Connor Hellebuyck’s situation in Winnipeg is drifting toward a costly standoff, and there still doesn’t appear to be any real movement on a trade.
On The Chris Johnston Show, Johnston said the Jets goaltender is getting close to the point where he would begin “losing $38,000 and change a day by not reporting to Winnipeg.” Even with that deadline approaching, Johnston said there’s no sign the situation has broken open.
“And Connor Hellebuyck is getting awfully close to the day that we’ve been circling on the calendar, which is the day he starts losing $38,000 and change a day by not reporting to Winnipeg.
You know, no, no feeling that, that’s happened. You know, I think the Jets are keeping an open mind. You know, I’m not offering predictions on where this thing’s headed because it does feel a little bit, you know, it’s just it’s an unusual circumstance, and it feels like it could go in a few different directions.
And there’s not a lot of you know solid information to to go on here, except to say, you know, that’s a lot of money to give up. And, and I do think when we get to next week, and, and he’s potentially sacrificing, you know, that, that making that kind of sacrifice on his paycheck, maybe something will change.
But we’ll just have to see what happens with him. So, but I haven’t heard any more in terms of progress on a trade or anything of that nature.”
While Hellebuyck’s future remains unsettled, some of the other names still without deals are drawing attention in Florida.
On 32 Thoughts: The Podcast, Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas discussed a handful of free agents who are skating there, including Vladimir Tarasenko and Patrik Laine. Friedman said he’d heard Tarasenko and the Florida Panthers have been “kind of eyeing each other,” and added, “Makes sense. He’s played there.”
“Marchand is hurt for now. I’ve heard there’s some mutual interest between Tarasenko and the Panthers.
I don’t know about Laine. I’m still trying to figure out about, you know, guys like Logan Stanley and Michael Bunting.”
Bukauskas noted, “Tarasenko, I heard.”
Friedman also said he thought Nikishin was “really interesting,” and mentioned that somebody told him Nikishin was in Florida and skating with Tarasenko and Laine.
Bukauskas then pointed out that both Tarasenko and Laine still do not have contracts.
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Gustav Forsling Gives Panthers Fans Another Reason To Trust This Blue Line
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For the Panthers, the appeal goes beyond routine continuity. Forsling has grown into one of the steadier pieces on the roster, and his track record has only strengthened the confidence around a blue line that expects to do heavy lifting again this season. Paul Maurice has praised the way Forsling handles his preparation and the level he brings, and Florida is banking on that same dependable presence as the team looks to pick up where it left off. [Read more 🡒]