“Terrible” Trade Offers Leave Hellebuyck in Awkward Spot With Jets

The Winnipeg Jets’ effort to trade star goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is hitting a wall and could get ugly, according to TSN insider Darren Dreger, who reports that while other teams have been calling about the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, the offers are “terrible.”

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According to Dreger, who was a guest on First Up this week, none of the offers on the table have been worth Winnipeg’s while. Dreger also believes Hellebuyck is unlikely to waive his no-trade clause to accept a deal that would keep him in Canada, further complicating the situation.

In response to Dreger’s report, other journalists like The Athletic’s Murat Ates have weighed in. He argued that the lack of a strong market should be a reality check for a goaltender of Hellebuyck’s caliber — one who has captured a Vezina, a Hart Trophy nomination, and is widely regarded as among the best in the world at his position. His stock has either fallen or teams just aren’t willing to move heaven and earth to acquire him, even though he’s reportedly a bit more flexible on his landing spot than other stars who have requested trades this summer.

Ates suggested Winnipeg may have hurt its own leverage by waiting through the draft and past July 1 to move him. Now, he’s wondering if this situation will hang over the team. “At the end of the day, Cheveldayoff must do what he feels is best for the Jets and Hellebuyck must do what he feels is the best for himself and his family.” Ates adds, “Maybe a September trade doesn’t work. Maybe it lasts. It’s a bad situation that could become worse than that. We wait.”

Elliotte Friedman shared his thoughts as well. He noted on the latest 32 Thoughts podcast that nothing is percolating; it’s been very quiet this weekend. “Only question is if he’d attend training camp. Talk all summer is he wouldn’t, we’ll see what happens this week.” He added that the Jets will not do this deal for futures. Winnipeg wants to compete and they aren’t prepared to make their team significantly worse.

So Now What? What Do Hellebuyck and The Jets Do?

Two things could happen. First, Hellebuyck and the Jets both dig in. For the goaltender, that means not attending camp and holding out until a trade happens. It’s not a good look, especially given the report that teams already aren’t looking to add him. If the Jets dig in and take action, this might be a relationship that never gets mended.

There’s also the organization’s position that they can’t take a lesser trade. Winnipeg could use the public narrative around “terrible” offers to signal to fans that it’s Hellebuyck himself, not the team, that is making this difficult. Either way, it complicates the player-team relationship and creates tension as the Jets prepare to open training camp with physicals this week.

Hellebuyck could expand his list, but as Dreger pointed out, he doesn’t believe Canada is an option, taking a team like the Edmonton Oilers out of the running.

At 33, Hellebuyck remains an elite goaltender, but skeptics argue his age and contract situation make it unlikely any team will meet Winnipeg’s asking price. For now, it appears the Jets may simply hold onto their goaltender and hope the dynamic shifts.

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