Connor Ingram remains the best free-agent goaltender available, and Connor Hellebuyck's trade limbo might be why.
Hellebuyck's trade talks with the Winnipeg Jets are ongoing, with the Sabres, Hurricanes, Sharks, Mammoth and Golden Knights all reportedly linked.
Nothing feels imminent yet, and that uncertainty appears to be freezing decisions for teams still weighing their own goaltending needs.
It's the hockey equivalent of a housing chain where nobody can move until the person at the very top actually sells.
Ingram is coming off a decent season, winning 16 games with two shutouts and a 2.60 goals against average.
Once he signs, expect a one-way deal worth around $1,000,000, real security for a goaltender of his caliber.
There's going to be a team that caves eventually. It's a matter of when, not if, at this point.
Connor Ingram's next team may hinge on one blockbuster trade
Winnipeg itself is one option worth watching, especially if any Hellebuyck return doesn't include a true 1A or 1B goaltender.
Stuart Skinner signed in Winnipeg this summer and looks ready to take on the bulk of the workload regardless.
The Ottawa Senators have been linked to Ingram for months now and appear to have real, ongoing interest.
Pittsburgh could also circle back. The Penguins currently have Arturs Silovs and a couple of prospects waiting for a bigger role.
Adding a proven veteran like Ingram would give Pittsburgh more NHL experience in a crease that's still pretty unproven.
Edmonton was reportedly in this mix too at one point, but the Oilers have since moved on from pursuing him.
Is it fair that one unresolved trade is holding up a completely separate free agent's market this deep into September, days from camp?
My take: Ingram's own numbers are solid enough to justify a deal regardless of what Winnipeg does with Hellebuyck. Someone will move first.
Camp is close, and one of these situations resolving is likely to be the trigger that finally gets the other one moving too.
Should the Senators be the team that finally signs Connor Ingram?
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