Connor Hellebuyck trade talk heats up; Yaroslav Askarov may go the other way

Fantasy hockey: Hellebuyck is on injured reserve and cannot help any roster until activated, while Askarov's save quality remains a concern.

By Fantasy Roundup Staff · October 6, 2026

Connor Hellebuyck is the subject of trade discussions between the Jets and both the Sharks and Hurricanes, according to NHL analyst Jonathan Davis. One scenario involves San Jose sending Yaroslav Askarov back to Winnipeg in return, while another would have the Sharks dip into their young forward depth instead.

For fantasy managers, the timing matters: Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date and cannot play until activated, making any trade speculation premature for lineup decisions. Askarov's save quality has been well below league average in his workload to date.

Fantasy impact

Player by player

Connor Hellebuyck

Hellebuyck is on injured reserve with no return date and cannot play, so any trade talk means nothing for fantasy lineups until he is activated. In his recent sample of 166 games, he has averaged a 2.43 goals-against average and .914 save percentage with a 92% start share. His save quality grades 67 out of 100 among goalies in goals saved above expected and high-danger saves, a solid but not elite mark.

The Jets have two games left this week, on Wednesday and Friday, but Hellebuyck will not be in goal for either. Even if a trade to San Jose or Carolina materializes, his injury status makes him unusable until he is cleared to return. Do not add or start him until his injured reserve designation is lifted.

Yaroslav Askarov

Askarov may be headed to Winnipeg if the Sharks acquire Hellebuyck, though other possibilities include the Sharks sending young forwards instead. In his recent sample of 56 games, he has averaged a 3.50 goals-against average and .887 save percentage with a 90% start share. His save quality grades 23 out of 100 among goalies in goals saved above expected and high-danger saves, well below league average.

The Sharks have two games left this week, on Thursday and Saturday. Askarov's poor save quality makes him a shaky option even with heavy playing time, and a trade to Winnipeg could change his workload entirely. His value depends entirely on where he lands and what the crease situation looks like there.

What to do

• Do not add or start Hellebuyck until he is activated from injured reserve, regardless of any trade outcome.

• Bench Askarov if rostered until his save quality improves or a trade brings clarity to his role.

• Monitor injury reports closely for Hellebuyck's return timeline before making any lineup decisions.

• Wait for an official trade announcement before adjusting any goaltender depth charts in San Jose or Winnipeg.

Schedule this week