Connor Hellebuyck Could Return with the Winnipeg Jets
Connor Hellebuyck was a hot topic of trade speculation throughout June. Reports indicated the Winnipeg Jets were willing to entertain offers for the 30-year-old goaltender amid word he wasn't interested in a contract extension beyond 2023-24.
Rumors linked Hellebuyck to as many as eight teams by late June, with the Buffalo Sabres and New Jersey Devils said to be among those suitors. It seemed only a matter of time before the 2019 Vezina Trophy winner would be heading to another club.
Nearly a month later, Hellebuyck remains a Jet. While he may not be one for long, he could be returning for the coming season.
Appearing on the NHL Network, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman indicated the Devils were still monitoring Hellebucyk and Anaheim Ducks goalie John Gibson. Nevertheless, he wouldn't be surprised if the netminder started this season in Winnipeg.
The Jets already made two notable off-season moves by trading Pierre-Luc Dubois to the Los Angeles Kings and buying out Blake Wheeler's contract. However, Friedman said they're not interested in rebuilding their roster and hope to make the playoffs this season. He also stated it's not just about trading Hellebuyck but finding a suitable replacement for him.
Hellebucyk's contract could also be a sticking point. He lacks no-trade protection but carries a cap hit of about $6.167 million while earning $7.5 million in actual salary. For teams seeking a starting goalie, that's difficult to absorb with the salary cap flattened for 2023-24.
It's also rumored that his camp wants an annual cap hit of $9.5 million on his next deal. That's comparable to what Andrei Vasilevskiy earns with the Tampa Bay Lightning. Some clubs could be reluctant to make that investment in a sign-and-trade scenario.
