Where could Connor Hellebuyck land after doubling-down on trade demand?

The Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck, after publicly demanding a trade, now faces a limited number of realistic options. Only a handful of teams can afford his $8.5M AAV contract, fewer still need goaltending help, and fewer still are willing to give up assets the Jets desire. The two main scenarios at this point are for the Jets to accept a mediocre package for Hellebuyck, or to attempt to mend fences until the NHL trade deadline. The following are the current teams that could reasonably make a play for Hellebuyck:

1. The Carolina Hurricanes, who were reportedly in trade discussions with Hellebuyck at the draft but nothing materialized. While they hold the cards to get a deal done, they are not in urgent need of goaltending help after Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov's return from injury. However, if Hellebuyck can regain his form, a deal could establish Carolina as a perennial cup threat. They have the cap space and a promising defenseman in Alexander Nikishin, who may accept a sign-and-trade scenario.

2. The Anaheim Ducks, a team on the rise looking to make bold moves to improve their roster. They re-signed Lukas Dostal in June, but he struggled in the 2025-26 playoffs. The Ducks lack cap room but could make a deal with Hellebuyck if they send Dostal and some draft capital, as the money would work out. The question is whether they believe he's the final piece to get further in the playoffs.

3. The Buffalo Sabres, who had a breakout performance in 2025-26 and now aim to make it a regular occurrence. They are a potential landing spot for Hellebuyck, where he could play with his Team USA partner Tage Thompson. This is another team with a cap sticking point, but Hellebuyck could be seen as a long-term upgrade. Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is coming off his best season, but is still a mid-tier goalie. There is a scenario where Hellebuyck is a long-term upgrade for Buffalo.

4. The Vegas Golden Knights, desperate enough to do anything to make a deal. They were close to winning a Stanley Cup, but Carter Hart was a liability on the ice. The issue for the Knights is their cap situation, requiring major player movement to make this happen. They would need to weigh whether Hellebuyck is an upgrade enough to justify losing key depth players.