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The Winnipeg Jets entered training camp with one major question hanging over the organization. Connor Hellebuyck wants out of Winnipeg. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner publicly confirmed his trade request on August 27. However, he originally made that request privately several months earlier. Hellebuyck said he gave the Jets time to explore their options. Now, the situation has reached another important stage. Hellebuyck was not expected to report for Winnipeg’s training camp. Daily Faceoff reported that development on September 15. The report cited The Athletic’s Murat Ates regarding Hellebuyck’s expected absence. However, the Jets still included Hellebuyck on their training camp roster. Therefore, reports of a formal suspension need careful context. The available reporting does not confirm that Winnipeg suspended him. Instead, Hellebuyck’s expected absence comes from the ongoing trade dispute.
Hellebuyck Made His Position Clear
Hellebuyck publicly confirmed his trade request shortly before training camp began. He explained that he wanted a fresh start for himself and his family. He also expressed appreciation for Winnipeg and its fans. The timing added pressure to an already complicated situation. Hellebuyck had spent his entire NHL career with the Jets. Winnipeg selected him in the fifth round of the 2012 NHL Draft. He eventually became one of the league’s premier goaltenders. The 33-year-old has won three Vezina Trophies during his career. He also won the Hart Trophy as the NHL’s most valuable player in 2025. Additionally, Hellebuyck helped the United States win Olympic gold in 2026. He made 41 saves during the Americans’ 2-1 overtime victory against Canada.
A Difficult Season Changed the Picture
Hellebuyck’s trade request followed a disappointing season for Winnipeg. The Jets finished 35-35-12 and missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs. Winnipeg finished eight points behind the Los Angeles Kings for the Western Conference’s second wild-card position. Hellebuyck also endured a statistical decline. He posted a 23-23-11 record across 57 games. His 2.86 goals-against average and .895 save percentage represented a significant drop. That season followed an extraordinary 2024-25 campaign. Hellebuyck went 47-12-3 with a 2.00 goals-against average. He also recorded a .925 save percentage and eight shutouts. Those numbers helped him win the Hart and Vezina Trophies.
The Jets Have Leverage
Winnipeg also holds an important piece of leverage. Hellebuyck remains under contract with the Jets. He signed a seven-year, $59.5 million contract in 2023. The deal carries an $8.5 million annual salary-cap hit. It runs through the 2030-31 season. That contract makes a trade complicated. The Jets can listen to offers without rushing into a deal. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has already acknowledged the organization would consider trade offers. However, Winnipeg wants significant value in return. The Jets need to consider their own roster needs. Losing an elite goaltender also creates another major hole. Winnipeg signed Stuart Skinner during the offseason. He could potentially take over more responsibility if Hellebuyck leaves.
Winnipeg’s Locker Room Moves Forward
Meanwhile, Jets players have tried to focus on the upcoming season. Captain Adam Lowry addressed the situation earlier this month. He said the team cannot spend its time constantly speculating about Hellebuyck’s future. Lowry emphasized that Hellebuyck remains a member of the Jets until something changes. Defenseman Josh Morrissey also discussed the situation. Morrissey and Hellebuyck have spent their entire NHL careers together. Morrissey acknowledged his personal disappointment over the trade request. Still, he understands that trades remain part of professional hockey. He also recognized Hellebuyck’s importance to Winnipeg.
What Happens Next?
The next major development could come quickly. If Hellebuyck stays away from camp, the Jets face increasing pressure to resolve the situation. However, Winnipeg does not have to trade him simply because he wants a move. That creates a complicated standoff between the player and organization. Hellebuyck wants a new destination. The Jets want appropriate value for one of hockey’s elite goaltenders. Meanwhile, the 2026-27 season approaches rapidly. Winnipeg must prepare for the possibility of playing without its longtime starter. Hellebuyck must decide how long he will remain away from the team. For now, neither side has publicly announced a final resolution. The Jets’ biggest training-camp storyline therefore sits outside the normal hockey action. It centers on whether Connor Hellebuyck will remain in Winnipeg.
This is interesting situation for both Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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