Another Huge Jets’ Star Being Linked In Hellebuyck Mock Trades

Connor Hellebuyck‘s trade request to leave Winnipeg is now confirmed, and PuckGM users (from PuckPedia’s mock trades section) have simulated hundreds of theories and ideas to guess where the three-time Vezina winner could land. Buffalo is by far the most popular destination, generating more than double the trade proposals of any other team, followed by Carolina, New Jersey, Detroit, and Vegas.

Interesting, however, is the mention of another Jets superstar as a piece that might go out in a blockbuster trade involving the Detroit Red Wings.

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The biggest names showing up as potential returns vary by team.

For Buffalo, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is the obvious fit, alongside a 2027 first-round pick and young forward Jack Quinn.

Carolina’s packages lean heavily on goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov and unsigned RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin, plus struggling center Jesperi Kotkaniemi and multiple first-round picks.

New Jersey’s offers center on young goalie Nico Daws, a trio of first-rounders, and forward Dawson Mercer.

Vegas trades typically include goaltender Adin Hill along with multiple first-round picks and recent first-rounders Trevor Connelly and Juho Piiparinen.

The Red Wings Pitches Include Kyle Connor?

Things get really interesting when the Red Wings get involved. Detroit’s proposed packages include mostly players from a deep prospect pool. They include names like Nate Danielson, Carter Bear, goaltending prospect Trey Augustine. The goaltender coming back is John Gibson.

However, Detroit is the only destination where users started to attach a second core Jets piece — star winger Kyle Connor. He appears in a several mock trade ideas, likely because he’s a Michigan-born athlete and there has been some speculation in the past about him potentially going to Detroit. Back in September of 2025, The Athletic’s Chris Johnston suggested in a mailbag column that the Red Wings were an option.

He wrote:

“Some fans in Connor’s home state of Michigan may be dreaming of a free-agent homecoming with the Detroit Red Wings next summer,…bound to be a monster contract that pushes Jets management to the far end of its comfort zone.”

At that time, Frank Seravalli also said, “A lot of people have been wondering if Kyle Connor does decide to go to market next summer, would the Detroit Red Wings be a fit for Kyle Connor?” He reported, “You can see the Michigan product going back. I can certainly see that, he would seem to make a ton of sense for a Detroit Red Wings team that could use additional scoring punch.”

It should be noted that there is currently no indication he actually wants out of Winnipeg, but the idea is intriguing.

His reasonable long-term deal (especially given the increasing salaries across the league) makes Winnipeg unlikely to move him. But the fact that fans believe a deal between the Jets and Red Wings could be much bigger than just Hellebuyck is fascinating.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Wild, Devils, Jets & Oilers Surprise?