Buffalo Sabres goaltending has become a bigger question after the Montreal series, and NHL insider Jeff Marek believes the team could look at a major name in net.
Speaking on Daily Faceoff Live, Marek raised the possibility of Buffalo targeting Winnipeg Jets goalie Connor Hellebuyck while talking about the Sabres’ situation in net.
“Is it time to address [goaltending]…and bring in a significant netminder…and if so, could that person be Connor Hellebuyck,” Marek said in comments later shared by NHL Rumour Report.
The discussion comes after Buffalo’s second-round loss to Montreal. The Sabres allowed 27 goals in seven games after giving up only 12 across six games against Boston in the opening round
Buffalo rotated through Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen, Alex Lyon and Colten Ellis during the season and playoffs, but the group struggled to get the same results against the Canadiens.
That is where a name like Connor Hellebuyck enters the conversation. The Winnipeg Jets goalie is signed through the 2030-31 season on a seven year, $59.5 million contract carrying an $8.5 million cap hit.
Hellebuyck is also one of the league’s most accomplished goalies. The former Vezina winner added Olympic gold in Milano Cortina and remains widely viewed as one of the NHL’s top players at the position.
Whether a move like that is realistic is another question. Hellebuyck still has trade protection in his contract, and any team trying to acquire one of the NHL’s top goalies would likely face a steep asking price.
Jeff Marek had earlier linked a Sabres goalie to Edmonton
Jeff Marek’s Connor Hellebuyck suggestion is not the first time he has connected Buffalo’s goaltending picture to a possible move.
Earlier, while discussing Edmonton’s search for answers in net, Marek suggested there could be something involving the Oilers and Buffalo goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.
“Maybe there’s something with the Oilers…around [Sabres’ goalie] Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen,” Marek said on Daily Faceoff Live in comments shared by NHL Rumour Report.
Luukkonen is under contract through the 2028-29 season after signing a five year, $23.75 million extension with Buffalo in 2024.
His playoff run brought mixed results. The Sabres goalie went 3-3-0 with a 3.18 goals against average and a .876 save percentage. He looked sharp early against Boston but struggled later in the postseason, and Buffalo eventually turned to Alex Lyon.
At times, some familiar issues resurfaced, including overcommitting on plays and having trouble settling back in after goals against.
Edited by Sonali Verma
