Connor Hellebuyck's future with the Winnipeg Jets is still unresolved heading into the almost-end of the offseason. NHL insider Chris Johnston says the goaltending scene has entered a weird part of the NHL Summer. 

It is reported that the Jets want a top-six center and a winger back for their goaltender. Speaking on his show on July 10, Johnston addressed that uncertain situation bluntly. 

"Now we're into this weird part of the summer where I just don't know if a team, for example, is gonna step up with a center, maybe that can entice the Jets," Johnston said.

Johnston's comment on the July 10 episode of This Chris Johnston Show underscores just how unsettled the situation remains. Even their general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has said the front office is open to hearing offers, though he has not said if a deal is close. 

He finished the regular season holding a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. He is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner who remains one of the league's top goaltenders.

The market saturation has narrowed Hellebuyck's suitors. Toronto signed Sergei Bobrovsky; Edmonton added Frederik Andersen and Devon Levi; Florida brought in Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid; New York landed Joonas Korpisalo.

Each of these moves narrows down the list of teams that could land Hellebuyck, leaving Winnipeg searching for a team that is willing to agree at their preferred price. 

"Certainly, as an organization we're going to listen," Cheveldayoff said as reported by NHL.com in June.

Hellebuyck signed a seven-year, $59.5 million extension with Winnipeg in October 2023. He still remains under contract for five more seasons at an $8.5 million annual cap hit. 

He holds a no-movement clause, so any trade needs his approval first, so the Jets can’t rush a deal. The speculation around his future grew after Winnipeg missed the 2026 playoffs. Hellebuyck even labelled the season as "unacceptable" during April.

Amid the confusion, an NHL team's name is doing the rounds.

Sabres might revive talks with revised package involving Connor Hellebuyck

The Buffalo Sabres are still the most mentioned trade partner for Hellebuyck. Both teams almost closed a deal around the 2026 NHL Draft, when Buffalo offered goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, forward Jack Quinn and the No. 4 overall pick.

But Winnipeg turned down that offer, and the Sabres used the pick on defenseman Daxon Rudolph instead.

But their discussions did not end there. As David Pagnotta reported on the July 3 episode of the Daily Faceoff podcast, the two sides brought up the talks again just days after the draft wrapped up. Defenseman Radim Mrtka's name has since come up as a possible return in the new, revised offer.

The Carolina Hurricanes have also tried to check in on Hellebuyck this summer, though Johnston has said he does not see an easy way to get the deal done there. 

Winnipeg's decision not to re-sign the backup Eric Comrie and Stuart Skinner reaching free agency have only added to speculation that a trade could still happen before the training camp opens in September.

What are your thoughts on the situation? Let us know in the comments.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Soheli Tarafdar