Major Connor Hellebuyck development emerges involving Canadian team

Connor Hellebuyck probably isn't landing in Edmonton, and some Oilers fans are perfectly fine with that.

X user "itsWozzz" argued the team doesn't have the assets to pry him out of Winnipeg, and said a goalie who can hold a save percentage around .905 or better would be enough.

The idea isn't crazy. Hellebuyck requested a trade through his agent on Aug. 27, and the Jets suspended him this month for skipping training camp.

The cost is steep, though. He carries an $8.5 million cap hit through 2030-31 and holds a full no-movement clause this season, and reports conflict on whether he'd waive it for a Canadian team.

Hellebuyck himself finished last season at .895, the first time he ever dipped below .900, with a 2.86 goals-against average and a 23-23-11 record.

That doesn't erase three Vezina Trophies, but it does make the .905 target sound a lot more reasonable.

General manager Stan Bowman already reworked the crease.

He picked up Devon Levi from Buffalo, signed Frederik Andersen to a one-year deal, and still has Tristan Jarry on the roster.

None of them match Hellebuyck's résumé, but all three cost far less, and Edmonton would need to shed real salary before even picking up the phone.

Pierre LeBrun said interested teams feel Winnipeg is asking for too much, which tells you the market is not exactly racing toward a deal.

For a club built around Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, spending prospects and picks on one player is a real gamble when a steadier, cheaper answer could get the job done.

Whatever happens, Winnipeg's goalie saga is far from over.

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