The Buffalo Sabres tried to acquire goaltender Connor Hellebuyck ahead of the 2026 NHL Draft but the Winnipeg Jets' asking price, which initially included rising star Zach Benson and later centered around the No. 4 overall pick, was too high, so the trade talks faded away.
Now, with training camp on the horizon, the Sabres may circle back to the Jets to see if the equation has changed after Hellebuyck went public with his trade request.
After the three-time Vezina Trophy winner's statement was posted, The Fourth Period confirmed Buffalo remained among the interested teams, a group that previously included the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers and New Jersey Devils.
"The Sabres are still believed to have serious interest in Hellebuyck and today's public declaration may move the needle with Buffalo or another club interested in his services," TFP reported.
Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff responded with a statement of his own, and he stopped short of saying a trade is going to happen before the 2026-27 season gets underway.
"Connor has been open with us about his desire for a change," Cheveldayoff said. "He has been an important part of the Winnipeg Jets organization for many years and we have tremendous respect for what he has accomplished here. While we will continue to work through the situation in a thoughtful manner, there is no update at this time."
Hellebuyck has an argument as the best goalie of his generation and he's a virtual lock for future enshrinement in the Hockey Hall of Fame.
Yet, there are other factors in play (along with the trade request) that will likely make it difficult for Cheveldayoff to receive a king's ransom in return for the Olympic gold medalist.
Hellebuyck is 33, carries an $8.5 million salary-cap hit until 2031 and he's coming off a down year by his sky-high standards (.895 save percentage in 57 games). He's also compiled an unsightly .870 SV% in his last 23 playoff appearances dating back to 2023.
So the UMass Lowell product wouldn't be a risk-free addition for the Sabres or another team. If last season was the start of his decline, which is a possibility but not a guarantee, his contract will become a serious problem in the years ahead.
That said, it still feels like it'd be a chance worth taking for Buffalo because peak Hellebuyck, or something close to it, would represent a significant upgrade over the team's current trio of Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis.
It's time for Sabres to strike on Connor Hellebuyck trade after Jets lose leverage
Buffalo general manager Jarmo Kekalainen has taken a measured approach to the offseason. He traded away Alex Tuch and Bowen Byram after it became clear they weren't going to re-sign with the franchise, and he's so far opted against making any blockbuster additions.
His waiting game may pay off in the end.
Winnipeg tried to play hardball on a Hellebuyck trade early in the summer and there was speculation they were working behind the scenes to convince the superstar netminder to remain with the organization if the right offer didn't materialize.
Yes, Cheveldayoff could continue to stand his ground, but Hellebuyck's decision to go public with his desire to move changes the outlook, especially in the current era of player empowerment.
It gives Kekalainen a golden opportunity to land a true No. 1 goalie without having to give up an asset the caliber of Benson or a top-five draft pick.
That doesn't mean it will be cheap, of course. The Sabres would probably still have to give up a young forward (Noah Ostlund?), a promising prospect (Radim Mrtka?) and a first-round selection. One of the club's three goaltenders may be included, too.
Although a trade with that general basis comes with potential pitfalls, mostly related to whether Hellebuyck doesn't return to form, it's the type of high-profile addition that could help Buffalo make a serious push toward legitimate Stanley Cup contention.
Hellebuyck is one of the NHL's most impactful game-changers between the pipes when playing his best hockey, and the Sabres have been their most dangerous in recent decades when backstopped by an elite goalie like Dominik Hasek or Ryan Miller.
Kekalainen should still proceed with caution — he's refused to vastly overpay so far and he shouldn't change that now — but the trade request may allow the stars to align for Buffalo to get Hellebuyck for a reasonable return.
It'd certainly provide a massive spark as the Sabres arrive to camp in the coming weeks.
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