Connor Hellebuyck was suspended by the Winnipeg Jets following his failure to report to training camp this week. The suspension was announced on Wednesday and is expected to be addressed by Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff during a press conference on Thursday.
Earlier this summer, Hellebuyck publicly requested a trade out of Winnipeg through his agent, Ray Petkau. In his statement, he expressed that he had attempted to manage the situation quietly and respectfully while allowing the organization time to consider its options.
“With training camp approaching, I felt it was important to publicly confirm my request,” Hellebuyck stated in August. “My position has not changed, and I believe moving on is the best path forward for me and my family. I appreciate everything Winnipeg Jets fans have meant to me throughout my career and hope a resolution can be reached soon.”
Hellebuyck, 33, is entering the third year of his seven-year contract extension and was expected to join five other goaltenders on the Jets roster for training camp. He had previously voiced concerns about the team's performance, criticizing the organization for missing the playoffs and questioning its ability to build a competitive team.
“For me, it’s winning a Stanley Cup. That’s my goal, and that’s all I have left,” Hellebuyck said in April, as reported by The Athletic. “I don’t play this game for the money, I don’t play it for the fame. I do it for my own personal fun, and part of that is winning a Cup. For me, I’m just looking at … How can I get that? How can I get there?”
The situation is expected to evolve in the coming days. If Hellebuyck remains suspended when the regular season begins, he will forfeit his $8.5 million salary until reinstated. Additionally, if he is suspended at the start of the regular season, his contract will not count against the salary cap.