Devils wouldn't deal Holtz alone for Hellebuyck, let alone adding a 1st and other auxiliary pieces on top of that.
Take Holtz out of the deal and the trade return for Hellebuyck would be consistent with returns for pending UFA star goalies.

Not many top 5 goalies are generally traded, so I don't really know what comparables you think of, could you name some? I'm genuinely curious.

I probably shouldn't have implied there are multiple perfect comparables. You're right that goalies of this caliber are rarely traded.

The best recent one I can really think of is that of Kuemper back in 2021. Pending UFA, easily a top 10 goalie at the time. 1st + 3rd + B level prospect.
Then there's Ryan Miller from the 2014 TDL. Pending UFA playing at the height of his powers going from Buffalo to the Blues. 1st + 3rd + Halak (lesser starter mainly for salary purposes) + B level prospect.

Going by these two comps, a futures laden Hellebuyck to the Devils deal should probably look something like 1st + 3rd + Vanecek + Graeme Clarke (or Nolan Foote)...

At this point in time I'd probably rank Hellebuyck as the 8th best goalie in the NHL behind:
1. Saros
2. Shesterkin
3. Sorokin
4. Vasilievsky
5.Gustavsson
6. Oettinger
7. Ullmark

8th that’s ridiculous, there’s only 3 on that list I may choose over him.

You have to consider things like age and value of contract (long term an 8year deal for a 31yr old goalie is BAAAAAAD idea).

Hellebuyck has a lot of miles and has played more good hockey than what he has left.

So you’re taking goalies that have had 10 minute healthy flashes of being good over him, theres a list there that is rather mediocre at ranking goalies. Age/contract whatever you want to add it, still a terrible list.

You actually think the Devs would give all that plus that contract? Really? Stop!

He's tied for 4th or #5

I agree with you on this one. At this present moment, I'd probably put him at worst 5th, probably 4th.

I kinda feel like some Devils fans on this site are purposefully undervaluing Hellebuyck at this point. He should be no worse than 5th right now.

Also, no way is Saros is #1. He's great, but he's not better than Igor, Sorokin or Vasy.

Devils pass, And no sane GM is giving a 31 year old Connor Hellebuyck 8x9.5M

Holtz is a "pillar player" according to Fitzgerald. He is off the table

I don't agree with the full list, but I don't like the concept of trading all that for Hellebuyck (which no one else would even closely match) AND that insane contract...it would be a awful move for a team hitting their prime. 31 year old goalies are not getting many prime years. You have to understand that.

I think the vibe and tune is changing on both helly and scheifele, and they are both starting to realize is their best shot at being overpaid and overtermed is staying right where they are. As far
as that trade goes, your right, end of the day it’s a rental, so token first plus players that don’t effect next couple runs, and some cap mixed in.

This take is ill-informed and based on surface level information at best. He wont get an 8 year deal anywhere, that's ridiculous. Even he knows that.

Or Hellebuyck for that matter!

Madness!

It seems this comment was based on the poster signing him for 8 years. I agree, no 8 year deal is coming for Hellebuyck. That being said, he will give any team 4-5 years of top 10 goaltending without a doubt. He is that focused and conditioned. His style of play is positioning which has less impact on his body. Seeing him up close for many years I have NO DOUBT he will continue to play at a high level for many years to come!

Thats fair!

You do get I'm responding to what the OP said, right?

ya,apologies, took me a minute but... I caught up!

Yeah compared to the Kuemper trade your suggestion for a Hellebuyck trade return sounds reasonable, maybe make the 3rd a 2nd or something to tweak it.
I mean Kuemper is and was really good, but not at Hellebuycks level in my opinion.
From your list I'd probably put Shesterkin, Sorokin and Vasi ahead of Helle at the moment, a case for Saros and maybe Oettinger could be made aswell. Gustavsson I think is too premature to judge just yet, and I'd like to see another season from Ullmark also.