Connor Hellebuyck to the Sabres Is Not Off the Table

A few hours before the 2026 NHL Entry Draft, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reported that the Winnipeg Jets and Buffalo Sabres were working extensively on a potential deal for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

Murat Ates of The Athletic added that the framework being discussed involved the Sabres’ newly acquired fourth‑overall pick from Chicago. Winnipeg also attempted to include Zach Benson in the deal, but Buffalo was unwilling to move the young forward.

Update: My understanding is that BUF's offer included the No. 4, a roster player, and a prospect but WPG was unwilling to include the No. 8.

As much as I may think WPG/BUF should be able to find a fit, my -current- expectation is that BUF keeps No. 4 and takes Malhotra if it can

— Murat Ates (@WPGMurat) June 26, 2026

Lastly, besides the fourth overall pick, a deal would have included Jack Quinn and goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. However, since July 1, things have been pretty quiet between the two sides. Friedman spoke on the matter on NHL Network three weeks ago and said “I hear it’s quiet,” Friedman said. “I am with you, I still think he gets moved at some point and time. Right now, and I asked around a lot today, and I will be honest, I didn’t get a lot. I was just told quiet, quiet, and it’s one of those things that could pick up closer to training camp.”

Fast forward to present day, and according to Chad DeDominics of Expected Buffalo, the door is not completely shut regarding a Hellebuyck trade, however talks are still stalled between the two sides.

Should the Sabres Push Hard For a Trade?

The clear answer is yes, the Sabres should push for Hellebuyck. The real question is how hard. His resume speaks for itself: three Vezina Trophies, a Hart Trophy, and two William M. Jennings Trophies. The concern, of course, is that he’s 33 years old, coming off the worst season of his career, and posted his first save percentage below .900. On top of that, he still has five years remaining on his contract at $8.5 million per season.

It’s a classic risk‑reward scenario for Buffalo. The risk is obvious: at his age, there’s a chance he continues to decline, or that last season wasn’t an outlier but the start of a trend. If that happens, the Sabres become the team that traded significant assets for an aging goaltender who was past his prime.

But the reward is just as significant. There’s a very real possibility that last season was simply an outlier, a product of a Jets team that regressed sharply and left Hellebuyck exposed. For years, he masked Winnipeg’s defensive issues almost single‑handedly. Last season, he couldn’t, and the numbers reflected that.

Buffalo’s contention window is just beginning to open. When a goaltender who is only two seasons removed from winning both the Hart Trophy and his third Vezina is willing to waive a full no‑movement clause to play for you, that’s not something you ignore. That’s a move you seriously consider.

How Will a Trade Get Done?

The trade framework has been out there for nearly two months, and at this point the core pieces are obvious. If the Sabres and Jets were ever going to agree on Hellebuyck deal, it would have to include Luukkonen. Winnipeg is heading toward a rebuild or retool, and they’d need a younger goaltender to step in as Hellebuyck’s successor.

With that foundation set, I’d still include Quinn. He gives the Jets a high‑upside scoring winger to build around alongside Mark Scheifele and Kyle Connor. Quinn’s quick release, shooting ability, and 30‑goal potential in his prime make him a legitimate needle‑moving asset.

Another piece that makes sense, and was mentioned in DeDominic’s article, is defense prospect Adam Kleber. Winnipeg needs to inject youth into its blue line, and Kleber fits that mold. He posted 12 points in 40 games at Minnesota‑Duluth and projects as a steady, developing defender who could grow with their next core.

For the Jets to seriously consider moving Hellebuyck, Buffalo would need to put all three pieces on the table: Luukkonen, Quinn, and Kleber. From Winnipeg’s perspective (and mine), Hellebuyck remains one of the league’s elite goaltenders who simply had a down year. He’s a strong bounce‑back candidate, and I believe that rebound could happen in a new environment, specifically Buffalo.

If the Sabres were to acquire Hellebuyck, they’d immediately elevate from a playoff contender to a borderline Stanley Cup contender. Behind a deep blue line and a young, high‑scoring forward group, Hellebuyck would have every opportunity to return to form. He’d give Buffalo the stability in net they haven’t truly had since Ryan Miller.

A Hellebuyck trade shouldn’t be ruled out. There’s still time before the season begins, and discussions could easily ramp back up around training camp. Don’t be surprised if there’s one more push to bring an elite goaltender to Buffalo.