The Buffalo Sabres were heavily involved in rumors around Winnipeg Jets' goalie Connor Hellebuyck. However, there hasn't been much discussion as of late but that doesn't mean the chances of adding the former Vezina Trophy winner are gone.
Recently, Elliotte Friedman was on the NHL Network and talked about several different topics and one of them was where Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors currently stand. The NHL insider noted that it is quiet but he expects discussions to pick back up next month around training camp.
"I hear it's quiet," Friedman said. "I am with you, I still think he gets moved at some point and time. Right now, and I asked around a lot today, and I will be honest, I didn't get a lot. I was just told quiet, quiet, and it's one of those things that could pick up closer to training camp."
Friedman did go on to say that sometimes, when he hears things are quiet like this, his paranoia kicks in, but this feels like one of those times that it actually is quiet.
Why patience is the Buffalo Sabres' best weapon in Connor Hellebuyck trade talks
In any trade discussion, it really comes down to leverage and the team that has the leverage usually wins the deal. Around the NHL Draft and early in free agency, the Buffalo Sabres might have felt more pressure to get a deal done.
However, with a full summer to sit with their roster, they might have more confidence going into the season with the three-goalie rotation they used last season. It will really come down to how this group looks in training camp and the preseason, but if the Sabres remain patient, they could gain some of that leverage.
Would Connor Hellebuyck be an upgrade at goalie? Absolutely. However the asking price around the NHL Draft, which included the fourth overall pick was too high.
While Hellebuyck hasn't publicly stated he is demanding a trade, that was the prevailing sentiment after last season. The Jets really haven't done anything drastically that should change Hellebuyck's perspective that this team is ready to compete now.
As Friedman noted, everything can change with one phone call, and since Hellebuyck has a no-trade clause and reportedly was willing to waive that for Buffalo, the Sabres being patient is the right approach at this point in the summer.
Add us as a preferred source on Google