Connor Hellebuyck’s name is floating around the trade market again, and for Avalanche fans, the most appealing outcome might not be landing him in Colorado at all. It might simply be seeing him out of the Central Division.
There’s been chatter that Hellebuyck has a “95 per cent” chance of moving this summer, with Buffalo emerging as the leading destination. If the Sabres get it done, that would be a win for them. For the Avalanche, it would also mean one less elite goalie standing in the way.
That matters in a division already packed with high-end goaltending. Colorado could still be staring at a tough 2026-27 season, but taking Hellebuyck out of the regular-season and playoff picture would make the road a little less brutal.
At the same time, the Avalanche shouldn’t be written off as a possible landing spot. Earlier reporting linked Colorado to trade interest in Hellebuyck, and that was never a sign that a deal was close. It did, however, show the Avalanche were checking to see whether there was a path to a crease upgrade.
That kind of due diligence is part of the job for any general manager. If an elite goalie like Hellebuyck is even remotely available, it makes sense to explore it.
Maybe the conversation never got far. Maybe the price was too steep and Joe Sakic backed away.
But that doesn’t mean the door is closed.
The longer Hellebuyck stays on the market, the more room there is for something unexpected. Buffalo may be the favorite, but Colorado could still be in the mix if Hellebuyck’s camp sees it as the better fit. That would put the Jets in a difficult spot, in a way similar to how Artemi Panarin forced the New York Rangers’ hand last season.
It’s speculation, sure. But with this Avalanche core, it’s easy to believe Sakic is keeping multiple options alive. The team is chasing another Stanley Cup, and if Hellebuyck can help get them there, Colorado will at least want to know whether it can make the move work.
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