Seravalli: Sabres on Hellebuyck's short list

[dudacek]

1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I'm curious about how much Ellis we see this year.

Friedman mentions on his latest pod that Ellis has to play a certain number of games this year or he becomes a (Group 6?) unrestricted free agent.

Id have to relisten, but I think the number was in the teens?

There’s a part of me that thinks “if the Sabres think so highly of Ellis, why aren’t they trading one of the others when their value is at its highest point?”

At the very least it opens up that forward roster spot everyone likes to talk about.

[Nacho Libre]

11 minutes ago, Doohickie said:

I wonder if AI is training us to write like AI?  🤪

Marty Biron needs to ask him:  DIS OR DAT?

Could be 

Arnold better get ready 

[Taro T]

20 minutes ago, dudacek said:

Friedman mentions on his latest pod that Ellis has to play a certain number of games this year or he becomes a (Group 6?) unrestricted free agent.

Id have to relisten, but I think the number was in the teens?

There’s a part of me that thinks “if the Sabres think so highly of Ellis, why aren’t they trading one of the others when their value is at its highest point?”

At the very least it opens up that forward roster spot everyone likes to talk about.

Ellis needs to play at least 1/2 of the game 13 more times or he becomes a UFA at the end of the year.  He reached that threshold in 15 of his 16 games played last year.  And would have to look closer to see if he gets credit for a full game for the Edmonton game he didn't finish because it was due to injury he didn't play the full game; he wasn't benched.  IF he gets credit for that one (he likely doesn't, but am not sure) then he'd need 12 games for the Sabres to keep him as an RFA next season.

[Hoss]

4 hours ago, PromoTheRobot said:

I'm curious about how much Ellis we see this year.

If the Hellebuyck trade ever gets over the finish line, the rumor was that Ellis would be his backup, not Lyon.

[shrader]

5 minutes ago, Hoss said:

If the Hellebuyck trade ever gets over the finish line, the rumor was that Ellis would be his backup, not Lyon.

A push towards Ellis makes a ton of sense. Lyon is 33 and in the last year of his contract. There’s very little potential for the future there. 

[PromoTheRobot]

47 minutes ago, Hoss said:

If the Hellebuyck trade ever gets over the finish line, the rumor was that Ellis would be his backup, not Lyon.

First I've heard that. Whose rumor?

Edited July 7 by PromoTheRobot

[jahnyc]

I don't see a trade for Helly happening now because of the value lost from having the opportunity to exchange our number four pick for for the Jets' number 8 pick in the draft and include UPL as part of the package.  

[Brawndo]

4 hours ago, pi2000 said:

Ok so assuming a deal for Helle can get done without UPL going the other way then essentially UPL would rather backup Helle than start for WPG?

The Jets wanted a younger cost controlled goaltender, who they view as starter back from the Sabres, they do not consider Ellis or Lyon to be that. 
 

UPL was a necessity in the deal to Jets

Chevy supposedly turned down Norris, UPL, Mrtka and 4OA for Hellebuyck and 8OA. 
 

 

[Andrew Amerk]

I would have to imagine that if the Sabres acquire Helli, that they would be moving UPL and Lyon for whatever they can get. 

That 7.75 million almost covers Helli’s contract. 

Helli has averaged 60 games a season the last 3 years, so hypothetically Ellis gets at least 22 starts, and gets groomed to potentially take over the net in 3-5 years. 

[Hoss]

1 hour ago, PromoTheRobot said:

First I've heard that. Whose rumor?

Friedman said it during one of his 32 Thoughts podcasts.

[thewookie1]

1 hour ago, Brawndo said:

The Jets wanted a younger cost controlled goaltender, who they view as starter back from the Sabres, they do not consider Ellis or Lyon to be that. 
 

UPL was a necessity in the deal to Jets

Chevy supposedly turned down Norris, UPL, Mrtka and 4OA for Hellebuyck and 8OA. 
 

 

That would of been a good trade for both sides

The fact Chevy was deluded enough to think Norris, UPL, Mrtka and 4OA for Hellebuyck was a legitimate ask if bonkers.

[irregularly irregular]

Has there been any 100% confirmation that the Jets are definitely on UPL's no trade list? I'm not talking about blather from one of the talking heads. Who at this point, on day 7 after its activation, is able to absolutely provide clarity about the no trade list and have they done so? I'm wondering if we are worried about nothing. 

Edited July 7 by irregularly irregular
punctuation matters

[GASabresIUFAN]

On 7/6/2026 at 4:20 PM, dudacek said:

There’s a part of me that thinks “if the Sabres think so highly of Ellis, why aren’t they trading one of the others when their value is at its highest point?”

At the very least it opens up that forward roster spot everyone likes to talk about.

I think the plan is to keep 3 goalies to start this season and see how Ellis progresses.  If he does well, they might trade Lyon at the deadline or just let him walk at seasons end.  

[Night Train]

Maybe Jets and Helle went away to a couples retreat to forgive each other. Vince Vaughn is there. 

[Nacho Libre]

18 hours ago, Night Train said:

Maybe Jets and Helle went away to a couples retreat to forgive each other. Vince Vaughn is there. 

Deep cut 

Lots of rock band being played too, I’d imagine 

[clink]

On 7/6/2026 at 11:28 AM, dudacek said:

UPL has the talent, just can’t consistently stay in the zone.

Curious about his mental state even without the Hellebuyck noise.

The Boston bounce crawled into his head and I bet he’s been chewing on the Newhook goal daily.

The best athletes use that for fuel. Not sure that’s the way Oopie is wired.

from his history I'd opine that Oopsie is definitely NOT wired that way

 

quite the opposite, from what I've seen 

 

alas, he's ours I guess 🙄 and when/if he blunders us back into irrelevance, may the infighting begin....

