Connor Hellebuyck remains one of the biggest names hanging over the goalie market, and with free agency opening Wednesday, Winnipeg still sits at the center of the conversation.
The Buffalo Sabres were the team most closely tied to a deal at one point, but that path has cooled after a trade fell apart. Now the Carolina Hurricanes and New Jersey Devils have entered the discussion, at least in the rumor mill, while the Jets continue weighing how a move would affect the rest of their day.
Ryan Dixon of Sportsnet put the timing issue plainly: “In a perfect world, you would think [Kevin] Cheveldayoff would like some certainty to the Hellebuyck question sooner rather than later, as it obviously impacts the other bits of business he’ll need to do.”
Darren Dreger added more on where things stand. “Carolina remains a contender for Connor Hellebuyck, while it’s fair to wonder if Buffalo circles back.
Nothing imminent with Hellebuyck. The Jets are focused on Free Agency today, but will engage if trade talks intensify.”
Dreger also said, “To date, NJD have not been in the mix for Connor Hellebuyck. Things can change with a call, but as of right now, there’s no link to the Devils, post Markstrom trade to Florida.”
Elliotte Friedman poured some cold water on the Devils angle as well. “I don’t buy the New Jersey hype.
It’s not a contract that fits the profile of new GM Sunny Mehta. Hellebuyck would waive to Buffalo, but a couple of sources have said since last weekend that a trade wasn’t as close as we thought.
Some of the rumoured Sabres returns have new no-trade protection. Winnipeg would love to bring him back, but I think it’s unlikely.”
Friedman also said on Oilers Now, “I just heard Carolina doesn’t have what Winnipeg wants; I think Buffalo does.”
One team that is no longer part of the picture is Florida. The Panthers acquired goaltender Jacob Markstrom and forward Angus Crookshank from the New Jersey Devils in exchange for Evan Rodrigues, Jesper Boqvist and Ben Steeves. Florida also added Akira Schmid in an earlier trade to form a tandem with Markstrom.
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