San Jose Sharks Linked To Connor Hellebuyck Trade

The Connor Hellebuyck trade continues, as there's been five teams consistently linked in trade talks, and today's focus is on the wildcard of the bunch, the San Jose Sharks.

Multiple reports have surfaced linking the Shark to having interest in acquiring Hellebuyck, however, many feel Sharks' GM Mike Grier won't mortgage the future to make the deal happen. Word is the Jets asked for Will Smith and Yaroslav Askarov, and of course, the Sharks likely 'hung up the phone'.

The Jets don't want a package full of unproven prospects and first-round picks, so if the Sharks are going to pull this off, Askarov will 100% need to be included. From there, the Jets need forwards, and two that stand out in San Jose as potentials include Michael Misa and Collin Graf. 

David Pagnotta: Re Connor Hellebuyck trade request: It does and has continued to sound like he's a lot more open to different scenarios than some of the other guys like...Dylan Larkin, which is why you're hearing teams like Utah and San Jose - Jets @ Noon (9/1)

A package included these three will get the Jets attention and could be enough for Kevin Cheveldayoff to cave in. Hellebuyck applied some serious pressure last week when he went public with his trade demands, which he stated was provided to the Jets months ago. 

The Sharks are very likely in the mix and could be the one team standing at the end, when this is all said and done. They have the assets, they'll be able to make the money work, and they'd be adding a Vezina trophy winning goalie, who has five years left on his contract at just over $8 million AAV. 

This trade makes sense for both teams, it's just going to come down to how much the Jets try to pry away from the Sharks, and how much San Jose is willing to pay for an elite netminder.