The Winnipeg Jets weren't crazy about what Florida offered for Connor Hellebuyck, according to Elliotte Friedman.
Friedman first reported it on Sportsnet on Sept. 29, and the details resurfaced today through NHL Rumour Report.
The Panthers' pitch reportedly included Evan Rodrigues, another roster player, possibly Eetu Luostarinen, and the draft-pick package sent to Ottawa for Brady Tkachuk.
No goalie was part of the offer.
Winnipeg was right to balk. Moving Hellebuyck without getting a netminder back is how good teams talk themselves into bad seasons.
It's like trying to buy a house with a stack of gift cards. The total might add up on paper, but nobody's handing over the keys.
His $8,500,000 cap hit ranks third among NHL goaltenders, and he's currently serving a suspension.
Why the Winnipeg Jets rejected Florida's Connor Hellebuyck offer
Rodrigues now plays for the Devils, where he has yet to register a point and sits at a -4 rating.
Luostarinen has 2 goals for Florida on a $3,000,000 cap hit.
Brady Tkachuk, the player that pick package once landed, is still looking for his first point as a Panther.
Meanwhile, the Jets keep winning. They're 3-0-1 and sit first in their division.
Stuart Skinner owns a .920 save percentage, and Clay Stevenson sits at .935.
The absence hasn't gone unnoticed, though. A fan-built website is tracking the salary Hellebuyck forfeits every second of his suspension.
Florida's interest makes sense. Jacob Markstrom is 36, even if he's posted a .927 save percentage and a shutout so far.
Akira Schmid sits at an .875 save percentage in his three appearances, which helps explain why Florida went shopping.
Does Bill Zito come back with a better offer, or has that window already closed?
Kevin Cheveldayoff has every reason to hold firm while his team keeps stacking wins.
The Jets host Anaheim tonight without Josh Morrissey, and Florida opens its home schedule Saturday against Minnesota.
These two teams meet twice in four days later this month, Oct. 27 in Winnipeg and Oct. 30 in Florida. That's plenty of time for this story to take another turn.
Should the Jets trade Connor Hellebuyck to Florida if the Panthers add a goalie to the deal?
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