Connor Hellebuyck almost went to the Buffalo Sabres before the draft, and now we know why it fell apart.
The Winnipeg Jets open training camp next week, and there's still no sign an actual trade is close.
It's been almost two weeks since Hellebuyck went public with his request. He carries a full no-movement clause but is reportedly willing to waive it.
The Athletic's Chris Johnston described his willingness as covering "a variety of teams," without naming specifics.
Elliotte Friedman filled in real detail on NHL Network about one deal that already came and went.
Friedman said Winnipeg and Buffalo discussed a Hellebuyck trade before the draft, and the sticking point was specific.
The Jets wanted Buffalo's first-round pick, fourth overall, while also keeping their own first-rounder. Buffalo rejected that ask outright.
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Jets reportedly wanted Buffalo's No. 4 pick in Connor Hellebuyck trade talks
It's the equivalent of asking a dealership for a trade-in credit while also keeping your old car in the driveway. Nobody says yes to that.
That single detail explains a lot about how talks have stalled since. Winnipeg wanted a premium return without giving up equivalent draft value.
Timing has hurt Winnipeg further. No-trade lists reset on July 1, meaning players once available could now block a move to the Jets entirely.
Buffalo's Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is a real example. His five-team no-trade clause kicked in right on July 1, complicating any deal built around him.
Florida already dropped out of this race after spending its trade capital on Brady Tkachuk instead.
That leaves Buffalo, Carolina, New Jersey, San Jose and Vegas as the teams still being floated as possible landing spots.
If Winnipeg simply keeps Hellebuyck, the free-agent goaltending options left to replace him are thin, led by 29-year-old Connor Ingram and 39-year-old Cam Talbot.
Is Winnipeg's insistence on premium return exactly what's kept this from getting done since before the draft even happened?
My take: asking for a top-five pick's worth of value while also keeping your own first-rounder is how a trade request drags for months.
Camp is closing in fast, and that one rejected ask from before the draft still looks like the moment this whole situation started slipping away.
Should the Jets lower their asking price to finally get a Hellebuyck trade done?
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