There has been a claim circulating from a podcast called “The Game Notes” that has added more fuel to the already buzzing speculation about the trade rumor surrounding Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

It says that the three-time Vezina Trophy winner has requested a trade to the Florida Panthers. Although the report is still unverified and has not been officially reported.

This started drawing attention after a fan account covering the podcast, have shared a few clips on social media.

Hellebuyck has been the subject of widespread trade talk ever since the Jets missed the 2026 playoffs after a disappointing season. Adding to all of this were his exit-interview comments in April. He called the team's performance "unacceptable" and has also kept this speculation alive. 

Hellebuyck has won three Vezina Trophies in 2020, 2024, and 2025. He even delivered a strong performance for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan. He is set to be one of the NHL's top goaltenders and is said to carry an $8.5 million cap hit through the future. 

Florida, too, has repeatedly gotten involved in this trade speculation with Hellebuyck as the natural pick. The Panthers have even missed the playoffs in 2025-26 after going through a significant injury setback and facing issues with goal tending with both Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov. These are the players who are set to enter free agency this summer. 

Florida's Goaltending Situation

Between all the speculation and uncertainty, the Panthers made one move on Monday. Florida agreed to add goaltender Cooper Black on a two-year, two-way contract extension running till the 2027-28 season. 

Cooper Black has played in 42 games with the AHL's Charlotte Checkers in 2025-26. He holds a 25-13-4 record with a 2.47 goals-against average and a .903 save percentage. His new contract is said to carry cap space of $875,000.

Black's extension does not directly add or relate to the Hellebuyck trade rumor in any way. As one insider put it, "a lot is going on behind the scenes, and a lot may change," but the signing of Black is not particularly a hint of its own.

And with the request already put forward, the possibility of adding a back-to-back Vezina winner in his prime is in the hands of the organization itself.

The Panthers could keep their Stanley Cup hopes open till at least 2030 if they do end up taking Hellebuyck. So for now, until a more verified and established report confirms this trade request speculation, it is safer to consider it a rumor for now.

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Written by

Aadhya Nalla

Edited by

Ankita Yadav