As the Winnipeg Jets continue to explore options to honour star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck’s trade request, TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun lists the Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth as possible landing spots.
LeBrun wrote in The Athletic Tuesday that the Florida Panthers were interested in making a move for Hellebuyck in June but no longer have the assets to do so after adding Brady Tkachuk in a massive deal with the Ottawa Senators that same month and later adding goaltender Jacob Markstrom on the trade market.
LeBrun writes that any deal with the Hurricanes would likely include restricted free agent Alexander Nikishin, who remains unsigned and reportedly on the trade block as he seeks a significant raise from the $925,000 cap hit he carried last season. The 24-year-old defenceman posted 11 goals and 33 points in 81 games last season before adding one assist in 17 playoff games.
The defending Stanley Cup champions are currently set to enter the season with Pyotr Kochetkov and Brandon Bussi in net after seeing Frederik Andersen join the Edmonton Oilers in free agency this summer. Carolina has the cap space for Hellebuyck with over $9 million still available, per PuckPedia.
The Sabres and Jets discussed a trade that would have sent Hellebuyck to Buffalo ahead of the first round of the draft in June, but were unable to reach a deal.
While there is obviously interest in the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, it appears no trade is close at the moment.
“The bottom line at the moment, as far as I can ascertain, is that there’s just nothing on the table that would represent a fair deal for Winnipeg,” LeBrun wrote in The Athletic. “It’s a real tough spot for the Jets to be in, especially after the star Team USA goalie made his trade request public. But the Jets can’t give him away.”
The 6-foot-4 netminder is entering the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract that carries an annual cap hit of $8.5 million. He holds a full no-move clause as part of the contract through next July, when it will switch to a 10-team approved trade list.
Hellebuyck, 33, went 23-23-11 last season with a 2.86 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage. Winnipeg took a step backward, going from Presidents’ Trophy winners to missing the playoffs.
He was crucial in leading the United States to their first Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey since 1980, going 5-0 with a 1.18 GAA and .956 save percentage. He received the Presidential Medal of Freedom following his 41-save performance in the gold-medal overtime win against Canada.
Hellebuyck put the pressure on Winnipeg last month as he informed the world he first requested a trade earlier this summer.
“I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options,” Hellebuyck said as part of a statement released by his agent. “With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.
“I appreciate everything Winnipeg Jets fans have meant to me throughout my career and hope a resolution can be reached soon.”
Hellebuyck is just a year removed from being the runaway winner of the Hart Trophy and Vezina Trophy in 2024-25, putting up a 47-12-3 record with a 2.00 GAA and .925 save percentage.
