The Connor Hellebuyck trade saga has taken another interesting turn, and this time the Montreal Canadiens have entered the conversation.
According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, the idea that Hellebuyck wants to leave Canada altogether is inaccurate. Simmons reported that if the Winnipeg Jets traded the star goaltender to either Montreal or Edmonton, Hellebuyck would report.
That immediately raises an intriguing question for Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes: If Hellebuyck is genuinely willing to play in Montreal, do the Canadiens need him?
Canadiens Already Have a Promising Tandem
Goaltending isn’t necessarily Montreal’s biggest weakness.
Jakub Dobes established himself as the Canadiens’ starter last season and elevated his game in the playoffs. The 24-year-old started all 19 of Montreal’s postseason games, finishing 9-10 with a .908 save percentage. At one point during the run, Dobes was 6-0 with a .942 save percentage and 1.77 goals-against average following a loss, while also winning two Game 7s on the road.
Then there is Jacob Fowler. The 21-year-old remains one of Montreal’s most important prospects. Fowler went 9-6-2 with a .908 save percentage and 2.43 goals-against average over 17 NHL appearances last season after posting a .916 save percentage in Laval. NHL.com ranks him as the Canadiens’ No. 3 prospect entering 2026-27. Montreal therefore has a young, inexpensive goaltending structure with significant upside. There isn’t an obvious need to disrupt it. But this is Hellebuyck.
It’s Difficult to Say No to Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck struggled by his standards last season, posting a 23-23-11 record, .895 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average. However, one disappointing season doesn’t erase what he has accomplished.
He won the Hart and Vezina trophies in 2024-25 after going 47-12-3 with a .925 save percentage, 2.00 GAA and eight shutouts. He is a three-time Vezina winner and owns a career .916 save percentage across 625 NHL games. For a Canadiens team attempting to transition from an emerging playoff team into a legitimate Stanley Cup contender, the opportunity to add a goalie with Hellebuyck’s résumé would at least warrant serious consideration.
What Would Hellebuyck Cost Montreal?
That’s where things become complicated. Hellebuyck is under contract through 2030-31 at an $8.5 million cap hit. His deal carries a full no-movement clause this season before becoming a modified no-trade clause in 2027-28. Winnipeg also has little reason to give him away despite his trade request. The Jets would presumably want a goaltender capable of playing immediately, plus another significant asset.
One speculative proposal circulating has Montreal sending Kaiden Guhle and Jakub Dobes to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck. That is not a reported offer between the teams, but it illustrates how expensive an acquisition could become. Montreal could instead try to construct an offer around Dobes, a high-end prospect or young player, and draft capital, while protecting Fowler as its long-term option in goal. Whether that would satisfy Winnipeg is unknown.
And that’s ultimately the dilemma for Hughes. Montreal doesn’t need Hellebuyck after what Dobes demonstrated in the playoffs and with Fowler pushing for a larger role. Trading significant young assets for a 33-year-old goalie carrying an $8.5 million cap hit through age 38 carries considerable risk. At the same time, opportunities to acquire a three-time Vezina winner don’t come around very often.
The Canadiens have spent years building their young core. If management believes that core is ready to contend now, Hellebuyck represents the type of established star who could dramatically alter Montreal’s ceiling — even if goaltending wasn’t the position Hughes originally intended to upgrade.
Next: Insider Reveals Two Teams Oilers Beat Out for Alex Formenton
Discover more from NHL Trade Talk
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
More News
