Hellebuyck Holdout Takes a Turn, Jets Send Clear Message to Goaltender

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According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the Winnipeg Jets have no interest in Connor Hellebuyck returning. Hellebuyck hasn’t played this season, and he’s waiting to be traded, but there was chatter he might change his holdout stance and return to the club, both to prompt action on trade discussions and get back some of the money he’s leaving on the table with his refusal to join the roster.

The Jets have suspended him without pay, while Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson handle the net. With no deal in sight, Hellebuyck keeps losing money from his $8.5 million cap hit, which has fueled speculation that he might end the holdout and return.

On TSN’s OverDrive, Dreger said there’s truth to that speculation, adding that “Winnipeg is not interested in that.” He said the obvious reason Hellebuyck would want back is the money.

Dreger also said the NHL backs the Jets’ right to suspend Hellebuyck without pay, since he skipped training camp and made clear he wants out. Any return would require a conversation between the league office and the players’ association, but Dreger said his checks with the league indicate it still strongly sides with Winnipeg on the power of suspension.

Hellebuyck Is Running Out of Leverage

Dreger raised another concern: teams that have kicked the tires on Hellebuyck are growing worried about his conditioning. Nobody has seen him skating, and Dreger said he won’t be in elite form when he returns. Clubs are wondering how long it will take him to get back to form.

Given that his playoff performances have already been sketchy and his numbers from last season were among his worst, the appeal to chasing Hellebuyck via trade has lessened. The longer this drags out, the less likely teams put together strong packages. Meanwhile, the Jets and Kevin Cheveldayoff aren’t rushing a trade.

Meanwhile, the Jets are 4-1-2 through seven games. As they keep winning without him, Hellebuyck is starting to look foolish through all of this. He thought he’d have the Jets in tough position. It turns out they’re OK without him; teams aren’t lining up to acquire him; he’s losing money; and the Jets don’t even want him back.

This is not going the way that Hellebuyck was hoping it would go.

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