NHL Rumor Roundup: Connor Hellebuyck Confirms Trade Request, But Will The Jets Move Him Soon?
Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck released a statement confirming he's requested a trade. Where will he want to go, what type of return would the Jets want, and how long will it take to move him?
Video Transcript
I'm Lyle Richardson of the Hockey News.
On Thursday, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck released a statement through his agent that confirmed what most of us had suspected throughout the offseason, that he had in fact requested a trade from the Jets earlier in the offseason.
And that is the topic of today's NHL Rumor Roundup column.
Now, Hellebuyck has five years remaining on his contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million and a full no-movement clause.
However, it is believed that he will move that clause, or I'm sorry, waive that clause for an opportunity to be moved to an American-based competitive club.
So sorry, Canadian teams, you're not going to be part of the bidding here.
Now, as for potential destinations that he'd be willing to go to, we currently don't know whether he submitted a list or what those teams are, but several pundits have already made their best guesses, and the Buffalo Sabres top that list as they were the club most closely linked to Hellebuyck in the rumor mill.
In fact, it was reported that the Sabres and the Jets were working on a trade involving Hellebuyck.
However, it fell through prior to the start of the 2026 NHL draft in late June.
Other possible destinations for Hellebuyck could include the defending Stanley Cup champions, the Carolina Hurricanes, along with the Florida Panthers, the Vegas Golden Knights, the San Jose Sharks, and the New Jersey Devils.
Now, as far as what the Jets could seek in return for Hellebuyck, Murad Atas of The Athletic indicated that their primary needs will be for a top six forward, preferably a center or a right wing, and a goaltender who can help ease the pain of Hellebuyck's departure.
