Report: Connor Hellebuyck Open To Joining Montreal Canadiens
While there's been a ton of speculation about goaltender Connor Hellebuyck's future recently, it turns out early reports of him wanting out of Canada may not be 100% true. According to Toronto Sun's Steve Simmons, Hellebuyck is open to playing for the Montreal Canadiens.
Hellebuyck is very close friends with Chris Kreider, who just signed a one-year deal in Montreal, and also knows Cole Caufield extremely well, and these friendships are something the gold medal winner could lean on. However, the Canadiens are solid in net with Jakob Fowler and Jakub Dobes, so it would certainly be a risk to move off either of these goaltenders for the 33-year-old former Vezina trophy winner.
According to Steve Simmons of the Toronto Sun, Connor Hellebuyck would report to Montreal “without hesitation” if the Jets traded him to the Canadiens. 👀
— Habs Fanatics (@habsfanaticss) September 20, 2026
It feels like we’re entering a new era where more and more players want to come to Montreal to win. Just look at Kreider.… pic.twitter.com/C4RhmllZhT
The Canadiens also have Sam Montembeault in the mix, and entering the final season of his contract, so it would be quite surprisingly to see Montreal make a serious offer for Hellebuyck, considering they're already dealing with a crowded crease.
The Jets have suspended Hellebuyck, and are standing firm on their trade demands for NHL impact players, and not a package laced with future considerations. The Utah Mammoth, Carolina Hurricanes, and Colorado Avalanche have all recently been linked as well to landing Hellebuyck.
As for Montreal, it's very unlikely they pull off this blockbuster trade, and are much more likely to move off Montembeault to kick off their new season, and go with Dobes and Fowler as their goaltending tandem this season.