Winnipeg Jets pursue trade for suspended star Connor Hellebuyck
General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirms the club is seeking fair value for the three-time Vezina Trophy winner, who remains suspended for failing to report to training camp.
Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff confirmed on Thursday that the organisation continues to explore a trade for goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, one day after suspending the player for failing to report to training camp. The suspension marks a significant escalation in a dispute that began during April exit meetings, when Hellebuyck formally requested a move from the franchise.
Cheveldayoff stated that the club is looking for a resolution that works for both sides, while noting that the door remains open for Hellebuyck to stay in Winnipeg. The general manager did not disclose the specific reasons behind the player’s desire to leave, emphasising that the request was made privately during the April meetings and only became public in late August.
The primary obstacle to a swift resolution is the lack of a trade proposal deemed to represent fair value. According to reports cited by Cheveldayoff, the Jets have not received an offer that accounts for Hellebuyck’s elite status and the years remaining on his contract. The goaltender is signed through the 2030-31 season with an $8.5 million salary cap hit and retains a full no-move clause, which complicates negotiations with potential suitors.
Cheveldayoff also clarified the contractual nature of the arrangement, stating there was no "gentleman's agreement" or side deal regarding the trade request. He emphasised that in the National Hockey League, a contract is a contract, and that the league does not allow for informal side agreements that would override the written terms.
In the interim, the Jets have designated Stuart Skinner, who was signed in July, as their primary goaltending option. It remains unclear how long Hellebuyck will remain out of training camp, but the club is proceeding without a specific deadline to consummate a trade. Cheveldayoff noted that Hellebuyck is part of the Winnipeg family until he is no longer part of it.
Hellebuyck, who was drafted 12th overall by the Jets in 2012, is a three-time Vezina Trophy winner, three-time NHL First-team All-Star, and the 2024-25 Hart Trophy winner. He also backstopped the United States to a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
