WINNIPEG — Connor Hellebuyck's suspension is set to end on 23 October, leaving the Winnipeg Jets to decide the next step in a standoff that has defined their early season. The 33-year-old requested a trade this summer, failed to report to training camp and has forfeited nearly $850,000 in salary during his absence, with Sportsnet reporting he will soon be eligible to return to the lineup. The Jets have been fine without him at 4-2-2.
Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff has kept the door open on a possible reunion, while Hellebuyck has previously indicated that "moving on is the best path forward for me and my family," suggesting a long-term relationship is out of the question. Captain Adam Lowry addressed the situation this weekend and offered a blunt assessment: "He's a good friend of mine," Lowry said. "Do I love the decision (to not report to camp)? Do I love the way it's dragged on? No. But we'll handle the situation when it comes. Obviously we're disappointed with the outcome, he's one of the best goalies in the world."
That status is undisputed — Hellebuyck is a Hart Trophy winner and a three-time Vezina Trophy winner — and it is precisely why Cheveldayoff has refused to deal Hellebuyck for pennies on the dollar. The view from Winnipeg is that bringing him back into the dressing room should be an absolute last resort, with the risk of poisoning the waters for a player who wants no part of the team outweighing any short-term gain between the pipes.
Cheveldayoff answers only to Jets owner Mark Chipman, and the organisation are within their rights to take a hard line and hold firm to the price they deem adequate. Hellebuyck made a long-term commitment to the franchise and, while he has the right to change his mind, he does not get to dictate when a trade is made. With committed core players such as Lowry, Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Josh Morrissey in place, the focus for Cheveldayoff and head coach Scott Arniel remains on those who want to play for Winnipeg, rather than accepting less than value for a disgruntled star.