Report: Winnipeg Jets Close To Trading Connor Hellebuyck

The Winnipeg Jets have been discussing Connor Hellebuyck in ongoing trade talks, and there's growing speculation with free agency opening on Wednesday, and several teams getting a better sense of their roster, and spending habits, Hellebuyck should be moved this week.

Two teams in the mix are the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo Sabres, but frankly, don't sleep on the San Jose Sharks. The Devils traded Jacob Markstrom to the Florida Panthers, and have a giant hole in their crease. They also recently moved Simon Nemec to the Calgary Flames, so GM Tom Fitzgerald has a boatload of trade capital to use. 

There's also the Sabres, who were very close to landing Hellebuyck on draft night, but the deal fell through, and they used their No.4 selection. They have the pieces, but apparently there's some trade protection that could prevent the Sabres from making their strongest offer.

Here's the very latest from Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, as Hellebuyck's getting moved before the start of next season:

Connor Hellebuyck: I don’t buy the New Jersey hype. It’s not a contract that fits the profile of new GM Sunny Mehta. Hellebuyck would waive to Buffalo, but a couple of sources have said since last weekend that a trade wasn’t as close as we thought. Some of the rumoured Sabres returns have new trade protection. Winnipeg would love to bring him back, but I think it’s unlikely.

Hellebuyck, 33, is signed through the 2031 season at $8.5 million AAV, and owns a full no-movement clause, which changes to a 10-team approval list next July.