Is Jarmo Kekäläinen going to leave the NHL market? "95 percent sure"

NHL’s star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is at the center of trade talks, even though his previous trade out of the Winnipeg Jets reportedly fell through just before this summer’s draft.

Now, Winnipeg Free Press columnist Mike McIntyre assesses that the departure of the three-time Vezina winner from Winnipeg is just a matter of time.

– The probability of a trade is around 95 percent, McIntyre states.

Hellebuyck’s situation also sparks interest from a Finnish perspective. According to insider information, the American star would be willing to move to the Buffalo Sabres led by Jarmo Kekäläinen, who was close to acquiring a goaltender before the first round of this draft.

However, the deal reportedly fell through at the last minute. According to insider sources, Kekäläinen offered the Jets a package in the trade that would have included Finnish goaltender Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen.

According to various reporters, the decisive factor was Luukkonen’s contract. The Finnish goaltender’s no-trade list of five teams would have included the Winnipeg Jets, which is why the goaltender would have exercised his right to block the trade.

Although Hellebuyck’s trade did not materialize, the Sabres are still considered the most likely option for the star goaltender’s new team in case he is traded during the summer.

Rasmus Ristolainen’s torment continues in the NHL – yet another terrible setback

NHL | 26.10.2026 19:25