Just a year after winning the Presidents’ Trophy, the Winnipeg Jets missed the playoffs entirely in 2025-26. That fall from grace has put everyone on notice, including the franchise’s most decorated player.
Connor Hellebuyck’s future in Winnipeg is suddenly in question. According to David Pagnotta of The Fourth Period, trade chatter around the three-time Vezina Trophy winner is expected to heat up this week, right before the NHL Draft kicks off Friday.
One team that keeps popping up in conversations is the New Jersey Devils. The Devils are reportedly shopping goalie Jacob Markstrom themselves, and they could be looking to make a bigger splash instead of a lateral move. New Jersey has the cap space and the need for a proven No. 1 to push them back into contention.
The Numbers Tell Two Stories
Hellebuyck just finished one of the roughest seasons of his career: 23-23-11 with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. That’s ugly on paper, and it’s probably part of why the Jets are open to listening. But his track record is absurdly good. He’s won the Vezina in 2020, 2024 and 2025, and he took home the Hart Trophy in 2025. He also picked up an Olympic gold medal this year. For most of his career, he’s been a 35-win guy with a .910 save percentage or better.
So is last season a blip or the start of a decline? The answer to that question is probably what’s keeping trade talks from being a done deal.
What the Jets Are Thinking
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff didn’t exactly shoot down the idea of moving Hellebuyck. In fact, he basically said the team needs a shakeup.
“Complacency is not going to get us moving forward, so something has got to happen,” Cheveldayoff said. “I’m not going to just sit here and throw every guy under the bus because honestly, I’m a goalie and I know goaltending really well. I can’t say, ‘This forward did this and that defense did that.’ That’s not my spot. I believe in every guy in giving their A-plus effort every single night. A lot of times, that’s all you can ask – give your all every single night. As a teammate, l can really rally behind that and really cherish those moments with those guys. But to just put that same product on the ice, I don’t think it worked for a reason.”
That reads like a man who knows he has to change the mix, and Hellebuyck is the biggest trade chip he’s got. The Jets already re-signed backup Isaac Poulter to a one-year deal, so they’ve got at least one body in the crease if a deal goes through.
The draft is Friday. If something is happening, it’ll probably happen fast. A team like New Jersey, or maybe another Metro Division club looking to jump the line, could make the call any minute now.
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