The Winnipeg Jets continue to have Connor Hellebuyck trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres, and maybe the Carolina Hurricanes
Hello Hockey: David Pagnotta when asked about Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Trade talks with the Buffalo Sabres will likely continue, and the Carolina Hurricanes could be poking around. It’s still possible that he starts the season with the Jets.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Shawn Belle: “Yeah, I mean it’s, when think about the free agents and in that landscape and guys that are going to be ready to be available, like you just mentioned.But what about a guy like Connor Hellebuck? We kind of heard the rumors, obviously. We, what was going on with Buffalo, and he was willing to go there, and the move never materialized.
Tom Gazzola: “Which is crazy, by the way.
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Belle: “Which is crazy. What is going to happen with a guy like him? Is this something that’s going to be, okay, as over the course of the summer, closer to the season starting, you might see a little bit more traction. Because I’m assuming a lot of guys, like you just said, are going to the cottage and starting to settle down some of the business.”
Pagnotta: “Yeah, I mean, this is one of the ones that I’m still looking at, going, ‘Hey, if it’s August 5th and we get some news out of Winnipeg, we probably shouldn’t be surprised.’ And then, random date, I’m not saying specifically, ‘Let’s wait for August 5th,’ but like just random day. Because that’s still, that’s still going.
I think that there’s, with how the conversations went around draft and his willingness to go to Buffalo, I think the conversations have continued. I think they will continue to, to continue. And I think there’s, I think Carolina, Carolina is always poking around, right? So wouldn’t shock me if they continue to do that as well.
But like, I think it’s interesting to see how the Jets are going to maneuver this one. Because, like, they really like, they really like (Viggo) Bjork that they picked up in the first round. He was standing like right in front of me when the pick was made, him and his family. And I didn’t realize he was-he’s a little guy, but he’s-he’s like a truck. He’s a thick little guy. Like, this is a, like very powerful center that they’ve got. On the smaller side height-wise, but this is a player that they’re banking on.
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They’ve been-they were really high on him. They didn’t want to include that pick in a trade for Hellebuyck. So, you know, that kind of shows you how high they were. They were willing to move the fourth, you know, but as part of this, but Winnipeg didn’t want to flip the picks and, and whatnot.
So anyway, high on the kid. Does he fit in right away into that 2C role? I think they’ll give him the opportunity to try if they don’t find a replacement or another, sorry, another piece, but they’re still looking to shore up that second line. They still have at least one other hole on that line that they want to fill.
You know, you’ve got to imagine the conversations will continue if it’s with Buffalo, to include a forward, to include (Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen) and other pieces. So you know, whether it’s (Radim) Mrtka or something else that’s in there, those conversations I think are going to continue.
I haven’t heard it’s dead in the water yet, but again, now we’re now, we’re hitting the dog, dog days of summer. But again, I still anticipate activity, and I think the Jets with Helly are going to continue those conversations, and I think there’s some motivation to make it happen before the season.
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But I think everybody understands that there is a chance he starts the year in Winnipeg. And if he does, he’s probably going to ride that out, and then, you know be moved next summer. But they’re still trying, is the long-winded answer of what I just gave you.”
Tom Gazolla: “I like it.”
Shawn Belle: “No, I like it too. It’s going to be it’s interesting to see a goalie of that caliber move, especially if it’s during the season. It’s going to obviously cause some ripple effect.”
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