Panthers Take Big Return Option Off the Table for Hellebuyck, Who Else Is In?

Connor Hellebuyck‘s future in Winnipeg is looking increasingly uncertain, as a growing wave of insider reports suggests the two-time Vezina Trophy winner is ready to move on — and several contenders are circling.

NHL insider Pierre LeBrun dropped a significant bomb on OverDrive this week, stating that Hellebuyck is “very much open to a change.” According to LeBrun, the Florida Panthers have expressed genuine interest in acquiring the elite netminder, though there’s a major sticking point: Anton Lundell will not be included in any deal. For many analysts, that condition makes a Panthers-Jets trade nearly impossible to get across the finish line.

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The former connection between Hellebuyck and Panthers head coach Paul Maurice — who guided the Jets for years before hopping to Florida — makes the fit intriguing on paper. But without Lundell in the package, it’s hard to see how Winnipeg says yes. The Panthers would have to move a player since they moved so many draft picks to acquire Brady Tkachuk. But Lundell is not someone they’re willing to part with, as they weren’t in the Tkachuk deal (Ottawa asked).

Who Else Might Get Into the Hellebuyck Conversation?

Hellebuyck would obviously be interested in Florida, but it sounds like he’s open to other options as well.

Carolina briefly entered the conversation, with Darren Dreger suggesting the Hurricanes had the young assets to make a deal attractive — including Winnipeg-born Seth Jarvis as a potential sweetener. But Dreger quickly walked that back, noting that given the way Carolina won the Stanley Cup, a blockbuster goalie trade may no longer be on their agenda.

Frank Seravalli suggested a return to Michigan and the Detroit Red Wings might be a fit. He also thought the Buffalo Sabres would be interested and finally find a 1A they can run in between the pipes.

Chris Johnston added important context on That’s Hockey, noting that while a Hellebuyck trade is far from a certainty, this past season was a particularly difficult one for the goaltender, and the Jets’ front office may view this as the right moment to convert his value into multiple pieces that could reshape the roster.

With Hellebuyck reportedly open to a fresh start and rival teams doing their homework, the Jets are firmly in the spotlight as the NHL offseason shifts into high gear. Whether Winnipeg pulls the trigger — and at what price — could define the franchise’s direction for years to come.

Will this happen before the NHL draft? It feels like it might be trending that direction.

Next: Risky 2-Time Stanley Cup Championship Goalie Linked to Maple Leafs