Buffalo came closer to landing Connor Hellebuyck than most people knew, and Darren Dreger says Winnipeg was the side that hesitated.
A Sabres centre could have gone the other way in that deal. The Jets had doubts about potential health concerns.
Dreger didn't name the player. TSLH read the clues as pointing at Josh Norris, and that conclusion is theirs rather than his.
Norris is 27 and got into only 44 regular season games last year. He still managed 13 goals and 34 points inside them.
The contract carries $8 million against the cap for four more seasons. That's real term for a player who rarely clears 55 games.
You can see why Winnipeg blinked on it. You can also see why they may not get that offer again.
Hellebuyck never reported to camp. The Jets suspended him, and every club in the league knows exactly where things stand.
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Connor Hellebuyck blockbuster with Buffalo reportedly collapsed over one concern
Seravalli said on Oilers Now that the Hurricanes remain interested and are still talking to the Jets.
That makes two live suitors, with Florida sitting in the background from earlier in the summer.
Elliotte Friedman reported Bill Zito offered Evan Rodrigues, the Ottawa-bound picks from the Brady Tkachuk trade and a roster player.
Friedman's verdict on that package ran a single sentence. It wasn't enough for the Jets.
He also reported Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has Winnipeg on his no-trade list, which complicates Buffalo from the other direction entirely.
An NHL source told TheSickPodcast.com that Montreal hasn't even inquired about him.
Kevin Cheveldayoff is holding a goaltender who won't show up. TSLH put it bluntly. Winnipeg doesn't have the big end of the stick.
Buffalo beat Columbus 5-1 on Tuesday and visits Detroit tonight.
Carolina beat Florida 3-2 the same evening and hosts Nashville on Thursday.
Winnipeg dropped a 2-1 overtime decision to Edmonton on Tuesday and heads to Colorado on Friday.
Three clubs circling, and the one holding the player keeps losing ground every day this drags out.
So who ends up paying? Selling an asset everybody knows you have to move works like listing a house the week the neighbours find out you already bought another one.
Cheveldayoff wanted more than Florida offered in July. What he gets in October is going to look a lot smaller than that.
Source : Connor Hellebuyck à Buffalo: « Ils étaient assez proches »
Should the Jets take Buffalo's best offer for Connor Hellebuyck now?
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