The rumors involving Connor Hellebuyck and the Colorado Avalanche aren’t exactly new. They sort of went away this summer when it seemed that nothing was going to happen.
But then, Thursday’s official announcement from the Winnipeg Jets netminder’s agent confirming the trade request ignited talk about the three-time Vezina Trophy winner heading to Colorado.
Now, it seems the market is onboard with the idea of Hellebuyck heading to Denver.
According to the most recent odds, the Avalanche are the stunning favorites to land Connor Hellebuyck. Current numbers show the Avs at +400, the best odds in the field to land the gold medal winner.
That’s a surprising number, particularly when considering that the Buffalo Sabres reportedly had a deal in place at last year’s NHL trade deadline. The deal didn’t happen, of course, but that situation wasn’t enough to convince oddsmakers to place the Sabres as the favorites. Buffalo is right behind Colorado at +500, with the New Jersey Devils at +600.
So, what does all of this mean?
Well, it signals that there’s information floating around that we don’t know about. When markets begin pricing in moves like this, it’s because there’s something seriously afoot.
That’s why, if oddsmakers are so high on Colorado, could it mean there are some serious legs to this rumor?
Avalanche are Hellebuyck’s best chance at a Stanley Cup
If it seems strange to see the Avalanche leading the odds to acquire Connor Hellebuyck, there’s a simple answer to that. Colorado is likely Hellebuyck’s best chance to win a Cup.
Let’s think about that for a moment.
The 33-year-old already has everything he could want. He has three Vezina Trophies, a Hart Trophy, and an Olympic Gold Medal.
What else could he possibly want?
A Stanley Cup.
A Cup would easily thrust him into a category with other legendary goalies like Patrick Roy, Martin Brodeur, or Dominik Hasek. Hellebuyck would have something that other goalies like Carey Price never earned.
That’s why Colorado is the perfect fit. The Avalanche can make the deal work with a little creativity and could represent the ideal landing spot.
As for when this deal could happen, that’s another story. But you have to think that it has to happen soon. More than likely, the Avalanche will announce Cale Makar’s contract extension with all the fanfare befitting the event. The organization will let the dust settle and then pull the trigger.
The last thing Joe Sakic would like is to have a Hellebuyck trade steal Makar’s thunder.
It might take a little while. But if a trade such as this is actually real, the Avalanche would have to be the overwhelming favorites to win the Cup in 2027.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change
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