Sabres Stuck: “There’s a Reason Connor Hellebuyck Chatter Won’t Go Away”

Connor Hellebuyck‘s suspension lifts on Friday (tomorrow) and there’s talk that the Buffalo Sabres are still very much in the mix to acquire the netminder via trade. Developments are few and far between, but losses like the one on Wednesday — the Sabres lost 3-1 to the Flyers — won’t quiet down speculation.

Matthew Fairburn of The Athletic writes, “That third-period goal was just the latest example of how a bad goal can swing a game.” He then adds, “There’s a reason the Connor Hellebuyck chatter just won’t go away.”

The Sabres were the team most reported to have been close on a trade. They had a tentative deal with the Jets at the NHL Draft, but it ultimately fell apart over differences in draft-pick compensation. Since then, Buffalo has never been more than an arm’s length away from Hellebuyck rumors, but nothing has materialized. Hellebuyck has been waiting. He’s suspended after failing the report to training camp, and if he tells the Jets he intends to return once his suspension is lifted, Winnipeg may start paying him to stay home. That could ramp up the urgency to make a deal.

Fairburn explains, “The Winnipeg Jets continue to dig their heels in while trying to extract the best price possible for the 33-year-old goalie. Until he’s traded, the possibility of adding one of the best goalies in the league is going to be tantalizing. Maybe Hellebuyck’s team suspension ending Friday will finally bring some clarity to the situation.”

Are the Sabres Feeling the Pinch to Add Hellebuyck?

The Sabres might be feeling a sense of urgency. “…it’s a persistent topic of conversation in Buffalo as long as the goaltending remains an issue,” notes Fairburn. “And though the Sabres have other issues, goaltending has been a recurring problem through 10 games.”

Sabres general manager Jarmo Kekäläinen was protective of his goalies in a recent interview on WGR 550. “We believe in our goaltending. They had really good numbers last year. They were good for us, all three of them.” However, Alex Lyon hasn’t been as good this season. “But Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen is a really good goaltender and has a lot to give to the Buffalo Sabres. He’ll be a big part of our future.”

So where does that leave the Sabres? They understand their goaltending hasn’t been as strong this season and they want to be contenders. They also have faith their goalies can turn things around. If the plan is to keep Luukkonen, then what are the Sabres moving if they see Hellebuyck as a necessity? And, when do they look at their current goaltending situation and tell themselves it’s not enough?

Next: NHL Trade Talk Recap: Canucks, Oilers & October Trade Board