Utah is still swinging for the fences, and Connor Hellebuyck is right there in the middle of the conversation.
According to Jeff Marek of the Daily Faceoff, the Mammoth are among the teams trying to work out a deal for the star goalie. Marek, relaying a note from David Pagnotta, said: "David Pagnotta: Re Connor Hellebuyck trade candidates: Utah... Jeff Marek: Absolutely for Utah, as they continue to go big game hunting - The Sheet (8/31)"
That one line tells you plenty about where Utah’s head is at. This isn’t a team looking to nibble around the edges.
It’s still hunting for a major addition, with names like Dylan Larkin, Kirill Marchenko and Hellebuyck floating around as possible prizes. Maybe it’s one of them.
Maybe it’s somebody else. But the message is clear: Utah is not done chasing a splash.
Hellebuyck is the name that stands out most. If Utah really lands him, the return would almost certainly have to include a goalie such as Karel Vejmelka or Sebastian Cossa. That’s the kind of deal that would reshape the depth chart in a hurry.
Even with Hellebuyck going through a rough stretch, the upside is obvious. He already showed he can still take over a game, and Team USA leaned on him in a big way. Great defenders and Hellebuyck carried Team USA, and he was very good in the Gold Medal Game as the US won 2-1.
That’s the appeal for Utah. If the goal is to compete, adding a goalie with that kind of ceiling makes a lot of sense.
The Mammoth already have Cossa and Vejmelka, but both come with questions. Cossa doesn’t have experience, while Vejmelka, despite his 38-20-3 record, didn’t have great stats.
For now, it’s still speculation. But if Utah does pull this off, it would send a jolt through the NHL. And with Hellebuyck apparently needing to be out of Winnipeg by the beginning of the season, the possibility is very much alive.