Connor Hellebuyck Addresses NHL Trade Rumors Amid Sabres Buzz Ahead of 2026-27 Season

Three-time Vezina Trophy winner Connor Hellebuyck has requested a trade from the Winnipeg Jets.

Hellbuyck confirmed the news in a statement shared Friday by agent Ray Petkau.

"Several months ago, I privately requested a trade. I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options," Hellbuyck wrote.

"With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request. My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family."

Jets general manager Kevin Chevaldayoff released a statement in response to Hellebuyck, saying they will "continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful manner" but have "no update at this time."

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported ahead of the 2026 NHL draft in June the Jets were believed to have discussed a trade that would have sent Hellebuyck to the Buffalo Sabres.

Friedman reported at the time he believed Hellebuyck would have been willing to waive his no-movement clause in order to join the Sabres.

Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff declined when asked in June to clarify if Hellebuyck had asked for a trade, but said the team had "frank conversations" with the goaltender in end-of-season meetings.

Hellebuyck, who turned 33 in May, is signed through his age-37 campaign in 2030-31 on an $8.5 million AAV contract. His deal includes a full no-trade through next season, per PuckPedia .

After winning consecutive Vezina Trophies, Hellebuyck posted a career-low .895 save percentage for a Jets team that went 35-35-12 and missed the playoffs last season.

Hellebuyck seemingly expressed some doubt as to whether the Jets could turn things around next season in a postseason exit interview .

After he was asked about his future with the Jets, Hellebuyck said his career goal was to win a Stanley Cup and he was "just looking at how I can get that."

"It's hard. Can you get the pieces you need? Will the players come? These are always questions that you have in Winnipeg," Hellebuyck said in April. "I've made it my home, and I like it here, but I think majority of the league doesn't feel the same way."

Hellebuyck was selected by the Jets in the fifth round of the 2022 draft. He has played for the organization in all 11 seasons of his NHL career, during which he backstopped the Jets to a 2018 conference finals appearance and was celebrated as the league's top goaltender in 2020, 2024 and 2025.

Hellebuyck is the latest star from the American team that won gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics to express interest in getting traded from a struggling team a contender.

Team USA star and former Vancouver Canucks captain Quinn Hughes was traded to the Minnesota Wild shortly before the Olympics, while former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk was dealt to the Florida Panthers in the following months.

Detroit Red Wings captain Dylan Larkin has also submitted a trade request, which his organization has yet to fulfill.

Hellebuyck could now hope publicly confirming his own request will put pressure on the Jets to move him before training camp starts next month.

If the Jets are interested in getting a starting goaltender back in a potential trade with the Sabres by targeting Ukko-Pekka Luukonen, Hellebuyck isn't the only one who would have to be interested in a move. Luukonen holds a five-team no-trade list through next season, per PuckPedia .