Avalanche Explored Trade for Jets Goalie Connor Hellebuyck This Offseason

The 2026 NHL offseason has proven to be a pivotal moment for many teams, with the salary cap on the rise and franchises scrambling to make impactful changes. Among those teams is the Colorado Avalanche, who have been active in reshaping their roster even before free agency officially kicked off. Reports suggest that the Avalanche had their sights set on a significant acquisition that could have transformed their lineup.

Despite re-signing Brett Kulak and adding Jordan Schwartz, along with some depth players to round out their roster, whispers emerged about Colorado’s interest in a marquee player—Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, a Hart Trophy winner. This revelation came from Elliotte Friedman during the final episode of “32 Thoughts: The Podcast,” where he shared insights and rumors from around the league.

Friedman noted, “I had a couple of teams say to me they wondered if Colorado took a shot at Connor Hellebuyck…. I don’t know how that could work. I don’t know what they could offer… There were a couple of teams that suspected the Avalanche kind of considered it.” Hellebuyck’s name had been frequently mentioned leading up to the NHL Draft, with speculation swirling around a potential trade that would require a substantial offer.

One team that made a serious push for Hellebuyck was the Buffalo Sabres, who reportedly presented a package that included the fourth overall pick, starting goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, a player believed to be Jack Quinn, and at least one additional asset. In contrast, the Avalanche faced challenges in matching such a lucrative offer, particularly with the Sabres dangling the fourth overall pick.

For Colorado, crafting a competitive package would likely involve either Scott Wedgewood or Mackenzie Blackwood, along with multiple draft picks and prospects. However, the question remains whether that would be sufficient to convince a divisional rival like Winnipeg to part with their star goaltender.

The Avalanche face a dual challenge: assessing their desire for a top-tier goaltender like Hellebuyck and determining if they possess the necessary cap space. While an $8.5 million cap hit for a premier goaltender may not seem outrageous given the rising salary cap, the real concern lies in how Colorado would create the financial room to accommodate such a deal.

If the proposed package leans heavily on draft picks and prospects, alongside Blackwood’s $5.25 million cap hit, the Avalanche would need to offload one or two additional players. Candidates for such moves could include Artturi Lehkonen, Nicolas Roy, or defensemen like Kulak, Josh Manson, or Sam Malinski. However, many of these players have some form of trade protection, complicating matters further as they might be reluctant to leave a Stanley Cup contender for Winnipeg.

Currently, the only players Colorado could trade without protection are Roy, Parker Kelly, Fyodor Svechkov, Zachary L’Heureux, Cale Makar, and Noah Juulsen. While the first group represents lower cap hits, Makar’s name would never realistically be on the table.

The Avalanche find themselves at a crossroads; they must decide whether to pursue a game-changing goaltender while risking their depth or to maintain a balanced roster. Acquiring Hellebuyck would undeniably elevate their goaltending, but such a move could jeopardize their long-term prospects, leaving them in a precarious position.

While the allure of adding Hellebuyck is undeniable, the Avalanche are in a transitional phase. They must evaluate their current roster and future potential as their core begins to age. The recent additions of Svechkov, L’Heureux, and various draft picks underscore a strategy aimed at blending youth with experience. A trade for Hellebuyck could have thrust Colorado into an all-in mentality, potentially sacrificing future growth for immediate success.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.