Where Do the Hurricanes Fit in the Connor Hellebuyck Trade Request?

Top-five NHL goalies rarely become available, but as of Aug. 27, after months of rumors that Winnipeg Jets starter Connor Hellebuyck had requested a trade out of Manitoba, it became public on social media.

Per his agent, Ray Petkau, Hellebuyck said he privately requested a trade months ago, but with training camp around the corner, he has decided to go public. Hellebuyck noted in his statement, “I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options. With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed. I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family.”

The timing puts the Jets in an interesting place with training camp 15 days away. Camp opens on Sept. 16, and the Jets’ first preseason game is on Sept. 19. On top of that, their first game is on Oct. 2 against the Boston Bruins, at home.

Hellebuyck has five years left on his current deal, and the Jets don’t have to honor his request. But now that it’s out there, could the Carolina Hurricanes be interested?

Hurricanes Interested in Hellebuyck?

If the Jets are considering trading the 33-year-old netminder, could the Hurricanes fit into the equation? Carolina has Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov lined up to be their tandem heading into 2026-27. They are set to make $3.9 million combined, while Hellebuyck is set to make $8.5 million.

During his end-of-season media availability at the 2026 NHL Draft, general manager Eric Tulsky stated that the team is “comfortable” with Bussi and Kochetkov as their tandem. Bussi finished with a 31-6-2 record, a 2.47 goals-against average (GAA), a .895 save percentage (SV%), and two shutouts. Kochetkov had a 6-2-0 record in eight starts and nine games played, finishing with a 2.33 GAA, a .899 SV%, and one shutout.

Bussi is entering the first year of his three-year deal, signed in February. Kochetkov is entering the final season of a four-year contract before he becomes an unrestricted free agent (UFA). Hellebuyck will be a UFA following the 2030-31 season. If a deal is being considered, Kochetkov would be the most likely goalie heading to Winnipeg.

The deal would likely also cost the Hurricanes two first-round picks, unless they add a top-five prospect to the package. In that case, it could cost them one first-round pick. However, no one knows the asking price for Hellebuyck, and that comes down to whether the Jets are even interested in a trade.

However, adding a top-five goalie to a roster that just won the Stanley Cup would easily make them the favorites to win it again by a wide margin. But do the Hurricanes want to add a 33-year-old goalie when they have two reliable netminders under 30? Furthermore, Hellebuyck would double the cost of Carolina’s crease.

When it comes down to it, the Hurricanes have the trade assets and $9.88 million left in cap space to make a legit offer for an elite goalie. However, it depends on whether the Jets want to trade Hellebuyck and if they think a package from the Hurricanes makes sense. On the flip side, are the Hurricanes willing to add an older goalie with five more years left on his deal, and are they willing to move on from a young goalie, possibly Alexander Nikishin, and one or two picks and/or a prospect for Hellebuyck?

It’ll be interesting to see how the situation plays out. Could the Hurricanes be interested in bringing Hellebuyck to Raleigh? We’re only 28 days from opening night, so we should find out before then.