One of the more fascinating situations to watch as training camps open in the NHL is how the Winnipeg Jets will handle the Connor Hellebuyck trade request. As NHLRumors.com has documented, Winnipeg’s situation differs from Detroit’s Dylan Larkin situation, since Hellebuyck has a broader trade list than Larkin.
Connor Hellebuyck Goes Public With His Trade Request
We know the Jets and Buffalo Sabres discussed Connor Hellebuyck at the 2026 NHL Draft. Hellebuyck was willing to go to Buffalo, and the parameters of a trade had been agreed to, but Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff didn’t want to send a first-round pick back in the deal. You don’t blame him, given he was trading away a franchise-elite goaltender.
Outside of Buffalo, which remains a serious contender to get him, NHLRumors.com has linked Connor Hellebuyck to the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, Vegas Golden Knights, Detroit Red Wings, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, Utah Mammoth, and several other teams.
Given Hellebuyck wants to win, it is easier to trade him than Larkin. But one team that is being brought up, given their window to win is now, is the Edmonton Oilers. It is a big year for the Oilers with Connor McDavid‘s two-year extension beginning. While it makes sense and it is good in theory, are the Oilers a legit contender to get him?
Connor Hellebuyck Proves He is the Best Goalie in the World
Jim Biringer of NHLRumors.com and Full Press NHL joined TSN Radio in Montreal on Friday and was asked about Connor Hellebuyck and whether the Edmonton Oilers could be a sleeper team that could acquire him.
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Host: “So, Jim, do you think that it’s a little bit more widespread? Like, look, man, we’re seeing a lot of the American hockey players kind of bailing out of Canadian cities. Daniel brought up an excellent point earlier today. A perfect fit would probably be Edmonton. Can you see the Oilers in play here? Is that something you think Connor Hellebuyck would accept?”
Jim Biringer: “I mean, he could accept it. I’m not going to rule it out because again, he’d have to be convinced to go there. But it feels like, and I’m not going to get into it because we’re on a sports radio talk show. But there are definitely geopolitical factors a part of this thing. I’m just not so sure that Hellebuyck would want to stay in Canada. It feels like he wants to go south of the border, back in America.
And again, American players leaving Canada-that’s a tough look right now. But I think Edmonton is a player not going to truly rule it out. But it would take a lot, a lot of convincing. I’m more convinced he goes south of the border.”
What do the Winnipeg Jets do with Connor Hellebuyck?
Again, if winning is part of the equation, then the Oilers make sense for Hellebuyck. However, as noted, other factors will be in play. Is it better for Connor Hellebuyck to go South of the border, given there might be more opportunities to win?
It is a situation worth watching given the length of the list of teams he is willing to go to.
We had to restart our X account. Please follow @MyNHLRumorsX
Have you subscribed to our YouTube channel? Rumor roundups and hot topics from around the league. We’re also posting some stuff on Instagram.
If you love our reporting, choose NHLrumors.com as a preferred source on Google.
