Could the Buffalo Sabres be trying to make a huge move in net at a hometown draft?
The Sabres are believed to have talked with the Winnipeg Jets about the possibility of acquiring star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman reported Friday at the NHL Draft in Buffalo.
"Earlier today it’s believed the Sabres and the Winnipeg Jets had some talks about Connor Hellebuyck," Friedman said. "I do believe Hellebuyck would have been willing to waive (his no-movement clause) to go to Buffalo, but at this point in time that appears to have stalled. We’ll see if that picks up again."
Hellebuyck has five years left on a seven-year contract that carries an annual average value of $8.5 million.
The 33-year-old Michigan native expressed frustration with how things unfolded with the Jets last season in his end-of-year press conference.
Hellebuyck, who helped Team USA capture Olympic gold this year, is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goaltender.
The Sabres, who snapped a 14-year playoff drought this year by winning the Atlantic Division, used Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon in net most of the season.
Buffalo acquired the No. 4 pick in Friday's draft in a deal with the Chicago Blackhawks for defenceman Bowen Byram earlier this week. The Sabres also have the No. 20 selection in the first round.
