The sports landscape continues to change, perpetually generating news in this country. In the NBA, scandals of owners cheating dominate the headlines. In NHL land, the stories are a bit different. Teams are ravaging payrolls to keep star players, but something else overshadows that drama.
NHL fans are witnessing an attempted mass exodus of American-born players from underperforming teams. Specifically, those who participated in this year’s legendary Olympics. Brady Tkachuk was the first domino to fall when he got traded to his brother’s team, the Florida Panthers. Soon after, Vincent Trocheck packed his bags for Utah, and Dylan Larkin requested a trade from Detroit.
Connor Hellebuyck is the latest American player to request a trade. After months of silence, the goalie finally broke ranks in late August, requesting a trade from the Winnipeg Jets. A player like Hellebuyck could immensely improve a team competing for a cup. The Buffalo Sabres and Vegas Golden Knights are among the top candidates to receive the American.
However, another candidate rumored to land Hellebuyck entered the equation: the Utah Mammoth. The Mammoth got a taste of playoff hockey last season, and the organization wants more.
Does Hellebuyck Fit Utah?
The short answer is yes. He’s a three-time Vezina winner, four-time All-Star, Hart Memorial Trophy winner and gold medalist. Plus, over the last two seasons, he ranks second in total saves and fourth in save percentage.
Any goaltender-needy contender would benefit from his contribution. Utah needs goaltending after Karel Vejmelka burned out last season, helping the Vegas Golden Knights light up the nets in the playoffs. Hellebuyck replacing Vejmelka could solve this depth problem for the Mammoth, especially with Sebastian Cossa about to make his Mammoth debut.
It’s an enticing thought, the Mammoth having a three-time Vezina winner on the team. But a player of Hellebuyck’s caliber comes at a price.
A High Price to Pay
To pry Hellebuyck from Winnipeg will take some cache. Most mock trades include a starting goaltender, a first-round pick, and a high-level prospect. Not to mention, Winnipeg might ask for more lower draft capital as well. The goaltender is in year three of a seven-year contract. Besides being an elite talent, his contract length alone requires a lot of ammo in return.
Are Mammoth fans willing to part with a player like Caleb Desnoyers or Tij Iginla? That’s probably the price Utah will pay if they want to trade for the goaltender.
At 33, the Mammoth would give up years of a young player in hopes of winning the cup sooner. Plus, if Hellebuyck has one or two early playoff exits in Utah (consider his past playoff attempts), who’s to say he wouldn’t ask for another trade out.
Waiting Patiently
Should the Mammoth pursue Hellebuyck? Yes, at a fair price. With the goaltender suspended by the Jets, he could sit out the start of the season. This could create enough team drama to pressure the Jets front office into accepting a lowball offer. If so, the Mammoth front office should at least consider a deal.
But if the cons of acquiring Hellebuyck outweigh the pros, they’ll wait for the next opportunity to acquire a goalie. Vejmelka and Cossa are still on the team, and fans still haven’t seen how Veggie performs when another competent goaltender backs him up.
The waiting game for Hellebuyck shall continue. With Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff stubbornly waiting for a good trade package, the goaltender will stay locked up in Winnipeg.
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