Option three for the Detroit Red Wings: Trade
With the impending demise of the Winnipeg Jets core roster after Heach Coach Rick Bowness threw his players under the bus, there could be a sliver of a chance Connor Hellebuyck will be on the market. If that is the case, Detroit should push hard for him. Hellebuyck is a former Vezina Trophy winner and arguably the best player on the Jets’ current roster. His cap hit is just slightly over $6 million.
Hellebuyck, 30, a native of Commerce, Michigan, posted a tremendous .920 save percentage to go along with a 2.49 goals-against average this past season in Winnipeg. In 64 appearances, the veteran netminder produced a regular season record of 37-25-2 while posting four shutouts.
Hellebuyck would offer flexibility in the net for the foreseeable future. A tandem of Husso-Hellebuyck could be a 50/50 split or allow Coach Lalonde to confidently ride the hot glove. In addition, there would be less of an urgency for Cossa to be pushed along, allowing him the proper time to fully develop his game to the NHL caliber.
Granted, moving on from Hellebuyck could mean that the Jets would ask for Husso in the return package, which would leave Detroit in the same situation they currently stand in, albeit upgrading the position.
The correct choice is anything but certain. What is certain is that Steve Yzerman and company understand that they can not go into next season with the same goaltending group. A move must be made to best support the talent of Husso while at the same time giving the team a better chance to win night in and night out.