What the Buffalo Sabres have to offer, and who else might be interested in Connor Hellebuyck
Ken Wiebe of the Winnipeg Free Press: (mailbag) When looking at a potential Connor Hellebuyck trade to the Buffalo Sabres, the Sabres 2027 first-round pick likely won’t be in the top 10, so the value of their pick is way off from their 2026 first-round pick, the No. 4. The Jets wanted the No. 4 pick and to hold onto the No. 8 pick. The Sabres wanted a swap of picks.
Zach Benson likely won’t be moved since he signed a seven-year extension. Konsta Helenius is unlikely to be traded. Including Radim Mrtka would be one nice addition, but they’d need to get back an impact forward or two. Jack Quinn, Noah Ostlund, Jiri Kulich and Ryan McLeod could be options. Josh Norris and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen have modified no-trade clauses.
The New Jersey Devils seem like an unlikely landing spot for Hellebuyck. The San Jose Sharks and Caroline Hurricanes might interest Hellebuyck. A sleeper team could be the Utah Mammoth with their interesting collection of roster players and prospects. Could the Jets make a big, inter-division trade though?
NHL Rumors: Chicago Blackhawks, and the Pittsburgh Penguins
Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press: (mailbag) Winnipeg Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff doesn’t have to trade Connor Hellebuyck if he doesn’t get an offer he doesn’t like. He can be patient, but it may not be ideal if Hellebuyck is back next year.
The hope is that several teams start bidding and the price goes up. There may come a point this offseason where they just decide that the offers won’t get bigger and they do the trade.
The Philadelphia Flyers will continue to look at the trade market to improve their roster
Adam Kimelman of NHL.com: After the failed Leo Carlsson offer sheet, Philadelphia Flyers GM will continue to look at ways to improve.
“The players did their part last year, and we’re trying to do ours. We’re going to keep trying to improve the team to give them the best chance to be a contender for years to come.”
The Flyers have cap flexibility to work with, as they have just under $16 million in cap space. Briere:
“Yes, we’re looking to do different things. I’m not saying it’s going to work, but yeah, there’s different things we’re looking at that might eat up our salary cap.”
Does the Leo Carlsson deal reshape the Ducks for better or for worse?
It’s no secret that they’re trying to add a center and to fix their power play. There isn’t much left in free agency, so if they add, it’s more likely to be through trade.
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