Latest NHL Trade Rumors on Connor Hellebuyck Reveal New Landing Spot Amid Panthers Buzz

The Carolina Hurricanes made a trade offer to the Winnipeg Jets for superstar goalie Connor Hellebuyck, per Frank Seravalli of Hockey 24/7.

"Sources indicate the Carolina Hurricanes made a pitch this week for United States Olympic gold medalist and three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. The offer was believed to include a first-round pick along with pending RFA defenseman Alexander Nikishin, a player swirling in trade winds this week."

Seravalli added that Carolina has an extra first-round draft pick as a potential trade piece following the Mikko Rantanen trade to the Dallas Stars that notably brought Logan Stankoven to the Hurricanes.

Hellebuyck has also previously been connected to the Florida Panthers, per TSN's Darren Dreger.

TSN's Darren Dreger reported:

"Well, as you would expect, there's some interest. Probably not as much as [Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff] would want at this point. I would say a number of teams have expressed a level of interest, including the Florida Panthers, with the uncertainty that they have in their crease as they continue to restock the cupboard there."

He also noted, though:

"...the offers on this future Hall of Fame goaltender just flat out aren't good enough yet. It's early in the week. Perhaps there can be developments moving forward. But I wanna remind everyone, Connor Hellebuyck is under contract with the Winnipeg Jets until 2031. So for him to get moved, the offers have to improve."

The 33-year-old Hellebuyck is a four-time All-Star and three-time Vezina Trophy winner. In 2024-25, Hellebuyck led the NHL with 47 wins, a 2.00 GAA and eight shutouts en route to the Hart Memorial Trophy. He also had a .925 save percentage.

Last year wasn't as successful for Hellebuyck or the Jets, who finished 35-35-12, missed the playoffs and finished second-last in the Central Division. Hellebuyck's GAA went up to 2.86, his save percentage fell to .895 and his record stood at 23-23-11 after going 47-12-3 the year before.

Still, Hellebuyck is one of the best goalies (if not the best) in the league, so it's understandable why there's much interest surrounding him.

Hellebuyck is on a seven-year, $59.5 million contract that runs through 2030-31. He obviously figured into the Jets' long-term plans when the contract began in 2024, but Winnipeg has to figure out its future after a down season. Hellebuyck, in theory, could lead to a treasure trove of players and draft assets that can get the team back on the right track.

Both the 'Canes and Panthers make sense. Carolina just won the Stanley Cup and obviously wants to keep its Stanley Cup window wide open. The Panthers, who were back-to-back Stanley Cup champs in 2024 and 2025, just missed the playoffs and obviously want to get back in the postseason picture ASAP.

We'll see what transpires down the road, but Hellebuyck's status is something to monitor as the offseason continues.