Connor Hellebuyck trade to the Florida Panthers takes sudden turn
Photo credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers walked out of Buffalo with a 5-3 loss and a much bigger problem. Starting goalie Jacob Markstrom did not return for the second period Monday, and the club had no immediate update on his status.
Markstrom gave up two goals in the opening frame before Akira Schmid made 18 saves in relief as the Sabres pulled away late.
Florida has not confirmed an injury, but a mid-game exit at the intermission points that way.
Why the Timing Hurts Florida
The Panthers are already without Aleksander Barkov and Brad Marchand for extended stretches. Florida brought in the 36-year-old Markstrom to replace Sergei Bobrovsky, who left for Toronto in free agency.
Markstrom posted an .883 save percentage over 44 games with New Jersey last season, so Florida was already betting on a rebound. Losing him, even briefly, exposes how thin this goalie plan could be.
Could Hellebuyck Become the Answer?
Connor Hellebuyck remains on the market after his public trade request from Winnipeg. He would cost an $8.5 million cap hit, and the Panthers would have to clear space to fit it. The three-time Vezina winner also holds a full no-move clause, so any deal needs his approval.
Recent reporting listed Carolina, Buffalo and Utah as possible landing spots, with the Panthers viewed as out of the running. Hellebuyck, 33, posted an .895 save percentage last season, still ahead of Markstrom's mark, and his résumé is far stronger.
The obstacles are real. Markstrom carries a $6 million hit and a 20-team no-trade list. The Brady Tkachuk blockbuster also drained the asset base. Still, an extended Markstrom absence changes the conversation.
If the injury is serious, general manager Bill Zito has a clear reason to revisit a goalie Elliotte Friedman said the Panthers were “hot” for earlier this year.
For now, the Panthers wait on an update. Schmid is a capable backup, but a team built around a Cup window cannot hand the crease to him for long.
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