A Proposed Sabres/Jets Blockbuster Trade for Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck

The Buffalo Sabres had a great run this season. A first place finish in the Atlantic Division, their first time back in the playoffs in 15 years, and a run to Game 7 overtime of the second round. But one area that began to spring leaks as the postseason wore on was between the pipes.

"Their two main guys had been leaky in the playoffs, and specifically, Ukko-Pekka Luukkanen," Jeff Marek said on Daily Faceoff Live. He then went on to propose swinging a bold blockbuster that could fix that.

Are the Buffalo Sabres in a place right now where they need to take a massive swing?... Are they a legitimate, consistent playoff team? If we believe that, then is it time to address what's turning into a major concern for the Buffalo Sabres?... And bring in a significant netminder and pay a significant price for it.

Then he dropped the hammer of a proposed deal that could feature these two main components:

Buffalo Sabres receive:

Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets receive:

Owen Power

"Owen Power would make the money work and address a need for the Winnipeg Jets," Marek continued. And as for Buffalo, "this is what happens when you become a playoff team.

"You wonder about, 'OK, so what are the needs we have? And what are we prepared to surrender in exchange for it?'

"Is it time for the big swing??"

Would a blockbuster deal of Owen Power + for Connor Hellebuyck work?

Former NHL goaltender Carter Hutton agreed with Marek and pondered about another piece or two that the Sabres might have to include, listing names such as Zach Benson, Noah Ostlund and even recent first-round pick Konsta Helenius.

Make no mistake, the Sabres are not letting the pending RFA Benson go without a heckuva fight, so we might want to remove him from the equation. But Hutton's point is that Buffalo does have a lot of good young pieces, and they have the assets to swing the kind of massive deal it would take to land arguably the best goalie in hockey, Connor Hellebuyck.

We do know that the Jets' netminder voiced a lot of displeasure at the season they just had, and in a shocking exit interview, wouldn't rule out the idea of reconsidering his future in Winnipeg.

Maybe the Sabres need to strike while the iron's hot, and keep the good times rolling in Buffalo for next season.