but they have to find a contract fits and so far, they haven\u2019t ben able to.<\/p>\n Dreger: Not related to Fantilli or the Blue Jackets, but it\u2019s been abundantly clear that the Philadelphia Flyers<\/a> are definitely in the market to make a splash.<\/p>\n They are big game hunting.<\/p>\n They\u2019re looking for a star forward or a star defenceman, which shouldn\u2019t come as a surprise to anyone. Likely the fact in early July, [general manager] Daniel Briere and the Flyers dropped that five-year, $90 million offer sheet on Leo Carlsson<\/a>, which the Ducks matched.<\/p>\n So, it is open season for the Flyers as they try to add a star.<\/p>\n Johnston: In Detroit on this day, Shawn Horcoff, was formally named interim general manager of the Red Wings. I\u2019ll point you to the press release where it says that he has authority to make hockey decisions.<\/p>\n There\u2019s a good reason for that.<\/p>\n There\u2019s every chance that Horcoff could be in this role through the entire season. The Red Wings are still searching for a permanent replacement for Steve Yzerman, who departed the GM\u2019s chair to move upstairs.<\/p>\n