Jets Weigh Hellebuyck Trade Before Suspension Ends Friday

The Winnipeg Jets are approaching a critical decision over goaltender Connor Hellebuyck, with at least three teams interested in a potential trade before his team-imposed suspension expires Friday, Oct. 23. ESPN reported Monday, Oct. 19, 2026, that Winnipeg could resume paying the 33-year-old without allowing him to rejoin the team if a deal fails to materialize.

Hellebuyck requested a trade during the offseason and did not report to training camp, prompting the Jets to suspend him on Sept. 16. According to ESPN, he has forfeited nearly $800,000 in salary and has been losing almost $39,000 per day. He has continued receiving regular ice time in Michigan while the organization considers its options.

The goaltender is in the third year of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract signed in October 2023. His full no-movement clause gives him approval over any trade destination, complicating Winnipeg's efforts to resolve the situation before the suspension ends.

Jets coach Scott Arniel acknowledged Monday that the organization has limited information about what comes next. General manager Kevin Cheveldayoff is handling trade discussions while the coaching staff prepares for the possibility of Hellebuyck returning.

“When it comes to Helly's scenario, honestly I don't really have a lot of information,” Arniel said. “I know everybody knows Friday. That's all we know.”

Arniel said the situation could become clearer as the deadline approaches, but he has not ruled out the goaltender's return. The team is also considering the uncertainty surrounding his status as Winnipeg prepares for two divisional road games and the upcoming Heritage Classic.

“Things will play themselves out, and we'll have a lot more answers for you… when that time arrives,” Arniel said. “It's all unknown right now for all of us. (Cheveldayoff) is handling that, he's dealing with that stuff.”

The coach also pushed back against suggestions that the locker room would automatically reject Hellebuyck if he returned. His comments indicated that the players and staff are waiting for the goaltender's next move rather than making a final decision about his place on the team.

“I don't think our whole group is saying, ‘Oh, we don't want you.’ There are some things that have happened on the outside that have probably built that narrative,” Arniel said. “There's none of us saying that right now. It's not us saying we don't want anything to do with him anymore. We're really just trying to see how this plays out.”

Forward Cole Perfetti said the team expects every player to share its commitment to winning. He indicated that Hellebuyck could still be accepted back if he demonstrates that he wants to remain part of the group.

“We're all kind of in the same boat. You hear the news, and all I'm going to say is that we want guys that want to be here,” Perfetti said. “If he comes back and kind of recommits to the group and shows to us that he wants to be a part of this, I think this group is pretty tight-knit, pretty committed, pretty determined, and more confident. We're a family in here.”

Perfetti added that Winnipeg's season goals remain the priority despite the unresolved dispute. The Jets entered the week with a 4-2-2 record after eight games, maintaining a competitive start without their regular starting goaltender.

“We have big goals, and aspirations for this season. We know what we want to do, and all we want are guys that want to be committed to that goal with us,” Perfetti said.

Hellebuyck's record makes the situation particularly significant for Winnipeg. He won the Hart Trophy as the NHL's most valuable player and his third Vezina Trophy in the 2024-25 season, when he recorded 47 wins, a 2.00 goals-against average and a .925 save percentage across 63 games.

He also helped the United States win Olympic gold in February 2026, finishing the tournament with a 1.18 goals-against average and a .956 save percentage. However, Winnipeg missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season, and Hellebuyck's save percentage fell to .895 in 57 games.

The Jets have relied on Stuart Skinner and Clay Stevenson during Hellebuyck's absence. According to NHL.com, Skinner has posted a 3-0-2 record with a 2.76 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage, while Stevenson has recorded a 1-2-0 record with a 3.08 goals-against average and an .893 save percentage.

Winnipeg's immediate schedule includes a Tuesday road game against the St. Louis Blues and a Thursday matchup with the Dallas Stars. The team is then scheduled to host the Montreal Canadiens in the 2026 NHL Heritage Classic at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg on Sunday, Oct. 25.