Now that the Buffalo Sabres finally snapped that miserable 14-year playoff drought, the mindset in Western New York has completely shifted. They are coming off a massive 109-point season and a tough Game 7 second-round exit. They are officially in win-now mode, and pushing for a Stanley Cup means finding that last piece to put them over the top.
If Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen wants to make a massive statement, he needs to go get Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. There have been rumors that he would welcome a trade there. There were also rumors at the draft that the Sabres were close to a blockbuster deal, but things fell through over the asking price. If Buffalo wants to get Winnipeg back to the table, they have to stop playing it safe and pay the price.
What does a Connor Hellebuyck trade look like?
The piece that reportedly broke the draft-day trade was Jack Quinn. If you are Buffalo, you just have to bite the bullet and put him in the package. To make this an offer Winnipeg simply cannot refuse, the Sabres should include Quinn, Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Noah Ostlund, and a 2027 and 2028 first-round pick. If not, even more on the side of draft capital.
Losing a young, highly skilled forward like Quinn hurts. It also hurts to give up a high-end prospect and two firsts. But Hellebuyck is a multi-time Vezina winner who instantly turns Buffalo into a legitimate heavyweight. Pairing an elite, proven netminder with the prime years of Tage Thompson, Rasmus Dahlin, and Owen Power makes this team a Cup contender.
Winnipeg is listening to offers, and a package built around Quinn and Luukkonen gives them two ready-now players. One who can jump right into their top six, the other who can help share the crease with Stuart Skinner. Plus, the future assets to retool. Buffalo has spent years stockpiling young talent for a moment just like this. It is time to put the chips on the table and make the move that wins a championship.
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