NHL Rumors: Connor Hellebuyck, Auston Matthews, Alex DeBrincat
By Marci Rubin
The latest NHL rumors involve Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck, Toronto Maple Leafs center Auston Matthews, and Ottawa Senators winger Alex DeBrincat.
The NHL Stanley Cup Final has yet to conclude, but many NHL teams are already moving on their offseason plans. In the past week, the Philadelphia Flyers, Columbus Blue Jackets, and LA Kings participated in a three-team trade that included defenseman Ivan Provorov, and the Blue Jackets and New Jersey Devils completed a sign-and-trade of defenseman Damon Severson. As offseason moves continue, so do the rumors about what’s coming next.
Heading into his last season under contract with Winnipeg, Connor Hellebuyck has no desire to stay with the Jets. Auston Matthews is interested in an extension with the Toronto Maple Leafs, but the Leafs aren’t in a rush to talk with him. Alex DeBrincat wants out of Ottawa, and there’s a lot of speculation about what teams could be on his list of preferred trade destinations.
Let’s get caught up on three NHL rumors that are swirling around.
NHL Rumors: Connor Hellebuyck has no intention of staying in Winnipeg
Goaltender Connor Hellebuyck reportedly has no desire to stay in Winnipeg. He isn’t set to become an unrestricted free agent until next offseason, but rumors have been flying that he could be on his way out sooner than that. It’s no surprise that he’s considered one of the top trade candidates of the offseason, as the Winnipeg Jets would like to get a return for the 2020 Vezina Trophy winner who is a nominee for the award again in 2023. If the Jets don’t move Hellebuyck prior to the end of his contract, they’ll lose him for nothing in the 2024 offseason.
2022-23 was another strong season for the three-time All Star between the pipes. With a .920 SV%, Hellebyuck saved 2.49 goals against average and earned 37 wins. It was the fourth time in the 30 year old’s career that he posted more than 30 wins in a season. The Jets made the Stanley Cup Playoffs but were eliminated in the first round. Hellebuyck has a career .916 SV%.
Hellebuyck is expected to draw a hefty contract. It looks like that won’t be with the Jets, so the organization is now under pressure to figure out how to move him before they lose him. Some teams that could be in the market for a new goalie are the Carolina Hurricanes, Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators, Toronto Maple Leafs, LA Kings, and Buffalo Sabres. The Jets will look into different options in hopes of a solid return for the elite goalie.