Connor Hellebuyck reportedly wants a trade out of Winnipeg, and Buffalo is believed to be his top target, according to insider David Pagnotta.
The report landed Sunday afternoon via Hello Hockey, and it's the kind of story that changes a franchise's summer in one shot.
David Pagnotta: Re Connor Hellebuyck: He wants to go to Buffalo.
Hellebuyck is coming off a 57-game season with the Jets, going 18-23-8 with a .895 save percentage. Rough numbers for a guy who's carried Winnipeg's crease for years.
The Jets finished 35-35-12 this year, good for 82 points and a minus-29 goal differential. That's not a Cup contender. That's a team trending the wrong way, and it shows in how it ended.
Winnipeg dropped four straight to close the year, including a 1-6 loss to San Jose in the finale. Hard to blame Hellebuyck for wanting a fresh start after watching that from the crease.
Scott Arniel is entering his third year behind the Jets bench, and GM Kevin Cheveldayoff now faces a decision that could define his tenure. Does he trade his franchise goalie, or try to talk him off the ledge?
Why Buffalo makes sense for Hellebuyck
Buffalo finished 50-23-9 this year, tied for fourth overall with 109 points and a plus-47 goal differential. That's a real roster, one that's been searching for a true number one between the pipes.
Lindy Ruff runs that bench, and GM Jarmo Kekalainen has only been on the job since December. A move like this would be his first true stamp on the franchise.
Hellebuyck still carries an $8,500,000 cap hit, the fifth-highest among all NHL goaltenders. That's not pocket change for a rebuilding Sabres front office to absorb.
Is Buffalo really ready to build around a 33-year-old goalie with term left on his deal? That's the question Kekalainen has to answer before he picks up the phone.
This is one rumor right now, not a signed deal. But when a goalie of Hellebuyck's caliber starts pointing at a specific city, teams start listening fast.
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The Jets have decisions to make this summer regardless of where Hellebuyck lands. Losing a goaltender of his pedigree without a clear succession plan in the crease would be a mistake Winnipeg can't afford to make lightly.
Should the Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to Buffalo this summer?
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