Hellebuyck trade rumors heat up

Trade speculation around goaltender Connor Hellebuyck of the Winnipeg Jets remains intense, with multiple teams, including the Buffalo Sabres, Carolina Hurricanes, and Florida Panthers, showing interest.

The conversation heated up as the NHL draft weekend approached, but a deal with the Sabres reportedly fell through just hours before the draft began. According to Mike McIntyre of the Winnipeg Free Press, the odds of Hellebuyck being traded are 'somewhere north of 95 percent,' following the Jets' decision to not re-sign backup Eric Comrie and their signing of Stuart Skinner.

He identifies the Sabres as the most likely destination, with the San Jose Sharks and Hurricanes also being potential fits. However, Massimo De Luca-Taronno from the Winnipeg Sun believes Hellebuyck could still report to training camp, as no enticing offers have been made.

The failed Sabres deal involved a player who refused to waive his no-trade clause. The longer the trade talks drag on, the less likely Hellebuyck's departure becomes before training camp, despite the potential for big-name trades during the summer, as seen with Erik Karlsson's recent move to the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Meanwhile, the Vancouver Canucks are also in the rumor mill, exploring trade options for Elias Pettersson and showing interest in Seattle Kraken center Shane Wright, who is being offered up for trade. The Canucks are weighing calls for Pettersson, but any deal appears complicated due to his declining production and hefty contract.

Reports of interest from the Pittsburgh Penguins add another layer of complexity as they also explore other targets. In Columbus, the Blue Jackets remain optimistic about locking up rising star Adam Fantilli, asserting confidence in retaining him amid potential offer sheets.

Negotiations are ongoing, with the team prioritizing their restricted free agents before further roster moves.