Pierre LeBrun just shut the door on Connor Hellebuyck to the Oilers, and he didn't leave it open a crack.
"People have wondered about Edmonton for Connor Hellebuyck, he's not gonna play in Canada," LeBrun said. "So, please let's stop with that. That's not happening."
That lines up with what Mike McIntyre said last week. McIntyre didn't believe the goalie would agree to go to another Canadian market.
It also matches Elliotte Friedman's reporting. Hellebuyck's initial target was Florida, and the Jets weren't sold on the Panthers' offer.
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For Edmonton, that's a tough pill. Tristan Jarry carries a .739 save percentage, and Devon Levi sits at .810.
The Oilers are 2-0-1 anyway, but they've survived on offence. The crease hasn't carried them yet.
Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson buy the Jets more time
Winnipeg, meanwhile, is doing just fine without its star. The Jets are 2-0-1 after a 3-2 win in Pittsburgh on Monday.
Stuart Skinner sits at .909, and waiver claim Clay Stevenson is at .935. Friedman had wondered whether solid play from that duo could break the logjam.
Strong early numbers give Kevin Cheveldayoff leverage. He doesn't need to rush a deal while his crease holds up.
Edmonton needs to move on now. Chasing a goalie who won't come to Canada wastes time Stan Bowman doesn't have.
It's like waiting by the phone for an ex who already moved across the country.
Hellebuyck still carries an $8,500,000 cap hit, and the list of realistic destinations keeps shrinking.
The Oilers visit Anaheim on Wednesday, and the Jets host Colorado the same night. One team is still searching for a goalie, while the other is learning it may not need its old one.
Should the Oilers give up on landing Connor Hellebuyck?
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