Devils and Jets Reportedly Working on a Connor Hellebuyck Trade

Elliotte Friedman just casually dropped a grenade on the NHL timeline, reporting that the New Jersey Devils and Winnipeg Jets are actively working on a Connor Hellebuyck trade. After weeks of weird silence and conflicting whispers about other teams kicking the tires, we finally have a real destination on the board.

This is the logical conclusion to a staring contest that has been going on since September. Hellebuyck requested a trade this offseason, skipped training camp, and got slapped with an indefinite suspension by the Jets. You can only pay a guy to stay away from the rink for so long before someone finally blinks.

"Sources: New Jersey and Winnipeg are working on a Connor Hellebuyck deal. We will see what develops. - Elliotte Friedman"

The Devils are looking at a guy who is just one full season removed from winning both the Hart and Vezina trophies. Sure, last year was a mess. Hellebuyck posted a career-worst .895 save percentage, went 23-23-11, and missed time with knee surgery while the Jets completely missed the playoffs. But you do not forget how to stop pucks overnight, and New Jersey clearly believes the 33-year-old still has elite hockey left in the tank.

Taking on Hellebuyck is not a casual transaction. He is in the third season of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract that carries an $8.5 million cap hit. Trading for that kind of money is the hockey equivalent of buying a boat. You are either fully committed to the lifestyle, or you are about to ruin your finances for the next half-decade.

If this deal crosses the finish line, the Eastern Conference futures market is going to need an immediate adjustment. New Jersey is already stringing together wins, recently handling the Colorado Avalanche and Anaheim Ducks. Meanwhile, Winnipeg is currently riding a losing streak after dropping tight games to the Carolina Hurricanes, St. Louis Blues, and Dallas Stars, proving they could really use whatever assets New Jersey is offering.

The Devils host the Los Angeles Kings on Saturday night. If New Jersey actually pulls this off, they instantly become the team nobody wants to see in a seven-game series. Now we just wait to see who caves on the asking price first.