Proposed Blockbuster Trade Would Send Hellebuyck To Carolina Hurricanes
Could the Stanley Cup champions land themselves the best goalie in hockey? A new proposed blockbuster deal would send Winnipeg Jets' disgruntled netminder Connor Hellebuyck to the Carolina Hurricanes.
Anthony Di Marco of Daily Faceoff has suggested that the Canes are one of the few top suitors for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner with a package of assets that could actually pull it off. His proposed trade would look like this:
Carolina Hurricanes receive:
- Connor Hellebuyck
Winnipeg Jets receive:
- Alexander Nikishin, D
- Brandon Bussi OR Pyotr Kochetkov, G
- Jesperi Kotkaniemi, C
- 2 first-round picks
According to Di Marco, two high-ranking NHL team executives gave this hypothetical offer the thumbs up.
For the Stanley Cup champs, they would get a huge upgrade between the pipes, for, really, the cost of a good, young blueliner and futures.
Would Jets accept this proposed blockbuster offer from Hurricanes for Hellebuyck?
It works for the Jets, as they get talent to help them now, and prospects for the future. Winnipeg had already signed Stuart Skinner in free agency this summer, so either one of those Carolina goalies could form a solid tandem with him.
Nikishin, 24, is a big, up-and-coming star on the blueline, though the cost to sign the restricted free agent would be hefty. He's already said he's looking for north of $8M per season on a new deal, after just one year in the NHL. Subtracting Hellebuyck's $8.5M cap hit would give them the room, as they are currently about $4.5M under the cap.
As for Kotkaniemi, that's a sheer salary dump for the Canes, as he was a non-factor last season and still has four years to run on a $4.8M AAV.
From the Jets' side, however, they are "shallow down the middle," writes Di Marco, "so taking a flier on Kotkaniemi wouldn’t be the worst thing; in a market that struggles to retain and recruit players, having a 26-year-old under contract for four more years could be advantageous."
But taking on his contract "is worth a first-round pick," according to a rival AGM; therefore, the Jets would get a pair of first-rounders.
It's an intriguing proposition, though Di Marco admits it's more "quantity as opposed to quality."
The mock trades for Hellebuyck will continue in earnest until Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff finally lands on something he likes.