Connor Hellebuyck, Jets headed for ugly split after goalie fails to report to training camp

Hellebuyck has spent his entire career with the Jets organization and has been one of the best goalies in the league during that time. He has won three Vezina Trophies as the league's best goalie, and in 2026 backstopped Team USA to its first Olympic gold medal since 1980.

He still has five years remaining on his current contract that pays him $8.7 million per season against the salary cap. 

While Hellebuyck has been an elite goalie and is arguably the best American-born goalie ever, trading him is going to prove challenging for Winnipeg, mostly because it's going to be nearly impossible to get the type of return it will be looking for.

The Jets are going to want to stay competitive and likely want a huge return for a player that has been essential to their ability to compete. But Hellebuyck's age, remaining contract and the volatile nature of goalies is going to make teams (even if plenty are interested) hesitant to pay a steep price. Especially when they know Winnipeg's hands are being forced and Hellebuyck no longer seems willing to play for the team.

Cheveldayoff is one of the league's most patient, methodical and inactive general managers, and he rarely makes blockbuster moves unless he absolutely has to. It is going to be fascinating to see how long he drags this out, and how much hardball he is willing to play.

Hellebuyck has a contract, and at some point is going to have to show up if he wants to continue playing hockey. But this is also a situation the Jets should want to find a solution for sooner, rather than later, to avoid it becoming an even bigger distraction than it already is. It probably should have been more proactive in doing so earlier this summer, or at least done something to improve the roster to maybe entice Hellebuyck to change his mind. It ultimately did neither, and now it has a mess on its hands as the season begins.