If Hellebuyck Is Traded, Might Canadiens Come After Jets’ Other Big Star?

The Winnipeg Jets are working on a trade to send goaltender Connor Hellebuyck to another team. The goaltender requested a trade and made it public on Thursday, and the Jets confirmed they know his position and will do what’s best for the organization. Several teams will be in the mix, and recent reports are that Hellebuyck is open to waiving his no-trade clause in several scenarios.

The immediate question is what the Jets do once Hellebuyck is traded. Do they offload more pieces? Will they start a rebuild or try to be competitive? Who else is a possible trade candidate and what teams will come after the Jets top stars? Expect Mark Scheifele to be high on that list.

Tony Marinaro on The Sick Podcast suggested the Montreal Canadiens might be a team to watch here .

Related: Uncertain Future For Winnipeg Jets After Connor Hellebuyck Trade Request

”Let’s just say the Winnipeg Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to the Buffalo Sabres, you know what I’d do if I’m the Montreal Canadiens? I immediately call them & asked them for Mark Scheifele […]’ It wouldn’t just be the Canadiens who kick tires on Scheifele. It would be open season for teams calling Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff to see where his head is on his top stars.

Why the Canadiens and Scheifele?

The Canadiens have a great roster of young stars on solid contracts. They’re legitimate contenders in the Eastern Conference and if they can add another top-six center to their mix, they’ll be an early favorite to compete for the Stanley Cup. Scheifele has both an affordable contract at $8.5 million per season and he’s coming off his best season statistically. He scored 36 goals and had 103 points in 82 games. He’s better than a 2C, but if the Canadiens could swing it, the duo of Nick Suzuki and Scheifele down the middle would rival the top teams at that position, including Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl in Edmonton.

Suzuki was asked this week if he would be bothered to see a player with a contract of 15-16-17 million dollars per year land in Montreal while he earns 7.88? He said no. “That’s what happens when you sign a long-term deal. It’s been five years now! Times have changed. On this team, the guys just want to win. Some have accepted less money to make it happen. That makes a difference. And we’re still making enough money to be set for life.”

The thing about Scheifele is that this wouldn’t be a concern. He’s a 100-point player on a reasonable deal.

What would the Canadiens have to give up to acquire the Jets’ top center? A package might start at something like Michael Hage, Oliver Kapanen, Tobias Engstrom, and a 1st.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Maple Leafs, Jets & Oilers Fans Still Upset