Connor Hellebuyck reportedly willing to accept trade to two Canadian teams "in a minute"
Photo credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
A fresh report is putting Connor Hellebuyck's name next to the Canadiens and Oilers again, and this time there's a detail that will make fans sit up straight.
The Jets and their star goaltender have been at a standstill for over a week now, ever since Hellebuyck requested a trade out of Winnipeg.
He skipped the start of training camp, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has been under pressure to find a resolution before things get messier.
Every contender in the league would love to add a two time Vezina winner, but according to insider Steve Simmons, two destinations stand out above the rest for Hellebuyck himself.
What Simmons is saying about a Canadian fit
Simmons reported that Hellebuyck would be comfortable playing in Canada, and that he would report to Montreal and Edmonton in a minute if that deal came together.
That is a notable detail given how often American born players are said to shy away from the pressure of a Canadian market, let alone the biggest one in the sport.
Hellebuyck growing up in the United States makes the willingness even more interesting to Habs and Oilers fans who have watched their crease situation get discussed all summer.
"Embarrassing ... The nonsense that Connor Hellebuyck won't play in Canada is senseless. If he were dealt to Edmonton or Montreal, he would report in a minute. He wants out of Winnipeg."
- Steve Simmons
- Steve Simmons
Why Montreal makes sense on paper
The Canadiens have been building something real under Kent Hughes, and a true number one goaltender is the piece that has been missing from a roster on the rise.
Hellebuyck's regular season numbers speak for themselves, and pairing him with this young core could speed up the timeline in a big way.
Whether Montreal has the assets Winnipeg wants is a separate question entirely, and one that will take time to sort out.
In terms of Edmonton, we all know the drama that has surrounded the crease there for the last few seasons, and Hellebuyck would be one to finally get this team over the Stanley Cup hump.
For now, this stays firmly in speculation territory, but it is the kind of speculation that gets an entire fan base talking.
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| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 21|308 ANSWERS Connor Hellebuyck reportedly willing to accept trade to two Canadian teams "in a minute" Would you trade for Hellebuyck? | ||
| Yes | 164 | 53.2 % |
| No | 144 | 46.8 % |
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