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Buffalo Sabres: Pros and Cons of trading for Connor Hellebuyck

By Sion Fawkes

Apr 11, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) follows the play against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 11, 2023; Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA; Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck (37) follows the play against the Minnesota Wild during the second period at at Xcel Energy Center. Mandatory Credit: Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports /
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Connor Hellebuyck
Apr 27, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck (37) defends his net against the Vegas Golden Knights during the second period of game five of the first round of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports /

Verdict

Overall, I can see the lure for bringing in Hellebuyck, and I can see why so many fans are enthralled with the idea. This is a playoff-starved franchise that would love nothing more than to see its team rule the Atlantic Division for the first time ever, and their respective division for the first time in forever.

So what do I think? I would look into trading for Hellebuyck, and even support it, but only if he a) comes at a cost that doesn’t put the plan for long-term success in jeopardy, and b) agrees to an extension, which he will be eligible for this season.

Although there are good ideas associated with it, the last thing the Sabres need is to acquire Hellebuyck as a rental at the expense of trading away a massive set of assets. Because once 2024-25 rolls around, not only are you out a goaltender since acquiring him likely means moving Luukkonen, but you will also likely need to mortgage off even more of your future to acquire another goaltender-especially if the 2024 free agent market ends up being weak.

What Sabres fans think of perhaps acquiring Hellebuyck. light. Related Story

So, my final verdict is to trade for him if the above stipulations are met. If not, I’m not willing to make one big run with the remote possibility that the Buffalo Sabres slip back into mediocrity if Adams were to trade a ransom for a rental. In the latter case, it’s just best to trust the process.

(Statistics provided by Hockey-Reference)

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