Buffalo Sabres

Insider: Connor Hellebuyck Trade Almost Certain, And He Has Picked His Spot

Trade talks between the Jets and Sabres are not over, and recent reports suggest Connor Hellebuyck might be on the move.

by
NHL Trade Talk
July 12, 2026

The Connor Hellebuyck trade rumors surrounding the Winnipeg Jets took an interesting turn this weekend as talks that seemed to quiet down suddenly got loud again. Multiple NHL insiders, including David Pagnotta, now believe a move is being worked on, and it’s the Buffalo Sabres who are the most likely landing spot.

According to Pagnotta, Hellebuyck has expressed a desire to be traded to the Sabres. Winnipeg Free Press reporter Mike McIntyre took it a step further, stating he believes the odds of a Hellebuyck trade this offseason are “north of 95 percent.” He wasn’t as steadfast on it being Buffalo, although he was aware there was interest there.

McIntyre noted that hockey agent Ray Petkau represents both Hellebuyck and goaltender Stuart Skinner. He didn’t think he would have put one client in a spot where he’d not get a chance to play. The thought was that Hellebuyck was likely moving on, opening the door for Skinner to be a starter again. McIntyre wasn’t sold that a tandem of Skinner and Hellebuyck was in the Jets’ plans.

Insider Elliotte Friedman reported that the Sabres and Jets did get close on a trade around the NHL Draft, but the big hurdle was the draft compensation. Buffalo has reportedly been willing to include its No. 4 overall pick, but wanted to retain the No. 8 pick, which Winnipeg also wanted. As for what a trade would look like now that the draft has come and gone, that’s anyone’s guess.

Still, sources indicate the trade is anything but dead. Buffalo has the cap flexibility to make a deal work, and identifying which players or prospects would need to be included isn’t viewed as particularly complicated, given the clear mutual interest.

For now, no reporting suggests any softening in Hellebuyck’s desire to leave Winnipeg. The belief is that he’s ready to move on. His next destination, if it’s Buffalo, would give him a fresh start on a team that wants to compete.

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