[clink]

On 7/6/2026 at 2:45 PM, Doohickie said:

It's not as black and white as that.

• Goalies are voodoo.  Is UPL finally reaching his potential and Helly showing with last year's NHL performance that he's washed?  Or will both "return to the mean" and Helly will clearly be better?  It's all opinion and conjecture.  In the worst case the Sabres are throwing trade chips at WPG for no improvement at goalie.
• Goalie is an area of concern, but there are other areas to improve too.  It would foolish to throw too much into the deal if it hurts the team in other areas, both this year and in future years.
• This will not be the only opportunity to improve the team.  Other opportunities will present themselves to improve goalie and skaters, before and during the season.
• It isn't so much about making WPG squirm, it's about getting the maximum return for the minimum cost.  Jarmo had a history with Columbus of taking "big swings" and paying too much for not enough return.  I for one am encouraged that he's playing it more conservatively.

 

unless, he's lost his ball$ and he's now an impotent wheeler&dealer 

this team has burned me for so long that my brain only sees the half-empty side

soooooo many "if's" need to break our way for the upcoming season...

who is truly/honestly confident in said breaks NOT blowing up in Jarmo's face? 

time, truly will tell 😬

[Doohickie]

2 hours ago, clink said:

this team has burned me for so long that my brain only sees the half-empty side

I hear ya, brother.  I hear ya.

[triumph_communes]

Blink Chevy I’m bored 

[Chevyvanmiller]

1 hour ago, triumph_communes said:

Blink Chevy I’m bored 

I know I'm not the Chevy you wanted, but I'm happy to oblige. 

[Archie Lee]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7428335/2026/07/09/winnipeg-jets-lineup-2026-27-hellebuyck/

In his column today in the Athletic, the Jets' beat writer breaks down projected line-ups for the Jets, with and without Hellebuyck. In the the without Hellebuyck version, he speculates on a deal with Buffalo of Norris, Luukkonen, Mrtka, and a 1st in 2027 for Hellebuyck (no add, just Hellebuyck). So, objectively more would be traded for Hellebuyck than we got in return for Eichel. That is, for a 33 year old goalie with 5 years left on his contract at $8.5 per, who has not been good in the playoffs in 1/2 a decade, and is coming off by far his worst season as a pro. Before anyone brings it up, that his poor showing last season was likely due in part to injury, is not comforting.

Such a trade, if it comes to be, would be insanity to me.  It would seem like an attempt to thin the forward roster and the RD prospect pipeline, for the sake of doing so, by trading for the one name player who is available who has not shunned a trade to Buffalo. Walk away, I say.

I would prefer to thin the herd by trading Zucker, Lyon, and Mrtka, for draft picks.

Patience is the better play here.

 

[Hoss]

Just now, Archie Lee said:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7428335/2026/07/09/winnipeg-jets-lineup-2026-27-hellebuyck/

In his column today in the Athletic, the Jets' beat writer breaks down projected line-ups for the Jets, with and without Hellebuyck. In the the without Hellebuyck version, he speculates on a deal with Buffalo of Norris, Luukkonen, Mrtka, and a 1st in 2027 for Hellebuyck (no add, just Hellebuyck). So, objectively more would be traded for Hellebuyck than we got in return for Eichel. That is, for a 33 year old goalie with 5 years left on his contract at $8.5 per, who has not been good in the playoffs in 1/2 a decade, and is coming off by far his worst season as a pro. Before anyone brings it up, that his poor showing last season was likely due in part to injury, is not comforting.

Such a trade, if it comes to be, would be insanity to me.  It would seem like an attempt to thin the forward roster and the RD prospect pipeline, for the sake of doing so, by trading for the one name player who is available who has not shunned a trade to Buffalo. Walk away, I say.

I would prefer to thin the herd by trading Zucker, Lyon, and Mrtka, for draft picks.

Patience is the better play here.

 

I would do that trade today. He won the Hart Trophy a year ago as a goalie. He is the greatest goalie on the planet still and goalies typically age well.

[tom webster]

2 minutes ago, Archie Lee said:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7428335/2026/07/09/winnipeg-jets-lineup-2026-27-hellebuyck/

In his column today in the Athletic, the Jets' beat writer breaks down projected line-ups for the Jets, with and without Hellebuyck. In the the without Hellebuyck version, he speculates on a deal with Buffalo of Norris, Luukkonen, Mrtka, and a 1st in 2027 for Hellebuyck (no add, just Hellebuyck). So, objectively more would be traded for Hellebuyck than we got in return for Eichel. That is, for a 33 year old goalie with 5 years left on his contract at $8.5 per, who has not been good in the playoffs in 1/2 a decade, and is coming off by far his worst season as a pro. Before anyone brings it up, that his poor showing last season was likely due in part to injury, is not comforting.

Such a trade, if it comes to be, would be insanity to me.  It would seem like an attempt to thin the forward roster and the RD prospect pipeline, for the sake of doing so, by trading for the one name player who is available who has not shunned a trade to Buffalo. Walk away, I say.

I would prefer to thin the herd by trading Zucker, Lyon, and Mrtka, for draft picks.

Patience is the better play here.

 

Like Hoss said. Helleybuck gives you a realistic opportunity to win the Cup. I will add that I still don’t see that being the trade but it will definitely be more then your offer.

[Brawndo]

Those pieces are an easy yes for me.

Losing Norris would be the biggest concern, as the center depth behind him is unproven-in Kulich, Östlund and Helenius. 

[...]

18 minutes ago, Hoss said:

I would do that trade today. He won the Hart Trophy a year ago as a goalie. He is the greatest goalie on the planet still and goalies typically age well.

Fairly certain Vasilevskiy holds the title of "best goalie in the league" right now.