The Connor Hellebuyck trade conversation between Winnipeg and Buffalo isn’t dead yet.
TSN’s Chris Johnston reported that the Jets have “re-engaged” in discussions with the Sabres about a possible move for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, reopening a path that looked close to real around draft time before stalling out.
That earlier version of the deal had the Jets landing the fourth overall pick and top-six forward Jack Quinn, along with other pieces. But Winnipeg reportedly would not part with its own first-round selection at No. 9, and the framework unraveled from there.
Now both teams are back at it, though the shape of the return appears to have changed. Johnston said the clubs were heavily connected on a draft-day deal and have since had to rethink what that package would even look like.
Elliotte Friedman added another layer to the picture on NHL Tonight this past Friday, saying there are “big challenges” involved in getting something across the finish line. He also pointed out that some of the assets in play earlier in the summer are no longer available.
“Some of the things that were available at the beginning of the summer or at the draft are no longer available,” Friedman explained, noting that no-trade lists reset on July 1, meaning players like Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen who might've been available to Winnipeg earlier in the summer could now be off the table.
That matters because it likely changes what the Jets can realistically expect back. The package that was on the table around the draft may not be there anymore, and Winnipeg could have to settle for less if it wants to move the situation along before training camp.
Hellebuyck’s most recent season was a step back by his standards. He finished 2025-26 with a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage. That came after back-to-back Vezina campaigns in which he went 84-31-7 combined with a 2.19 goals-against average and a .923 save percentage.
Even with the complications, the door still appears open. The talks are active again, and with training camp getting closer, this one could move fast if both sides decide the revised deal is good enough.
In Other News...
Connor Hellebuyck Trade Noise Is Suddenly Hanging Over Jets Camp
Stuart Skinners first appearance with the Jets during informal skates ahead of training camp was one of the more notable on-ice developments around the club, with Alex Iafallo, Gabriel Vilardi and Morgan Barron also taking part as Winnipeg begins to build toward another season. There was also a separate note on the prospect side, as 2026 third-round pick Samuel Hrenk opted to return to the Fargo Force of the USHL for the 2026-27 season after being selected by the Moose Jaw Warriors in the CHL Import Draft.
But even with the skates getting underway, the conversation around camp has been pulled toward Connor Hellebuyck and the trade noise surrounding the Jets goalie. Interest from other teams has been part of the backdrop, though captain Blake Lowry has tried to tamp down the chatter, leaving Winnipeg in the familiar spot of trying to keep the focus on hockey while one of its biggest names sits at the center of speculation. [Read more 🡒]
Jets Goaltending Battle Suddenly Feels Much More Real
The Jets goaltending picture has shifted from background noise to a real storyline, with Stuart Skinner now openly acknowledging the possibility that he could be asked to take on the starting job this season. Skinner, who signed a two-year deal with Winnipeg last July, said he is staying locked in on his role even as the larger conversation around the crease grows louder.
Adam Lowry said the club will continue to treat Connor Hellebuyck as a member of the Jets while his situation remains unresolved, which keeps the team in a holding pattern for now. For Skinner, the uncertainty puts the spotlight on a position that can change everything for a contender, and his place in that picture may end up being the one most affected if the situation moves in a new direction. [Read more 🡒]
Jets New Goalie Could Bring Exactly What This Team Needs
Stuart Skinner is settling into a new chapter in Winnipeg after signing with the Jets and talking through the challenge of joining a fresh locker room. He has done this before, including a previous move to Pittsburgh after being traded from Edmonton, and he sounded comfortable with the transition this time around while also sharing his excitement about working with goalie coach Wade Flaherty.
What makes Skinner such an interesting addition is the track record he brings with him. His recent postseason resume gives Winnipeg a veteran presence in goal, the kind of experience that can matter when the schedule tightens and the games start to carry more weight, and he made it clear he believes the Jets have a chance to be a real factor. For a team looking to stabilize its crease, that mix of familiarity, confidence and playoff seasoning is exactly the sort of thing that can change the conversation. [Read more 🡒]