Fascinating Trade Landing Spot Floated for Connor Hellebuyck

The Buffalo Sabres’ magical 2025-26 season just came to a heartbreaking end, but now that they’ve finally broken through their lengthy playoff drought, postseason hockey will be the expectation moving forward.

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Buffalo has a very strong young core in place to help ensure that remains the case, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to improve certain areas of the roster—one in particular being goaltending.

Insider Jeff Marek believes they shouldn’t just upgrade in net, but rather swing for the fences and attempt to land Winnipeg Jets superstar Connor Hellebuyck.

Marek said:

“Are the Buffalo Sabres in a place right now where they need to take a massive swing? Are they a legitimate, consistent playoff team? If we believe that, then is it time to address one major concern for the Buffalo Sabres and bring in a significant netminder—and pay a significant price for it? And if so, could that be Connor Hellebuyck?

Owen Power—let me throw a name out. Owen Power to make the money work and address a need for the Winnipeg Jets. This is what happens when you become a playoff team. You wonder, okay, what are the needs we have and what are we prepared to surrender in exchange for it? And if we all believe Buffalo’s not going anywhere—that this is a playoff team—attention Bruins, attention Tampa, Florida, Toronto, everybody: the Buffalo Sabres have arrived. Is it time for the big swing?”

The 33-year-old Hellebuyck has five years remaining on the seven-year, $59.5 million contract extension he signed with the Jets in 2023. He had a down 2025-26 season, going 23-23-11 with a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.

Trade talk surrounding Hellebuyck has been fueled by comments during his end-of-season media availability, and it remains to be seen whether he believes Winnipeg can return to contender status in the near future.

If the superstar netminder becomes available, Buffalo makes plenty of sense, and Owen Power would certainly be a return piece of interest to help strengthen the Jets’ blue line.

A Hellebuyck trade may have to wait until next offseason, but if the possibility does come to the forefront, don’t count out the Sabres given their ascension and the assets they have to get a deal done.

Next: Insider Speculates on Darnell Nurse Trade to San Jose for Young Forward