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12 hours ago
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It may end up feeling like an overpay.
But if the Buffalo Sabres are going to pull off a trade for Winnipeg Jets star goalie Connor Hellebuyck, that's probably what it's going to have to take.
The Athletic's Murat Ates wrote a new article on Monday that explains the Jets' perspective on a possible deal, and in it, the case is made clear that Hellebuyck isn't going to come cheap.
Clearly, a gold medal-winning, multi-time Vezina-winning goalie won't come in a trade for nothing.
But the reality is that the Jets can't settle for anything less than an exceptional offer.
"Hellebuyck’s .895 save percentage in 2025-26 is uninspiring, but his elite track record features heavily in Winnipeg’s playoff projections," Ates writes, noting that The Athletic's numbers show Winnipeg as a playoff team in 2026-27 if they keep Hellebuyck. "With Hellebuyck leading the way and (Stuart) Skinner a luxury as a backup, the Jets will fight for a playoff spot and have cap space to make additions. Without Hellebuyck, the Jets’ fortunes depend on Cheveldayoff’s ability to squeeze Buffalo or another suitor for an impact player to solidify Winnipeg’s forward group."
MORE: How a 3-team Dylan Larkin, Jason Robertson trade could work
That's the mojo that Buffalo would be trying to mess with.
The Jets can still be a winning club if Hellebuyck, and their other veteran players, have a bit more usual season.
Trading Hellebuyck is in part a jolt toward a rebuild, but it also takes away the best player from a team with legitimate talent. They can't justify a deal like that for less than a king's ransom.
That's why they didn't just want the Sabres' No. 4 overall pick in the NHL Draft in reported trade offers. They also wanted to keep the No. 8 pick in Winnipeg and not send it to Buffalo.
This isn't a negotiation in which Buffalo is going to have a lot of power. Clearly, Hellebuyck would be a huge addition. For the Sabres to get him, they're going to have to pay the full price, and then some.
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