NHL Trade Rumors: Jets closing in on Hellebuyck trade, 3 teams linked

Monday, October 19, 2026 , ,
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Connor Hellebuyck's suspension ends on Friday, and while there's some potential awkward conversations coming in the Jets' dressing room, all signs are pointing to a trade being completed before any of that needs to take place.

According to multiple reports, the Jets are moving into advanced trade talks on Hellebuyck, and the Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth appear to be the two teams battling it out with offers. There's also the New York Rangers, who play a factor in the Hellebuyck trade, as speculation continues to grow that it will be a three-team deal, with either the Sabres or Mammoth's starting goaltender ending up in New York. 
Elliotte Friedman on the 32 Thoughts Podcast about Hellebuyck: I think there's a couple of teams here that hold the keys to this. And the three teams I'm going to put in those positions are Buffalo, because they've wanted Hellebuyck and he is willing to go to them. Number 2, the Rangers, not because they want Hellebuyck, I don't think that's likely, but whatever Chris Drury is going to do here with the injury to Shesterkin, it could set a chain reaction around the league. [...] The 3rd team I'm going to put out here, and I think they've kind of been in and out is Utah - 10/19

The Rangers are likely to land one of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen from the Sabres or Karel Vejmelka from the Mammoth. The Mammoth have reportedly been hot and cold with their interest since talks broke off in June at the NHL Draft, and for now, it seems like things have heated up. Meanwhile, the Sabres have been trying hard to facilitate this trade with other teams involved, as UPL has Winnipeg on his no-trade list.

Hellebuyck's suspension comes to an end on Friday, but again, it sounds like a trade will be finalized before is punishment is lifted.

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