3 potential trade destinations for Jets’ Connor Hellebuyck

The Winnipeg Jets’ roster could look drastically different next season, starting in goal, with All-Star netminder Connor Hellebuyck’s future uncertain.

Hellebuyck, entering the final season of a six-year, $37-million contract, has reportedly informed the organization that he isn’t willing to sign a long-term extension when he becomes eligible on July 1. And he isn’t alone, as restricted free agent Pierre-Luc Dubois intends to sign elsewhere, as well.

On top of those two, Mark Scheifele has also requested a trade, according to The Athletic's Murat Ates, confirming a belief that has seemingly been brewing since Winnipeg missed the playoffs following the 2021-22 campaign.

If dealt, Dubois and Scheifele would surely net the Jets a solid return of future assets, both for the present and future. Hellebuyck, however, could land them a sizeable haul as one of the sport’s most sought-after trade targets this offseason.

The 30-year-old, carrying a reasonable $6.16 million cap hit in 2023-24, remains at the top of his craft and is still considered among the league’s elite goaltenders. Despite Winnipeg’s prolonged playoff failures, he has been a workhorse between the pipes since his breakout 2017-18 season.

No other goaltender has faced more shots on goal than Hellebuyck (11,349) over the last six seasons, who also leads the league in saves (10,412) and games played (363) during this sensational span. His 26 shutouts rank third behind Marc-Andre Fleury (29) and Andrei Vasilevskiy (28).

This past season, the former Vezina Trophy winner logged 64 starts, placing tied for fourth in save percentage (.920) and 10th in goals-against average (2.49) among qualified netminders (30 games). He also finished fourth league-wide in goals saved above expected (30.8).

With Hellebuyck’s tenure in Winnipeg nearing a conclusion, let’s explore three franchises that may have what it takes — both from a financial and trade assets standpoint — to acquire the award-winning netminder this summer.

Carolina Hurricanes

2023-24 projected cap space: $24.1 million

2023 draft picks: 1st, 2nd, 3rd (Philadelphia), 4th, 5th (Carolina, Vancouver), 6th (Carolina, Chicago), 7th

Coming off an Eastern Conference final exit, the Hurricanes are entering an intriguing phase of their competitive window, with multiple key UFAs set to hit the open market next month, including goaltenders Frederik Andersen and Antti Raanta.

Carolina is reportedly interested in exploring contract extensions with both netminders. But with Hellebuyck likely available, there could be a unique opportunity to upgrade the position with a superstar performer; something that doesn’t come around often.

The Hurricanes have other pressing matters, of course, as captain Jordan Staal, Jesper Fast, Calvin De Hann and Shayne Gostisbehere are also pending free agents. With over $24 million in cap space for 2023-24, though, general manager Don Waddell has plenty of short and long-term flexibility at his disposal.

Only three skaters are on the books beyond the 2024-25 campaign: Jesperi Kotkaniemi, Andrei Svechnikov and Pyotr Kochetkov, which would prove beneficial when attempting to negotiate Hellebuyck’s next contract.

Regarding trade assets, the Hurricanes possess numerous valuable 2023 draft picks, especially for a Jets franchise that owns just five selections ahead of this month’s draft. But Waddell may also need to dip into his pool of prospects.

Atop that list is likely Kochetkov, who posted a 2.44 GAA and .909 SV% in 24 games with the Hurricanes this past season. Parting with the 23-year-old wouldn’t be easy, though.

The potential of having Kochetkov form a lethal tandem with Hellebuyck is a mouth-watering prospect for the Canes. But if including him in the deal meant pushing it across the finish line, Carolina may have to consider trading its top prospect.

Buffalo Sabres

2023-24 projected cap space: $16.9 million

2023 draft picks: 1st, 2nd (Buffalo, Philadelphia), 3rd (Los Angeles), 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th

It has been well over a decade since the Sabres last made the playoffs in 2011, though they only missed by a single point in 2022-23. One of their biggest weaknesses, however, was in the crease.

Buffalo deployed four goaltenders a season ago, but only one registered a save percentage north of .900 and a goals-against average below 3.00: rookie Devon Levi. But the problem is he has just seven career NHL games under his belt — all coming last season.

With Craig Anderson retiring, the Sabres must go hunting for a starting goaltender over these next few weeks and months, and who better to target than Hellebuyck?

The two-time All-Star would perfectly complement the franchise’s young core, headlined by Tage Thompson and Rasmus Dahlin. It would also reunite him with former teammate Eric Comrie, who served as the Jets’ backup in 2021-22 and made brief appearances from 2016-19.

Joining the Sabres would also allow Hellebuyck to play behind a reliable defensive unit — a feature he has rarely experienced in Winnipeg — consisting of cornerstones like Dahlin, Mattias Samuelsson and Owen Power.

Hellebuyck’s one year of control might be the only aspect that makes the Sabres hesitant to offer a lucrative return, as they may desire to negotiate a long-term extension as part of the deal. The Jets could complicate matters if those terms aren’t agreeable, though.

If contract negotiations aren’t an issue, finding one with Buffalo’s attractive draft capital and prospect pool would be tough, positioning them among the favourites in the Connor Hellebuyck sweepstakes.

Los Angeles Kings

2023-24 projected cap space: $7.3 million

2023 draft picks: 2nd, 3rd (Pittsburgh), 4th, 5th, 6th

With Calvin Petersen shipped off to Philadelphia as part of this month’s three-team trade between the Flyers, Kings and Blue Jackets, Los Angeles freed up cap space but further heightened its need in goal, with only Pheonix Copley signed for next season.

Joonas Korpisalo, acquired from Columbus at last season’s trade deadline, remains an option as he prepares to enter unrestricted free agency on July 1. But the Kings don’t appear to be rushing to bring him back after he struggled to a 3.77 GAA and a .892 SV% in the playoffs.

Much of Los Angeles’ remaining cap space will be allocated to re-signing RFA Gabriel Vilardi, who’s coming off a career season, complicating a pursuit of Hellebuyck given his $6-million-plus cap hit. It’d be worth juggling some resources around for a goaltender of his calibre, though, especially since the team has $50.8 million committed in contracts for 2024-25.

Kings captain Anze Kopitar and forward Viktor Arvidsson are slated to hit free agency after next season, accounting for almost 50 percent of their $36.7 million in projected cap space, leaving the organization plenty of flexibility to extend Hellebuyck and surround him with impact players.

Los Angeles’ front office isn’t rich with draft capital, unlike Carolina or Buffalo, with only nine selections - including just one first-rounder - across the next two drafts. What they do have, however, is one of the deepest farm systems league-wide.

Brandt Clarke, of course, sits atop the Kings’ prospect list as the franchise’s most talented young blueliner. While the 20-year-old defenceman is probably as untouchable as it gets, b there is still a deep pool of skill beyond him that would likely catch the Jets’ interest.

Hellebuyck, meanwhile, could take his talents to California’s warm year-round climate and team up with one of hockey’s most decorated defenceman, Drew Doughty.