Struggling Kings Considering Hellebuyck Trade, But There’s a Catch

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Struggling Kings Considering Hellebuyck Trade, But There’s a Catch

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Oct 15, 2026 1:19 PM ET

The Los Angeles Kings are among the teams that have recently kicked the tires on Connor Hellebuyck, according to Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli. “While the depth of these trade talks is difficult to qualify, the belief is Kings GM Ken Holland at the very least has ascertained an understanding on the price required to pry the three-time Vezina Trophy winner out of the prairies. And yes, the Kings have received affirmation that Hellebuyck apparently would accept a trade to LA.”

It’s hard to say how far talks have gone, but it is an interesting development with no other recent trade news attached to the netminder.

The Catch for the Kings

It’s a plus that Hellebuyck is open to this. That said, the Kings are debating which direction to go. Seravalli says if their slow start continues to spiral, it will be hard to include a 2027 or 2028 first-round pick in a package, even with lottery protection. Any struggling team needs to consider if adding a win-now piece makes sense if the team, even with a star goalie, can actually win now.

Adding Hellebuyck and the Kings still being a team that falls outside the playoff cutline makes little sense. A deal would also make one of the oldest teams in the NHL even older. He’s 33 years old and locked into a long-term deal until 2031.

The Kings have had a rough opening stretch. They have faced tough opponents, own the league’s worst combined special teams, and are missing Kevin Fiala and Mats Zuccarello for several more weeks. Goaltending has also been a problem, with Darcy Kuemper and Anton Forsberg combining for an .848 save percentage over the first two weeks.

The Jets’ Situation

Winnipeg may have its own problem. Seravalli says the Jets are weighing the possibility of a messy situation if Hellebuyck says he wants to return. The CBA gives them ways to keep him away, such as conditioning stints or suspensions for violating team rules. Contractually, though, he has a right to show up and play.

Is this a way for Hellebuyck to use a little leverage? If he knows the Jets don’t want him back, he might threaten to return. At the same time, Seravalli writes, “Maybe Hellebuyck is exactly what the Kings need – an elite backstop with five years remaining on his deal, enough to be the connective backbone between a potential playoff team now and the youth movement pending.”

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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