When word surfaced this summer that Connor Hellebuyck was hoping for a long-term deal worth around $9.5MM per season, trade speculation cooled sharply. To that end, Murat Ates of The Athletic speculates (subscription link) that the Jets could shift focus and look to try to extend the netminder on a short-term contract. Since Winnipeg’s books are relatively clean for 2024-25, they could theoretically make an offer around that range in the hopes that they could entice him to stick around for at least another year or two. That would allow Hellebuyck to get the top dollar that he’s seeking while extending Winnipeg’s current window, one that GM Kevin Cheveldayoff believes his team can contend in. If a long-term deal at that price point can’t be done, this could be the next best option.
Elsewhere around the NHL:
- Kurt Leavins of the Edmonton Journal breaks down the various camp battles that will be coming at training camp. The most notable one is likely the battle for the 12th (and quite possibly final) forward spot on the roster. Veterans Sam Gagner and Brandon Sutter will be in camp on tryouts while internally, James Hamblin and Raphael Lavoie are candidates. Lavoie’s contract – he opted to take his qualifying offer instead of signing a two-way deal that traded some NHL pay for more guaranteed money – makes him hard to fit in on their books. Accordingly, Leavins gives Gagner the edge for now but wonders if Edmonton might be keeping an eye on the waiver wire as camp progresses to see if another option presents itself.
- The trade deadline has tentatively been set for March 8th, relays Pierre LeBrun of TSN and The Athletic (Twitter link). While that seems later than usual – it’s often in late February – there are games scheduled until April 18th; the deadline typically falls 40 days before the end of the regular season.
So Hellebuyck is going to pass up a $65-75mil contract next offseason to sign for about $19mil with a team he doesnt seem all that attached to? I’m skeptical.
If any GM gives Hellebuyck $9.5 mill, he’s totally looney tunes. Goaltending is the most volatile position in the NHL. In the past five years: 1 Stanley Cup winning goalie (Binnington) started the season he won the Cup in the AHL, 2 Cup winning goalies started the playoffs on the bench (Holtby and Hill), 1 Finals goalie started the playoffs on the bench (Bobrovsky), and 1 Finals goalie was a career backup (Khudobin).
Best to spend your money on building a solid 18 skater core, then hope your goaltending works out. There are a few stud goalies out there, but more and more, it’s a crap shoot. Sinking almost $10 mill into a guy who may not even be your starter come playoff time, is madness.