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Jets Make It Official: Connor Hellebuyck Suspended Amid Trade Standoff
The Winnipeg Jets announced on Wednesday that they have suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for failure to report to training camp.
The Winnipeg Jets announced on Wednesday that they have suspended goaltender Connor Hellebuyck for failure to report to training camp. Amidst what was going to be a holdout because a trade demand has not yet been made, the Jets have responded. General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is set to address the media at 10:30 a.m. tomorrow, Thursday, Sept. 17th, and will offer up more information on this decision.
The Hellebuyck situation in Winnipeg continues to get more dramatic as the days go by. We have now reached the point of a genuine standoff, and insider Chris Johnston says it’s hard to predict where things go from here.
As of this week, Hellebuyck still hadn’t reported to the Jets, with training camp winding down and the regular season fast approaching. Johnston notes the netminder is losing salary every day he stays away, and there’s no clear picture of his current game shape. TSN’s Darren Dreger also recently reported that trade offers for Hellebuyck have been “terrible,” and Johnston added that no NHL clubs seem urgent about acquiring him.
“This is a real standoff,” Johnston said, adding that it’s become clear the Jets need certain pieces in return to make a trade worthwhile. Earlier reporting this week described Winnipeg’s asking price as steep, which Johnston suggests is a sign the team isn’t in any rush to move him.
Now, with a suspension, the likelihood that this all gets worked out and the two sides repair what appears to be a broken relationship is low. Johnston pegged the odds of a full reconciliation at around 13%, saying that’s a strong indication the goaltender is digging in on his trade demand. The Jets are now digging in too. Hellebuyck will not receive his salary, and it will not count against the Jets’ salary cap while he is suspended.
The Hellebuyck Situation Keeps Getting More Dramatic and Unusual
Johnston also pointed out how unusual this situation is by NHL standards. He couldn’t recall many recent examples of a player demanding a trade, sitting out, and then simply returning as if nothing happened. A suspension only adds fuel to the fire.
According to Johnston, Hellebuyck is only willing to entertain a few preferred destinations, which helps expand the trade market considerably.
Next: Detroit’s Larkin Drama Just Got Even More Complicated
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