Winnipeg Jets
· 2026-07-09
Winnipeg Jets fans are hearing the word "trade" again as rumors swirl that Colorado Avalanche may be eyeing star goalie Connor Hellebuyck. The speculation, amplified by Elliotte Friedman on the season‑ending 32 Thoughts podcast, puts the Jets' No. 1 netminder at the center of a potential blockbuster deal that could reshape both clubs.
The chatter began when sports‑talk insider Friedman relayed that a couple of Central Division teams, including the Avalanche, had asked whether they could make a move for Hellebuyck. He stopped short of confirming active talks, but his comment that "some teams suspected Colorado considered it" gave the rumor credence. Hellebuyck logged 57 games for Winnipeg this season, posting a 2.86 GAA and a .895 save percentage, numbers that keep him among the league’s elite.
Colorado already boasts a strong goalie tandem in Mackenzie Blackwood and Scott Wedgewood, yet adding a former Hart Trophy winner could push the Avs from contenders to champions. The snag is Hellebuyck’s $8.5 million cap hit; the Avalanche have roughly $400,000 in cap space, according to PuckPedia. To make the numbers work, Blackwood—who earns $5.25 million—might have to head back to Manitoba in a swap. The Avs have been busy this offseason, moving Ross Colton and Jack Drury to Nashville and sending Valeri Nichushkin to Columbus, but they’ve given up little draft capital, making a high‑cost goalie acquisition a steep climb.
Winnipeg’s recent signing of Stuart Skinner gives the club a credible backup, but Skinner is not yet viewed as a true replacement for a premier netminder. If Hellebuyck were to depart, the Jets would likely lean on Skinner while scouting for a long‑term solution, perhaps via free agency or a trade that brings back assets. The team sits 12th in the Western Conference with a 35‑35 record and is currently on a four‑game losing streak, so any major roster shift could either spark a turnaround or deepen the slump.
The next test for Winnipeg comes on September 20, 2026, when they host the Edmonton Oilers. That game will be a chance for the Jets to showcase their current roster before any trade deadline drama unfolds. Meanwhile, the rumor mill will keep spinning as the Avalanche weigh the cost‑benefit of a high‑salary goalie against their win‑now mindset. For now, Jets supporters can only hope the club’s front office navigates the situation without sacrificing the team’s competitive edge.
A Hellebuyck move would be a seismic shift for a franchise that has built its identity around strong defensive play and elite goaltending. It would also force General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to rethink the team’s salary structure and future building blocks. Whether the Avalanche pull the trigger or not, the rumor alone highlights the delicate balance Winnipeg must maintain between retaining top talent and staying financially flexible.
The Jets’ fate hangs on how this story resolves, and the upcoming clash with Edmonton will be the first real gauge of the team’s resilience amid the swirling speculation.