Sabres & Jets Hellebuyck Trade Talk Is 'Still Going'

It looks like there might actually be something to this Connor Hellebuyck to the Buffalo Sabres talk. The two sides tried to work out a deal back around the time of the Draft, but it didn't come together. The Jets' star goalie did, however, agree to waive his no-move clause to go to Buffalo.

Now, insider David Pagnotta says the talk is "still going", and Hellebuyck would be quite happy being a Sabre. 

David Pagnotta says Connor Hellebuyck wants to go to the Buffalo Sabres pic.twitter.com/VXTJxnWKCR

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Chatting with the guys on the Hello Hockey podcast, Pagnotta says he wouldn't be surprised if we suddenly heard, mid-summer sometime, that a Hellebuyck trade was consummated. With the Sabres still heavy in talks.

"That's still going. I think that... with how the conversations went around the draft and his willingness to go to Buffalo. I think the conversations have continued. I think they will continue to be continued... I think there's some motivation (by Winnipeg) to make (a Hellebuyck trade) happen before the season."

He adds that the Jets will be looking to get a second-line forward,  plus Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen as part of the return, along with a top prospect, if it's from Buffalo. 

At the same time, it doesn't sound like the Sabres have a monopoly on these talks. Pagnotta says the Stanley Cup champions could throw a wrench into the Sabres' plans. 

"I think Carolina is always poking around, right? So it wouldn't shock me if they continue to do that as well."

Hellebuyck hasn't formally asked for a trade, but he certainly voiced his displeasure about the direction of the team in Winnipeg after the season.