Connor Hellebuyck Next Team Odds: Where will the 3-Time Vezina Winner Play in 2026-27?

Connor Hellebuyck’s future with the Winnipeg Jets has gone from offseason speculation to an increasingly complicated situation. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner publicly requested a trade in August after privately asking the Jets to explore a move months earlier. He then did not report to training camp and was suspended by Winnipeg on Sept. 16.

With Hellebuyck under contract through 2030-31, moving him will require a significant return and his approval because of his no-movement clause. The latest Connor Hellebuyck next team odds point to several possible destinations, with Buffalo, Los Angeles, and Winnipeg currently among the leading options.

Hellebuyck is eligible to return to the Jets on October 23 after serving a team-issued suspension for not reporting to camp. Whether he reports or not and how he’ll be received are different stories.

🥅 Connor Hellebuyck Next Team Odds

The latest Connor Hellebuyck next team odds are based primarily on prediction market activity, with additional destinations and NHL picks estimated from reported interest and the developing trade landscape.

Connor Hellebuyck Next Team Odds Timeline and Updates

The Connor Hellebuyck next team odds have changed dramatically since the goalie first signed his long-term extension with Winnipeg. Here is how the situation developed from a seemingly permanent partnership into one of the biggest trade stories ahead of the 2026-27 NHL schedule.

• Oct. 9, 2023: Hellebuyck and the Jets agreed to a seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension carrying an $8.5 million annual cap hit. The deal was designed to keep Hellebuyck in Winnipeg through the 2030-31 season.
• April 18, 2026: After Winnipeg missed the playoffs, Hellebuyck questioned whether the Jets could assemble the pieces necessary to compete for the Stanley Cup. He also discussed the difficulty Winnipeg has had attracting players.
• June 26, 2026: Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff said Winnipeg was listening to trade offers for Hellebuyck. At the time, he would not confirm whether the goalie had formally requested a trade.
• Summer 2026: Hellebuyck privately requested a trade several months before making the situation public. Reports connected multiple teams with the goalie as the offseason progressed, creating widespread Hellebuyck trade rumors.
• Aug. 27, 2026: Hellebuyck publicly confirmed his trade request, saying he believed moving on was the best path forward for himself and his family. The announcement pushed the Jets trade Hellebuyck situation into the spotlight just weeks before training camp.
• Sept. 8, 2026: Jets captain Adam Lowry said the team could not afford to spend its time worrying about the trade speculation with camp approaching.
• Sept. 15, 2026: Reports indicated Hellebuyck was not expected to report to training camp, setting up a major confrontation between the goaltender and the organization.
• Sept. 16, 2026: Hellebuyck failed to report to camp and the Jets suspended him. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was scheduled to address the situation the following day.
• October 23, 2026: Hellebuyck is eligible to return to the Jets, although there have been no indications as to whether or not that will happen as of Wednesday, Oct. 21.

The Most Likely Destinations for Hellebuyck

Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo currently sits first in the Connor Hellebuyck next-team odds at 29%, with the Sabres leading other contenders to acquire the Winnipeg Jets goaltender. The two teams have been linked since the offseason, and renewed trade discussions have kept Buffalo firmly in the picture. A three-time Vezina Trophy winner, Hellebuyck could immediately strengthen a young roster featuring Norris Trophy odds candidate Rasmus Dahlin and give the Sabres a proven foundation for another playoff run.

The challenge is assembling a package that satisfies Winnipeg without stripping Buffalo of too much young talent. A realistic offer could feature forward Jiri Kulich or prospect Konsta Helenius, a first-round pick, and an additional prospect or NHL-ready contributor. Kulich has already demonstrated NHL scoring potential, while Helenius is coming off a productive AHL season and offers significant long-term upside. Sportsnet has previously identified both forwards as potential trade pieces in a Hellebuyck deal.

Any deal remains speculative, but Buffalo has both the motivation and prospect depth to make a serious offer. Winnipeg will want meaningful future assets, and the Sabres must decide whether acquiring an established franchise goalie is worth surrendering part of their developing core.

Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg remains a legitimate selection in the Connor Hellebuyck next team odds, even with the goaltender reportedly seeking a trade. The Jets have leverage because Hellebuyck is under contract through 2030-31, and his full no-movement clause gives him control over any destination. However, recent reports suggest Winnipeg would prefer to complete a deal rather than bring him back under the current circumstances.

If negotiations with Buffalo, Utah, or other teams stall, keeping Hellebuyck remains possible, making +400 an interesting speculative price. Winnipeg has started the season 4-2-2 without him, with Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson handling the goaltending duties. A trade is not guaranteed before Hellebuyck’s suspension expires October 23, but the situation appears to be approaching a critical point.

