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LA Kings Need a Goalie: Here’s Our Wishlist of Potential Targets

By Cameron Franck

Apr 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) takes the ice before the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 23, 2023; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Kings goaltender Joonas Korpisalo (70) takes the ice before the second period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /
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Connor Hellebuyck – Under Contract with the Winnipeg Jets

Arguably one of the top goaltenders in the National Hockey League, Connor Hellebuyck is nearing the end of his six-year contract. As of now, his contract runs through the end of the 2023-2024 season. He is now 30 years old and can feel that his time to compete for a Stanley Cup is running out.

He recently spoke to the media and expressed his disinterest in being a part of a rebuild.

"“My main goal is to win a Stanley Cup and I’m starting to run out of time and I can feel it,” Hellebuyck said. “You do need to be in the hunt every single year, you’ve got to make the most of your years. I’m not interested in a rebuild. I’m just looking to compete every year.”"

With the way the Winnipeg Jets are structured at the moment, it seems very evident that a rebuild is exactly where the Jets are headed, or at least what they should head toward. The LA Kings could be a dark horse candidate for him to come to because they have made the playoffs the past two seasons and their rebuild has been expedited as a result of their success.

Connor Hellebuyck would solidify the crease in a way it hasn’t been since Jonathan Quick in his best years. However, the trade package for him would be more of a puzzle than it would be for Karel Vejmelka. It could look something like a package of Alex Iafallo and Sean Durzi + picks or a package of Trevor Moore, Sean Durzi, a prospect + picks.

That package would ultimately be up to Rob Blake, but it doesn’t seem completely out of the realm of possibility to bring the top-tier American goaltender back to the States.

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