Buffalo Sabres’ pursuit of Connor Hellebuyck went back farther than many knew

According to NHL insider Elliotte Friedman, the Buffalo Sabres held serious trade discussions with the Winnipeg Jets for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck during the summer of 2023. This pursuit came well before Buffalo's reported attempts to acquire him at the NHL Draft and his eventual trade to the New Jersey Devils.

Brandon Croce writes that Buffalo possessed ample young talent to construct a trade package at that time, including prospects like Matthew Savoie and Noah Ostlund, or goaltenders Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen and Devon Levi. Croce suggests the prospective deal likely fell apart because general manager Kevyn Adams may have suspected Hellebuyck would not sign a long-term contract extension to stay in Buffalo.