Connor Hellebuyck remains top trade target as NHL market heats up in July 2026

Connor Hellebuyck still sits among the NHL’s most coveted trade chips as the league’s July 2026 trade market cools after a frenzied start.

What changed in the July 2026 Big Board?

Eight players from Bleacher Report’s earlier Trade Block Big Board have already switched teams, with seven of them landing inside the top 10. Vincent Trocheck, Mason McTavish, Jordan Kyrou and Šimon Nemec all moved before the July 1 free-agency window opened. Hellebuyck, however, remains in the July update at Winnipeg.

The salary-cap jump to $104 million and thin unrestricted free-agent pool pushed trade activity above normal levels. Yet after a late-June rush, deals have slowed. The league still holds plenty of talented trade bait, so more moves could still land before training camps open.

Why Hellebuyck matters right now

Hellebuyck ranks among the top trade targets because elite goaltending is scarce. The Winnipeg Jets netminder is signed through 2026-27 on a $7.5 million AAV and has posted back-to-back 30-plus-win seasons. Clubs chasing a starter are eyeing him as the best option left on the board.

His name surfaced in early-summer rumors, but no deal materialized. With free agency now underway, teams that missed out on top-tier UFAs may circle back to trade talks. Hellebuyck’s contract and proven performance keep him near the front of every general manager’s list.

Who else sits alongside Hellebuyck?

Detroit’s Dylan Larkin tops the July board at center, while Toronto defenseman Morgan Rielly sits just behind Hellebuyck. New faces like Columbus’s Zach Werenski and Dallas’s Jason Robertson cracked the top 15 after strong showings in 2025-26. Werenski’s status shifted after a reported Blue Jackets-Stars deal collapsed on June 30 when he refused to waive his no-movement clause.

Columbus winger Kirill Marchenko also cracked the list after a breakout playoff run. The Blue Jackets’ rebuild keeps DeBrusk in the mix despite Vancouver’s quiet July 1 stance on moving him. The ripple effects of June’s draft and early free agency have reshaped the entire trade landscape.

What’s next for Hellebuyck and the market?

The next 30 days will decide whether Hellebuyck stays in Winnipeg or lands elsewhere. Teams hunting for a reliable No. 1 netminder still have time to engage Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff. If no deal emerges by the August 1 roster freeze, Hellebuyck could open the season as the Jets’ starter.

Other top targets like Werenski and DeBrusk face similar crossroads. Clubs that struck out in free agency may pivot back to trade talks before the dog days of summer. One thing is clear: the July Big Board still runs through Hellebuyck.