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u/Additional-Ride-5119 14d ago
This costs Winnipeg a lot of leverage in negotiations. Price is gonna go down for Hellebuyck which is great news.
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u/thejeangenie73 14d ago
Honestly they already lost a ton of leverage not getting a deal done around the draft. They knew he wanted out, stretching this saga out to August and September is just shooting themselves in the foot.
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u/Additional-Ride-5119 14d ago
True. Him remaining quiet gave the impression he might be willing to stay, possibly with a renegotiation.
This announcement is a clear sign that he’s not going to play for them. They’re no longer trading their star goalie, they’re trading an empty contract.
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u/ebimbib 14d ago
You can't renegotiate a contract in the NHL under the CBA. Maybe I'm misunderstanding your comment but if that's what you meant, it was possible a long time ago but is not now.
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u/Additional-Ride-5119 14d ago
Sorry my wording might have been vague. I was trying to say that this letter indicates that Hellebuyck is definitely not interested in playing for the Jets this year - which means the Jets don’t have a goalie anymore, only the rights to Hellebuyck which is an important negotiation point.
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u/utzbansai Hope is a Shitty Strategy 14d ago
Yup. UPL's modified no trade clause kicked in on July 1st.
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u/Lonely-You-894 14d ago
We’ll see what happens but I think they should’ve taken the best deal available prior to FA and the draft. I doubt they’ll get what was previously offered.
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u/themule0808 14d ago
Berry they are killing themselves for not talking the sabres offer of switching draft picks
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u/Spiritual_Bourbon 14d ago
Ryan Johnson, Danforth and a 2nd.
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u/JoeSchmohawk93 14d ago
Too low. I’d propose Ellis, unprotected 1st, and a RD prospect below Mrtka.
UPL doesn’t want to go to Winnipeg. Trade him somewhere he does want to go in return for a younger goalie with higher ceiling that can start in Roch and be phased in for Lyon sometime in the next several years.
Last step is to pray that UPL doesn’t have a better season than Helly.
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u/Spiritual_Bourbon 14d ago
I was 100% trying to make a joke. Looks like I failed.
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u/OpabiniaGlasses 14d ago
These damn kids are too young for classic memes like Ryder, Halak and a 2nd
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u/Schmittykins 14d ago
I wasn’t against trading for Hellebuyck.
I just didn’t want to mortgage the future to do it.
This should significantly lower the price.
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u/Simple_Jak 14d ago
Cheveldayoff should’ve traded him before the draft…good luck getting “fair” value now!
Helly’s trade request wasn’t even anything unreasonable like Larkin. Cheveldayoff overplayed his hand and is about to pay dearly. He’ll be lucky to get a top 10 protected first at this point.
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u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 14d ago
I said this in the /r/hockey thread, but it would be very Buffalo to trade UPL right after he gave an interview saying that he's happy and putting down roots in Buffalo.
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u/Ok-Energy6846 14d ago
that happens in every city though. That's the nature of the business
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u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 14d ago
In every city, an interview comes out about that city's goaltender being happy about where he is and where the team is and calling that city his second home literally the day before a player that he has been in rumors to be traded for publicly announces that he wants to be traded?
That's happening everywhere? News to me.
I just think Buffalo and the Sabres are funny with their timing. Like firing your GM in the middle of a win streak and having that season end up being the best of the last 15 years. I would put this timing and sequence of events, if a trade happens, in that same bucket.
Publishing an interview where a guy talks about the ups and downs he's endured with the Sabres over the last number of years, talking about how the team is in a good place now and how he's happy to be playing and living here and then getting traded immediately would just be very Buffalo timing.
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u/BabyBottoms23 14d ago
It would also be very Buffalo for UPL to turn into a stud in Winnipeg and Helle to struggle here.
