Surprise Pacific Division Team Linked to Jets Star Connor Hellebuyck
· Yahoo Sports
Over the past several years, many Americans in the National Hockey League have asked out of Canadian markets, with the likes of Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes and this past summer, Brady Tkachuk all leaving their teams for the USA.
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Following the 2026 Olympic Games win for the US, there’s been more, with Dylan Larkin requesting a trade out of Detroit, naming three destinations that featured teammates from that group. On top of that, Winnipeg Jets star Connor Hellebuyck has also requested a trade, and unlike Larkin, he’s refusing to show up for Winnipeg, and now, another team has entered the conversation as a potential future destination.
LA Kings ‘Kicking Tires’ on a Potential Connor Hellebuyck Trade
Mar 24, 2026; Winnipeg, Manitoba, CAN; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) warms up before a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at Canada Life Centre. Mandatory Credit: James Carey Lauder-Imagn ImagesAs of right now, Hellebuyck remains at home, and there hasn’t been much movement on a trade, but given the start to the 2026/27, more teams are emerging as ones that could push to acquire the former Hart and Vezina Trophy winner. Contending teams like the New York Rangers, Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes have all been linked to Hellebuyck, with the blief that many teams out there see him as the final piece to a potential Stanley Cup run.
Now, Sportsnet’s Frank Seravalli has revealed another team has shown interest, noting that the Los Angeles Kings are a team that has internally kicked tires on acquiring the Jets star, while also confirming that he would accept a trade to LA.
Count the Los Angeles Kings among teams who have recently kicked the tires on Connor Hellebuyck.
While the depth of these trade talks is difficult to qualify, the belief is Kings GM Ken Holland at the very least has ascertained an understanding on the price required to pry the three-time Vezina Trophy winner out of the prairies. And yes, the Kings have received affirmation that Hellebuyck apparently would accept a trade to LA.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 15, 2026
Would Hellebuyck Make Sense for the LA Kings?
Right now however, the Kings are just one of two teams in the NHL without a victory, starting the new season 0-3-2 through five games, but with a good roster, there’s the belief that an elite goaltender could make them a genuine threat in the Pacific Division and the Western Conference.
As Seravalli notes, the team would need to show signs of improvement before making a genuine push to acquire the Jets star, but with belief in this roster, Hellebuyck could be the missing piece, especially if the Jets were to take a futures based deal in exchange for the star goaltender.
Ultimately, there are many teams interested in Hellebuyck, but right now, given the nature of his NMC, there’s a good chance that this drags on to at least the trade deadline, but if the Kings can turn it around, don’t be shocked to see them make a genuine push for the star goaltender.
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