​David Pagnotta reported on Saturday that Connor Hellebuyck would like to be traded to the Buffalo Sabres, a development that should be welcomed by Buffalo. The Sabres have spent years chasing marquee free agents while enduring one of the longest playoff droughts in professional sports, a stretch they finally ended last season.
If Hellebuyck truly wants to play in Buffalo, what’s delaying a deal? A major overlooked factor is Winnipeg’s current standing. The Jets captured the Presidents’ Trophy last season and won the Central Division, arguably the NHL’s most challenging division. They finished ahead of heavyweights like the Colorado Avalanche, Dallas Stars, and Minnesota Wild. If Winnipeg returns to that level next season, the Jets could again be among the Stanley Cup contenders. Several Central Division rivals face consequential offseason decisions, and Winnipeg already has much of its core in place. Kyle Connor’s new eight-year contract, carrying a $12 million average annual value, begins this season, giving the organization another cornerstone alongside Hellebuyck if it chooses to keep its core intact.
Another key factor is Hellebuyck’s contract status. He is entering only the third season of his seven-year deal, meaning the Jets aren’t under pressure to move him for future assets. By Hellebuyck’s standards, last season was a step backward. He posted a .895 save percentage, below the NHL average of .900, and a 2.86 goals-against average, his highest in four seasons. For a team that often relies on him to steal games, those numbers weren’t good enough.
There may be a reasonable explanation, though. Between Winnipeg’s deep playoff run and an Olympic year, it’s possible the 33-year-old wore down physically. The addition of Stuart Skinner could provide valuable depth in goal while fostering healthy competition. Skinner has had his own ups and downs after being traded from the Edmonton Oilers to the Pittsburgh Penguins in exchange for Tristan Jarry, but a full season in one organization could help him rebuild confidence while pushing Hellebuyck back toward Vezina Trophy form.
During the NHL Draft, reports indicated Buffalo offered the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 draft (Daxon Rudolph), goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, and forward Jack Quinn in exchange for Hellebuyck, a package Winnipeg reportedly declined. At that point, it’s reasonable to question what else Buffalo could realistically include.
The Sabres still control each of their next three first-round picks, but as the team continues to improve, those selections would likely be late in the first round. It’s tough to argue that one or even two late first-round picks would outweigh the package Buffalo reportedly already proposed. Meanwhile, Buffalo’s prospect pool remains a talking point, with players like Noah Ostlund and others aiming to push for NHL time, though the specifics of which prospects would be involved in any potential deal vary by report and perspective. The situation remains fluid, with both sides weighing not only immediate needs but long-term fit and organizational direction as they consider whether a deal for Hellebuyck could realistically materialize.