Erik Haula likely won’t be back with the Predators
Alex Daugherty: The Nashville Predators trading for Ross Colton likely means that Erik Haula won’t be re-signed and that he’ll be going to free agency.
Noise is picking up in Winnipeg as Connor Hellebuyck speculation grows
TSN: Darren Dreger on the future of Connor Hellebuych in Winnipeg.
** NHLRumors.com transcription
Gino Reda: “all right. Let’s shift west. Talk coming out of Winnipeg, surrounding Connor Hellebuyck. On locker clean-out day. He delivered an ominous message saying all that matters to him now is winning the Cup, and that something’s got to happen in Winnipeg. Is that generating some talk around the League, Dregs?
Dreger: “Yeah, more than talk, certainly noise in the Winnipeg market, and now it’s drifting to us here nationally. And mostly it’s all based on speculation, but hey, it’s the old adage, Gino, where there’s smoke often there is fire.
Teams Are Calling the Winnipeg Jets About Connor Hellebuyck
And what I can tell you from Winnipeg’s standpoint is that Kevin Cheveldayoff, the GM of the Jets, is at least in a position where he knows he has to listen. So, yes, teams are calling, and it’s likely based on what Connor Hellebuyck said, as he shared his disappointment for the finish in the Winnipeg Jets season.
So, listening, and then you look at the needs that Winnipeg has, they very much want a number two center. They’d like to add a depth center, like a four center. They’d like to look at their blue line. And if they trade Connor Hellebuyck, you know, then they’re going to have to pay some attention to their goaltending as well.
The unrestricted free agent market is so thin right now, and history tells us that Winnipeg struggles in making big trades because it’s hard to lure players with trade protection to Winnipeg. But when you’ve got a Vezina trophy-winning goalie who, granted, has a no-move clause potentially in play, and teams are calling. If the Winnipeg Jets can improve their lineup by adding a number two center plus, plus. Then I think Cheveldayoff is at least willing at this point to consider that.
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