The NHL rumor mill is churning, and the biggest name on it right now is Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets goaltender, fresh off a Hart Trophy win and a gold medal with Team USA, is reportedly available in trade talks. And the Florida Panthers might be the team most likely to pull the trigger.
According to The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun, the Panthers are paying close attention to Hellebuyck’s situation. But there’s a catch. Florida’s interest depends entirely on whether they can re-sign Sergei Bobrovsky, who’s set to hit free agency this summer. Bobrovsky is 38 now, but he backstopped the Panthers to two Stanley Cup Final wins in 2024 and 2025. The team wants him back, no question. But if the money or term doesn’t work, they need a backup plan. Hellebuyck could be that plan.
LeBrun reported that Hellebuyck’s end-of-season comments to the media in Winnipeg suggested he’d be open to a change of scenery. TSN’s Darren Dreger added Wednesday that the Jets are indeed listening on him and that a potential return package could center around a second-line center plus other assets. That’s a big ask, but Florida has the pieces.
What a Trade Would Look Like
The cap situation isn’t a headache here. Hellebuyck makes less than Bobrovsky did on his last deal, so the Panthers could slot him in without major gymnastics. The Jets would likely demand one of Florida’s young NHL-ready forwards. Anton Lundell or Mackie Samoskevich are the obvious names. Both are under team control, both can play now. Winnipeg needs a center who can step in and produce, and Lundell fits that description perfectly.
If the Panthers land Hellebuyck, they become immediate Stanley Cup favorites. He was the first goalie in over 20 years to win league MVP, and he stole the gold medal game from Canada this winter. He’s a game-changer. But Florida has to get past the injury bug that wrecked their depth last season. They limped into the playoffs and got bounced early. Adding Hellebuyck doesn’t fix that. It just makes the goalie position bulletproof.
For now, it’s all speculation. Bobrovsky could still sign. The Jets could decide to keep Hellebuyck. But the fact that this is even being discussed tells you everything about the NHL’s goalie market right now. It’s thin. And the Panthers are smart to have a Plan B.
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