Connor Hellebuyck's situation with the Winnipeg Jets is getting complicated.
The Jets have suspended the goaltender for failing to report to training camp, the team announced on Wednesday.
Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff will address the media at 10:30 a.m. ET on Thursday.
Hellebuyck 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."
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.
The 33-year-old from Commerce Township, Mich., was a middling 23-23-11 in 57 games with a 2.86 goals-against average and an .895 save percentage with Winnipeg last season. But he did help the United States win gold at the 2026 Milan Cortina Olympics, making 41 saves in a 2-1 win over Canada in the gold-medal game.
Over 625 career games with the Jets, Hellebuyck has a 345-208-55 record with a 2.58 goals-against average, .916 save percentage and 45 shutouts. He also won the Vezina Trophy in 2020 and 2024.
He signed an eight-year, US$59.5 million extension with Winnipeg in October 2023. He's under contract through 2031 at a salary cap hit of $8.5 million.
— With files from The Canadian Press
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