- Panthers among teams interested in Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, per TSN’s Darren Dreger
- Hellebuyck has five years left at an $8.5 million cap hit, and Winnipeg is open to the right offer
- Read below for why Florida’s thin asset pool makes a run at the former Hart winner tricky
The Florida Panthers need a goalie, and they are aiming at one of the best in the world.
Florida is among a handful of teams that have checked in on Connor Hellebuyck, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Tuesday. Winnipeg is listening, and the Jets will move him for the right package.
The Jets are not giving him away. Dreger said the interest needs to climb before Winnipeg seriously parts with its franchise goalie. Hellebuyck has five years left at an $8.5 million cap hit, so any buyer is committing to that number for a while.
On paper, Florida lines up as a fit. The Panthers don’t have a single goalie signed for next season, with Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov both headed for unrestricted free agency. They also just landed Brady Tkachuk in a blockbuster.
That trade is the catch. Florida gave up so much that it doesn’t own a first-round pick until 2030, and its prospect pool ranks near the bottom of the league. Putting together an offer Winnipeg likes will be a stretch.
Hellebuyck is still elite when he’s on. The three-time Vezina winner took the Hart Trophy in 2024-25 after carrying the Jets to a Presidents’ Trophy with 47 wins and a 2.00 goals-against average.
His 2025-26 dipped to career-worst territory. Still, goalies who have done what the 33-year-old has don’t hit the market often. If Winnipeg is taking calls, Florida won’t be the only team dialing.