Utah Mammoth

Utah is one of the strongest alternatives in the Connor Hellebuyck next team odds, with recent reporting identifying the Mammoth as a leading contender alongside Buffalo. General manager Bill Armstrong has assembled an improving roster, and adding a three-time Vezina Trophy winner could accelerate the team’s push toward Stanley Cup contention. Utah also has the prospect depth to construct a competitive offer without necessarily surrendering its established NHL core.

A hypothetical package could feature Tij Iginla, Gabe Smith, a first-round pick and a conditional future selection, giving Winnipeg a premium prospect, additional forward depth and valuable draft capital. Caleb Desnoyers could also headline an offer, although surrendering the fourth overall pick from the 2025 draft would be a substantial sacrifice. Iginla, Desnoyers and Smith give Utah several potential trade chips, but whether Armstrong would part with any of them remains speculative. At +500, Utah is a credible contender if the Mammoth decide to make a major move for an elite goaltender.

Will Hellebuyck Play in Winnipeg in 2026-27?

The latest developments make Hellebuyck playing the entire 2026-27 season in Winnipeg difficult to envision, although a trade is not guaranteed until the Jets actually move him. Hellebuyck requested a trade months ago, publicly confirmed that request in August and then did not report to training camp, prompting Winnipeg to suspend him.

There has also been discussion about American players preferring U.S. markets over Canadian teams, particularly after several prominent U.S.-born players have changed teams. Brady Tkachuk’s move from Ottawa to Florida renewed questions about whether other American players could seek opportunities in U.S. markets.

However, there is not enough evidence to conclude that Hellebuyck’s situation is primarily about playing in Canada. His public statement emphasized moving forward for himself and his family, while his previous comments focused heavily on Winnipeg’s ability to build a contender in the Stanley Cup odds.

Connor Hellebuyck Profile: What He Would Bring to a Contending Team

Hellebuyck would give a contending team one of the NHL’s most accomplished goaltenders of his generation. He has won three Vezina Trophies, two William M. Jennings Trophies and the 2024-25 Hart Trophy as league MVP. He also helped the United States win Olympic gold in 2026. Over 11 NHL seasons, Hellebuyck has established himself as Winnipeg’s all-time leader among goaltenders in several major statistical categories.

There is, however, an important playoff caveat. Hellebuyck’s postseason record has not matched his regular-season résumé, and he has struggled at times during Winnipeg’s playoff exits. Through 58 playoff games, he has a 24-34 record, .903 save percentage and 2.90 goals-against average.

His 2025-26 regular season also represented a significant statistical decline, with a .895 save percentage and 2.86 GAA.

❓ Connor Hellebuyck Next Team Odds FAQs

What are the current Connor Hellebuyck next team odds?

The latest prediction market snapshot lists the Buffalo Sabres at 22%, with the San Jose Sharks and Winnipeg Jets both at 13%. Those probabilities translate to estimated American odds of +355 for Buffalo and +669 for both San Jose and Winnipeg. The market is fluid, meaning the percentages can change significantly as trade negotiations develop.

When did Hellebuyck request a trade from the Jets?

Hellebuyck said he privately requested a trade several months before publicly confirming it on Aug. 27, 2026. His announcement came shortly before NHL training camps opened, with Hellebuyck saying he believed moving on was the best path forward for himself and his family. The Jets had already acknowledged in June that they were listening to trade offers for their longtime starting goalie.

Why did the Jets suspend Connor Hellebuyck?

The Jets suspended Hellebuyck after he failed to report to training camp on Sept. 16. The suspension followed his public trade request and reports that he would not attend camp, escalating the dispute between the goaltender and Winnipeg. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff was scheduled to address the situation after the suspension was announced.

Which teams have been linked to Hellebuyck?

Buffalo, Utah, Carolina and New Jersey have all been identified in reporting as teams involved in discussions surrounding Hellebuyck, while the Kalshi market has also assigned notable probabilities to San Jose and Winnipeg. The Sabres have had particularly persistent connections to the situation, while the market can shift quickly as teams enter or leave the trade picture.

How long is Connor Hellebuyck under contract?

Hellebuyck is signed through the 2030-31 season on a seven-year, $59.5 million contract carrying an $8.5 million annual average value. The extension began with the 2024-25 season, meaning the 2026-27 campaign is the third season of the deal. His contract makes him a significant financial commitment for any team acquiring him.

Could Hellebuyck remain with the Winnipeg Jets?

Yes, although the circumstances have become considerably more complicated. Hellebuyck remains under contract with Winnipeg, and the Jets have indicated they do not want to rush into a trade unless they receive an acceptable return. However, his formal trade request and decision not to report to training camp have created a situation that the organization will need to resolve.