With the Buffalo Sabres season over, focus shifts to the offseason and how general manager Jarmo Kekalainen can position the Sabres to go even deeper in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. One position they could do that is at goalie, and Jeff Marek believes Winnipeg Jets' Connor Hellebuyck could be the target that makes the difference next season.
Recently, Marek was on WGR550 and asked how aggressive Kekalainen might be this coming offseason. He doesn't believe that he is going to look for moves that "color around the edges" because they didn't just sneak into the playoffs but made a deep run and were one game away from the Eastern Conference Final.
Jeff Marek believes the Buffalo Sabres should be calling about Connor Hellebuyck
Marek noted how aggressive the Sabres were at the trade deadline and that the desire to make a splash probably doesn't go away. He believes one player that makes a lot of sense and falls in that splash category is Connor Hellebuyck.
"One thing I suggested a couple of days ago and if I am the Buffalo Sabres I am looking at Winnipeg for Connor Hellebuyck," Marek said. "I know how we can talk about how Luukkonen had some great games along the way this year, ditto for Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis with injuries certainly a factor there. However, they were all leaky at times this year."
It is hard to argue with Marek's logic. While the depth the Sabres had at the position during the regular season could be viewed as a strength, it certainly created challenges in the playoffs, with neither being a dominant presence in the crease.
Hellebuyck absolutely would be able to do that, and has done that, as he is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner. The concern for Hellebuyck, though, is that he has struggled in the playoffs with 63 goals allowed in his last 18 playoff games between 2024 and 2025.
The counter-argument to that is that Hellebuyck was sensational during the Olympics in February and helped Team USA win the gold. Maybe that is a sign that he is over those big-game/playoff struggles?
That is something that Jarmo Kekalainen and the Sabres' front office will need to decide before making such a big trade. However, before they do that, there would need to be additional moves as they probably would have to trade Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and maybe another goalie before bringing Hellebuyck over.
It certainly is an interesting proposal, and while the Buffalo Sabres may not end up trading for Hellebuyck, one thing is clear. That is, people around the NHL believe Jarmo Kekalainen will be aggressive, and that is good news for the Sabres and their chances next season.
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