Connor Hellebuyck Wants To Go to Buffalo, So Why Isn’t a Deal Done?
· Yahoo Sports
It was reported by David Pagnotta on Saturday that Connor Hellebuyck would like to be traded to the Buffalo Sabres. For Buffalo, that’s welcome news. The Sabres spent years struggling to attract marquee free agents while enduring one of the longest playoff droughts in professional sports, a streak they finally snapped last season.
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If Hellebuyck wants to play in Buffalo, though, what’s holding up a deal?
The biggest factor many people seem to overlook is Winnipeg’s current position. The Jets won the Presidents’ Trophy last season while capturing the Central Division title, arguably the NHL’s toughest division. They finished ahead of teams such as the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars and Minnesota Wild.
If Winnipeg returns to that level next season, the Jets could once again find themselves among the Stanley Cup contenders. Several Central Division rivals still face important offseason decisions, and Winnipeg already has much of its core in place. Kyle Connor’s new eight-year contract carrying a $12 million average annual value also begins this season, giving the organization another cornerstone alongside Hellebuyck if it chooses to keep its core together.
Another important factor is Hellebuyck’s contract status. He is entering just the third season of his seven-year contract, meaning the Jets are under no pressure to move him for future assets.
By Hellebuyck’s standards, last season represented a step backward. He posted a .895 save percentage, below the NHL average of .900, while finishing with a 2.86 goals-against average, his highest in four seasons. For a team that often relies on him to steal games, those numbers simply weren’t good enough.
However, there may be a reasonable explanation. Between Winnipeg’s deep playoff run and an Olympic year, it’s possible the 33-year-old simply wore down physically. The addition of Stuart Skinner could provide valuable depth in goal while also creating healthy competition. Skinner has experienced his own ups and downs after being traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry, but a full season in one organization could help him regain confidence while pushing Hellebuyck to return to Vezina Trophy form.
What Was Rumored at the Draft?
During the NHL Draft, reports suggested Buffalo offered the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 draft (Daxon Rudolph), goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and forward Jack Quinn in exchange for Hellebuyck. Winnipeg reportedly declined the offer.
At that point, it’s fair to wonder what else Buffalo could realistically include.
The Sabres still control each of their next three first-round picks, but if the team continues to improve, those selections would likely fall late in the first round. It’s difficult to argue that one or even two late first-round picks would outweigh the package Buffalo reportedly already presented.
Meanwhile, prospects Noah Östlund and Konsta Helenius reportedly remain off limits. That decision makes sense considering both are viewed as important pieces of Buffalo’s future and could provide valuable secondary scoring in the coming years.
Complicating matters further is Hellebuyck’s no-trade clause. He currently controls where he can be dealt, significantly limiting Winnipeg’s options.
Beginning next season, however, that protection converts to a 10-team no-trade list. That change would allow general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff to negotiate with 22 teams instead of only those approved by Hellebuyck, giving Winnipeg considerably more leverage in trade discussions.
Should We Expect a Trade This Year?
At this point, I expect Hellebuyck to remain with Winnipeg for the upcoming season.
If the Jets return to the level they reached in 2024-25, it’s entirely possible these trade rumors fade into the background. If they don’t, next offseason appears far more likely for a move because of the changes to Hellebuyck’s trade protection.
Even with two goaltenders under contract, moving Hellebuyck would require Winnipeg to either promote another goaltender from within the organization or add another veteran to the roster. It’s unclear whether Cheveldayoff wants to create that situation before seeing how this season unfolds.
That said, competing in the Central Division is never easy. With Colorado, Dallas and Minnesota all expected to contend once again, Winnipeg faces another difficult path if it hopes to remain among the NHL’s elite.
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