Connor Hellebuyck wanted to join the Sabres — this is why Jets trade didn't happen

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Connor Hellebuyck apparently was ready to join the Buffalo Sabres.

Their trade talks with the Winnipeg Jets broke down anyway, though, and now it's not clear they're coming back.

The Sabres have goalie depth, but they don't have the star power in net that Hellebuyck would've provided.

Hellebuyck seemingly wants to leave Winnipeg, although there hasn't been a publicized, official trade request.

It seemed like a good match as the rumors swirled, until they hit a hiccup.

MORE: Dylan Larkin's trade list is causing a problem

Why didn't the Sabres get Connor Hellebuyck?

It sounds like the trade details specifically were the problem.

Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman spoke on his new 32 Thoughts podcast about the negotiations.

“Buffalo was like, ‘No, if we’re giving you the fourth overall pick, we have to get the eighth overall pick back,'” Friedman said on his podcast. “I think Winnipeg wanted both of those picks, and that’s why it didn’t happen.”

Essentially, Buffalo only wanted to allow the Jets a bit of a move up the draft board but not an additional first-round pick.

The Jets wanted two picks in the top-10.

It's a bit surprising that Buffalo wasn't willing to give more ground and get this done, because Hellebuyck would've been a massive difference maker.

Maybe these teams can still revisit discussions, but now that the draft is over, it gets a bit more complicated to trade future picks, or otherwise it's dealing active contracts, which also can come with complications.

Still, it's not obvious Hellebuyck will last in Winnipeg, so the Sabres could try to step back up to the table.