The Carolina Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup for the first time since 2006 thanks in part to an unexpected postseason hero. After replacing Frederik Andersen midway through Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, Brandon Bussi won three straight games to help Carolina secure the championship.
With Andersen, 37, headed for unrestricted free agency and his return uncertain, Carolina could face questions in goal, as relying on Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov for a full season may not be ideal. Meanwhile, Team USA hero and current Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck has suddenly come up in trade rumors.
According to a recently proposed trade from ESPN, could Hellebuyck soon find himself with the defending Cup champions?
The hypothetical trade from NHL Insiders Greg Wyshynski, Ryan S. Clark, and Kristen Shilton sees the Hurricanes receive Hellebuyck from the Jets, while sending defenseman Alexander Nikishin, forward Bradly Nadeau, and a 2026 first-round pick back to Winnipeg in return.
“The Hurricanes won the Stanley Cup for a lot of reasons, but one of them was GM Eric Tulsky’s loathing of complacency. He’s as aggressive in the front office as coach Rod Brind’Amour’s system is on the ice, constantly looking for ways to improve the roster,” the trio wrote via ESPN.
“Bussi is locked in at $1.9 million AAV for the next three seasons,” the trade proposal continued. “Though Pyotr Kochetkov, a UFA in 2027, has been a dependable hand, he and Bussi aren’t an inspiring duo in goal. But Hellebuyck and Bussi would give Carolina perhaps the best goaltending duo in the league. Bussi is locked in at $1.9 million AAV for the next three seasons. Though Pyotr Kochetkov, a UFA in 2027, has been a dependable hand, he and Bussi aren’t an inspiring duo in goal. But Hellebuyck and Bussi would give Carolina perhaps the best goaltending duo in the league.”
Hellebuyck is still under contract for another five seasons with a salary cap hit of $8.5 million.
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