Report: Florida Panthers Talking Connor Hellebuyck Trade

Will Florida Panthers general manager Bill Zito shock the NHL once again?

With Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck wanting out of Canada, and currently suspended from the team, trade talks have picked up in a major way. The Panthers continue to be linked despite what many feel is a lack of trade assets. The Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Utah Mammoth are also recently linked, but the Panthers continue to be the wildcard team in play here. 

Frank Seravalli: Re Connor Hellebuyck trade request: I think the Panthers are gonna continue to monitor, we've said a million times, how on Earth is Bill Zito gonna make this happen and then he somehow does it anyway - Jason Gregor Show (9/17)

Hellebuyck, 33, has five seasons left on his contract at $8.5 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause until July, when it converts to a 10-team approved trade list. Hellebuyck's been very hard on Cheveldayoff for their lack of significant, impact moves, and requested a trade at last season's exit interview. Meanwhile, Jets' fans are looking at Hellebuyck's numbers last season, and the last three Stanley Cup Playoffs and some are wondering if it's time to move on anyways.

As far as the Panthers go, they'll have to pull off a mini-miracle to acquire the gold medal winning goaltender. Look for Zito to include Eetu Luostarinen, Akira Schmid, and multiple top prospects. The issue here is cap space, and the fact the Jets are going to want Anton Lundell, but Zito has turned away trade offers for Lundell the entire offseason.

Frankly, it won't be easy for any deal to be finalized between the Jets and Panthers. Hellebuyck wants out of Winnipeg and would love to land in Florida, but since Jacob Markstrom joined, it's becoming extremely difficult for these two teams to align as trade partners.