Connor Hellebuyck #37 of Team United States saves the shot taken by Devon Toews #7 of Team Canada in the third period during the Men's Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on February 22, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY – After winning Olympic gold for the first time in nearly 50 years, yet another American star has requested a change of scenery in the National Hockey League.
As of last Thursday, Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and his agent publicly announced his desire to be traded:
“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.”
“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.”
Statement from Connor Hellebuyck: pic.twitter.com/hW8sNw1LJi
— Ray Petkau (@RayPetkau) August 27, 2026
Per usual, the Utah Mammoth have been identified by some as a possible suitor for the 33-year-old star given their financial situation, assets and rapidly rising ceiling.
The Hellebuyck trade saga is fully a go, so here’s who I got my eyes on as trade landing spots. 👀 pic.twitter.com/fAhIY0NMiZ
— Mike Bartner (@MikeBartner) August 27, 2026
However, here’s why trading for Hellebuyck doesn’t make sense for the NHL’s newest club.
To preface, there’s no questioning that Hellebuyck is currently a top three goaltender in the world and may be the greatest American born player to ever stand between the pipes.
In addition to his towering 6-foot-4 frame, No. 37 is nearly impenetrable in net as he moves swiftly across his crease, covers most available space and has remarkable reflexes as demonstrated by his possessed performance against Team Canada at the Olympics.
Connor Hellebuyck is putting on a clinic at the #WinterOlympics. 😤
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) February 22, 2026
So, why shouldn’t Utah want him?
Any team that trades for No. 37 should be looking to win now.
As a 33-year-old veteran with an $8.5M AAV through 2031, Hellebuyck is entering the latter stages of his prime, making him a much better fit for a team that believes it can win a Cup over the next two or so seasons.
Unfortunately, Utah just isn’t at the point where one player is going to make the difference between winning the Stanley Cup or not.
Now, would adding him to the roster raise their current ceiling?
No doubt.
But probably not to the level they’d need in order to win it all.
Rather, teams like Carolina, Vegas, Buffalo and even Florida would make a lot more sense as Hellebuyck could legitimately help those squads win the Stanley Cup next spring.
For Utah, their championship window likely won’t open for a few years which is why they need to continue investing in Sebastian Cossa and Michael Hrabal as the tandem who could lead them to the top of the mountain.
No reason to pay contender prices and sell the farm for a 33-year-old who doesn’t guarantee the Mammoth anything.
With five years still remaining on his contract, Hellebuyck’s deal won’t expire until he’s nearly 39-years-old.
As the fourth highest paid netminder in the NHL, having to pay him nearly double Karel Vejmelka’s AAV through the remainder of the contract could significantly harm the rebuild, even with the increasing cap.
Why create a logjam in net for an aging veteran when Vejmelka fits the mold for what they’re trying to accomplish now with two highly touted prospects who match the championship timeline?
Instead, keep the remaining cap space open for not only the goaltender prospects, but Utah’s long list of first-round picks who will need to be paid in the coming years.
Additionally, the price to acquire Hellebuyck likely won’t be cheap.
Winnipeg clearly isn’t in a rush to dump their three-time Vezina Trophy winner for next to nothing nor should they.
According to reports, the Jets are looking for a rostered top-six forward, a goaltender who could share the net with Stuart Skinner and a first-round pick or similar prospect to retool rather than rebuild.
Could Utah fit that bill?
Absolutely.
But at what cost?
Does it make sense to trade Vejmelka, a top six forward (Clayton Keller, Nick Schmaltz, Vincent Trocheck, Logan Cooley, Dylan Guenther, Lawson Crouse, or Anders Lee) and a first-round pick/top prospect for a 33-year-old?
At this point in the rebuild, no.
It’s far too great of a price when Utah still needs more time and experience before they’re ready to really compete.
To preface (again), Hellebuyck’s performance against Team Canada may have been the greatest goaltending I’ve ever witnessed in a single game in my entire life.
Against an absolute juggernaut of an offense and arguably the most stacked team in Olympic history, No. 37 registered 41 saves on 42 shots (.976 SV%) and was unquestionably the MVP.
While Jack Hughes may have scored the legendary game winner, that moment isn’t even possible without the generational performance from Hellebuyck.
However, the same cannot be said about his recent performances in the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Over the last three playoff appearances with the Jets (2022-2025), Hellebuyck has averaged a .874 SV% and 3.91 GAA compared to a career average .916 SV% and 2.58 GAA.
That is a painfully significant drop off which resulted in just a single series victory over that span.
THE JETS TIE IT WITH 1.6 SECONDS LEFT IN THE GAME 🤯
PANDEMONIUM IN WINNIPEG, WE GOT GAME 7 OVERTIME 😱 pic.twitter.com/iIWCyUeq2p
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) May 5, 2025
Not that it’s exactly comparable but in his first playoff appearance, Vejmelka debuted with a .885 SV% and 3.13 GAA in six games.
Wasn’t enough to get the job done but he posted better numbers for a fraction of the cost.
Veggie, Veggie, Veggie! 🥦
Karel Vejmelka byl vyhlášen druhou hvězdou zápasu při historicky první výhře Utahu na domácím ledě ve #StanleyCup Playoffs. Dokonce na ledě přistály i kusy zeleniny. 😅 pic.twitter.com/0qFcLk49Jx
— NHL Česko (@NHLcz) April 25, 2026
To be fair, given the right scenario, Utah trading for Hellebuyck wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
If Winnipeg felt hard pressed to move him and the asking price was something along the lines of Vejmelka, a lesser prospect, and a pick, it might be worth the gamble.
But that’s highly unlikely given the trade market, Hellebuyck’s achievements, and Winnipeg’s ability to hold out until the proper package is presented.
Thus, this just isn’t a trade that makes a lot of sense for Utah.
While Hellebuyck is an incredible talent, the Mammoth are not at a point where sacrificing assets and paying out his contract could be quite justifiable.
For now, stick with the goaltender pool in place and focus on continuing to take measured steps forward.
Cole Bagley is the Utah Mammoth insider for KSL Sports. Follow him on X. You can hear Cole break down the team on KSL Sports Zone and KSL 5 TV.
