Connor Hellebuyck and the Winnipeg Jets are about to find themselves in quite the awkward situation.
According to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, the Jets will have to end Hellebuyck’s suspension for failing to report to training camp on Friday, October 23. Under the NHL’s CBA, the Jets could suspend Hellebuyck for a “reasonable length” of time for missing the preseason, and that timeframe ends at the end of next week.
Friedman specifically cites Article 15.13, subsection (c)(v) of the CBA, which reads:
If a Player who has not received permission to be absent from Training Camp returns to the Club, he shall be subject to a disciplinary suspension of reasonable length.
Hellebuyck will continue to forfeit his 2026-27 season salary (now over $721k) until the suspension is lifted. However, once he returns to Winnipeg’s roster, Friedman reports he could still stay home until the Jets finally resolve his offseason trade request.
“One possibility: the Jets pay him to stay at home,” Friedman wrote. “I don’t think that’s what anyone wants — not Hellebuyck, not the Jets, not the players, not the fans — but that’s where we could be next week, barring a trade.”
The Jets, 4-1-2 without Hellebuyck between the pipes, are playing their eighth game of the season against the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday. In Hellebuyck’s absence, Stuart Skinner has taken over as the number-one goalie, with waiver-wire pickup Clay Stevenson backing him up.
Earlier this week, it was reported that while Hellebuyck may want to return to Winnipeg, even just for practice reps, his teammates may not want him back. Jets head coach Scott Arniel and captain Adam Lowry seemed to hint at that possibility after the team’s 3-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday.
“I really don’t care right now on that scenario,” Arniel told the Winnipeg Free Press’ Mike McIntyre. “That part falls on Chevy (general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff). I’m going to face that when it happens. I don’t know what next week is going to look like. I’ve got 23 guys; all they care about is winning hockey games.”
“If he does show up, conversations are going to have to happen,” Lowry said.
Hellebuyck is signed through the 2030-31 campaign at an $8.5 million cap hit. In 57 games for the Jets last season, Hellebuyck posted a 23-23-11 record, a 2.86 goals-against average, and an .895 save percentage.
The price to acquire the multi-time Vezina Trophy winner is thought to be two second-line-caliber NHL players and additional young assets. Hellebuyck still has a full no-movement clause this season, so he will need to sign off on any potential future landing spot.
