Could the New Jersey Devils Pursue Connor Hellebuyck This Summer?

Winnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck's future remains a topic of speculation. If the New Jersey Devils are interested, who could they trade for the netminder?

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is among this season's three finalists for Vezina Trophy. He's also become the subject of frequent trade speculation since the Jets' elimination last month from the opening round of the 2023 Stanley Cup playoffs.

CapFriendly indicates that Hellebuyck, who turns 30 on May 19, is earning an average annual salary of $6.16 million through next season and becomes a UFA next July. He also lacks no-trade protection.

That has some observers musing over his future if he and the Jets fail to reach an agreement this summer on a contract extension.

The New York Post's Larry Brooks believes the Pittsburgh Penguins, Ottawa Senators and Los Angeles Kings could look into acquiring the Jets netminder if he's available this summer. He also thinks the New Jersey Devils need a franchise goalie like Hellebuyck to make the jump from contender to champion.

Brooks suggested the Devils offer up winger Jesper Bratt, who is an RFA this summer with arbitration rights. They can also draw upon the depth within their prospect pool.

Bratt is coming off his second straight 73-point performance. However, he's also a year away from UFA eligibility coming off his one-year, $5.45-million contract. Assuming the Jets might be interested in the 24-year-old winger, they'll want assurances that he'll agree to a contract extension before agreeing to such a swap.

The Devils will likely insist on the same for Hellebuyck, as would the Penguins, Senators and Kings. They won't want to part with assets on an elite netminder who could walk away as a free agent next summer.

Re-signing a Vezina finalist (who won the award in 2019) could take a long-term deal worth $10 million annually to keep him out of next summer's UFA market.