Report: Connor Hellebuyck Has Interest in Long-Term Deal with Devils

Should the New Jersey Devils come knocking, Winnipeg Jets' goaltender Connor Hellebuyck would answer the door.

On Tuesday evening, TSN insider Pierre LeBrun opened up on the possibility that the Jets' No. 1 backstop would have interest in playing for the Devils, should that option present itself to Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff.

Hellebuyck, to whom many have written off as a member of the Jets come 2023-24, does have one year remaining on his six-year contract signed back in 2018. He is owed $6.166 million this season before entering free agency next summer.

Cheveldayoff will look to avoid that narrative and either deal the all-star goalie at the draft, during the off-season or at the 2024 trade deadline, should nothing materialize over the summer.

It should be easier for Cheveldayoff to move Hellebuyck than any other player on his roster, considering the 30-year-old has just one year left at a very reasonable rate. According to LeBrun, the calls have been coming in.

Hellebuyck has a career .916 save percentage and has helped Winnipeg to the post-season in five the past six seasons. He has won a Vezina Trophy, was nominated for the award on two other occasions, and represented the Jets at the All-Star Game three times. 

That said, a legitimate sign-and-trade style deal may be the very best option for both the player and team.

With New Jersey and Columbus recently teaming up for a sign-and-trade — only the second time it's been done in NHL history — the Jets could find a team willing to take on Hellebuyck for another eight years, much like the Devils did when they sent Damon Severson to the Blue Jackets. In order for it to happen, Hellebuyck would have to sign a maximum extension with Winnipeg, before immediately being shipped to a new club for a size-able return. 

New Jersey is of interest for the Michigan-born Hellebuyck, according to LeBrun. But finding a way to make Hellebuyck's contract fit under the Devils' tight salary cap would be another issue on its own. 

"New Jersey is one of the teams that we understand Connor Hellebuyck would be interested in signing an extension with in a sign-and-trade," LeBrun said during his Insider Trading segment on Tuesday. 

"Now, they're not the only team, of course, and listen, New Jersey has investigated it. But they've had a conversation with Winnipeg."

With Hellebuyck likely looking to earn top dollar on his next deal, he would probably turn to the contract of Tampa Bay's Andrei Vasilevskiy as a starting point ($9.5 million per year through 2027-28). 

"Hellebuyck would want an extension," LeBrun added. "We believe that to be in the Andrei Vasilevskiy range: $9.5 million a year. And you know, we get why he is asking for it. Perhaps he's a Vezina Trophy finalist, but I think for the Devils, does that work in their cap? So I think that price would have to come down, I think, for New Jersey to get more involved in this."

The Devils, however, already have Vitek Vanecek ($3.4 million for the next two seasons) and post-season starter Akira Schmid ($851,000) under contract. New Jersey prospect Nico Daws is also of much intrigue. Restricted free agent Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to see a new deal. A trade with Winnipeg would surely send one — or more — of those netminders back to Manitoba. 

Veteran UFA goalie Jonathan Bernier also played the 2022-23 season for New Jersey, while Corey Schneider remains on the Devils' buyout list for 2023-24, right beside the likes of Ilya Kovalchuk. 

Hellebuyck's current situation in Winnipeg is one of the most ideal for a goaltender wanting to play the bulk of his team's games.

He owns the league's most starts since the 2015-16 season with 436, while posting the second-most wins (238) in that same timeframe, which is second to only Vasilevskiy (256). 

But for the veteran goaltender, personal success means nothing, as he maintains a strong focus on earning a Stanley Cup championship. And as he said in his year-end media availability, that window is quickly closing, especially with his current team.