Eastern Conference team reportedly making serious push for Connor Hellebuyck

The Connor Hellebuyck trade saga is heating up again, and it sounds like the Buffalo Sabres genuinely mean business this time.

Buffalo and Winnipeg reportedly had a deal in place around the June draft that never crossed the finish line, but talks have since been revisited, and the Sabres are pushing hard to get something done before camps open.

Insider David Pagnotta reported over the weekend that Buffalo still wants to make this happen, and it is easy to see why.

Hellebuyck is a three time Vezina Trophy winner carrying a cap hit of $8.5 million on a deal that runs through 2031, exactly the kind of goaltender a contender could use.

The Sabres reportedly want any package centered around goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen along with a couple of former first round picks who have not quite lived up to their draft slot just yet.

Buffalo wants to keep both Josh Doan and Zach Benson out of any deal, meaning names like Jiri Kulich and Konsta Helenius could realistically be in play instead.

A high draft pick heading back to Winnipeg is also expected as part of the package.

There is a wrinkle worth watching too.

Luukkonen holds a five team no trade list, and it is unclear whether Winnipeg currently sits on it.

Even if it does, there is a real chance he waives it anyway for a shot at taking over as Winnipeg's starter ahead of Stuart Skinner.

Hellebuyck made his trade request public in the final week of August, and with camps set to open within days, the pressure to finalize something only grows.

Winnipeg has options on the table, but Buffalo appears to be positioning itself as the frontrunner.

Nothing is done yet, but for the first time in months, this trade finally feels like it might happen.

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