Panthers Should Target Connor Hellebuyck This Offseason

The Florida Panthers eagerly await the NHL Draft. In this week’s draft lottery, the Toronto Maple Leafs secured the first overall pick. As a result, the Panthers moved down one spot and will now pick ninth in the upcoming draft. They entered the lottery with a six percent chance of winning.

This summer, both goaltenders Sergei Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov are set to be free agents. There have been reports of Bobrovsky potentially walking or signing a small deal. With Tarasov, there has been no report of an extension in place.

During the locker room cleanout for the Winnipeg Jets, goaltender Connor Hellebuyck was asked about his future with the organization. His answer: a long pause. Not a sign of someone who is looking to stick around.

With all this in mind, a potential play for general manager Bill Zito is put in place. They could look into grabbing the American netminder and fixing a massive hole.

Hellebuyck Has a Great Resume

Hellebuyck is arguably one of the best goaltenders in the NHL today. In the shortened 2019-20 season, he won the Vezina Trophy with a 2.57 goals-against average, a .922 save percentage, 31 wins in 56 starts and six shutouts. In the 2023-24 season, he won it again by posting a .921 SV%, 2.39 GAA, 37 wins through 60 games played and five shutouts. In addition, he also took home the William M. Jennings Trophy that season.

The following season, he brought home a hat trick of hardware. With a stat line of a .921 SV%, a 2.00 GAA, 47 wins in 63 appearances and three shutouts, he took home the Vezina, the William M. Jennings, and the league MVP award in the Hart Trophy. Last season, he helped Team USA grab the gold medal for the first time since the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” at the Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy.

The 32-year-old from Commerce, Michigan, would be an excellent choice to bring into the fray for a potential playoff push.

Immediately Fixes the Future in Net

This move would immediately fix the future between the pipes for the Panthers. It gives someone who has experience and someone who’s locked up long-term already with his current contract.

Additionally, this gives the backup goaltender, Tarasov or otherwise, someone to learn from. And given his resume, his teachings will be in high demand.

He’ll Be Reunited With His Old Coach

From his rookie season until the shortened season, Hellebuyck was coached by current Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. This includes the first year he won the Vezina. If there’s anyone that can get the best out of him, it’s coach Maurice, and his multiple Cup wins speak volumes on that statement.

Sounds Great! But What Is It Going to Cost?

More than likely, Zito is going to have to dangle that ninth overall selection in an attempt to budge Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. This would give the Jets consecutive first-round picks.

Furthermore, he’s going to need to add some deal sweeteners. He could look at dishing off some young talent in Mackie Samoskevich and Jack Studnicka. He could also throw in a second-round selection in this year’s draft for good measure.

This Would Be a Match Made in Heaven

A team like Florida is a Cup contender when the team is healthy and firing on all cylinders. Adding a guy like Hellebuyck would be like adding a cherry on a hot fudge sundae.

Assuming a deal is put in place, it easily keeps Florida’s championship window open for an extended period of time. And with the amount of Stanley Cup-caliber talent on the roster, they should expect multiple Cups with him on board.