‘Cobble Together Free Agent Goaltending’ — Jets Urged to Consider Trading Connor Hellebuyck To Eastern Conference Giants
· Yahoo Sports
The speculation surrounding Winnipeg Jets star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck has reached another level this offseason. What began as frustration following a disappointing season has now evolved into legitimate trade chatter, with analysts and insiders openly discussing scenarios that would send the franchise netminder elsewhere.
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Now, one NHL analyst is urging the Jets to consider a blockbuster deal that would send Hellebuyck to an Eastern Conference powerhouse.
Analyst Floats Connor Hellebuyck Trade Scenario
Much of the speculation stems from Hellebuyck’s candid comments at the end of the 2025-26 season. After posting an uncharacteristically modest .895 save percentage and 2.86 goals-against average in 57 games, the 33-year-old goaltender voiced his frustration with the team’s performance.
Hellebuyck questioned whether Winnipeg is truly positioned to compete for a Stanley Cup, saying, “What we did this year was unacceptable.” For a player who had long expressed a desire to win in Winnipeg, the remarks raised eyebrows across the league and fueled questions about his long-term future.
NHL analyst Jim Matheson recently floated a potential solution, linking Hellebuyck to the Florida Panthers. “If Jets can get Lundell and 9th overall pick from Florida for Hellebuyck, you do it in a heartbeat,” Matheson pointed out. “Lundell is very good C and only 24. You cobble together free agent goaltending.”
The obvious downside for Winnipeg in this trade is that they lose a top-tier goalie. Matheson’s solution to that is to “cobble together” a solution. Signing cheaper, serviceable veteran goaltenders from the free-agent market could include names like Stuart Skinner and Connor Ingram.
As for Florida, reports indicate the Panthers actually reached out to Winnipeg earlier this offseason to see if Hellebuyck was available.
The fit is easy to see. Veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is approaching free agency, contract talks have stalled, and Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has a long history with Hellebuyck from their time together in Winnipeg.
The Panthers are also an established Eastern Conference powerhouse built entirely on a culture of heavy, playoff-ready hockey. Hellebuyck’s intense competitiveness and standard of accountability match the locker room culture established by Aleksander Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk.
Of course, any potential deal would require Hellebuyck’s approval. He has five years remaining on his contract, carrying an $8.5 million cap hit, and possesses a full no-movement clause.
For Florida, parting with Anton Lundell would be a significant sacrifice. The 24-year-old center has developed into one of the league’s most reliable two-way forwards and remains a key piece of the franchise’s future.
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However, with Barkov anchoring the top line for the foreseeable future, Florida is in a position where it can sacrifice future center depth if it means securing a definitive Hall-of-Fame-caliber goaltender to anchor their crease.