Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen replacement could be Jets' Connor Hellebuyck

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Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen replacement could be Jets' Connor Hellebuyck originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The NHL could be looking at a handful of goalie moves this offseason.

The Toronto Maple Leafs already traded Joseph Woll, but that's just the start. Sergei Bobrovsky might be available. The same is true for Connor Hellebuyck.

A few young goalies could also end up in trades, too. And there are plenty of teams looking to upgrade in net.

Hellebuyck is the biggest name on the board as an Olympic gold medalist and three-time Vezina Trophy winner.

The Winnipeg Jets may not want to trade him, but Hellebuyck seems like he'd appreciate a move.

"The Connor Hellebuyck smoke is real," a trio of ESPN insiders wrote in a new article on Tuesday. "The star goalie for Team USA at the Olympics has made it clear that he's not happy with the status quo in Winnipeg, leading the Jets to take calls."

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Maybe the most fascinating part of the Hellebuyck blurb in that ESPN article is the mention of the Carolina Hurricanes that came later.

"As always, keep an eye on Vegas and Carolina as stealthy players for any big names," ESPN's insiders wrote.

The Hurricanes are a team that could be looking to mix it up in goal this offseason. Frederik Andersen had a negative ending to his playoffs after they had begun so well, and there's a decent-sized belief that Andersen's time in Carolina could be over.

It'd be hard to replace any goalie with someone better than Hellebuyck.

The Jets would surely want a lot in return for Hellebuyck, but he'd probably be worth it for the Hurricanes as they try to maintain their spot among the NHL's elites.

It'd certainly feel like a more appealing situation for winning to Hellebuyck than what he feels he currently has in Winnipeg.

More NHL news:​

• Jack Eichel turned into Ben Simmons
• Frederik Andersen heading toward an unceremonious exit
• Cale Makar is about to become a lot more expensive
• Sabres have reached the Alex Tuch pivot point
• Sidney Crosby trade plans did a 180 for the Penguins

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