Connor Hellebuyck's name is now part of the conversation among Edmonton Oilers fans, and not everyone is sold.
The question came up directly in the team's community forum on The Hockey News: should GM Stan Bowman actually make a push for him?
"If Connor Hellebuyck was willing to join the Edmonton Oilers, should GM Stan Bowman make a push to acquire him via trade?" the post asked.
The poster didn't stop at just floating the idea. He raised a real concern most trade chatter around Hellebuyck tends to skip.
"He's a great regular season goalie, but his numbers in the playoffs have been as bad as any Oilers goaltender," the post read.
That's a pointed critique to raise about a goaltender everyone assumes would be a clean upgrade.
Cost is the other obvious hurdle. Hellebuyck carries an $8,500,000 cap hit, a number that would require real assets moving the other way.
Edmonton may not be the only team quietly monitoring Hellebuyck's situation. The Buffalo Sabres, Florida Panthers and Philadelphia Flyers could all emerge as unexpected suitors if Winnipeg lowers its asking price. Each club has different needs, but adding a proven starter would immediately change its outlook.
None has been firmly linked yet, making them intriguing dark-horse destinations to watch.
Oilers fans divided over blockbuster Connor Hellebuyck trade idea
This is a different conversation than the one already swirling around Montreal's Samuel Montembeault as a cheaper Edmonton target.
Montembeault carries a $3,150,000 cap hit, less than half of what Hellebuyck would cost against the cap.
Frederik Andersen remains sidelined and isn't expected back until at least October 20, which is exactly why this debate keeps surfacing.
Tristan Jarry posted a .882 save percentage across 33 games last season, serviceable but not the kind of number that closes a Cup window.
Is trading for a bigger name in net actually the fix, or does it just swap one set of question marks for a more expensive one?
Edmonton finished last season 41-30-11, good for 14th overall, a roster built to win now around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl.
My take: the playoff concern is legitimate, but so is the upside. A great regular season goalie still gives a contender more good nights than bad ones.
Nothing here is close to an actual front-office move. But the debate itself shows how unsettled Edmonton's goaltending picture still is heading into camp.
Source : Should the Oilers Make a Push For Hellebuyck?
Should the Oilers actually pursue a trade for Connor Hellebuyck?
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