Are Devils a New Frontrunner for Hellebuyck Following the Markstrom Trade?

Just because the New Jersey Devils traded Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers does not mean that they are now the favorites to acquire Connor Hellebuyck from the Winnipeg Jets. Anything is possible, but one insider isn’t connecting the dots quite yet, with the Buffalo Sabres and Carolina Hurricanes still the more likely landing spots.

TSN’s Darren Dreger reports, “To date, NJD have not been in the mix for Connor Hellebuyck. Things can change with a call, but as of right now, there’s no link to the Devils, post Markstrom trade to Florida.”

The Devils have been linked to Hellebuyck in the past. New Jersey’s new GM Sunny Mehta has been urged to make Hellebuyck his top trade target, with the logic being that moving Markstrom first would clear the path to make a run at the three-time Vezina winner. The pitch to Hellebuyck would center on pairing him with fellow Olympic gold medalist Jack Hughes.

And, now that the Devils only have Jake Allen in goal, it’s logical to assume they’ll make a run.

That said, the connection appears to be more analyst-driven than insider-reported — nothing concrete has surfaced linking the Devils directly to serious trade talks the way Buffalo and Carolina have been. With Winnipeg’s asking price sky-high and Hellebuyck holding a no-movement clause, New Jersey would need to both be on Hellebuyck’s list and put together a massive package to get it done.

It’s an interesting fit on paper, but they haven’t emerged as a frontrunner. At least, not yet.

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