Maple Leafs must act now on Connor Hellebuyck's official trade request

With Connor Hellebuyck officially admitting he has submitted a trade request, the Maple Leafs need to jump on that immediately if they want a fighting chance to acquire him.

On Thursday afternoon, the hockey world was given the news that Connor Hellebuyck had indeed submitted a trade request, as he wrote a statement that was posted to social media that thanked the Winnipeg Jets, their fans, and everyone that supported him - but has decided it's time for a change.

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Hellebuyck won't have a shortage of suitors, and there was serious talks about him headed to the BuffaloSabres at one point but those talks never materialized, and with him on the block now - they could revisit that.

Toronto's current goalie plan suddenly looks much less permanent with Hellebuyck available

Which is why the Maple Leafs have to be proactive if they want to have a fighting chance of acquiring Hellebuyck, especially if they want to have a surefire starter for the next generation of Maple Leafs.

Hellebuyck, 32, posted a 23-23-11 record last season with a 2.86 GAA and .895 SV%, but has a stellar 348-205-55 record with a 2.58 GAA and .916 SV% for his career along with a three Vezina's and a Hart Trophy.

That level of goaltending rarely comes around, and the Maple Leafs who already invested heavily into Sergei Bobrovsky and Anthony Stolarz may now need to shift gears. Hellebuyck would be an improvement over Stolarz, and is younger than Bobrovsky while also only being slightly more expensive ($8.5M AAV) and signed for only a year more than Bobrovsky.

With Toronto expecting Bobrovsky to shoulder the bulk of the load, they need a bit more of a contingency plan behind him, and Stolarz as good as he can be - isn't the answer, and Bobrosvky's age is certainly going to be factored in.

Hellebuyck is a monster when it comes to starting games, as he has multiple seasons with 60+ starts and has twice led the league in goaltender minutes.

Hellebuyck would give Toronto the starter they need who can handle the bulk of a workload without concerns regarding his age, and even if he were to be a 1A who starts 40+ games - that combined with what Bobrovsky can do could lead to an incredible level of goaltending the Maple Leafs have never had.

Toronto's Hellebuyck offer should start with Cowan and Akhtyamov, not Matthew Knies

Well if they are losing their franchise goalie it's likely that they are going to want one in return, so adding Stolarz into the mix will give them a cheaper veteran goalie who may be able to thrive with much less pressure and more protection in Winnipeg.

Then you get into prospects which will no doubt start with Easton Cowan and could include Ben Danford as well as Artur Akhtyamov. Cowan gives the Jets an offensive piece to build around alongside Viggo Bjorck, and Danford can be their young blossoming shutdown defender who makes them younger.

Then you have the Calder Cup Playoff MVP in Akhtyamov, as he could be a future superstar goalie and if the Jets are trying to ensure they have a franchise goalie for years to come - they could look to him as a potential option.

Making the hockey trade work is only half the problem. Toronto would also have to create room for Hellebuyck's $8.5-million cap hit, meaning another significant roster move could become necessary depending on how much salary Winnipeg retained or Toronto sent back.

But this deal should not in any way, shape, or form contain Matthew Knies. If the team was hesitant to add him into a package for Zach Werenski, it's hard to see them using him as bait for a position they have already dedicated money to filling and he's too crucial to the future offence of the Maple Leafs.

Hellebuyck would offer the Maple Leafs a goaltender who could be their answer to a long playoff push and perhaps a Stanley Cup appearance. But it's going to take a lot of work, and they have to hope they aren't too late with their offer knowing that teams are working just as hard to bring him in.

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