Connor Hellebuyck was almost on the move to the Colorado Avalanche. The Avalanche were in the running for the Winnipeg Jets' star goaltender, as reported by Elliotte Friedman on the latest episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast”.
What happened?
The Avalanche had bigger plans for their team, despite re-signing Brett Kulak and signing Jordan Schwartz. They were suspected of being in on a major player, one that would have shaken up their roster.
The Avalanche's attempt to make a major swing for Hellebuyck was revealed, with Friedman stating that a couple of teams wondered if Colorado took a shot at the Hart Trophy winner. The issue was what the Avalanche could offer in return.
Why it matters for Connor Hellebuyck
Hellebuyck was a name leading up to the NHL Draft who was often talked about being moved, and if he was, it had to be for the right price. The Buffalo Sabres came close, offering the fourth overall pick, starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a player believed to be Jack Quinn, and at least one additional asset.
The major issue for the Avalanche is that they could not offer a package close to what the Sabers did, especially with the fourth overall pick on the table. The Avalanche would have had to include multiple draft picks and prospects, as well as a player like Scott Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood.
What comes next?
The biggest issue for the Avalanche is whether they really want another chance at a top goaltender like Hellebuyck, and whether they have the cap space. An $8.5 million cap hit for a top goaltender isn't too crazy given the rising salary cap, but it's how the Avalanche would make room to fit him.
If the package revolves around picks and prospects, along with Blackwood's $5.25 cap hit, another player or two needs to either be sent beforehand or included in the same package. This could include players like Artturi Lehkonen, Nicolas Roy, or a defenseman like Kulak, Josh Manson, or Sam Malinski.
The other issue is that all of those players mentioned have some form of trade protection, and there's a good chance they don’t want to leave a Stanley Cup contender like the Avalanche or move to Winnipeg, Canada. The only players the Avalanche can move without protection are Roy, Parker Kelly, Fyodor Svechkov, Zachary L’Heureux, Cale Makar, and Noah Juulsen.
So either the Avalanche get a player who can make the difference on the cap and is willing to move to Winnipeg, or they trade away their entire depth for a top goaltender like Hellebuyck. The question now is whether talks will pick back up for another chance at the Hart Trophy winner.
The 2026 NHL Offseason has been one for the books, with the cap ceiling rising and many teams and players taking advantage. The Avalanche are among the few teams that did their work before free agency opened and right as it began. Now, they must decide if they want to make a major move for a top goaltender like Connor Hellebuyck.
As the offseason continues, the Avalanche will have to weigh their options and decide what's best for their team. With the rising salary cap, they may have the room to make a move for a top player like Hellebuyck. But it won't be easy, and they'll have to be creative to make it work.
The Avalanche's pursuit of Hellebuyck is a testament to their desire to win, and their willingness to make big moves to get there. But it's also a reminder that in the NHL, nothing is ever easy, and every move has consequences. The Avalanche will have to be careful and strategic if they want to bring a top goaltender like Hellebuyck to their team.