Connor Hellebuyck's name is back in the news after his agent went public with his trade request. After that, there was a report from NHL insider Chris Johnston that the star goalie is willing to accept a trade to "various teams" rather than demanding a move to a specific club, which sometimes happens when someone has a no-movement clause.
With Hellebuyck willing to accept a trade to multiple teams, that puts the Buffalo Sabres back in the running. Of course, the Winnipeg Jets and Sabres were working on a reported deal for Hellebuyck earlier this summer. Things didn't cross the finish line; however, now the Sabres have the chance to try again and add a huge piece to their roster.
Sabres should circle back on Hellebuyck
With the season that the Sabres had in 2025-26, it only makes sense that they continue to try and add. They won the Atlantic Division and punched their ticket to the playoffs for the first time in 15 years and then won their first-round series against the Boston Bruins. Although they were eliminated in the second round against the Montreal Canadiens, they did push the series to seven games.
If they were to add a top-three starting goalie in Hellebuyck, they could definitely compete for another division title, if not go on a run to the Stanley Cup Final.
The Sabres do have a few things in their favor. Firstly, they are an American team; it's fairly clear that players from the USA Olympic team want to head back to the States rather than playing in Canada. Secondly, they are on the rise and have a ton of young, highly skilled talent. And lastly, they will more than likely be willing to flip some of their young talent and draft capital to acquire Hellebuyck.
The most interesting thing is what the Sabres will do with Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. He does hold a five-team no-trade clause as of this season. Which could mean that the Jets could be one of those five teams. However, if he isn't, it is safe to assume he would be sent to Winnipeg in this trade. If the Jets are one of his five teams, the Sabres could still opt to trade him in a separate deal to clear the crease for Hellebuyck, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis going forward.
The next few weeks will be worth watching; things could heat up quickly with training camp right around the corner. For the Sabres, it seems pretty clear that they will be back in the conversation for Hellebuyck if and when the trade market for him heats back up.
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