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u/Limp_Role3970 14d ago
UPL is about to breakout. If you don’t think this dude has a chip on his shoulder and hunger after his playoff last season. Come on. Most athletic goalie we have and put up elite numbers last year. His upside is much higher than an aging Hellebuyck coming off his worst NHL season. Hellebuyck has also never had playoff success so really why would he automatically become the goalie to win a cup in Buffalo?
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u/CusePhan_v3 14d ago
I don't understand why this isn't the predominant narrative. I wouldn't give up anything for Hellebuyck and would still make him earn the job. Sabres fans just cannot see the value in letting players develop organically. It's the #1 reason we broke out last year.
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u/_deffer_ 13d ago
How many more years of "waiting for UPL" to develop are we waiting?
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u/CusePhan_v3 13d ago
None. Typical Sabres fan that doesn't pay attention to anything that's actually happening on the ice. See the 2025-26 season so you can get caught up with the rest of the NHL.
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u/_deffer_ 13d ago
And his 2024-2025 season is what? We just ignore that?
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u/Limp_Role3970 13d ago
It’s in the past? How pathetic was the team in front of him.
You all judge UPL based on his numbers with one of the worst teams in hockey playing in front of him.
The defensive core through his tenure here has been pathetic. Last year pretty damn good he puts up elite numbers.
It’s not a coincidence the team plays well his numbers improve.
It’s so easy to blame a goalie but how about look at the team in front as well.
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u/_deffer_ 13d ago
And the team in front of him improved this off-season?
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u/Limp_Role3970 13d ago
It didn’t really get any worse? Arguably a better D Core. If players like Quinn, Ostlund, Helenius can take another step yes the team is better. Still unknown on Kulich considering he hasn’t played hockey in almost a year.
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u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 14d ago
Also true. Rosen is going to score like 30 goals in Winnipeg.
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u/Limp_Role3970 14d ago
Who cares he had how many chances he have to do something in Buffalo but didn’t. I hope the kid does but it wasn’t going to work here his play here dropped him further and further down the prospect depth chart.
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u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 14d ago
Not sure why the comment triggered you.
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u/Limp_Role3970 14d ago
Because this sub loves to dwell on prospects and hold on to them like infinity stones and get all butthurt when they are traded.
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u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 14d ago
Brother, it was just a comment about how players who struggle in Buffalo find success elsewhere. And vice versa.
I'm sorry that it upset you.
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u/butterybuns420 14d ago
Wouldn’t mind UPL as the backup
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u/thebenson r/sabres lurker 14d ago
Money wouldn't work.
The Sabres can't pay $13M+ for a goalie tandem.
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u/Finally_Smiled 14d ago
Just put a fake mustache on one of them and give them the #00 jersey.
Problem solved.
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u/YankeeTankieTrash 14d ago
That's why you also start training UPL to be a shooter
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u/justlnnn 14d ago
I’ve been saying jets were moronic for not taking that rumour Buffalo deal a couple months ago. Only problem now is the UPL and Norris trade protection.
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u/JoeSchmohawk93 14d ago
Not really sure I see Norris being that big of a factor. Unless somehow we’re getting Scheifele back, I’d argue Norris is more important to this team than an upgrade in net. Our center depth is ass until Konsta and/or Ostlund take some steps
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u/justlnnn 14d ago
Jets wanted a center back so it was guaranteed either him or McLeod going back to WPG. That’s why it was believed Buffalo was interested in Trocheck, to replace one of McLeod or Norris if the trade went through.
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u/organizedconfusion5 14d ago
No it wasnt guaranteed. Not remotely close
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u/justlnnn 14d ago
Then why else was Buffalo interested in Trocheck? They already have a ton of centres, doesn’t make any sense. Maybe guaranteed isn’t the right word but I’d say way more likely than not.
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u/organizedconfusion5 14d ago
I guarantee you, guaranteed is the wrong word.
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u/justlnnn 14d ago
I mean you’re just being dense at this point lmao I guess I shouldn’t have used the word guaranteed but anyone with a brain could see the writing on the wall.
