Winnipeg Jets fans, you’re about to be judged.

We took your trade proposals to a panel of NHL sources — the ones who negotiate contracts, work with superstars, and make real-life blockbusters — and asked them for their uncensored thoughts.

One NHL source called Connor Hellebuyck “the best goaltender in the league” and demanded more assets in exchange for him. Another said the Jets’ No. 8 pick should “absolutely” be in play, given the impetus to win with Winnipeg’s aging core — Hellebuyck included. Others dissected your boldest ideas for Robert Thomas, Elias Pettersson, and Mason McTavish, along with so many more.

When it comes to your top Jets trades, who says no?

Notes: Trade proposals were edited for length and clarity. NHL sources were granted anonymity to speak freely on real players. None of the anonymous sources were Winnipeg Jets employees.

Jets send their 2026 first-round pick (No. 8), third-round pick (No. 71), Brayden Yager, and Elias Salomonsson to St. Louis for Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou and a mid-round 2026 pick — Cam P.

“I think Thomas can get you the equivalent of two first-round picks. I think Kyrou could get close to that, too,” said a former league executive, before noting the no-trade clauses of each Blues forward. I asked how he viewed the Jets package Cam built for him.

“The best piece coming back is the No. 8 pick,” he said. “Yager’s value isn’t high anymore. Salomonsson’s is good, but it’s not quite that first-round pick type of asset. He might get you Colton Parayko (if he waived his no-trade clause) but there’s nothing in that package to get you Thomas and Kyrou.”

Verdict: Winnipeg says yes, enthusiastically. St. Louis says no, with similar gusto.

Would a trade that sent the No. 8 pick to Seattle for Shane Wright and Seattle’s second-round (No. 38) pick be equal value? — Dylan M.

Two sources chewed on Dylan’s proposal for a good, long while, and seemed to like it. Shane Wright isn’t viewed as a star prospect anymore, but he’s still 22 years old and has 78 points in 169 NHL games.

“I don’t think either team says no,” said an NHL executive. “I wouldn’t do that trade if I were Winnipeg but I think that’s roughly the price (Wright) ends up going for.”

“Seattle says yes. Winnipeg waits to see who’s available at 8 before doing it and then they probably do, too,” said the former league executive. “If you think you’re getting a top pairing (defenceman) at 8, you probably don’t do it. Winnipeg needs to be in the business of acquiring young, cost-controlled players. That’s how you get your star players. Shane Wright is below that tier, but I understand (Dylan’s) idea.”

The one thing I’d add is that Seattle would have to be OK betting on the future instead of a roster-ready piece (or be willing to trade the No. 7 or No. 8 pick for immediate help).

Verdict: Doable!

Connor Hellebuyck to Edmonton for Leon Draisaitl, straight up. Then: Robert Thomas from St. Louis for the Jets’ first-round pick this year and Buffalo’s second-round pick next year. Then: Adin Hill from Vegas for Cole Perfetti. — Stuart Z.

The logic behind Stuart’s proposals makes sense, entirely from Winnipeg’s perspective, but no one I asked about it let me get past the Hellebuyck for Draisaitl part.

“I love Hellebuyck,” said the NHL executive, “But yeah, no, Edmonton’s not doing that.”

“I’m waiting for you to tell me you’re joking,” I was told, but I wasn’t joking.

Verdict: Edmonton says no.

Connor Hellebuyck, Brad Lambert, Kevin He, and Buffalo’s 2027 second-round pick to Buffalo for Owen Power, Devon Levi, and Peyton Krebs — Scott M.

Scott has identified a team that needs a goaltending upgrade and has several great defencemen, a top goaltending prospect, and a former Winnipeg Ice star in Peyton Krebs.

“When you’re trading a great player, the mindset should be, ‘Who’s the best player we’re getting back?’ instead of focusing on the number of pieces,” said the former executive. “The best piece here is Owen Power, who has top-pairing potential.”

“Hellebuyck might say yes,” he continued, citing what he called “The Team USA conspiracy” and Olympian Tage Thompson’s presence on the team. It was tongue-in-cheek, but he went on to point out Winnipeg’s long track record of deals with Buffalo. His conclusion was that Winnipeg would sign off on it but that Buffalo might not move Power.

“I think Buffalo does that, if they can afford it (cap wise),” said the executive. “I wouldn’t do that if I was Winnipeg, but I think Buffalo might.”

Verdict: When you have NHL trade-makers arguing both sides, you can’t be too far away.

Connor Hellebuyck to Florida for Anton Lundell and the No. 9 pick — Jeffrey M. 

