More than two weeks into the 2026-27 season, both Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck and the Kings are separately unhappy. Could they be happier together?

The former Hart Trophy winner requested a trade in the offseason and remains off the ice under a team suspension, seemingly waiting out an inevitable move to another team. The Kings, meanwhile, haven’t won any of their first five games. 

As the Jets get off to a solid start with just one regulation loss in their first six contests, could it be time to work out a deal? If so, the Kings are reportedly interested.

Here’s what you need to know about the rumors involving Hellebuyck and the Kings.

Kings interested in Connor Hellebuyck

The Kings are among teams who have “kicked the tires” on the idea of trading for Hellebuyck, according to SportsNet’s Frank Seravalli, who adds that the goalie would be willing to accept a trade to Los Angeles.

Seravalli reports Kings GM Ken Holland “at the very least has ascertained an understanding on the price” it would take to land Hellebuyck, but there is another factor: L.A.’s chances of contending this season.

If the 0-3-2 Kings start to get the impression their 2027 first-round pick will be high in the draft, they might not be willing to part with it, even for a player of Hellebuyck’s caliber. That doesn’t mean a trade can’t still come together, but it might complicate the process.

STREAM: Watch Kings games live on DAZN

The 33-year-old Hellebuyck is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner and won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s MVP in 2024-25. Hellebuyck also rocketed to another level of prominence after helping lead the United States to gold in February’s Winter Olympics.

Darcy Kuemper has started four of the Kings’ five games in net, struggling mightily with an .853 save percentage and 4.53 GAA. Anton Forsberg is the only other Kings goalie who has seen the ice this season.

MORE: How Kings’ ugly start compares to worst in franchise history