Elliotte Friedman reveals the frontrunner for Connor Hellebuyck

When the Sportsnet insider weighed in on where the Winnipeg Jets goaltender could land, Buffalo came up again.

That matters because the Sabres have chased Hellebuyck for months. Buffalo reportedly came close to a deal around the June draft, and Friedman has said he was convinced the goalie was willing to waive his no-movement clause to go there.

The fit is easy to understand. The Sabres won the Atlantic Division with 109 points last season and snapped a 14-year playoff drought, yet they still lack a clear number one starter.

Hellebuyck, a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, would be the biggest upgrade available in net. His $8.5 million cap hit runs through 2030-31, and Buffalo has a young core built to win now.

Getting a deal done is another matter. Winnipeg has been firm about wanting immediate help back, ideally a goaltender, and Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen reportedly has the Jets on his no-trade list, which complicates the most obvious return.

Darren Dreger also reported that the Jets rejected a Sabres offer over concerns about a center in the package.

Hellebuyck's suspension ended Friday, which puts the focus back on whether the Jets can find a deal they like.

Carolina, Utah and Anaheim have all been linked at various points, so Buffalo is not alone in the race. Still, when a respected insider keeps pointing to the Sabres, it is difficult to ignore.

For Sabres fans, the takeaway is simple: the door is not closed. Friedman has previously suggested that solid play from Clay Stevenson and Stuart Skinner could change what the Jets want back, which might break the logjam.

Whether general manager Jarmo Kekalainen can meet Winnipeg's price without gutting the roster is the real question, and the answer could shape Buffalo's season.

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