The Oilers suddenly have a fascinating option after Connor Hellebuyck wants out of Winnipeg
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Connor Hellebuyck has requested a trade from Winnipeg, and the Oilers could be watching closely as the Vezina winner weighs his next move.
Connor Hellebuyck just blew the goalie market wide open, and Oilers fans wasted no time connecting the dots.
The three time Vezina Trophy winner made his trade request from the Winnipeg Jets official on Thursday, and Edmonton is already being floated as a dream destination for a franchise still chasing a Stanley Cup with Connor McDavid in his prime.
It is easy to see why the idea has fans buzzing this week.
A bold move for Bowman
Stan Bowman has never been afraid to shake things up since taking over as GM, and landing a three time Vezina winner would be the splashiest move of his tenure yet.
Hellebuyck carries a full no movement clause, which means he controls exactly where he ends up, and that alone makes this whole situation fascinating to watch play out.
The Oilers already reshaped their crease this summer, adding Devon Levi and Frederik Andersen to pair with Tristan Jarry, so a Hellebuyck arrival would almost certainly mean someone else is heading out the door.
Does he even want to play in Canada
Here is where things get complicated.
Hellebuyck has spent his entire career in Winnipeg, and his camp has not hidden the fact that a fresh start elsewhere in the league, not necessarily north of the border, is the preference.
He joins a growing list of American born stars who have requested their way out of Canadian cities recently, following Matthew Tkachuk, Quinn Hughes and Brady Tkachuk down that same path.
Cap space is another hurdle standing in the way, since Edmonton is currently projected to have only a few million dollars to work with, and Hellebuyck carries an $8.5 million cap hit through the 2030-31 season.
Bowman would need to get creative to make the numbers work, but stranger deals have absolutely happened in this league before.
Should Bowman push hard to bring Hellebuyck home to Edmonton, or is this simply a rumor that fades once training camp opens next month?
Oilers fans clearly have strong opinions on this one heading into the fall.
Also read on House Of Hockey :
Connor Hellebuyck reveals his preferred trade destinations to the Jets
Connor Hellebuyck reveals his preferred trade destinations to the Jets