I question whether getting Hellebuyck for 2 years is worth it to the Sabres. I don't think he puts you over the playoff hump yet. Better off keeping the prospects and signing someone to bridge the gap until the UPL-Levi era begins.

Sabres making great steps but still another couple years away from playoff contention.

That's not anywhere close to getting the Jets to talk.

I am guarding against Johnson and Portillo not signing and going to UFA.

Buffalo is closer than many think.

This website is broken when it comes to goalies.

This is a prime example

Helly fits, and probably add a 1.5 or 1.0 on to the current contract for the extension. Young family back in the states, with an up and coming team. I’m sure he signs up for a healthy extension. This squad could use a deslauris or gudbranson or both, just so no team messes too much with kids.

Completely agreed. This is made worse by the fact that the UFA market is loaded with good netminders who could be signed without loosing that youth and picks. Kuemper, Campbell, Husso, Holtby, pick one and keep Erik P. and the picks.

The UFA market is not loaded

I agree but what people think is like never or like 5+ years. They aren't within 2 years away. Their window to try and make playoffs opens when Bergy/Marchand decline or retire and the Caps and/or Penguins completely fall off the cliff making the wildcard spots competitive for all the young teams. Even then it'll be tough with so many teams on their way out of a rebuild like NJ, DET, even MTL, OTT, BOS and NYI still probably lingering for WC contention

i wouldn't call it loaded but Sabres don't need a Vezina candidate they need a stopgap until their window to making playoffs actually opens. A 2 year deal with a decent goalie would be ideal

Not really. Goalies don't normally return a lot, but in this case you're trying you entice the Jets to trade a top 5 goalie in the league on a great contract when they have absolutely no reason to even think of trading him.

So, if the site is broken please provide your argument on how an unneeded LD prospect and okay goalie prospect that could very well choose the UFA route, a late first and a 2nd makes the Jets think about trading the player that has kept them afloat the last couple years.

The NHL isn't a video game, teams just don't trade players because the 4 assets you give up add up to equal or more than the players value. They want players that fill needs our make them better on the short or long term.

Love this move. Especially with Portillo and Levi going back to school.

I think that's why the Jets would hate this move.

Would require them slamming the window shut and starting a total rebuild unless there was a trade for another goalie out there. Given we just had a college guy choose the UFA route on us I would be careful about adding college players likely going that route.

What would you want for just Portillo?