Should The Jets Trade Connor Hellebuyck?
Changes are coming in Winnipeg. Nikolaj Ehlers hinted as such earlier this week. A rebuild could be on the way but star goalie Connor Hellebuyck has insisted he wants no part of that. Doesn’t it feel inevitable that Hellebuyck is going to be on the move this offseason? Should the Jets part ways and look to trade the former Vezina winning netminder?
I’m not sure they have a choice. Like Elias Lindholm in Calgary, this Jets team isn’t going anywhere and they risk losing Hellebuyck for nothing. Don’t forget, a team like Winnipeg doesn’t have much leverage. They can’t compete with the American tax system. Hellebuyck can keep way more of his earnings by heading to a team with no state tax.
Hellebuyck, 30, has one year remaining on his current deal carrying a cap hit of $6,166,666. It’s a cheap deal to swing in any trade. It should also be mentioned, Hellebuyck’s next deal probably won’t be as cheap. We’re talking about one of the best goalies in the league and is coming off a season where he posted a .920 SV% across the season. He’s about as good as it gets. The next contract will kill you and the smart teams are opting to not pay their goalies.
What other option do the Jets have? Not trading Connor Hellebuyck feels dumb. Especially when this is someone that could bring back real pieces for the much needed rebuild. The problem is once Hellebuyck goes, Kyle Connor might want out too and that has to be avoided at all costs. Pierre-Luc Dubois also has a decision to make which could spark things toward a rebuild anyway.
Things are going to get ugly in Winnipeg this offseason. It’s a matter of who goes and when.
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