Connor Hellebuyck's trade request and subsequent failure to report to training camp have him at odds with the Winnipeg Jets entering the season.
The Jets announced on Wednesday that Hellebuyck had been suspended, and general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed the media regarding the decision on Thursday.
“Unfortunately, this situation is what it is," Cheveldayoff said. "We've been dealing with it for a period of time now. Just looking to find a resolution that works for both sides, certainly for the players and the fans of the Winnipeg Jets."
Cheveldayoff added that while no doors are closed on the goaltender continuing to play for the Jets, that will be decided by Hellebuyck, and for now, he will continue to look for a trade.
The general manager added that there is no rush and that they "just want to get this right."
Hellebuyck will not receive pay or carry a cap charge during the suspension for not reporting, according to PuckPedia.
"This really isn't about finances, from our perspective," Cheveldayoff said. "It's more so just procedural."
The three-time Vezina winner publicly requested a trade out of Winnipeg earlier this off-season, but claims he informed the Jets of his desire to be moved months before.
“Winnipeg has been my home for my entire NHL career, and I will always be grateful for my time there,” Hellebuyck said in a statement. “I have never forgotten June 23, 2012. That’s the day Winnipeg took a chance on a goalie playing in Odessa, Texas. I gave everything I had from that moment to prove that the Jets made the right decision.
“Several months ago, I privately requested a trade. I have tried to handle the situation quietly and respectfully while giving the organization time to explore its options."
Now it appears that Hellebuyck is holding out until his request is fulfilled.
When asked about Hellebuyck's preferences for potential destinations, Cheveldayoff declined to give a concrete answer.
“The choices that he makes are the choices that he makes," he said.
Hellebuyck has a full no-movement clause and five years left on a seven-year contract with an average annual value of $8.5 million.
Hellebuyck backstopped the Jets to the NHL's best record in the 2024-25 season and was rewarded with the Hart Trophy as league MVP as well as his third Vezina Trophy as top goalie.
However, Cheveldayoff said in late June that he is listening to trade offers for Hellebuyck after the team followed up its Presidents' Trophy win by missing the playoffs.
Hellebuyck had a down season by his standards in 2025-26, recording a 2.86 goals-against average and .895 save percentage over 57 games, with just 23 wins, but Cheveldayoff is still looking to recoup maximum value for him,
"I think you know what we have to understand here is that we're talking about moving Connor Hellebuyck," Cheveldayoff said on Thursday. "We're talking about moving a player that's been very, very important to this franchise and is a very good player in the National Hockey League. And we expect, I guess, that a level of return would be commensurate to that."
“We’re still trying to win. Period,” he added.
The Jets' pre-season opener is on Saturday against the Edmonton Oilers, and they open their regular season on Oct. 2 against the Boston Bruins.
