Report: Panthers’ Big Trade Offer for Hellebuyck Included Assets That Went Elsewhere

New details are emerging about just how far the Florida Panthers were willing to go to land Connor Hellebuyck, though the offer may now be a thing of the past.

According to Elliotte Friedman via 32 Thoughts, Florida’s proposed package for the Winnipeg Jets goaltender included forward Evan Rodrigues, the draft picks the Panthers flipped in the Brady Tkachuk trade — including the ninth and 25th overall selections in 2026 — along with another roster player, reportedly not Anton Lundell.

Panthers Are Still Interested, But The Offer Needs to Change

The catch is that those exact assets are no longer available, since Florida ultimately used that draft capital, and Evan Rodrigues is now with the New Jersey Devils.

The Panthers decided to place a priority on Tkachuk over Hellebuyck. It also comes at a notable time, as the Panthers might wind up searching for goaltending answers after losing both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov in free agency. They acquired Jacob Markstrom, but is he the solution?

Despite no longer having those specific assets to offer, insiders don’t expect Florida to back off entirely. “I think the Panthers are gonna continue to monitor,” Frank Seravalli said on the Jason Gregor Show, noting general manager Bill Zito has a track record of finding ways to get deals done regardless of circumstance.

If offers involving multiple first-round picks were truly on the table for the 33-year-old at some point, it raises fresh questions about how the Jets have handled the situation to this point.

The report adds another layer to an increasingly complicated situation in Winnipeg, where Hellebuyck was suspended this week for failing to report to training camp following his trade request.

Next: Matthew Tkachuk Sends a Warning to Former Linemates Now Reunited in Toronto