NHL Trades and Rumors
Insider Believes Connor Hellebuyck’s Jets Future Is More Complicated This Time
Is a Connor Hellebuyck trade more likely this time around after he called out the Winnipeg Jets?
For the second time in the last four years, Connor Hellebuyck expressed his displeasure with the state of the Winnipeg Jets at the end of a disappointing season.
In 2022–23, it came after a five-game series loss to the Vegas Golden Knights despite winning Game 1, and this year, it came after missing the playoffs altogether with just 82 points on the season. Hellebuyck isn’t happy about it, and he didn’t sugarcoat his frustration and concerns moving forward during last Friday’s year-end media availability.
While the superstar netminder was understandably caught in the heat of the moment, Sportsnet insider Elliotte Friedman believes this time around, keeping Hellebuyck happy in Winnipeg could be a much taller task for several reasons.
“The challenge is Hellebuyck is three years older, and, with Olympic Gold, he’s tasted the sweet nectar of ultimate victory. That doesn’t sate your thirst, it increases it. Those two ingredients make the test more difficult this time.
I believe Winnipeg is one of the NHL’s better front-offices. But, last season’s moves went poorly, and twice, Hellebuyck referred to player procurement limitations. He needs to be convinced they can get the help they need,”
The 32-year-old Hellebuyck will be entering year three of the seven-year, $59.5 million extension he signed with the Jets in 2023 next season. He’s coming off a down 2025–26 season in which he went 23–23–11 while sporting a 2.86 goals-against average, a .895 save percentage, with zero shutouts.
Winning Olympic gold certainly changes perspective for all of the Team USA stars, and for Hellebuyck in particular, as Friedman mentioned, the clock is ticking on his prime. Winnipeg has had some very strong teams in recent years that have faltered come the postseason, and it now looks like their best chance to compete for a Cup, led by Hellebuyck, may be behind them.
The three-time Vezina Trophy winner will still have to sit down with management and determine what the plan and outlook are in Winnipeg. That said, if it’s not good enough to convince him that the Jets can return to being a true contender, then a major trade chip may have just emerged for the offseason.
Next: Former NHLer Won’t Rule Out Calvin Pickard Seeing Playoff Action
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