Jets Unsure What Comes Next as Hellebuyck Suspension Nears End
Winnipeg coach Scott Arniel said the organization is waiting to see what happens with Connor Hellebuyck once his suspension expires Friday. ESPN reports that at least three teams remain in the mix for a trade, though a deal by Friday is not guaranteed. Hellebuyck, who requested a trade in the offseason, may continue to stay away from the team while still being paid.
Winnipeg’s suspension of Hellebuyck is set to expire Friday, Oct. 23, under a CBA provision limiting how long a club can suspend a player for failing to report. He had asked for a trade in the offseason and previously told the Jets he planned to return before the regular season began.
The Jets are 4-2-2 without him. Stuart Skinner has gone 3-0-2, while Clay Stevenson is 1-2-0. Hellebuyck is in year two of a seven-year, $59.5 million contract. Winnipeg could trade him, keep paying him away from the team, use a conditioning stint, or put him back in the lineup.
The unresolved Hellebuyck situation may affect Jets players, coaches, and fans by prolonging uncertainty around the roster and locker-room focus. Other clubs considering a trade could see their plans shift if talks advance or stall. Supporters in Winnipeg and around the league may follow the outcome closely, while the case could also shape how teams and players handle similar standoffs under the CBA.