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Could a Connor Hellebuyck trade open up the door for the Montreal Canadiens to finally acquire their long coveted second-line center? The gold-winning Winnipeg Jets goalie has suddenly emerged as one of the most-mentioned names in NHL trade rumors, and according to TSN NHL insider Darren Dreger, there is definitely more than just smoke floating around the 33-year-old goalie wanting out of Winnipeg.
Yeah, more than talk, certainly noise in the Winnipeg market, Dreger told colleague Gino Reda on Wednesday when asked about the NHL Trade rumors surrounding Hellebuyck.
And now its drifting to us here nationally.
And mostly its all based on speculation.
But hey, its the old adage, Gino, where theres smoke, often there is fire.
And what I can tell you from Winnipegs standpoint is that Kevin Cheveldayoff, the GM of the Jets, is at least in a position where he knows he has to listen.
So how could a Connor Hellybuyck trade affect the Montreal Canadiens and help fill their second line center vacancy? On Thursdays episode of The Sheet With Jeff Marek Podcast, Marek and regular guest (and ESPN Senior NHL Writer), Greg Wyshynski were discussing NHL trade rumors and how with the trade between the Buffalo Sabres and San Jose Sharks on Wednesday, Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has now traded up 16 times in the NHL Entry Draft as an NHL general manager.
Wyshynski then mentioned the Jets potentially being involved in the NHL trade sweepstakes for Sabres defenseman Bo Byram.
The discussion then devolved into the Hellebuyck NHL trade rumors, and Marek wondered aloud if Jets center Mark Scheifele could get traded as well? Why would Scheifele want to leave? Wyshynski asked.
I understand why Hellebuyck wants to leave because hes on the group text with Team USA and theyre all like: Dude get out of there! but like why does Scheifele want to leave? I dont know if Scheifele wants to leave, Marek replied.
Im assuming that knowing everything we want to know about Mark Scheifele, which is 24/7 hockey lives it, lives it, breathes it hes the all-in guy.
You know how at the end of the year a lot of guys will turn hockey off and be like Oh, who won the Stanley Cup? and theyll ask maybe sometime in mid-July? He will follow through.
Hockey is always on in the Scheifele household.
Hes that guy.
I would imagine hed say to the Winnipeg Jets and say Hey, where we at here? and especially if Connor Hellebuyck gets out, What am I doing here? Would it be beyond the pale for Mark Scheifele to say: Hellebuycks gone; maybe its time for me too.
There is such an obvious dance partner if they were going to do that, Wyshynski replied.
Boston? Marek quickly asked.
Montreal, Wyshynski pointed out.
Montreal has the 200-foot- guy in Suzuki and then Scheifele doesnt have to worry about being anything like that.
He can then just put the peddle down and play offense.
I mean, that would be the ideal spot for him.
Canadian city; plays behind Suzuki or in front of him, doesnt matter either way, established as a second line beachhead.
I mean thats the guy if youre Montreal.
Marek then spitballed about a potential NHL trade return from the Canadiens and mentioned Jacob Fowler as a replacement for Hellebuyck, and a couple of younger players, and a first round draft pick.
Make no mistake, the asking price from Montreal, or any team, for Scheifele would be steep, and Marek was right in suggesting Fowler as part of a Montreal return.
Either Fowler or Canadiens Stanley Cup Playoff hero Jakub Dobes would need to be part of any NHL trade package for Scheifele because the Jets wouldve just traded Hellebuyck.
This puck scribe would be stunned if Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff didnt start by asking for Canadiens top prospect center Michael Hage.
Even if Hage had to be part of any Montreal trade package for Scheifele, this puck scribe would pull the trigger and make the trade.
However, instead of sending Fowler to Winnipeg, Id send Dobes.
Ill admit if Im wrong but I truly believe in the long term, the Canadiens will win a Stanley Cup and have more success with Fowler.
Thats just me and Id love to hear your take in the comments! Wyshynski is absolutely correct.
Unless 27-year-old New Jersey Devils captain Nico Hischier becomes available before Scheifele, 33-year-old Mark Scheifele is the center Canadiens President of Hockey Operations Jeff Gorton and General manager Kent Hughes need to target.
Does the fact hes 33 and still has five years left on a seven-year, $59.5 million contract that carries a $8.5 million salary cap hit potentially present issues in 2-3 years? Yes, but this is a player who is coming out of his best season yet with 36 goals and 67 assists in 82 games.That followed up a 39-goal and 87-point season in 2024-25.
The seventh overall pick in the 2011 NHL Entry Draft has hit the 30-goal market five times.
In 961 regular season games, he has 372 goals and 535 assists.
Scheifele also has 26 goals and 23 assists in 53 playoff games.
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