With the Winnipeg Jets goalie on the market, Tage Thompson makes no secret that he would love for the Buffalo Sabres to go out and acquire a goalie who is "the best in the world."
LAS VEGAS — Tage Thompson said he has been texting sweet nothings to Connor Hellebuyck all summer long. And the Buffalo Sabres center is not alone.
Ever since Hellebuyck stopped 41 of 42 shots in a 2-1 overtime win against Canada to win gold at the 2026 Olympics in Milan, Team USA's group chat essentially morphed into a group hug, with Hellebuyck receiving most of the praise.
"Good morning, Helle. Thank you," Thompson said of what he and others will usually text to the Winnipeg Jets goalie.
"It was going pretty strong for I think the first few months after we won and it died out a little bit. But every now and then someone will chime in with one."
It's not just Thompson.
"Every once in a while people will text the chat to say, 'Thank you Helly,' " said Carolina's Jaccob Slavin.
Now that Hellebuyck's request for a trade out of Winnipeg have gone public, the messages might have taken on a new meaning.
As Thompson said, "We would love to have him in Buffalo."
Of course, he added that it's a sentiment shared by probably 31 other teams in the league.
"He's the best in the world," Thompson said of Hellebuyck. "There's things that are out of your control. We'd love to have him, but if that doesn't happen, then we just move forward with the group we got."
The Sabres won the Atlantic Division last season, ending a 14-season playoff drought, but may have taken a step back after losing winger Alex Tuch to free agency and trading top-four defenseman Bowen Byram to the Chicago Blackhawks.
With Florida and Toronto having improved significantly in the off-season, Buffalo could be in danger of missing out on the playoffs again. That is, unless the Sabres are able to acquire Hellebuyck, who two years ago won the Vezina Trophy and Hart Trophy as the league's top goalie and most valuable player, respectively.
"He's a very humble guy and works extremely hard, and obviously his gifts and his talents are undeniable," said Thompson. "I think what makes him so great is his competitiveness. He just rises to the occasion. He wants to be in those moments where the team leans on him. And when we had to lean on him, he showed up."
The Sabres were reportedly interested in acquiring Hellebuyck around the NHL Draft in late June, but Sabres GM Jarmo Kekalainen and Jets GM Kevin Cheveldayoff could not find common ground on a deal. Three months later, it is believed that the teams have reengaged on their talks, now that the start of the season is around the corner.
Any potential deal for Hellebuyck would inevitably have to involve one of the Buffalo's goalies. However, deciding which to part ways with could be complicated considering that they relied on both for most of the season.
Ukko-Pekka Luukonen is signed for three more years at a cap hit of $4.75-million, while Alex Lyon is on the final year of a deal that is worth $1.5-million. As a team, Buffalo ranked third in the league with a .900 save percentage.
"We have three talented goalies that all played great last year for us when we needed them," said Thompson. "We just need each guy to take another step, and I know those guys put in the work to do that and I'm excited for the season."
