Connor Hellebuyck was one of the biggest names circulating in the NHL rumor mill this offseason, yet the conversation around his future has unexpectedly lost momentum.
The Winnipeg Jets still appear headed toward a defining decision with their franchise goaltender, but what once looked like an imminent blockbuster has slowed considerably. Interest across the league remains real, although one insider believes the current market simply isn’t cooperating with Winnipeg’s demands.
Chris Johnston Details Connor Hellebuyck Trade Standoff
Hellebuyck is attracting attention from teams searching for an elite starting goaltender, but NHL insider Chris Johnston believes the timing of the market is working against the Winnipeg Jets more than the lack of interest itself.
Speaking on The Chris Johnston Show, Johnston explained why discussions have cooled after weeks of speculation.
“Now we’re into this weird part of the summer where I just don’t know if a team, for example, is gonna step up with a center maybe that can entice the Jets,” he said, pointing to Winnipeg’s pursuit of a top-six center as the central obstacle preventing meaningful progress.
This request has proven difficult because organizations rarely move established top-six centers during this stage of the calendar.
While several teams may have the assets to acquire Hellebuyck, very few are willing to part with the type of player Winnipeg considers essential to remain competitive rather than entering a lengthy rebuild.
The Buffalo Sabres have emerged as the most aggressive suitor after engaging in serious discussions around the 2026 NHL Draft.
Multiple insiders indicated Hellebuyck was willing to waive his no-movement clause for Buffalo, but negotiations unraveled because Winnipeg sought a substantial return that included the No. 4 overall pick, goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and forward Jack Quinn. The Sabres, meanwhile, asked for the No. 8 pick in return, which spelt the end of those talks.
Although that blockbuster never materialized, communication between the two teams has reportedly continued.
The Jets’ recent roster decisions have only added to the belief that Hellebuyck’s future lies elsewhere.
Winnipeg allowed longtime backup Eric Comrie to depart before signing Stuart Skinner to a two-year contract, a move many around the league interpreted as preparation for life after its longtime starter.
The fact that Skinner, Comrie, and Hellebuyck are all represented by agent Ray Petkau has only intensified speculation that the organization is planning ahead.
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Despite a disappointing 2025-26 campaign in which Winnipeg missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs, Hellebuyck remains one of the NHL’s premier goaltenders.
The 33-year-old posted a 23-23-11 record in 57 appearances before rebounding on the international stage by backstopping Team USA to an Olympic gold medal, reminding the league why contenders continue to view him as a franchise-changing addition.
For now, the market appears to be waiting for the Jets to change their position.
