Connor Hellebuyck may finally be closing in on a new home.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Carolina Hurricanes are the most likely landing spot for Hellebuyck as they have become aggressive in making a deal.
Friedman believes Carolina is pursuing a three-team trade to acquire Hellebuyck, with defenseman Alexander Nikishin as the primary piece heading out of Carolina. The St. Louis Blues are Nikishin’s main suitors and are likely the third team involved in completing any potential deal.
Per Friedman from Tuesday’s 32 Thoughts column:
Right now, Carolina is the most motivated pursuer. If Nikishin wanted to sign in Winnipeg, Hellebuyck would already be in Wolfpack country. There are now some teams with permission to speak to Nikishin (who just changed agents), and the suspicion is it’s because the Hurricanes want to see if there’s a three-way available.
I mentioned on Monday’s pod that Nikishin is believed to be looking for a $9 million AAV over five years. I had a few sources reach out to say they think that could be lower in the right situation.
This follows hockey insider Frank Seravalli’s reporting this past June on a trade offer from Carolina that included Nikishin in exchange for Hellebuyck. However, the move hit a snag as Nikishin did not want to sign a long-term extension with the Jets. Since then, other teams have been permitted to speak with the Russian rearguard.
The Hurricanes would likely be a satisfactory spot for Hellebuyck, who has recently expanded his acceptable team list.
Initially, [Hellebuyck’s] target was Florida, but the Jets weren’t crazy about the Panthers’ offer — which included Evan Rodrigues, another roster player (possibly Eetu Luostarinen) and the draft-pick package sent to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk. (No goalie.)
Hellebuyck widened his list more than any other player with trade protection this summer, basically anywhere he thought could win. Buffalo was the closest to getting something done. I think Anaheim and Utah were among those that took a peek. We’ll get to Carolina in a moment.
Hellebuyck was suspended by the Jets almost two weeks ago after failing to report to training camp amid the failed trade attempts. He made his trade request public in late August. With the 2026-27 NHL season officially starting on Tuesday and Hellebuyck still suspended, he officially begins losing salary this year.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has maintained that the team has been trying to resolve the situation, but is focused on making a deal that helps the Jets be competitive.
“We’ve been trying to make a trade that works for both sides for a long time, and we’ll continue to do that,” he said in a press conference the day after Hellebuyck’s suspension.
With the Hellebuyck-sized hole in their lineup, Winnipeg claimed former Washington Capitals goaltender Clay Stevenson off waivers on Monday. Friedman says the pickup may open up trade possibilities, as the Jets may no longer be looking for a goalie in return for Hellebuyck.
If the Jets keep Stevenson all season, the Caps also won’t have the opportunity to bring him back into the organization through their own claim. The Bears signed goaltender Cal Petersen to a one-year AHL contract on Tuesday, so they may not have the organizational room to add Stevenson back anyway.
As the AHL’s Hershey Bears starter last season, Stevenson went 18-13-3, ending the campaign with a 2.62 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage. He also played four games for the Capitals in 2025-26 — including both halves of a back-to-back — and put up a 3-1-0 record, a 2.00 goals-against average, and a .921 save percentage in those contests.
