“This Is Different”: Insider Adds New Wrinkle to Winnipeg-Hellebuyck Resolution

Elliotte Friedman doesn’t think there’s any saving this one. And by this one, he means the relationship between the Winnipeg Jets and goaltender Connor Hellebuyck.

On the latest 32 Thoughts podcast, the veteran insider said he’s come away from digging into the Connor Hellebuyck situation with real sympathy for everyone caught in it — the Jets organization, the goaltender himself, and Winnipeg’s fan base. “There were some things that happened last year that were out of the Jets’ control post-Olympics that have made this situation impossible to resolve,” Friedman said.

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Friedman also revealed new details about the trade market. Hellebuyck’s list of preferred destinations is reportedly wider than other recent players who requested trades — though not Canadian teams — and is centered on where he believes he can win rather than lifestyle factors like taxes. Complicating matters, some of the assets in earlier packages have already moved: Buffalo no longer holds the pick once thought to be in play, and pieces from a reported Florida offer, including a player Friedman named, have since been dealt elsewhere.

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Jets Know They Have To Get This Hellebuyck Trade Done

Friedman said he believes Winnipeg now recognizes a deal has to get done, calling it a hugely important trade the Jets need to get right. He added he’ll withhold judgment until seeing the final return, noting this situation is different from other star trade requests around the league.

“I think the biggest challenge for the Jets was realizing that they couldn’t go back in time and a deal has to get done at some point. I really do feel badly for everybody involved here. This is not like some of the other situations; this is different.”

He also touched on Winnipeg’s goaltending replacement plans, saying the team has at times prioritized bringing back a familiar name as they sort out next steps in net.

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