Cheveldayoff Scoffs at 'Gentlemen’s Agreement' with Connor Hellebuyck

Winnipeg Jets’ GM Kevin Cheveldayoff addressed the media on Thursday and discussed where things stand with goaltender Connor Hellebuyck. Among the questions asked was if he could confirm a “gentlemen’s agreement” with the star goalie.

A report has surfaced over the past 24-48 hours that Hellebuyck is upset because he was promised a chance to win. If the team wasn’t successful, it was also reported that he was told the team would try to facilitate a trade. The Jets were not good in 2024-25, missing the playoffs, and now Hellebuyck is cashing in his chit.

Cheveldayoff immediately denied that any such promise or agreement existed. “A contract is a contract in the National Hockey League. Period. There are no side agreements; the league doesn’t allow for that, so any notion around that would not have any merit.”

According to the GM, not promise was ever made. There was no understanding that a trade would come if the team struggled. The Jets didn’t sign Hellebuyck to do him a favor the first time something went sideways.

Would It Even Matter?

What’s interesting about the rumor is that the Jets had won the Presidents’ Trophy the season prior. So too, it was Hellebuyck who was largely responsible for the team’s lack of success in 2025-26. It was his worst season statistically, and if he’d been up to the same level as in previous seasons, it’s hard to know how well the Jets might have done.