Jets open to Hellebuyck trade for center help

Teams are calling the Winnipeg Jets about Connor Hellebuyck after his locker clean-out comments that winning the Cup is now all that matters.

Hellebuyck comments trigger league-wide interest

Darren Dreger reported on TSN that noise around Hellebuyck has moved from the Winnipeg market to national attention following the goalie’s remarks on locker clean-out day. The three-time Vezina winner expressed disappointment with the team’s finish and stated that only a Cup matters to him going forward.

Kevin Cheveldayoff now sits in a position where he knows he has to listen to offers according to Dreger. The GM has fielded multiple calls from teams interested in the netminder.

Hellebuyck’s no-move clause adds complexity to any potential deal yet the interest persists because of his proven track record including Vezina wins in 2019-20 2023-24 and 2024-25.

The Jets finished the 2025-26 season with a 35-35-12 record and 82 points placing seventh in the Central Division.

Speculation intensified precisely because Hellebuyck voiced his priorities publicly creating leverage for Winnipeg if it chooses to move him.

Jets roster gaps make trade consideration logical

The Jets need a number two center and would like to add a fourth-line center while also addressing their blue line according to Dreger. Acquiring Hellebuyck would force any acquiring team to solve its own goaltending but the payoff for Winnipeg lies in immediate lineup upgrades.

History shows Winnipeg struggles to complete big trades because players with no-trade clauses often resist relocation to the market. The current free agent pool remains thin limiting options for Cheveldayoff without a blockbuster.

If the Jets trade Hellebuyck they must immediately target goaltending replacements which further narrows the return they can demand. Dreger noted that Cheveldayoff appears willing to explore the possibility only if the return includes a second-line center plus additional assets.

The contrast between Hellebuyck’s individual accolades and the team’s 82-point finish underscores why the goalie pushed for change while the front office weighs roster construction trade-offs.

Execution hurdles remain high for any deal

The unrestricted free agent market offers few immediate solutions for Winnipeg’s center needs making a Hellebuyck trade one of the few paths to meaningful additions. Teams calling about the goalie recognize the rare opportunity to acquire an elite netminder.

Cheveldayoff must balance the risk of losing a franchise cornerstone against the chance to address multiple positional holes at once. The smoke around the situation according to Dreger suggests real fire rather than idle chatter.

Any deal would likely occur before the July 1 free agency window opens given the thin market and Winnipeg’s documented difficulty attracting protected players.

The Jets’ willingness to listen stems directly from Hellebuyck’s public stance rather than any pre-existing plan to move the three-time Vezina winner.

Unless the Jets secure a number two center by the July 1 free agency period, Hellebuyck could be dealt before training camp opens in September.