Report: Panthers Were ‘Hot’ For Connor Hellebuyck

The Connor Hellebuyck drama continues in Winnipeg, as there is no deal yet for the future Hall of Fame goaltender. But it isn't for lack of other teams trying.

We've heard all about the Buffalo Sabres and their attempts to land Hellebuyck, and the Carolina Hurricanes and their potential offers.  

But according to insider Elliotte Friedman, speaking on NHL Tonight, the Florida Panthers were "hot" for Helly earlier this summer. But developments since then have made that possibility much more difficult. 

I think one of the teams that was really in this hot was Florida. And I think one of the challenges is that part of Florida's package, not all of Florida's package, but part of it was what they traded to 

Ottawa to get Brady Tkachuk. So, does Florida have anything that still makes sense?

Additionally, the Panthers signed Jacob Markstrom to a two-year, $6 million AAV deal to be their starter, once it was decided that they were moving on from Sergei Bobrovsky. 

Now, granted, if they really thought they could somehow swing a trade of Markstrom, and get the Jets interested in something they could offer, we're pretty sure the Cats would still jump all over Hellebuyck. But it feels like that ship has sailed. 

The whole situation has gotten increasingly difficult for the Jets with the passage of time this summer. As Friedman notes, "The biggest question now is what pressure points do the Jets feel, if any, and is there still a deal out there that they feel is good?... 

"I think it's complicated."