Insider On Why the Buffalo Trade for Hellebuyck Fell Apart

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The New Jersey Devils got Connor Hellebuyck in a trade on Friday, but they weren’t the only team who kicked tires on the three-time Vezina Trophy winner. In fact, several teams were in, with the Buffalo Sabres reportedly very close before things ultimately fell apart.

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman reports that the Sabres got closer than any other team and that there was buzz at the NHL Draft that deal was going to get done. In a recent interview he explained why it didn’t.

“I think Buffalo thought they were close; maybe Winnipeg didn’t feel as much. That Buffalo deal didn’t happen primarily because Winnipeg was going to get the fourth pick, but they wanted to keep their eighth pick. Buffalo wouldn’t do it unless they got the 8th pick in return and you know, I just feel that that was the major reason that that one didn’t happen.”

Friedman said he remember being in the draft on the day of the draft, and they’re being the buzz that this one was going to get done. Obviously, it didn’t that was the one I think if if anybody here feels anything else got close it was that one.”

Sabres Were In It Down to the Wire

The Sabres were rumored to be in Hellebuyck from the start. There were, however, issues with the trade and the return. Once the draft passed and the picks were off the table, it was much more difficult to put together a package that worked. Friedman noted that the Jets really wanted a scorer, which is why Dawson Mercer was part of the package from New Jersey. The Sabers didn’t want to give that up, and the Carolina Hurricanes said no immediately.

In the end, it was the Devil in the details and the Devils who got it done.

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canadiens, Devils, Jets, Oilers & Huge Trade