The Winnipeg Jets may find themselves contemplating a Connor Hellebuyck trade this offseason.
The gold medalist goalie is coming off a rough season by his standards, but he’s still considered one of the top netminders in the world, and he may not be happy with the direction Winnipeg is heading.
If Hellebuyck pushes for a way out of town, the Jets would have to at least consider it. And they’d be limited in the scope, because Hellebuyck has a full no-move clause and can consider where he ends up.
One suggestion out there is the Buffalo Sabres, a franchise that finally snapped a lengthy playoff drought but also could probably use an upgrade in goal.
Recently, NHL analyst Jeff Marek said that the Sabres could pursue Hellebuyck but that it’d cost young defensive rising star Owen Power.
Jeff Marek: At what point is a team ready for the big move; if you’re the Sabres, do you try to get Connor Hellebuyck, and if so, it’s gonna cost you someone like Owen Power – Sekeres & Price (5/22)
— NHL Rumour Report (@NHLRumourReport) May 25, 2026
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There has already been some pushback from the Sabres’ fanbase:
The guy has full control of where he wants to go
If he tells the Jets that he wants to go to Buffalo, it’s not going to cost Owen Power
More like UPL and Josh Norris https://t.co/8dvXmkl1sX
— Joe Marino (@NotTheJoeMarino) May 25, 2026
Buffalo would have multiple things to consider here, including whether it wants to accelerate its timeline by trading a younger player for an older one.
The Jets would have to be happy if they could get a rising star like Power for a player who wants out of town.
For now, Hellebuyck hasn’t quite made any assertions like that yet. But some of the hockey world is anticipating that it’s coming. Would the Jets and Sabres make a good match? It all comes down to cost, and Power would be a pricy one.