3-Way Trade Ideas for Connor Hellebuyck and Alexander Nikishin Amid NHL Rumors

Connor Hellebuyck is still technically a member of the Winnipeg Jets, even if his time with the team seems over.

He wants a trade, did not report to training camp and is currently suspended while the team tries to figure out a deal that can bring back enough value to salvage the situation.

One team that reportedly has a serious interest in him is the Carolina Hurricanes. While they have mostly competed without a top-tier goalie, including the 2025-26 Stanley Cup-winning team, that doesn't mean they would turn down the opportunity to get one should the opportunity present itself.

The opportunity might be presenting itself, especially given their remaining salary-cap space and the potential trade assets they have at their disposal.

The most logical trade asset is defenseman Alexander Nikishin, who remains unsigned as a restricted free agent.

The problem: Winnipeg may not have much interest in Nikishin because there could be some concern about his willingness to sign there.

Sportsnet NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman recently suggested Carolina could be looking to use Nikishin as part of a three-team trade to help Winnipeg get what it is looking for, while also getting Hellebuyck to Carolina.

Let's try to come up with some three-team ideas that could make sense for all involved.

St. Louis Blues as the 3rd Team

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• Carolina receives: G Connor Hellebuyck
• St. Louis receives: D Alexander Nikishin, G Pyotr Kochetkov
• Winnipeg receives: G Joel Hofer, F prospect Felix Unger Sorum, first-round pick (from Carolina), first-round pick (from St. Louis).

Even after picking up Clay Stevenson on waivers before the season and with the presence of veteran Stuart Skinner on a two-year deal, the Jets are probably going to want a goalie in any Hellebuyck trade.

Stevenson is an intriguing player, but he is largely unproven at age 27 and there is no way they are going to commit to him being any sort of a long-term answer at this point.

Blues goalie Jordan Binnington has no-trade protections in his contract and could block a deal to Winnipeg, and the Blues still seem to value him as their starter despite all of his inconsistent play. All of that would work out in the Jets' favor because Hofer is probably the better goalie.

The Blues would come away with a young defenseman in Nikishin who would upgrade their blue line and fit the core they are building around Robert Thomas, Dylan Holloway, Jimmy Snuggerud, Jake Neighbours and Philip Broberg. While those players are at different stages of their development, Nikishin would align with St. Louis' effort to build a young, talented group capable of competing together over the long term.

The price from St. Louis would be Hofer and a first-round pick, which is probably close to fair value. Simon Nemec—a similarly skilled player at a comparable point in his career, with similar production—was traded for two first-round picks earlier this summer. In this scenario, Hofer effectively replaces the second first-rounder.

Carolina would part with Nikishin, Kochetkov, Unger Sorum and one of its four first-round picks over the next three years, which is probably a similar type of value that it would be giving up if it were just directly dealing with Winnipeg, and if Winnipeg wanted Nikishin.

The question would be if this is enough for Winnipeg. Hofer is a solid goalie, but he's not Hellebuyck. He's younger, but he's also a restricted free agent after this season and there is always that question if he would sign there.

Two first-round picks would represent meaningful value, though their ultimate worth would depend heavily on where they land.

Pittsburgh Penguins as the 3rd Team

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• Carolina receives: G Connor Hellebuyck
• Pittsburgh receives: D Alexander Nikishin
• Winnipeg receives: G prospect Joel Blomqvist, F Tommy Novak, F prospect Charlie Cerrato, first-round pick (from Carolina)

Pittsburgh Penguins general manager Kyle Dubas has been extremely active and aggressive over the past couple of years, and he has also made no secret about having his team in the market for any young, talented player who is available.

Nikishin checks a lot of the boxes and would potentially fill a big long-term need on defense.

Erik Karlsson and Sam Girard are both unrestricted free agents after this season. Kris Letang is getting into his late 30s. They have a really good defensive prospect in Harrison Brunicke, but they could use another long-term piece.

The Penguins also have the salary-cap space to get Nikishin signed. They have forward depth at the NHL level to deal, and they have goalie depth in their farm system. This proposal has Pittsburgh dealing from positions of strength to address a long-term weakness on defense.

From a Winnipeg perspective, we are going to switch things up a little and go with the idea that they do not necessarily need an NHL goalie back right away, and go in a different direction and try to rebuild some forward depth.

Novak is by no means a star, but he is a solid, middle-six center who is signed for the long term on a very team-friendly contract.

Cerrato, a center prospect in the Carolina farm system, brings a tenacious style of play while also still having some offensive upside that could give him a chance to be a long-term NHL player.

Detroit Red Wings as the 3rd Team

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• Carolina receives: G Connor Hellebuyck
• Detroit receives: D Alexander Nikishin
• Winnipeg receives: D Simon Edvinsson

I am just going to call this the Tylenol trade because it is an attempt to solve everybody's headaches.

Or in the case of the Red Wings, at least one of their headaches because who really even knows what is going on with center Dylan Larkin.

Hellebuyck wants out of Winnipeg.

Carolina cannot get Nikishin signed and wants to use him as a trade piece for Hellebuyck, but Winnipeg does not want him.

Detroit can not get Edvinsson signed and now he would reportedly prefer a trade away from the Red Wings.

Well, let's just get rid of everybody in exchange for everybody else. Nikishin from Carolina to Detroit for Edvinsson, Edvinsson from Carolina to Winnipeg for Hellebuyck.

Problems solved.

Is it perfect? No. Probably not. But somebody has to get something done here.