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With the NHL regular season just a week away, the Winnipeg Jets have yet to trade star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, creating an awkward situation. The San Jose Sharks are among the teams interested in acquiring the Olympic gold medalist, as reported by Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman on The FAN. Friedman indicated that the Jets and Sharks have had discussions about a Hellebuyck trade, though it remains unclear how close a deal ever came or what it would entail.
For San Jose, landing Hellebuyck would represent a major statement of intent. The Sharks are a rising team led by young superstar Macklin Celebrini, and adding a goaltender of Hellebuyck's caliber would accelerate their timeline. While San Jose already has a talented young netminder in Yaroslav Askarov, considering Hellebuyck is a logical move. The Sharks owe it to their promising roster to assemble the best possible team, especially after a busy offseason in which they signed players like Darnell Nurse, Jacob Trouba, and Mason Marchment.
A trade for Hellebuyck would be a win-now move, but it wouldn't necessarily hinder Askarov's long-term future. However, if the Jets demand Askarov in return, that could impact San Jose's willingness to complete such a deal. Given the number of teams interested in Hellebuyck and the seeming inevitability that Winnipeg will eventually trade him, it makes sense that every team is checking in on the situation.
Key Analysis
Hellebuyck's no-trade clause means he could block a move to San Jose if he so chooses, and his contract wouldn't fit on the Sharks' books right now. Nevertheless, even after a down season, Hellebuyck remains one of the best goaltenders in the world. He proved that by helping Team USA win gold at the Olympics in February and has won the Vezina Trophy three times as the NHL's top goalie. His bumpy 2025-26 campaign can be attributed to a struggling Winnipeg team, as poor play in front of him made life tougher. At 33 years old, Hellebuyck could still be a key contributor to a playoff team for several more years, as goalies often maintain their performance into their late 30s.
The Jets are clearly taking their time, but with the season approaching, something has to give. This rumor, like others, will eventually reach a conclusion, so it's worth keeping an eye on.
Originally reported by yahoo.