Why Ex-Teammates Are Calling Out Former Sabre Evander Kane
The veteran winger spent just under three seasons in Buffalo and was traded to San Jose in 2018
Video Transcript
Okay, well speaking of goaltending and goaltenders looking to make moves around the league, that's obviously the biggest news of the day here is Connor Hellebuyck officially going public with his trade request out of Winnipeg.
This is something that had been rumored for a while, reported here and there, but now he himself, through a statement released by his agent, has confirmed that he is requesting a trade out of Winnipeg.
So Mike, obviously not brand-new information here, but now that it's official, if you're looking at teams that are in need of goaltenders, and, and where you think could be a potential fit for Connor Hellebuyck, any teams that really stick out to you and where you think would be a realistic possibility for him to end up?
I mean, this was the worst kes- kept secret in the world.
I mean, we heard Hellebuyck's name being mentioned, you know, prominently around the NHL draft and before July 1st.
Since the draft was in Buffalo, a lot of speculation surrounded the Buffalo Sabres, and I think there was interest there, but I, I think that the possibility of him going to Buffalo has decreased since July 1st.
One, the number four overall pick that they got in the Byram deal was supposedly part of the deal.
The other thing is Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen has a five-team no-trade in his, in his, on his contract.
And, you know, if he's reading the tea leaves after July 1st and he hears Winnipeg and them getting Hellebuyck, I'm sure he put Winnipeg on that list.
So I think that the chances of him going to Buffalo are less.
That's not saying that it, they couldn't make a deal surrounding other players, but I think that number four pick and Luukkonen were part of the equation.
In terms of teams where I think he could go, if not Buffalo, the New Jersey Devils make a lot of sense because they have Nico Dawes and Jake Allen as their goaltending tandem, and that is not a playoff goaltending tandem.
The, the, you know, they, they have, I think, the right combo of young players, the guys like Dawson Mercer, but they seem to be keeping their powder dry for a potential Quinn Hughes deal if Quinn Hughes does not sign an extension with Minnesota, so that might mitigate the f- chances.
I also think the Stanley Cup champion Carolina Hurricanes could be in the mix because now you've got Brandon Bussi and Pyotr Kochetkov as their, as their tandem.
Freddie Andersen has gone to Edmonton, so can you improve on that goaltending tandem?
Probably.
And gee, Connor Hellebuyck, yeah, I think that would improve them.
