Three teams remain as reasonable suitors for Connor Hellebuyck
Photo credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
The Connor Hellebuyck trade saga keeps rolling along, and one of hockey's top insiders believes the list of realistic destinations is now down to three.
Speaking on Leafs Morning Take, David Pagnotta pointed to the Carolina Hurricanes, Utah Mammoth and Buffalo Sabres as the clubs still in the mix. Here is exactly how he put it:
I still look at Carolina...Utah...Buffalo, as potential options right now; at least coming into this week it's been fairly status quo
Why Those Three Teams Make Sense
Carolina is the easiest fit to explain. The reigning Stanley Cup champions lost Frederik Andersen to Edmonton in free agency, and Hellebuyck has made it known he wants to play for a contender.
The Hurricanes also reportedly put Alexander Nikishin and a first-round pick on the table back in June.
Buffalo has been the most persistent name all summer. A deal between the Sabres and Jets reportedly fell apart on the first day of the draft, yet interest never fully faded.
The Sabres have capable goaltenders, but none who raises the roster's ceiling the way Hellebuyck would.
Utah is the intriguing wild card. Karel Vejmelka and Sebastian Cossa give the Mammoth options, though neither carries the résumé of a multiple-time Vezina Trophy winner who could anchor a team with playoff ambitions.
What Comes Next for Winnipeg
The key phrase in Pagnotta's comments is "status quo." Nothing has changed in the market, which means Winnipeg is still waiting for an offer that matches its asking price.
Hellebuyck is 33, carries an $8.5 million cap hit through 2030-31 and holds a full no-movement clause, so any deal needs his approval.
That clause matters. Hellebuyck publicly confirmed his trade request in late August, and the Jets have acknowledged he wants a change, so the pressure to find a resolution keeps building.
Winnipeg also has to weigh whether it wants a goalie back or young players, which complicates every conversation.
For now, Carolina, Utah and Buffalo remain the names to watch.
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