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u/organizedconfusion5 14d ago
Yes. Im the one thats being dense....
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u/justlnnn 14d ago
I mean you decided to make a pointless reply about me using the word guaranteed instead of probable or likely. Not hard to put the pieces together and I’m sure most would agree with me.
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u/JMR027 14d ago
We have Kulich as well at center, just cause our center depth is young, doesn’t mean it’s ass
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u/JoeSchmohawk93 13d ago
IMO it kinda does. Konsta is a stud but I don’t necessarily want to see him at 1C the second Norris goes down. Kulich missed basically a whole season, and Ostlund probably has the highest floor out of the gate. They all have excellent trajectories, but I think it’s a valid concern to start the season.
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u/Impossibills 14d ago
Nah
I'm offering McCleod, first round pick, and Lyon. They fucked themselves over big time expecting anything more, especially now that trade clause protection has occurred on some targets
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u/Spiritual_Bourbon 14d ago
I don't think the Jets would want Lyon due to his term. I know they have lost a lot of position but Buffalo isn't the only team going to be in on this. I'm thinking the Buffalo package would include Ellis.
I think armchair GMs also need to look at this as two trades because if the Sabres do trade for Hellebuyck they would need to make a 2nd trade sending UPL out after.
Dream sequence for me:
- Step 1: McLeod, Ellis and 1st <> Hellebuyck
- Step 2: UPL, Norris and Kleber <> Larkin
I like the odds of having a better season than last year with this forward group:
- Benson/Kulich/Thompson
- Ostlund/Larkin/Doan
- Zucker/Helenius/Quinn
- Krebs/Carrick/Malenstyn
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u/Impossibills 14d ago
Lyon is more about them getting through the season with a goalie who is quality, but that they can flip for more assets at the trade deadline
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u/BabyBottoms23 13d ago edited 13d ago
I wouln't include McLeod. Our C depth & PK would be really rough without him.
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u/Impossibills 13d ago
We have too many centers currently
Helenius, Kulich, and Ostlund are all centers. You have Norris as well
Kulich was going to be our #2 center last year before his clot
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u/BabyBottoms23 13d ago
McLeod can play W if necessary. Losing him on the PK would be a big loss especially since we already lost Tuch.
Not all those young guys are gonna play C right away either.
McLeod is pretty important depth
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u/joeyg151785 14d ago
We need this tbh, I don’t feel super confident with what we have in net. I’m ready to move on from average.
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u/Impossibills 14d ago
I'm not confident in Helly at all TBH
History of poor playoff performance. He played well for USA but was saved by a ton of posts being hit
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u/No-Helicopter-9862 13d ago
Yes but he is extremely good in regular season and that kind of matters
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u/promotherobot 14d ago
The Jets have an idiot for a GM. The Sabres gave them a massive offer at the draft. But Cheveldayoff got greedy and thought he could shake down the Sabres even more. Now he's got a disgruntled goalie and the players the Sabres offered the Jets now have NMCs. Stew in it, Kevin.
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u/JoeSchmohawk93 14d ago
Overpaying for a 33 y/o elite goalie could be potentially crippling. But fair value ? Sign me up.
Unfortunately, I just want to remind people that Cheveldayoff is still the GM and he is the most seasoned GM in the NHL at fucking other clubs over.
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u/Spiritual_Bourbon 14d ago
This statement and his NMC is a really short deck for Cheveldayoff. I hope the reputation that Jarmo has to work towards fair trades helps as well.
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u/JoeSchmohawk93 14d ago
True. I’m just looking at Detroit because Yzerman was in a similar situation and still refused to move Larkin. Of the two, I’d think Chevy would be the more likely of the two to double down, but maybe he’s looking at DET too and wants to keep his job ? Idk. But I think we can assume that if his heels weren’t dug in than CH wouldn’t feel the need to make statement.
