The Buffalo Sabres may not be out of the Connor Hellebuyck sweepstakes just yet.
That’s the latest read from former Sabres goalie Martin Biron, who said on WGR 550 this week that the door could still be open for Winnipeg’s star netminder to land in Buffalo before the season ahead. The key line from Biron was simple: it’s "still a possibility" Hellebuyck ends up with the Sabres.
That would be a major swing for Buffalo, which has been linked to the Jets goalie for a while now. Reports had suggested Winnipeg wanted to complete a deal before the NHL Draft so Buffalo could include the No. 4 overall pick, but the sides never found common ground on the price and nothing got across the finish line.
Biron believes the Jets may have pushed their leverage too far before the draft.
"I do think that Winnipeg is in a bit of a - kind of a tricky situation here," Biron said. "Yeah, obviously Hellebuyck can go back to Winnipeg and play for the Jets this year, but are you so far down the road now that it's like, 'You know, we're gonna get Hellebuyck back but he's not gonna be happy to be here and we should just make the move, right?'
I think that Winnipeg maybe overplayed their hand before the draft. They were demanding, wanted a certain return and maybe the Sabres weren't willing to give in.
I think now it may soften a little bit."
The possibility matters because Hellebuyck is exactly the kind of goalie Buffalo would love to add. He’s a gold medalist and a multi-time Vezina Trophy winner, and the Sabres were believed to have a shot because Hellebuyck was willing to waive his no-trade clause to come to Western New York.
So for now, this looks like a waiting game - and maybe a staring contest the Jets could still lose. If Buffalo can pry Hellebuyck loose, the Sabres would come out of a strong season looking even more dangerous with him in net.