Jets get five assets in new Connor Hellebuyck trade proposal, but one piece is missing

The Connor Hellebuyck trade saga just picked up another mock proposal, and this one has Buffalo fans talking.

IceMetrix pitched a deal that sends forwards Jiri Kulich and Peyton Krebs, defenseman Radim Mrtka, a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 third-round pick to Winnipeg.

The Sabres would get the three-time Vezina Trophy winner back.

To be clear, this is a mock trade and not a report from anyone on the inside.

Kulich is 22 and missed most of last season with a blood clot issue before getting cleared.

Krebs signed a long-term deal with Buffalo this offseason.

Mrtka was the ninth overall pick in 2025, so he carries real value as a prospect.

Hellebuyck is signed through 2030-31 at $8.5 million per year, and his 2025-26 season was rough by his standards, with a .895 save percentage.

He is still suspended by the Jets for skipping camp, and that suspension is expected to end Friday.

The two teams came close to a deal around the draft in June, but it fell apart over draft capital.

Nothing has gotten close since, and Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff says there is still no timeline.

Buffalo GM Jarmo Kekalainen also backed Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen on WGR 550 Tuesday, calling him a big part of the future.

The Sabres sit at 4-3-2, and Luukkonen has an .860 save percentage so far.

Probably not as written. Reports say the Jets haven't been offered fair value for an elite goalie with this many years left, and this package has no first-round pick.

Hellebuyck also holds a full no-movement clause this season, so he has to approve any destination.

Also read on House Of Hockey :
Connor Hellebuyck to the Sabres? Reported trade hinges on one key move