Jeffrey’s trade gives Winnipeg a No. 2 centre and back-to-back picks in the 2026 draft. It gives Hellebuyck sunshine, the absence of state taxes, and the opportunity to play for an elite team that’s won two out of the last three Cups. Who says no?

“Lundell is an awfully good player. That said, my guess is Florida says no and finds a way to keep Bob,” said our league executive. “But whoa, that’s interesting. Winnipeg would be much harder to play against.”

“I think both teams should say yes,” said an NHL player agent. “The Jets need to reset their cap commitments and aren’t in a great Cup window. They’d get a great young centre in Lundell and another great player at No. 9.”

“The Jets say maybe,” said the former league executive. “If Hellebuyck really does want to be traded, then that’s a solid return. But if you had a situation where Florida knew it was the only option, then they’re not paying Lundell for him.”

You can see the logic. If Winnipeg does trade Hellebuyck, it will do better if it can create a bidding war for his services. If Hellebuyck’s list ever came down to a single team, the Jets would be in a difficult spot.

But let’s tuck a reality check into our discussion. We don’t know what’s in Hellebuyck’s head. My interpretation of his end-of-season comments was that he badly wanted the Jets to make upgrades — not that he was automatically out the door at this stage. The fact that teams call about him doesn’t mean he wants out.

“Every star player acts that way. It’s pretty common with great players. (Hellebuyck’s exit interview) was not a crazy thing to say at all. Careers are short,” said the executive.

If Winnipeg made a trade like this, the questions become, “Who’s your goalie?” and “What do the Jets’ other star players think?” but Lundell would be a strong return. Winnipeg could always use the No. 9 pick in another trade.

Verdict: I think this pitch is in the strike zone, too. Add goaltending prospect Kirill Gerasimyuk, and I’m sold.

Are there any teams out there looking for a veteran stabilizer like Nino Niederreiter or Vladislav Namestnikov? Would they give up a pick of some kind? Who says no? — Tyler W.

Nino Niederreiter and Vladislav Namestnikov’s names came up a lot in this exercise, probably due to the huge step backward each one of them took in terms of offensive production this season. The NHL sources we spoke to responded with “not so fast.”

“You’re subtracting two popular players from a dressing room. Both signed there, chose to be there. There’s got to be a better reason to trade them than to play middling prospects,” said the former executive.

“If I was Winnipeg, I’d hang on to Nino,” said the executive. “Pucks didn’t go in for him but I think there’s a good chance of him bouncing back.”

Verdict: Winnipeg says no

Anaheim trades Mason McTavish and a sixth-round pick to Winnipeg for Colby Barlow, Markus Loponen, Edmonton’s fourth-round pick (2026), and Buffalo’s second-round pick (2027). — Adam B.

“I think McTavish can be a useful player in your top nine,” said the former league executive. “If you need to win next year, then you’re subtracting nothing that helps you next year and you’re adding someone who might. But I don’t think (Adam’s proposal) is enough. Anaheim says no.”

“I don’t think Anaheim does it but I think Winnipeg should be grateful for it,” said the executive. “I think it’s a better bet for a team that knows it won’t make the playoffs next year to gamble on his upside.”

Verdict: Anaheim says no.

Dylan Samberg to San Jose for the No. 2 pick in the 2026 draft — AavcoCup A.

“You can’t get that pick for Samberg,” I was told by the former exec.

“Winnipeg would have to make that trade,” said a current executive. “But San Jose would say no.”

Verdict: San Jose says no.

Elias Pettersson (no salary retention) from Vancouver for Buffalo’s 2027 second-round pick, Nino Niederreiter, Vladislav Namestnikov, and a lower-tier prospect. — Mike F.

Elias Pettersson is a compelling gamble for so many reasons. The pros are his 102- and 89-point seasons, his relative youth at 27, and the belief that the six years left on his $11.6 million contract would reduce his acquisition cost. The cons are Pettersson’s 96 points in his last 138 games, an eye test that suggests he doesn’t attack as effectively as he used to, and concerns about his offseason preparation.

In real life, Pettersson would say no, given his full no-movement clause. What about our NHL sources?

“Vancouver says no. (The Canucks) are in a complete rebuild and need to get assets back which help. Why not keep playing him, hoping he goes off again and they get more than that?” said the former executive.

Multiple sources agreed that the Jets aren’t the type of high-risk, high-reward team that takes a swing at a player like Pettersson.

“Somebody’s going to take that gamble. I don’t like it, but somebody will. I think it’s best if it’s a team that’s rebuilding — one that doesn’t need to make the playoffs right away for it to work,” said an agent.

Verdict: I’d do it if I were Winnipeg but, in this case, the Canucks, Jets, and Pettersson all say no.