Jets Rejected Monster Trade Package From Sabres for Connor Hellebuyck

In the weeks leading up to the 2026 NHL draft, the Winnipeg Jets were aggressively shopping goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

But despite the mounting interest in Hellebuyck, he still remains on the Winnipeg roster.

But according to Murat Ates of The Athletic, the Jets came close to dealing the former three-time Vezina Trophy winner to the Buffalo Sabres. However, they rejected a monster trade package because from Buffalo because they would've had to add more on their end to make the deal work.

"My understanding is that BUF’s offer included the No. 4 (pick), a roster player, and a prospect but WPG was unwilling to include the No. 8," Ates wrote on X.

Another report on social media indicated the Jets wanted the No. 4 overall pick, Sabres goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, former Sabres first-round pick Jack Quinn, and another draft pick - a proposal Buffalo understandably balked at.

Hellebuyck is coming off a bit of a down year last season, posting a 23-23-11 record with a 2.86 goals-against average and .895 save percentage, which likely affected his trade value a bit.

But the previous year, Hellebuyck won both the Vezina and Hart trophies as the best goaltender in the NHL and the league MVP, respectively. He had a 47-12-3 record, 2.01 GAA and .925 save percentage.

There's no question the Sabres could use an upgrade in goal. The team won the Atlantic Division behind the goalie tandem of Pekka Luukkonen and Alex Lyon, but they lost in the second round of the playoffs to the Montreal Canadiens.

There's a small chance this trade could be revisited in the future, but Buffalo's best chance of landing Hellebuyck has likely passed.

2026 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.

This story was originally published June 28, 2026 at 9:23 PM.