Insider Says Two Big Offers For Hellebuyck Now Off the Table, 3 Remain Interested

NHL insider Elliotte Friedman is reporting that the Connor Hellebuyck trade situation is more complicated now than it has been in the past, but the goaltender would still like to sort his situation out before training camp. Looking for a trade out of Winnipeg, the Jets netminder went public with his trade request, but nothing has been done yet. Friedman said, “I think it’s complicated, and I think the biggest question is ‘What pressure do the Jets feel, if any?'”

Certainly they feel some pressure. Dylan DeMelo explained, “For me, individually, it’s an extra wrinkle. We’re friends. Our wives are friends, we have kids the same age playing hockey together and all that stuff. It’s definitely a hard situation overall. I’ve never been a part of something like this.” But the players and Hellebuyck’s teammates are trying to make the best of it. Captain Adam Lowry spoke with the media on Tuesday and explained, “It’s not something that we think is going to really impact the room” “Until that situation is resolved, we’re going to approach it… he’s our teammate, our friend, and go from there.” DeMelo added, “We can’t let that be a distraction. We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. In regards to his comments, that’s his business and for him to answer. For us, it’s about getting ready for camp and focusing on the guys we’ve got here.”

---

Hellebuyck rumors really picked up around the NHL draft, then died down when nothing took place. They’ve picked up again, only because Hellebuyck and his agent released a statement saying they requested a trade months ago and that he really feels it’s best if he moves on. “Anytime that something like that comes out, Jameson, it says to me that he would like this to be sorted out before the season, before camp.”

Related: Can Hellebuyck Actually Force His Way Out of Winnipeg?

The problem is that one of the big challenges is that some of the things that were available at the beginning of the summer are no longer available.

Friedman reported that two teams were seriously in on Hellebuyck and that offers were out there. They included items that went to other things at the NHL Draft. In the case of the Florida Panthers, they used a lot of what they were going to spend to get Hellebuyck on Brady Tkachuk. “Does Florida have anything that still makes sense?” asked Friedman.

In the case of the Buffalo Sabres, one of the things they were working on was the fourth-overall pick. “I think that was key to the deal.” The Jets wanted the 4th pick and wanted to keep their own 8th-overall pick. Buffalo was willing to do that, but the draft proceeded without the trade going down and the Sabres made their selection, Daxon Rudolph. “Now, can you still make a deal?”, asked Friedman.

Friedman also points out that no-trade lists changed and when July 1st came around, some of the players that might have been linked in any trade might have seen their trade protection change. Those players may now be able to decline a move to Winnipeg. The Jets may be focused on acquiring another goalie in the deal, so they have an acceptable tandem and a netminder to go along with Stuart Skinner.

Who Is Still in on Hellebuyck?

The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun writes, “The Carolina Hurricanes, Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth are among the possibilities on the Connor Hellebuyck trade front.” He confirmed the same news as Friedman, noting, “The Florida Panthers, as we reported at the time, showed real interest in June, but between the assets spent on the Brady Tkachuk blockbuster and the Jacob Markstrom acquisition, that ship has obviously sailed.”

Next: The Maple Leafs Got the Gift Bad Seasons Dream About. Now What?