Are The Sabres Playing A Game Of Chicken With Winnipeg On Hellebuyck?

The Buffalo Sabres and Utah Mammoth are reportedly waiting for the Winnipeg Jets to lower their asking price for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Pressure on Buffalo to upgrade in goal intensified following a 3-1 defeat to the Philadelphia Flyers, which marked starter Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen's third loss in four starts. According to Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman, both pursuing clubs are hoping Winnipeg feels squeezed into adjusting its trade demands.

Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen reiterated that the organization will only pursue moves that improve the roster, despite publicly reassuring Luukkonen. The Carolina Hurricanes are also reportedly pursuing a trade for Hellebuyck without including defenseman Alexander Nikishin, while Hellebuyck's agent Ray Petkau has not publicly disclosed a formal list of preferred destinations.