The Winnipeg Jets are weighing exactly one offer for Connor Hellebuyck this afternoon, and it belongs to the Carolina Hurricanes.
That's the word from Darren Dreger, who reports the Jets have a single proposal under consideration right now. One. No bidding war, no crowded market.
For a goalie carrying an $8,500,000 cap hit, the third highest among NHL netminders, that's a thin list of buyers. And it hands Carolina real leverage.
The timing could hardly be worse in Winnipeg. The Jets dropped a 1-2 decision in St. Louis last night, their third straight loss.
They sit fifth in their division at 4-3-2, with a goal differential of -2 through nine games.
The crease hasn't been his at any point this season. Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson have split all nine games, with Skinner taking six of them.
Stevenson has posted an .893 save percentage across his three appearances. That's not a number that calms a fan base.
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Rod Brind'Amour's crease numbers explain the Hurricanes' interest
Carolina doesn't need help scoring. The Hurricanes sit first in the league at 8-2-1, with a +15 goal differential and eight wins in their last 10.
The goaltending is another story. Pyotr Kochetkov carries a .899 save percentage, and Brandon Bussi sits at .882.
That's a sports car running on bicycle brakes. Eric Tulsky sees it. So does everyone else in the building.
The Hurricanes already showed what they can do against this Jets team. They walked into Winnipeg last Saturday and left with a 3-2 win.
Here's the problem for Kevin Cheveldayoff. When only one team is calling, how much can you really squeeze out of the deal?
The Jets have other holes to fill, too. Josh Morrissey is on injured reserve with a wrist injury and isn't expected back until at least Nov. 1.
Kyle Connor has done his part with eight goals in nine games. But one sniper can't carry a team scoring 2.7 goals per game.
Sending Hellebuyck to the league's top team for whatever Carolina feels like offering would be a bad deal for Winnipeg. Cheveldayoff should let the market get uncomfortable before he blinks.
Scott Arniel's group heads to Dallas on Thursday. Carolina plays in Edmonton the same night.
And on Nov. 1, these two teams meet again in Carolina. Nobody knows yet which sweater the most expensive goalie in this story will be wearing.
Should the Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to Carolina even if it's the only offer on the table?
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