Buffalo Sabres: Rebuild in Winnipeg increases odds for Hellebuyck deal

The Buffalo Sabres will shop for a goaltender in the coming weeks, and with a rebuild in Winnipeg gaining steam, the Hellebuyck odds are increasing.

It seems to be inevitable that a rebuild will take place in Winnipeg, with players like Pierre-Luc Dubois and Mark Scheifele potentially joining the trading block. Dubois will be a restricted free agent this summer, while Scheifele and Hellebuyck will be unrestricted free agents next season.

Jim Parsons of The Hockey Writers indicated that the Winnipeg Jets may want to move all three players to get something out of them, and that something will likely come in the form of draft picks and high-end prospects. When the Jets indeed go in this direction, then the odds of the Buffalo Sabres acquiring Hellebuyck will have substantially increased.

Rebuild in Winnipeg increases Buffalo Sabres chances to land Hellebuyck

Obviously, some potential pitfalls exist, such as the Jets wanting too much compensation for Hellebuyck. Even if they are rebuilding, don’t expect general manager Kevyn Adams to move players like Jiri Kulich or Matt Savoie for the 30-year-old Hellebuyck.

Adams would also need to consider his young core that will include Rasmus Dahlin and Owen Power signing extensions, along with the possibility of Casey Mittelstadt eventually inking a long-term deal, too. Even without trading the likes of Savoie or Kulich, Adams would still need to weigh the cost to benefits ratio of trading a potentially high draft pick or prospects (like Noah Ostlund, perhaps) for a potential rental in Hellebuyck.

Overall, there are definite pros and cons to trading for the proven goaltender.  Yet it would be foolish to give up too much compensation, even if Hellebuyck’s presence would likely put the Buffalo Sabres into more than just a wild card.

But at the same time, if this is nothing more than a one-year wonder, then why bother? Regardless of which side you are on, the rebuilding effort in Winnipeg is nearly underway, and you can expect Adams to at least entertain the idea of becoming a serious contender in the Hellebuyck sweepstakes.

Source: NHL Rumors: Jets, Ducks, Sabres, Oilers, Canadiens by Jim Parsons, TheHockeyWriters.com