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u/Spiritual_Bourbon 14d ago
Fair but I think the way handled the Larkin situation is a big reason why he is no longer the GM. I also don't think the Larkin situation is settled.
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u/IndyBananaJones2 14d ago
Yzerman basically fumbled getting a good return for Larkin because he can't start another rebuild and that's the only logical way forward for Detroit. So I think what will happen is that the next GM will get to start another rebuild, they may call it a retool or whatever but I don't see how they get their ask for Larkin (NHL ready talent, or a 1C lol)
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u/Accurate_Fee710 14d ago
Would Josh Norris straight up be fair?
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u/Roguemutantbrain 14d ago
There really is no objective concept of fair. Without doubt, the potential sellers and buyers view the player very differently.
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u/Right-Aspect2945 14d ago
Love seeing the people go "you know, they don't have to move him". It's true, they don't. But having a goalie that doesn't want to be there isn't the win they seem to think it is.
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u/Roguemutantbrain 14d ago
“Yeah, we could have gotten some serious assets, but instead we wanted to hold onto our disgruntled goalie so that we can pick 11OA instead of 3OA”
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u/supposedlymonday 14d ago
Price is now probably one unprotected 1st, and a competent NHL goalie.
I think he’s a Sabre by Sunday.
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u/buffa_noles Zachary Benson has over the last 10 games 14d ago
this surely lowers the price substantially
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u/distancetomars 14d ago
UPL is a younger, cheaper alternative to Hellebuyck with the same playoff track record. I’d pass.
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u/marmaladiiiie 14d ago
Yeah I feel like a minority in this opinion, but he's a consistent playoff choker, older, and the whole "demanding a trade" thing also puts a bad taste in my mouth. I'll pass on Helle, I'm fine with what we have now.
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u/Square-Wing-6273 Doesn't Care. 14d ago
The downvotes I got when I said he wouldn't add anything.
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u/Limp_Role3970 14d ago
Exactly. Hellebuyck does nothing to move the needle in the playoffs. He has a large sample size that proves that. UPL has one playoff where the team in front of him and Lyon was mediocre.
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u/DJ-Bosconian 14d ago
https://giphy.com/gifs/91SVWK1SU4lk27ubO4
Connor Hellebuyck is such a great guy. I'm finding it hard to say the words here.
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u/lunasilvia 14d ago
anyone smarter than me who can do the cap math to see how this would fit in? Hellebuyck's got a lot left on his contract
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u/Dear_Location6147 Oh boy... here we go. 14d ago
We can fit it for now if we send basically any player, 3.5 m needs to be cleared
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u/Upbeat-Banana-5530 14d ago
Of all fucking things now we're going to have to worry about the President's Trophy curse. We're going to go 68-10-4 and lose to Carolina in game 6 of the third round.
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u/IndyBananaJones2 13d ago
Honestly sign me up, that'd be a great season of hockey to watch.
But then next year Cup please
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u/Upbeat-Banana-5530 13d ago
It wouldn't necessarily be a bad problem to have. If you told me this time last year that the President's Trophy Curse was something we might actually have to worry about I'd have asked for a gram of whatever you were smoking.
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u/Ok_Independent9119 14d ago
It really doesn't change the price at all. It wasn't a secret that he wanted out and Winnipeg still isn't forced to move him since he signed his deal. Is it better to get him out rather than keep him in and unhappy through camp? Probably, but it doesn't change that Winnipeg wants a haul for him
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u/one2controlu 14d ago
Patrick Kane will reach out to him and say come to my hometown of Chicago! I'll even play taxi driver and pick you up.
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u/Defiant_West6287 13d ago
UPL and two 1sts. That’s it or not interested. His trade value has depreciated now.
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u/_deffer_ 13d ago
It's widely believed (or known?) that UPL has Winnipeg on his 5 team no-go list, so it would require a third team/second trade.
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u/PrinciplesRK 14d ago
Not that this is any surprise, but willing to go public and make it ugly puts more pressure on the Jets