Six potential trade destinations for Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck made his trade request official on Thursday afternoon, and going public with it certainly puts pressure on the team to get something done sooner rather than later. Especially as training camps are set to begin and the start of the regular season is just one month away,

So let's take a look at some teams that should be placing calls in an effort to get one of the NHL's best goalies.

Buffalo Sabres

Winnipeg would probably prefer to send Hellebuyck to an Eastern Conference team, and Buffalo is one that should have some interest in a goaltending upgrade. 

The Sabres took a huge leap forward in 2025-26, snapping a 14-year playoff drought and coming within one game of the Eastern Conference Final. 

But while the goaltending was good enough for most of the regular season, it really comes down to a question of consistency and sustainability. None of the goalies on the roster have a proven track record of success, while a top-tier, proven starting goalie could help the Sabres not only build on last year's success, but get closer to a championship-level team. 

Carolina Hurricanes

The Hurricanes have been one of the NHL's best teams for almost a decade now without having elite goaltending. They also managed to win the Stanley Cup this past season without it. 

But just because they have competed and won without it in the past doesn't mean they wouldn't welcome the opportunity to get it should it become available.

It is now available. 

Hellebuyck would almost certainly be willing to play for a championship team, while Carolina is the rare contender that has salary-cap space ($9.8 million at the moment) and draft pick capital (four first-round picks over the next three years) to pull this off.

Something involving a couple of those first-round draft picks and maybe defenseman Alexander Nikishin should get Winnipeg's attention. It might not do anything better than that.  

Vegas Golden Knights

Vegas does not have the salary-cap space, the prospect pool or the young talent that would likely interest Winnipeg in trade talks. 

But that sort of thing has never stopped the Golden Knights from pulling off a blockbuster trade before.

If there is a big-name player available, Vegas is usually going to find a way to insert itself into the discussion, and it usually finds a way to get it done.

The Golden Knights also have a huge need at the position with goaltending being the one major Achilles' heel on the roster. Adin Hill won a Stanley Cup here, but he has regressed ever since. Carter Hart played well for two rounds in the playoffs, but was miserable in the regular season and in the Stanley Cup Final. Goaltending has to be on their radar. 

Edmonton Oilers

Another hopeful contending team that has a desperate need for goaltending, but does it have the trade capital? 

More importantly, does it have the front office that is capable of pulling off such a blockbuster move? 

The answer to both questions might be no.

But the Oilers at least have to pick up the phone. 

Utah Mammoth

Utah already spent a first-round pick to acquire Sebastian Cossa this offseason from the Detroit Red Wings, but he has almost no NHL experience and is a total wild-card as a starter, or even platoon option. 

The Mammoth are positioning themselves to be contenders in the Western Conference, and an elite goalie might actually get them there. 

But will Winnipeg trade within the division?

San Jose Sharks

San Jose is not a playoff team yet, but it has one of the best collections of young talent in the NHL and spent the offseason investing big money in trying to add NHL talent to the roster (Mason Marchment, Jacob Trouba, Darnell Nurse). 

While Yaroslav Askarov is a promising young talent in net with untapped potential, he is still largely unproven. 

Would San Jose be willing to spend big on a big-name, proven goalie who could speed up the timeline? It is probably the biggest long shot on the list, but it might be something at least worth exploring.