Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors heat up as goalie market shifts

Fantasy hockey: Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date, making him a hold until activated. Shesterkin's season-ending injury creates urgent need.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 14, 2026 · Updated October 14, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date as trade rumors swirl around the Winnipeg franchise goaltender. Multiple teams have shown interest, including Carolina, Buffalo, Utah, San Jose, Los Angeles, the New York Rangers (who lost Igor Shesterkin to a season-ending upper-body injury) and Florida (where Jacob Markstrom left Monday's game against Buffalo, though the injury is deemed not serious).

Until Hellebuyck is activated, he cannot help a fantasy lineup. His recent averages show a 2.43 goals-against average and .914 save percentage across 92% of the starts, with save quality grading 67 out of 100 among goalies. He has five years remaining on an $8.5-million contract with a full no-move clause, complicating any potential trade.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Connor Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date, so he cannot play. Do not add or start him until he is activated. His three games this week go to zero for as long as he remains out. The trade holdout and injury status have created an extended absence that leaves fantasy managers waiting for clarity on both his health and his destination.

His recent averages show a 2.43 goals-against average and .914 save percentage across 92% of the starts, with save quality grading 67 out of 100. That profile would make him valuable once activated, but the combination of injury, trade uncertainty and no-move clause means there is no timeline for when he might return to a lineup. Hold him if you have the roster space, but do not count on him for any games until he is cleared and assigned to a team.

Igor Shesterkin

Shesterkin is on injured reserve and lost to a season-ending upper-body injury, so he cannot play. Do not add or start him. His three games this week go to zero for the remainder of the season. The Rangers had been rumored as a Hellebuyck destination, and losing Shesterkin creates major urgency for New York to find a starting goaltender.

His recent averages show a 2.69 goals-against average and .908 save percentage across 91% of the starts, with save quality grading 76 out of 100. The backup inherits that 91% workload, making New York's crease situation one of the most pressing in the league. Drop Shesterkin immediately, as he will not return this season.

Jacob Markstrom

Markstrom is listed day-to-day after leaving Monday's game against Buffalo with an injury deemed not serious. Check he is in the lineup before you start him. He cannot play while injured, and his two games this week (Thursday, Saturday) go to zero for as long as he is out. Florida had shown interest in Hellebuyck in the past, and another goalie injury could increase that urgency.

His recent averages with New Jersey show a 2.79 goals-against average and .897 save percentage, with save quality grading 24 out of 100. Those numbers belong to his previous club and do not describe his role with Florida. He had 88% of the starts before the injury, and the backup inherits that workload while he is sidelined. Monitor his status closely before Thursday's game.

What to do

• Drop Shesterkin immediately, as he is lost for the season and has no fantasy value.

• Hold Hellebuyck if you have the roster space, but do not start him until he is activated and assigned to a team.

• Check Markstrom's status before Thursday's game, as he is day-to-day and may miss his two starts this week.

• Monitor the Rangers' backup goaltender, who inherits Shesterkin's 91% workload for the rest of the season.

Schedule this week