Jets Confirm They’ve Taken Trade Calls on Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff says the team has had conversations and discussions with Connor Hellebuyck regarding his future, but would not confirm if the star goaltender has requested a trade. It’s believed he has, but there is no rush to trade him ahead of the NHL Draft on Friday night. The 33-year-old signed a contract extension in October 2023 and any team trading for him would neeed to take on his $8.5 million through the 2020-31 season.

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The GM said everyone saw the Hellebuyck press conference, and in the exit meetings, they had some frank conversations, but he’s going to keep the details of that conversation private. “For me, it’s winning a Stanley Cup – that’s my goal, and that’s all I have left, and that’s what I want on my resumé,” said Hellebuyck after a disappointing sesason for the Jets came to a close. “I don’t play this game for the money, I don’t play it for the fame. I do it for my own personal fun and, you know, part of that is winning a Cup. So for me, I’m just looking at how can I get that? How can I get there?”

People immediately read between the lines of his comments and took it as a suggestion he was telling the Jets it was time for a change.

Which Teams Are in On Hellebuyck?

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun believes the Florida Panthers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Buffalo Sabres are three potential landing spots for Hellebuyck on the trade market. This could still get done, even if Cheveldayoff says the Jets aren’t in a rush. Part of the hurry would be Winnipeg landing a first-round pick in Friday’s draft.

“There’s no question that Hellebuyck’s name has been talked about with the Sabres,” LeBrun said on Insider Trading on Thursday. “When I look at Hellebuyck and the Jets, they don’t have to trade him in the off-season. It’s clear from his comments after the season that it’s something Hellebuyck would prefer.”

When it comes to the Panthers, they remain very much interested, but they are not willing to give up Anton Lundell. “So, that makes it hard to get Hellebuyck out of Winnipeg when I look at the assets that Florida has left. They’ve traded a lot of assets.”

“Carolina is always big-game hunting, and Hellebuyck is big game. So, keep an eye them as well.” Frank Seravalli reported that the Hurricanes made an offer which includes a first-round pick and Alexander Nikishin.

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