Report: Jets and Sabres in Advanced Trade Talks for Connor Hellebuyck

Friday, June 26, 2026 ,



It seems like the NHL news cycle never quits. 

With a 32-team league and active free agency, we've got news to report regarding the Winnipeg Jets' starting goaltender, Connor Hellebuyck. 

Hellebuyck was a part of the 2026 US Olympic team that won a gold medal in Milan, Italy. The news surrounding the team hasn't been the greatest, as it seems a lot of the American-born players are fleeing their current teams, and Hellebuyck may be the next one. 

According to The 32 Thoughts Podcast's Elliotte Friedman, the Sabres and Jets are in advanced trade talks regarding the former Hart and Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender. 

While there's been no confirmation of a trade request by Hellebuyck, the veteran goaltender has been generating interest by multiple American teams, including the Carolina Hurricanes, Florida Panthers, and now the Buffalo Sabres.

Teams that are regular playoff performers, and the newly-minted contenders in the Sabres who made a trip to the second round until they were knocked out by the Montreal Canadiens. 

Hellebuyck has played all 625 games of his NHL career with the Winnipeg Jets, and has a record of 345-208-55-45, with a career 2.58 goals against average, and .916 save percentage. 

If the Sabres can pull off this trade, they will solidify their status as contenders next season, and depending on whether the trade is finalized, find a way to fit Hellebuyck's $8.5 million AAV contract under their salary cap. 

They have $13.7 million at the moment, but any good GM doesn't spend like a drunken sailor. Who knows what Jarmo Kekalainen will do to pull this off?

Earlier Reports Suggest A Change In Direction From Both Teams

The Fourth Period's David Pagnotta reported earlier in the day that the Sabres had rejected the offer from the Winnipeg Jets for Hellebuyck. 

The Buffalo Sabres have had significant interest in Connor Hellebuyck. But my understanding… is that the Sabres have declined the ask from the Winnipeg Jets. I believe it involved the No. 4 pick, and there are other roster players from Buffalo involved in this as well. But as of this moment, Buffalo and Hellebuyck is nonexistent. 

There's no confirmation of a trade happening yet, as we've seen with players of this caliber, it could take longer than expected to work out the details.  


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