JETTING OUT

BY MIKE RIFKIN

There’s been a low in Hockey world, with Training camp on the horizon. But Thursday things picked up when Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck formally requested a trade, something that had been brewing for a while. Hellebuyck, has won three Vezina Trophies ( most recently in 2024-25) and is one of the best goalies in the world. Hellebuyck, last season posted a record of  23-23-11 with a 2.86 GAA and .895 save percentage. But one thing Hellebuyck did accomplish last season was winning a Olympic Gold Medal with Team USA. One thing about Hellebuyck is as good as he is, he hasn’t been that guy in the playoffs. In the playoffs Hellebuyck has a record of 24-34 with a 2.90 GAA and a .903 save percentage. There will be plenty of suitors for Hellebuyck. Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 at a 8.5 Million dollar cap hit. 

Here are six teams that I think should at least consider making the move for one of the best goalies in the world. 

1. BUFFALO SABRES – They ended their drought last season and have the city of Buffalo on their feet again. If the Sabres want to be a real threat they need to upgrade their goaltending situation. 
2. NEW JERSEY DEVILS – The Jacob Markstrom experiment isn’t what they thought, so they sent him to Florida. The Devils have really a nice nucleus, they can deem Hellebuyck the missing link. 

3. SAN JOSE SHARKS – If you want a hot take, THIS IS THE TEAM that should pull the trigger on a deal. Macklin Celebrini is a superstar and Mike Grier has been awesome as the GM, adding Hellebuyck puts San Jose as a massive threat in the West for a while.

4. VEGAS GOLDEN KNIGHTS –  I know the rules, if a superstar is on the market Vegas has to be included as a suitor. Carter Hart played well last season, but adding Hellebuyck changes the game for them, I just don’t think they have the pieces. 

5. FLORIDA PANTHERS – Yeah, they added Markstrom but there are two Hellebuyck connections to South Florida. One is he played with the Tkachuks at the Olympics and the other is he played for Paul Maurice in Winnipeg. Not sure how they’d get it done, but nothing should shock you with them anymore. 

6. COLUMBUS BLUE JACKETS – This has been the offseason of disgruntled superstars, and Zach Werenski is on that list. There was a potential trade to the Dallas Stars, that he declined, but if Columbus wants Werenski to commit to them, they need to commit to him adding his Olympic teammate and start trying to win would be a great start to that. 

Not sure who’ll wind up with Hellebuyck and the Jets were proactive with signing Stuart Skinner. But, the Jets still have a win now roster and I’d expect players and pieces that can help them in any Hellebuyck deal.