With training camps over a week away now, all eyes are not only on Quinn Hughes in Minnesota and Dylan Larkin in Detroit, but also on Connor Hellebuyck in Winnipeg. As NHLRumors.com has documented, he made his trade request public as he tries to force Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff’s hand.
However, Cheveldayoff is a patient man and will wait until the deal is right to strike and agree to something. Again, that begs the question: would Connor Hellebuyck hold out of training camp? Well, if he wants to get paid and avoid suspension, he will show up. But everyone is watching to see what happens. Hellebuyck has spoken highly of the Winnipeg Jets and just feels that a change is necessary for him and his family.
Hellebuyck wants to win and doesn’t feel the Winnipeg Jets as constructed can win. Cheveldayoff promised him one thing, and it isn’t happening. So where could the Jets turn for a trade partner? Hellebuyck has been linked to the Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth, San Jose Sharks, New Jersey Devils, and of course the Buffalo Sabres.
We know there was a deal in place at the draft before it fell apart, but as Dave Pagnotta of The Fourth Period joined Sirius XM NHL Network Radio on Tuesday with Scott Laughlin and Gord Stellick said there is a pathway to reignite that deal, but both teams will need to get creative.
It’s Going to be Awkward if Connor Hellebuyck Isn’t Traded Before Camp Opens
NHLRumors.com Transcriptions
Scott Laughlin: “Hellebuyck to Buffalo? Is that dead, Dave, or do you think there’s any way that it can be reignited?”
Dave Pagnotta: “I think there’s, there’s a pathway to reignite the conversation. I think there’s been some back and forth already to try to build off of where they were at the draft. And we know that talks broke down a couple hours before the first round began back inm at the end of June. And I think there are pieces there that can work.
It really comes down to what the Jets ultimately decide as the priority. And taking into account, you don’t want to have a distraction, not just in camp, but at the start of the season as well. You have other key pieces of this team that want to compete: (Mark) Scheifele, (Kyle) Connor, (Josh) Morrissey, etc. that want to push for the playoffs and push for a championship. So you don’t want those added distractions.
So there’s certainly some motivation there, but also you want to fill holes. And we know that the Jets want to improve the roster. They want to improve their depth up front. I think there are pieces there that the Sabres are willing to part with, just not the (Josh) Doans and the (Zach) Bensons and those guys. You’re looking at the (Ryan) McLeods and the (Jack) Quinns, and others that you may fit the mould, along with some of their top young guys that they can incorporate into a deal.
Does Connor Hellebuyck Even Make Sense for the Buffalo Sabres?
So we’ll see, obviously, if they can come to terms on something here. I think the Sabres would love to get their hands on Hellebuyck. I don’t think that’s a secret by any stretch. It’s just a matter of finding the right package that fits what the Jets want to do.
But again, from the player and the agent side of things, little pressure was applied here at the end of August by making his demands public.”
It will be interesting to see if the Jets can get a Connor Hellebuyck deal done between now and the start of camp. Most feel like Hellebuyck shouldn’t be there when camp opens, but unless the parameters of a deal are in place, he will remain in Winnipeg until the Jets get what they want.
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