NHL Source: Canadiens Not Interested In Connor Hellebuyck

While it won’t come as a surprise to most, an NHL source has confirmed to TheSickPodcast.com, that the Montreal Canadiens have not expressed any interest in Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck.

“I can tell you right now that the Montreal Canadiens have not inquired about Connor Hellebuyck and haven’t had any conversations with the Jets on him,” the source told SickPodcast.com.

“I saw the report out there that Hellebuyck would be interested in a trade to Montreal, but you need two to tango and right now, the Jets haven’t even asked the Canadiens to dance yet.”

The report the source is referring to was from longtime Toronto Sun columnist Steve Simmons who in his latest Sunday column reported that Connor Hellebuyck, unlike some of his gold-medal winning USA Hockey teammates, would have no issues being traded to another Canadian team. He then specifically cited the Montreal Canadiens and Edmonton Oilers as welcome destinations for Hellebuyck.

From Simmons:

“The nonsense that Connor Hellebuyck won’t play in Canada is senseless. If he were dealt to Edmonton or Montreal, he would report in a minute. He wants out of Winnipeg, not because the Jets are lousy, but because his family apparently has been treated poorly by the local community.”

As of now, the Canadiens still have goalies Jakub Dobes, Jacob Fowler and Samuel Montembeault on their roster. Canadiens GM Kent Hughes has stated that the team will not enter the season with three goalies on the roster. Per numerous NHL sources, Montreal is still trying to trade Montembeault before they kick off the 2026-27 regular season against the Maple Leafs in Toronto.

As the source above pointed out, the Simmons report most likely came from the Connor Hellebuyck camp, led by longtime NHL player agent Ray Petkau.

“There’s nothing wrong with this and that’s just an agent doing his job and creating a market place on the trade market for his client,” the source pointed out.

“But again, the bottom line is that even if Hellebuyck has interest in being traded to Montreal, the interest, as of now, is not mutual. The Habs are very content with their goaltending situation right now and aren’t going to pay the ransom of roster players the Jets will want for something they’re not looking for right now.”