One of the biggest names on the trade block is the former Hart Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck. The Winnipeg Jets' goalie struggled in the 2025-26 season, as did the team itself, which missed the postseason a season after winning the Central Division. In a stacked Central Division, the Mammoth would definitely benefit from a Jets team that again misses the postseason. It seems like Hellebuyck, despite not yet being traded, still has a very good chance of being the goaltender for another team.
Hellebuyck is interested in a new team, has very good chance of being traded
Winnipeg Free Press reporter Mike McIntyre believes that Hellebuyck has seen his last days as a Jet, as McIntyre said: "I’d put the odds somewhere north of 95 percent. I just don’t know exactly when, or to whom.” The 33-year-old Hellebuyck has been one of the best goalies in the NHL with Winnipeg and should definitely interest a lot of teams. Interestingly enough, NHL insider David Pagnotta reported that Hellebuyck was interested in heading to the Buffalo Sabres. However, many things are holding up a deal, as the Jets are asking for a high price for their star goalie. Despite having a down season, the Jets still have the majority of their star players still there, and competing isn't impossible for Winnipeg.
The Central Division has these contending teams: Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, Minnesota Wild, and the Utah Mammoth. If the Jets wish to compete, they will either keep their goalie or get a lot in return for him, but it seems like Winnipeg is more interested in the latter. Hellebuyck was 23-23-11 with a .895 SV% and a 2.86 GAA. These were bad numbers, but they don't suggest that he is washed by any means, as Hellebuyck carried Team USA to a Gold Medal against an elite Team Canada. Hellebuyck's performance in that game alone proved that he can still be the X-factor a team needs.
At the very least, for Utah, this is pretty important with how stacked the division is. The Jets, Mammoth, Wild, Av's, and Stars all seem like they could make the playoffs. If Winnipeg decides to trade the former MVP of the NHL, then the path to the playoffs for Utah may get a bit easier.
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